Home Blog Page 70

OF LIMBO Share Homage To Van Halen With “Finish What Ya Started”

Sistra News Team
-
0
OF LIMBO Share Homage To Van Halen With “Finish What Ya Started”

OF LIMBO are sharing a fun new homage to Van Halen with their acoustic version of the classic “Finish What Ya Started“.  It’s the 2nd release from the California band off their upcoming “Unplugged” album, which will be released this summer. 

Recorded at the band’s home studio in Long Beach, their self-produced rendition is a tongue-in-cheek remake that adheres to the original, while making it a bluesy, sexy and hell raising version that is the trademark sound that OF LIMBO has become known for. 

The band’s Jake Davies says “Jason Klein (formerly of Butcher Babies), our “Unplugged” bassist, brought us this one and we knew we had to do it. Van Hagar at their best! It’s a true “hound-dog” masterpiece.  We would never try to improve on their perfection. But we did take a couple liberties with the song here and there!”

“Finish What Ya Started” – Cover Artwork

The “Finish What Ya Started” video was directed by Brandon Vancour and filmed at OF LIMBO’s home studio in Long Beach. Jake explains “We just wanted to have fun and recreate the classic Van Halen video. We played around a little bit to make it a version our fans have come to expect. Other than that, we just followed their lead and hit up a couple babes (Internet sensations Heather Leather and Lindsey Ferrari) to dress up like rocker cowgirls while we danced around and sang along. There might have been some tequila involved…”

The band is ramping up their live shows to celebrate on release day for the song.  More dates are currently being booked to support the album release.

Live Shows

Friday, March 28th @ Alex’s Bar – Long Beach, CA

Friday, April 18th @ 4th Street Vine – Long Beach, CA  (Acoustic)
Saturday, May 3rd @ The 3 Clubs – Hollywood, CA (Full band/Electric)

Pol Sembrano Breaks Boundaries with Empowering New Video “Open Mind” Ahead of Genre-Bending Debut Album

Sistra News Team
-
0
Pol Sembrano Breaks Boundaries with Empowering New Video “Open Mind” Ahead of Genre-Bending Debut Album

Pol Sembrano is a Filipino-American composer and classically trained pianist from Seattle who has recently decided to step out of his comfort zone into electronic music with his upcoming self-titled album. To get fans in the swing of his new synth-heavy pop style, he’s released a teaser EP called Anywhere with four tracks Sembrano feels reflect this new direction he’s taking.

Now he has released an official music video for the deeply self-empowering song “Open Mind”, which carries a universal message crossing boundaries and individual circumstances. Lyrically it provides support and encouragement to those who are being oppressed and/or persecuted. The narrator may have experienced being in this situation but was successful in overcoming his personal hardship and adversity.

“Open Mind” is about accepting people for who they are and supporting them if they are suffering from any sort of persecution.”

With a focus on vintage synths inspired by experimental artists of the 80s and 90s, Sembrano also puts an emphasis on his existential lyrics. It’s a bit of artistry he likely wasn’t able to explore much as a classical pianist, not to mention programming.

About his signature sound, Pol adds “I have always been confident in myself as a musician and by writing, producing, arranging and performing on my own. I am a classically trained pianist, but I am also inspired by other genres of music, in this case electronic/dance music. This provides a whole new dimension in my music persona as I do not wish to be categorized as “this or that type of artist”.

The music is hook-driven with melodies that intertwine, especially at the end. This enables the listener to hear subtle nuances which make for an interesting listening experience.”

In terms of style, Sembrano seems to take inspiration from almost everything, and not just music. “any songs that have a strong melody or hook, a great bass line and lyrics that speak to the heart, as well as understated (visual) masterpieces that are open to interpretation and musicians’ autobiographies.”

In the first four years, audiences will hear lashings of Depeche Mode, Blondie, New Order and even early Kylie Minogue in Sembrano’s clean and well-produced synth work, whilst his vocals are more indie and almost progressive in nature. This combination, as Sembrano says, makes the work danceable but experimental at the same time. A thought-provoking party vibe the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the late 00s or even the 80s.

With the first four teaser tracks whetting fans’ appetites, Pol Semrano is likely to gain a fair few new fans before his debut album even drops.

