“Lilac” by Alnilam

LA-based dream-pop outfit Alnilam offers a pristine blend of compelling ambience and ethereal songwriting. Putting the themes of love, loss, transformation, mortality and memory to tape comes naturally to Alnilam’s core duo who have traveled the world several times over. Singer-songwriter Elena Pinto is of wild Costa Rican ancestry and multi-instrumentalist Serhat Arslan is from a coastal city in northern Turkey.

Pinto moved to Santa Monica in 2011 and felt powerfully drawn to songwriting. She soon pulled Arslan into her orbit who just arrived in LA himself two weeks earlier.

Pinto’s vocals conjure up emotive female singers such as Marianne Faithfull and Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries while the music veers between the post-rock richness of Explosions in the Sky and the magical ambient sense of Yann Tiersen and Beach House all the while evoking Europa folkloric traditions.

The track “Lilac” is from the band’s forthcoming LP, Indigo Sky, which was released on November 13. The official video can be viewed on YouTube.

Alnilam also premiered the track “When It Comes To You” on PureVolume.

“Lilac” by Alnilam

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

“Pink Dress” by Cashavelly Morrison

In the mood for some soul-stirring songwriting from West Virginia? Gothic americana songstress Cashavelly Morrison shows raw emotion as she traverses through haunting memories of her childhood in the south in her forthcoming LP, The Kingdom Belongs to a Child.

Morrison grew up in a coal-mining town in West Virginia. She began her life in performance at the age of 3 as a ballet dancer, which continued for the next two decades until she broke her spine. Yet it was not until moving to North Carolina that she was introduced to the rich musical traditions of West Virginia and the surrounding region. Her unguarded approach flows in the same southern vein as the work of Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, and Neko Case with significance placed on the lyrics supported by a crafted musical fabric.

Morrison’s relationship with making music is intuitive with no formal training besides what she learned through internalizing the classical music to which she once danced. Her fondness for journal-writing began at age 13 and led to her English and Creative Writing majors. She met her husband while he was earning his bachelor’s degree in classical guitar performance and the two bonded over their love of authentic folk songs.

“Pink Dress” by Cashavelly Morrison

Cashavelly Morrison album cover

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

“Morning Rise” by Pure Phase Ensemble 4

Despite the fact that celebrated shoegaze pioneers RIDE are in the midst of their world tour, you can now hear the sweet vocals and guitar of frontman Mark Gardener on the latest single from Pure Phase Ensemble 4. “Morning Rise” is the first single from the album Live at SpaceFest, the first long-player featuring Gardener to have been released since the 90s.

Pure Phase Ensemble is an international music collective, created especially for the SpaceFest festival in Gdansk, which takes place annually and is organised by the Nasiono Association. The city of Gdansk plays host to this blossoming music festival each year in the first week of December. During the latest SpaceFest, Mark Gardener, who also recently released an LP with Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), occupied this seat of honor. Past participants include Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab), Chris Olley (Six By Seven), Steve Hewitt (ex Placebo), and Jaime Harding (Marion).

Live at SpaceFest is currently available on bandcamp, itunes and spotify and the CD is also available on the Nasiono Records website.

“Morning Rise” by Pure Phase

Pure Phase Ensemble promo 2

Image and mp3 courtesy of Shauna McLarnon of Shameless Promotion PR

“All of My Bones Broke on Thursday Evening” by Lindsay Kupser

Vancouver singer-songwriter Lindsay Kupser has crafted five tracks of incredibly soothing and gentle music for her new EP titled Quiet Songs. With chilled-out guitars and lush vocals, Kupser has done something truly special on this record. Stripped down soundscapes define this record. Kupser understands the future of acoustic music and she is proud to be blazing a path.

The album is available now on itunes and bandcamp.

A girl after my own heart, she quotes Joni Mitchell on the landing page of her website, “I’m an individual, and an individual can’t follow and doesn’t want to lead.” ~ Joni Mitchell

“All of My Bones Broke on Thursday Evening” by Lindsay Kupser

Lindsay Kupser album cover resized

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

Linen: The Cool Kid of Summer is Back

Linen, once relegated to the realm of stuffy country clubs and grandfathers, has undergone a remarkable transformation. This ancient fabric is shedding its staid image and emerging as a fashion force to be reckoned with. The linen shirt, in particular, is experiencing a renaissance, captivating the hearts and wardrobes of style-conscious individuals everywhere.
Ícono de la fuente

The allure of linen lies in its unparalleled comfort. In an era dominated by synthetic fabrics and fast fashion, there’s a growing yearning for natural materials that breathe and allow the skin to relax. Linen, with its inherent breathability and moisture-wicking properties, is the epitome of summer comfort. As temperatures soar, the appeal of slipping into a linen shirt becomes irresistible. It’s like wrapping yourself in a gentle summer breeze.

Another factor driving the linen shirt’s resurgence is its newfound accessibility. Gone are the days when linen was a luxury reserved for the elite. High-street retailers and online fashion platforms have embraced this versatile fabric, making it available to a wider audience. The result? A plethora of linen shirts to choose from, catering to diverse tastes and budgets. From crisp white classics to bold patterns and colors, there’s a linen shirt for everyone.

The versatility of the linen shirt is another key to its success. Once confined to casual settings, it has effortlessly transitioned into various wardrobes. Dressed down with jeans and sneakers, it exudes laid-back charm. Paired with tailored trousers and loafers, it becomes a sophisticated choice for the office or a dinner out. The linen shirt has proven to be a chameleon, adapting to different occasions and personal styles.

