Daily Archives: April 4, 2015

“Take My Hand” by Crystal Sister
4
Apr

Crystal Sister is the lo-fi, synth-pop project of Los Angeles-based musician and songwriter, Sonya Bender. The self-titled debut EP showcases the songs “Take My Hand”, “Suicide Love”, and “Inside My Heart.” The tracks were produced by Daniel Luttrell (Sky Ferreira & Nikka Costa).

With a wide array of layered vocals, shimmering synths, and fresh, insightful lyrics, Bender takes life’s darker experiences and transforms them into something redemptive and uplifting. Inspired by 90’s slow jams she grew up with, Crystal Sister “rediscovers the intimacy and vulnerability that music can express and the bond that it can create with the listener.”

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“Take My Hand” by Crystal Sister

Crystal Sister Album Art

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jeanne Beck PR via bandcamp.

“Can’t Take Me Under” by Cable Street Collective
4
Apr

Formed in 2012, Cable Street Collective combine catchy tunes with dance-inspired beats and a whole host of other sounds from in and around their home bases in East London and Brixton.

The band have enjoyed airtime on XFM and played at a series of high profile festivals including Bestival, the Isle of Wight Festival, Secret Garden Party, Boomtown Fair and the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi.

Their debut EP The Best of Times was released on February 16, 2015.

Cable Street Collective are: Dave, Rowan, Tristan, Ash, Fiona and Alex.

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“Can’t Take Me Under” by Cable Street Collective

Cable Street Collective 1

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

“Always Be With You” by Saint James Band
4
Apr

Los Angeles’ Saint James Band has premiered their sweet folk-pop single “Always Be With You” on The Vinyl District.

The album of the same name was released on March 24, 2015. You may preview the full album via SoundCloud.

George Castrinos, leader of the Saint James Band, was destined to play guitar and was born to a life as a musician. Castrinos explains, “When I was a kid my guitar was my higher power, and when I would play the notes, the sound and tones I would get from it would give me purpose.”

Rooted in this purpose, the Saint James Band’s debut album Always Be With You runs rich with Americana folk-rock, intricate finger picking, roots-influenced slide guitar, and twangy hard-driven blues. Castrinos resides in Los Angeles, and often records in a studio whose walls once housed Orson Welles, which was also used as an echo chamber for classic recordings by Elvis and Bing Crosby.

Castrinos is also heavily influenced by Johnny Winter, Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Mississippi John Hurt, and other luminary players. Tales of redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and love are the subjects of his songwriting.

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“Always Be With You” by Saint James Band

SJB Always Be With You

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

“All I Need” by The Little Secrets
4
Apr

Indie-pop duo The LIttle Secrets recently released the single “All I Need” on Edge Hill University’s The Label Recordings, headed up by The Farms’ Carl Hunter.

Liverpool’s The Little Secrets are Kevin Dixon and Stacy Jo. Formed in 2010, Jo was singing with another band when Dixon spotted her and decided to ‘steal’ her for his new project. After two years of writing together and experimenting with different line-ups and sounds, the pair hit on their infectious slice of pop, echoing the likes of Camera Obscura and BMX Bandits.

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“All I Need” by The Little Secrets

The Little Secrets 3

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