Richard Lynch Delivers Country Gospel Comfort on Pray on the Radio: Songs of Inspiration

Michael Stover
-
0
Richard Lynch Delivers Country Gospel Comfort on Pray on the Radio: Songs of Inspiration

Richard Lynch isn’t just keeping the flame of traditional country burning—he’s stoking it with gospel fire and old-fashioned American grit. On Pray on the Radio: Songs of Inspiration, Lynch delivers a heartfelt collection steeped in faith, family, and patriotic pride, all wrapped in the warm twang of steel guitars and front-porch sincerity.

The album opens with “Thankful, Grateful and Blessed,” a plainspoken ode to counting your blessings, no matter life’s bumps in the road. It’s the kind of song that could only be sung by someone who’s actually walked the walk—a musical photograph of a humble life well-loved.

“Grandpa and Grandma,” co-written with Anthony Williams, is a true standout. With its vivid lyrical imagery and spoken-word interlude, the song feels like a sepia-toned memory brought to life. This is country music’s sacred space—testifying to generational strength, Christian devotion, and rural Americana with a lump in its throat.

“He’ll Make Everything Alright” stands as both a topical balm and a country sermon. Lynch taps into the national mood with unshakable optimism and Bible-belt wisdom, backed by a musical arrangement that evokes the simplicity of the Carter Family with a dash of modern polish.

“High Above the Midnight Sky” floats with gospel sweetness, promising a heavenly reunion in a place where “joy and laughter’s everywhere.” It’s this gentle promise of salvation that threads the album together, whether he’s covering classics like “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor” or Kris Kristofferson’s moving “Why Me.”

But the title track, “Pray on the Radio,” is the mission statement. When a DJ offers to pray live on-air, Lynch seizes the moment. In a culture too often afraid of sincerity, Lynch leans all the way in, turning vulnerability into victory—and delivering perhaps the most honest lyric on the record: “There’s no better company than Jesus when you’re out on the road.”

Musically, the album is a celebration of neotraditional country—cleanly produced, tastefully arranged, and vocally rich with Lynch’s weathered baritone front and center. There’s a moral clarity in his writing that’s rare these days, and his delivery never wavers from conviction.

Pray on the Radio doesn’t chase trends. It doesn’t have to. It’s a testament to the enduring power of a well-told story, a sincere heart, and the belief that music can still uplift and inspire.

 

Midnight Sky Ignites with Blazing New Single ‘White Heat’

Michael Stover
-
0
Midnight Sky Ignites with Blazing New Single ‘White Heat’

Strap in, folks—Midnight Sky has uncorked a barnburner.

After charming listeners with their introspective Americana hues, Midnight Sky slams down the throttle with “White Heat,” a searing, full-tilt rocker that leaves scorched earth in its wake. This one doesn’t smolder—it explodes.

Opening with a nod to Nero’s fiery fiddling, frontman Tim Tye channels rock ‘n’ roll’s reckless abandon with lines that spit sparks: “Let’s get some matches and head for town / 25 cases of dynamite / Just about enough to last all night.” It’s unbridled lust in overdrive, revved by Paige Beller’s white-hot vocal delivery and Derek Johnson’s six-string heroics that all but set your speakers ablaze.

The song’s real charm lies in its refusal to be tidy. It’s loud, loose, and deliriously alive, like a muscle car flying off the rails—but you’ll want to ride shotgun anyway. Tye’s lyrics are drenched in swaggering bravado (“Icefields melt when you walk by / Great Lakes dry up and die”) and even manage to toss in a little cosmic absurdity (“Comets head back to outer space”). And somehow, it all works.

Gary King’s production wisely lets the instruments breathe—no over-polishing here. The drums crackle, the bass throbs, and that guitar? It wails like it’s got a story of its own. You can almost smell the amp tubes overheating.

It’s not a song that aims to send a message—it aims to ignite. And in that, it’s an unqualified success. Midnight Sky may have made their name with more measured fare, but “White Heat” proves they can roar just as well as they can reflect.

Turn this one up, roll the windows down, and let the sparks fly. Midnight Sky just lit the fuse.

Gary Pratt Parks a Hit in “Red Barn” — A Nostalgic, Rowdy Romp Back to Country’s Storytelling Roots

Michael Stover
-
0
Gary Pratt Parks a Hit in “Red Barn” — A Nostalgic, Rowdy Romp Back to Country’s Storytelling Roots

Let’s get one thing straight — Gary Pratt didn’t just drop a single. He opened the barn doors and let country charm flood out with a wink and a two-step.