Beyond comfort, affordability, and versatility, linen also resonates with consumers’ growing desire for sustainable fashion. Linen is a natural fiber produced from the flax plant, a crop that requires minimal chemical intervention. Compared to cotton, linen cultivation uses significantly less water and pesticides. By choosing linen, fashion-forward individuals are making a conscious choice to support eco-friendly practices.

In conclusion, the linen shirt has undeniably earned its place in the fashion spotlight. Its combination of comfort, affordability, versatility, and sustainability makes it an irresistible choice for the modern consumer. As we continue to prioritize well-being and ethical consumption, it’s clear that linen is here to stay.

“World Keeps Turnin” by Jordan Okrend

NYC-based singer-songwriter Jordan Okrend premiered the new music video for his soulful single “Go My Way” on PureVolume. The music video was made gorilla-style, shooting in the chaotic streets and subway systems of NYC.

“Go My Way” is from Okrend’s new release, World Keeps Turnin’. The album can be streamed in full via SoundCloud.

Okrend blends the old school with the contemporary. From his love of artists such as John Lennon, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, Okrend struck upon his own soulful sound; vintage pop imbued with an infectious jazzy, bluesy-rock edge and socially conscious lyrics.

Okrend released his first two EP’s, Unpredictable and Rising Up, between 2010 and 2012 while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston and supported both releases by performing throughout the East Coast in North Carolina, New York and Boston. Okrend, like his trusty Martin acoustic, which has accompanied him since he began his musical journey, has now seen thousands of performances and has gained a lot of attitude along the way.

“World Keeps Turnin” by Jordan Okrend

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

“Bittersweet Descent” by Ted West

Like his hero Jim Morison, singer-songwriter, Ted West, carries around a book of poetry he started as a teenager. Many of the songs on his latest album, True West, were drawn from those poems. The collection has been compared to Nick Cave and Chris Isaaks. The full album is available for streaming via Soundcloud.

West’s covers of Marianne Faithfull and Leonard Cohen showcase a keen ability to crawl inside and breathe new life into the already iconic songs. He premiered his lead-off single “Bittersweet Decent” on Popdose who noted “West’s sound walks the line between urban decay and psychedelia, often melding the two together to create a sound that’s modern Los Angeles.”

“Bittersweet Descent” by Ted West

Ted West

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

“Window To Nowhere” by Andre Chrys

Vancouver singer-songwriter, Andre Chrys, delivers roots rock songs that blend eclectic influences from rock, classic pop, Americana, blues, and soul. Chrys began his music career in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He paid his dues in hardworking bands that toured across Canada, playing clubs and festivals. Life, love and reality took him down a dozen different roads since then, finally drawing him to the west coast. Window to Nowhere is a new record, with an old soul. It introduces colorful characters, and themes of love and loss.

Chrys has always responded to music with a timeless quality to it. He considers Tom Waits, Townes van Zandt, and Steve Earle “some of the real greats.”

Chrys explains the inspiration for the title track, available on cdbaby: “I have a room at home where I do most of my writing and recording. It has a window that looks out onto the wall of the house right next to mine. It’s East Van, and the houses are built really close to each other. I’m not even sure why they put the window in the room in the first place. It’s literally a window to nowhere. I’m trying to capture that desperate, out-on-a-ledge feeling you get when the walls are closing in around you. I’m sure that most people who live in shoebox-sized digs in Vancouver can relate.”

Accompanying Andre on Window To Nowhere are long-time bandmates Jeff Younger (guitar), Bill Briscall (bass), and Mike Magnusson (drums). Guest musicians lending their talents to the record include Aiden Briscall (violin) and Tyson Naylor (organ and accordion).

“Window to Nowhere” by Andre Chrys

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

“I Hope You’re Well” by Violet Night

British Columbia sweethearts, Violet Night, have crafted a distinct sound described as “deeply emotional indie pop magic” with their debut EP, I Hope You’re Well. The band’s vocalist and guitarist Connor Pohl is also known for his work in City Light Vigil.

There is a depth to the sound on this album, and a profound artistry to Violet Night’s sonic constructions. Visit examiner.com for more on the four-track EP. Plus, have a listen to the entire EP via SoundCloud.

“I Hope You’re Well” by Violet Night

Violet Night Cover Art

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

“Dancing with the Devil” by Sarah Petrella

From a young age, musical theatre gave Sarah Petrella a great opportunity to gain experience performing and honing her writing abilities. At 15, Petrella left for Nashville to write and record with several prominent musicians including the famed songwriter, Don Goodman. Petrella continued onto a successful career in musical theatre, but was still drawn back to songwriting, her true love and passion.

In Petrella’s music one can hear elements of folk, rock, blues, and country, with her main influences ranging from Patty Griffin to Grace Potter and Bonnie Raitt. KCRW describes Petrella’s vocal stylings ranging “from light fun, to Broadway, to alt-folk rock.” She covered Pearl Jam’s “Daughter” and KCRW called her rendition “strong, sweet and I think better than the original, which is a classic.”

Her latest single, “Mister Mystery,” showcases her sultry vocals and dramatic tendencies as she evokes intense passion in this bewitching tale. The dark melodies and grooving rhythms delve into a steamy story of romance. View the official music video for “Mister Mystery” via YouTube.

Petrella hopes that her music, derived from her life experiences and relationships, will connect with people on a deep and personal level. Have a listen to more of Sarah Petrella on SoundCloud.

“Dancing with the Devil” by Sarah Petrella

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Image and mp3 courtesy of Nicole Acosta of LaFamos Marketing & Publicity Department