Monthly Archives: April 2015

“The Rope” by Bitter’s Kiss
26
Apr

New Jersey-based indie-pop act Bitter’s Kiss is teen singer-songwriter Chloe Baker (vocals, guitar, piano), backed by the musical talents of her father, Michael Baker (guitar, piano, bass, drums).

Reflecting on the emotional aspects of suburban life and the deeper meaning within day-to-day experience, Baker shows us a little bit of our own fragile humanity with her self-titled debut (released on March 31, 2015). Together, Baker and her father arranged, recorded and produced Bitter’s Kiss over the past several months. It gives us a chance for self-reflection through the eyes of a young girl.

Baker currently attends High Tech High School, an arts academy in North Bergen, New Jersey. She has been serious about writing music for about a year. She uses songwriting as a diary and a means of exploring the world around her. For example, the track “The Rope” examines her feelings about the suicide of a distant cousin from a very religious background and the importance of staying true to one’s identity and finding one’s own path in life.

Stream the music video for The Rope via Vimeo.

[audio:The Rope.mp3|titles=The Rope|artists=Bitter’s Kiss]
“The Rope” by Bitter’s Kiss

Bitter's Kiss The Rope Video Screen Shot 1

Image and mp3 courtesy of Matt Bacon, Artist Liaison at Independent Music Promotions

“Sweet Release” by Hannah in The Wars
25
Apr

Songwriter Hannah Curwood originates from the stark, remote region of Central Otago in New Zealand. Now based in London, Hannah in the Wars is a new project, the result of working alongside Roger O’Donnell of The Cure and a handpicked group of musicians.

Her self-titled debut album showcases a collection of lyrically robust emotional narratives. Curwood’s distinctive and powerful vocals are accompanied by telecaster, piano, synth, delicate string arrangements and the brooding pulse of an orchestral percussionist.

O’Donnell has supported the band by providing his country home studio as a recording base, and lending guidance with vocal performance, arrangements and his expertise in synth programming.

The album was mixed by Paul Corkett (The Cure, Nick Cave, Bjork) and will be released via O’Donnell’s 99X/10 label on May 25.

Curwood’s previous releases, Sky Above, Horse Below (2007) and The Blind Love EP (2009) both received resounding critical acclaim. They showcase Curwood’s use of dark lyrics, twisted imagery and ethereal melody.

Have a listen to Hannah in The Wars via SoundCloud.

[audio:Sweet Release.mp3|titles=Sweet Release|artists=Hannah in The Wars]
“Sweet Release” by Hannah in The Wars

Hannah In The Wars 2

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR

“The Breaks” by Robby Overfield
22
Apr

Stretching his soulful Detroit, Michigan roots all the way to the rocky skyline of Durango, Colorado, singer-songwriter, Robby Overfield, offers an exceptional vocal delivery, along with the personal and relatable art of storytelling.

You can find Robby playing regularly in Durango at 6512′, Derailed, the Office, and Embassy.

Back in 2011, Robby and the Trio (Jesse Ogle on bass and Dave Rodriguez on drums) released a 6-track EP entitled The Breaks. The album is available on itunes, cdbaby, and via Robbie’s website. The latest release — Robby Overfield & The Breaks Live At Fort Lewis College — is also available.

Robby and Jesse produced The Breaks, and it was mixed in Durango by Scott Smith of Scooter’s Place. It was basically recorded in one room in one take minus the harmonies. On the album you hear Robbie’s friends and fellow musicians, Ben Scharf from Oregon on keys, Mary-Elizabeth Holby from Montreal on violin, David Rodriguez on drums, and Zack Jones on saxophone. Robby himself is heard on all vocals and guitar.

[audio:The Breaks.mp3|titles=The Breaks|artists=Robby Overfield]
“The Breaks” by Robby Overfield

Robby Overfield

Image courtesy of Robby Overfield

“Atûn” by The New Investors
18
Apr

The popadelic outfit from Copenhagen, Denmark, The New Investors, has a long lasting love for west coast sixties pop. Add to this a splash of breezy wistfulness à la Cass McCombs and Real Estate.

At the moment the band is in the studio producing songs for their debut album which is going to be released in August 2015. The New Investors are: Kristian Karup (drums), Fredy Kaalhauge (bass, vocals), Søren Tiemroth (guitar, keys, vocals), Glenn Müller (vocal, guitar).

“Atún” is the new single, which serves up a somewhat bizarre mixture of Copacabanian surf and psychedelic Americana. Have a listen to “Atûn” and other tracks via SoundCloud.

[audio:Atun.mp3|titles=Atûn|artists=The New Investors]
“Atûn” by The New Investors

The New Investors

Image and mp3 courtesy of Matt Bacon, Artist Liaison at Independent Music Promotions

“Dare to Believe” by Ingrid Frosland
17
Apr

Bringing you music that blends acoustic folk with upbeat Scandinavian pop, Ingrid Frosland, writes captivating music led by a variety of fragile fingerpicking, electric guitar and delay, or banjo groove.

Forsland currently divides her time between Liverpool and Norway, and her ambiguous relationship with her sense of home is a recurring theme in her song-writing. Over the last few years, she has played festivals like Liverpool Sound City and Musikkfest Oslo.