“Red Barn,” (April 25th) the new toe-tapper from the Irwin, PA native, is an irresistible slice of country storytelling that does exactly what good country music should: it paints a vivid picture, gets your heart smiling, and invites you to dance while it’s at it.

Written by Nashville hitmaker Jason Patrick Matthews — whose pen has delivered gold for the likes of Billy Currington and Luke Bryan — the song comes fully stocked with clever lines and barn-dusted flirtation. “Whatcha say I come over, park my Silverado in your little red barn” isn’t just a hook, it’s a sly grin wrapped in a steel guitar riff.

Gary’s vocal is rich, relaxed, and right at home. He doesn’t over-sing — he knows the story’s the star here, and he’s the perfect narrator. That’s the mark of a seasoned artist who trusts his material and understands the heartbeat of country.

The production is a triumph, and that’s no surprise considering it reunites Pratt with producer-musician Adam Ernst and engineer Doug Kasper of Tonic Studios. Ernst — who played every instrument on the track — delivers a tight, radio-ready sound that still keeps the barn doors swinging open to tradition. Kasper’s studio touch is crisp and warm, capturing the feel of moonlight on hay without losing the muscle in the mix.

This single isn’t just personal for Gary; it’s practically biographical. Inspired by his great-grandfather’s farm and brought to life with little winks toward his own circle — including a nod to his duet partner Kate Szallar’s barn and Silverado — the song feels lived-in and genuine.

And here’s a kicker for the dance crowd: choreographer Karen Zima is crafting a line dance just for this song. Expect this one to land boots on floors across honky-tonks and festivals alike.

In an era when some country tracks try to outshine the genre’s roots, Gary Pratt leans in — and he shines because of them. “Red Barn” is a love letter to small-town romance, homegrown memories, and that sweet spot where mischief meets melody.

Warm-hearted, well-produced, and ready-made for summer nights and fairground stages: “Red Barn” is Gary Pratt doing what he does best — singing straight from the soul of country.

 

Perfume by Kelsie Kimberlin

Moataz Gwaily
-
0
Perfume by Kelsie Kimberlin

Kelsie Kimberlin’s 3rd single of the year, titled ‘Perfume’, is a dazzling piece of modern and sparkling indie pop with massive commercial appeal and a stunningly crisp production, indicative of Kimberlin’s star that continues to rise with each new single.

Based in Washington DC, Kelsie Kimberlin is a pop artist, singer, and songwriter whose peppy and uplifting performances have always been a welcome addition to my pop playlists. A talented songwriter with a good gift for melodies and an ability to craft catchy songs that roll right off the tape, Kimberlin’s music has been garnering deserved attention that has seen her talents get sharpened. ‘Perfume’ is her latest offering, a peaceful addition that does not aim to break any grounds yet offering a clear milestone for Kimberlin’s maturing songwriting and sound.

With the percussive synths taking hold of the composition, lending the song an energetic, unsettled feel, Kimberling’s simplistic chord sequences are familiar and bittersweet. The lyrics, inspired by Patrick Suskind’s Perfume, offer a cheerful twist to the book’s original dark premise. In Kimberlin’s perfume, love is the mysterious, attractive force that keeps loved ones nearby.

A delicate and colorful piece of indie pop from a talented songstress, Kelsie Kimberlin’s ‘Perfume’ had us hooked to its sweetly balanced melodies and gorgeous production. 

Stay Down by Trill Soulutionary

Moataz Gwaily
-
0
Stay Down by Trill Soulutionary

‘Stay Down’ is a haunting piece of alternative hip hop with a readily experimental edge. The beatless anthem still churns and burns slowly with its dazzling flows and eerie vocal samples floating in the air.

Trill Soulutionary is a rap artist based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Positioning himself in a vanguard role in the advancement of the genre, it is easy to spot multiple areas in which Trill Soulutionary excels as a visionary. Perhaps an extension to the rich musical heritage of the late and massively underappreciated Ka, Trill Soulutionary is not afraid of putting all the attention on his delivery and on his words that he speaks confidently and with real intention. Under this light, we can view the minimal musical atmosphere that he crafts in a better light. 

Trill Soulutionary’s musical atmospheres are built upon processed vocal chops that float in the breeze like trapped angels, at once elegant and ominous. Supporting them are minimal trap beats and an oppressive sub-bass part that shakes the ground beneath. These few elements are what supports the entirety of the musical backing track of ‘Stay Down’. The vocals are brooding and gently uttered. Dripping with charisma and exuding a confident presence that got me immediately hooked. 

Trill Soulutionary’s ‘Stay Down’ is a unique release that introduces a gifted musician with an immensely distinct sound.

 

Fare Thee Well by Larry Karpenko

Moataz Gwaily
-
0
Fare Thee Well by Larry Karpenko

From the onset of the modest rhythmic mayhem of Larry Karpenko’s ‘Fare Thee Well’ it was easy to hear that Karpenko has crafted a finely tuned piece of indie pop that’s sweetly colored with ambience and playfulness.

A singer and songwriter based in Loma Linda, California, Larry Karpenko’s roots in Christian and worship music have paved the way for him to be able to craft emotive and heartwarming harmonies wrapped in tasteful melodies, all of which are readily available on his latest single ‘Fare Thee Well’. The nearly lyricless ballad is an ode to young love found then lost, a moving piece that mostly features its 3-word title for lyrics, with minimal interjections to deepen the message.

Musically, the straightforward song features a syncopated rhythm that keeps things fresh and on edge, while the syrupy sweet chords churn beneath in mostly familiar movements that are at once accessible and deeply stirring. The litany of playful percussion clicks and clacks add a sense of youthful unpredictability to the mix. The results are musical and touching atmospheres that deliver the melancholic message easily, draped in all the joyful vividness that comes with those fleeting teenage romances we’ve all once had.

‘Fare Thee Well’ is an arresting piece of indie pop that is gorgeously written and lovingly produced. Sounds fantastic, Larry Karpenko effortlessly took me back to my teenage years on a bittersweet and nostalgic journey. 

Goosebumps by Jessenation

Mena Ezzat
-
0
Goosebumps by Jessenation

Jessenation is one of the talented artists we had the pleasure of featuring on our blog last year. He is back with an incredible new single, “Goosebumps,” set to be released on March 21st, 2025. In the meantime, let’s dive deeper into what this exciting track has to offer.

Originating from Chicago, a city renowned for its diverse music scene that has inspired countless artists globally, “Goosebumps” presents a stunning fusion of R&B and Afrobeat. I truly appreciated Jessenation‘s emotive vocals and how seamlessly they blend with the music. Additionally, the inclusion of female characters in the narrative adds a brilliant touch, creating a captivating scenario. The song draws from numerous influences, as he mentioned, including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, and Runtown; however, I particularly enjoyed how he combines these influences with a contemporary twist.

“Goosebumps” celebrates love and connection, resonating emotionally with listeners. The seamless integration of R&B and Afrobeat rhythms creates an irresistible groove that invites listeners to move to its infectious energy. As the song unfolds, Jessenation‘s emotive vocals weave a narrative of love that is both universal and deeply personal, making it relatable to a wide audience. Whether you’re swaying to the rhythm or lost in the lyrics, “Goosebumps” promises to deliver an unforgettable musical experience that lingers long after the final note fades. Be prepared to embrace the warmth and joy this track brings, as Jessenation continues to push boundaries and redefine the music scene with his innovative sound.

Anthem by Karma

Moataz Gwaily
-
0
Anthem by Karma

Karma’s ‘Anthem’ is fiery, full of soul and heart, and quite a gripping piece of R&B that’s wildly catchy. A superbly crafted piece of music for the fighters who have been knocked down once and twice, but continue to rise up back again to rejoin the fight. A fantastic new single from Karma.

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Karma is the joining of the forces of KB, Keymah Renee, and Miesha Monroe, three Memphis natives who have struck a solid friendship via their aligned values and shared musical passion. The music that comes from Karma can be exemplified by the infectious vibes and endless charisma that drips from each groovy bar of their ‘Anthem’.

A trio that’s not afraid of tapping into different styles and genres, Karma’s ‘Anthem’ is a fruity blend of contemporary R&B, soul, and pop. With the distinctive, shuffling groove, the rich horn stabs, and whimsical descending riffs, the hook to ‘Anthem’ is a well-lubricated machine of catchy cues that do not fail, while the verses are full of brooding, bustling bars that have a magnetic pull to them, building anticipation until the juicy explosion of the chorus and all its magnificent horns.

A terrific new single from Karma, ‘Anthem’ is full of soul and meaning, and musical merit. We dig every bit of this meaningful  musical mayhem Karma have effortlessly weaved for us all to revel in.

1...697071...384Page 70 of 384

Sistra.me is powered by Naqada Music Management. Technology by Digitology.