Have a listen on SoundCloud, or below, to the track “Dare to Believe.”

[audio.Dare to Believe.mp3|titles=Dare to Believe|artists=Ingrid Frosland]
“Dare to Believe” by Ingrid Frosland

You Said

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR

“Jimmy Dean” by The Morning Birds
13
Apr

Heard on Showtime’s Shameless, check out the early morning, post-bender, hangover-lifting, “Jimmy Dean,” from The Morning Birds’ Early Bird Specials (Select Songs from 2011-2014).

You may stream the album via bandcamp.

The Morning Birds (TMB) are Samuel Markus (vox, guitar), Jennifer Thorington (vox, bass, keys) and Stephen Newman (drums, backup vox). In describing TMB’s sound, Consequence of Sound noted, “…so Beatles circa 1964.” The Deli Magazine said, “a mixed-bag of sixties psych-folk, modern day electro-pop, laid-back hip-hop rhythms, and reggae swagger. This is music for those looking for a good time.”

[audio:Jimmy Dean.mp3|titles=Jimmy Dean|artists=The Morning Birds]
“Jimmy Dean” by The Morning Birds

The Morning Birds Early Bird

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer Thorington & Samuel Markus of Working Brilliantly

“Any Last Words” by Delilah
11
Apr

Michelle Harris and Alex Dopierala (Dop) make up the Liverpool-based contemporary R&B act, Delilah. Their latest track, “Any Last Words” was released on March 16.

The combination of Harris’ soulful voice and Dop’s intricate guitar playing bring a certain class and retro vibe to their groove. Harris and Dop met at their auditions for the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

Since their creation in 2013, the band has played countless shows, becoming regulars at local events as well as appearing at Fiesta Bombarda and Liverpool International Music Festival. More recently, they have travelled further afield to perform in venues up and down the country, recently supporting Anthony David at London’s Jazz Cafe and appearing on numerous radio stations including the BBC.

Have a listen via SoundCloud.

[audio:Any Last Words.mp3|titles=Any Last Words|artists=Delilah]
“Any Last Words” by Delilah

Delilah Any Last Words

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR

“He Was A Man” by Kings of the Brushwood Thicket
8
Apr

Mysterious Jamaica, Queens outfit Kings of the Brushwood Thicket has premiered their debut single “He Was A Man” via Austin Town Hall. The publication noted the Bowie-esque acoustic number offers “an extremely pure glimpse at the nostalgic sounds of glam rock. Strip it down a bit, remove modern context, and you have a generous pop tune that will reward listeners from all backgrounds and styles.”

Kings of the Brushwood Thicket’s debut album, The Lies You Leave Behind, will be released on May 5. The album contains a lot of heavy material dealing with death and loss, shrouded in digital ambiance.

[audio:He Was A Man.mp3|titles=He Was A Man|artists=Kings of the Brushwood Thicket]
“He Was A Man” by Kings of the Brushwood Thicket

KOTBW The Lies You Leave Behind

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer Thorington & Samuel Markus of Working Brilliantly

“Take Me Home Tonight” by Helena Johnson
8
Apr

Liverpool-based, singer-songwriter Helena Johnson fronts an eleven piece band, yet her captivating vocals are never in danger of being overshadowed. Her performance on her new single “Take Me Home Tonight” is effortlessly beautiful.

Soulful and slick, Johnson has created and mastered a unique and powerful sound. She has impressed audiences and critics alike with her stunning live shows, complete with the comedically-named horn section “The Horn Supremacy.”

Since joining The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in 2011 to study, Johnson has grown from a talented musician to a potential international singing success, with recent interest from a major label. 2015 promises to be a year to remember for the rising star. She is definitely one to watch.

Have a listen via SoundCloud.

[audio:Take Me Home Tonight.mp3|titles=Take Me Home Tonight|artists=Helena Johnson]
“Take Me Home Tonight” by Helena Johnson

Helena Image 4

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music Professional Radio Plugging and Music PR

“The Eye and the Storm” by Joshua Fletcher
8
Apr

On May 26, Nashville-by-way-of-Atlanta singer-songwriter, Joshua Fletcher, will release Ready, Aim, a ten-track collection of honest, beautiful pop songs produced by The Damnwells’ Alex Dezen, on Portland, Oregon-based In Music We Trust.

Fletcher’s songs are about relationships. They’re about our loneliest hours; surrounded by the buzz of a city or alone in an empty house. They are about the moments we share with the ones we love, about turning something brief into something eternal.

Besides production duties, Dezen also appears on nearly every song, along with an impressive cast of musicians including singer-songwriter Madi Diaz and Whynot Jansveld (of Mosco Rosco).

Writing the majority of the songs alone at his house, on an acoustic guitar, some came to him quickly, while others took months to flesh out. Prior to recording, though, Fletcher played the songs out live, just the way he wrote them, with just his voice and a guitar.

[audio:The Eye and the Storm.mp3|titles=The Eye and the Storm|artists=Joshua Fletcher]
“The Eye and the Storm” by Joshua Fletcher

Joshua Fletcher Ready Aim Cover Art

Image and mp3 courtesy of Alex Steininger of In Music We Trust PR