Interview: Squares' Chris Barrett Discusses Their New Single/Video "Nostalgic"

“Lyrically and style wise, I started off wanting to keep the indie integrity of Squares which I think was maintained well, but I’m super happy that most of the songs took their own shape, touching on some different genres and feels.”

— Chris Barrett

Salute to you on the release of the new SLR Visuals directed music video for "Nostalgic", which appears on your debut album "Mountains". Of all the great songs on the album, why did you select this track to create a visual for?

Thank you! This song has a special meaning to me specifically because of the sound. Just performing music alone is nostalgic for me because every time I perform or sit down to write a song, it takes me right back to when I was a kid learning how to be a musician in my basement.

My family was huge in supporting me especially my mom, so it make me think of her. Also, the sound of the song is a chill throwback to the amazing music that I grew up on, from funk, R&B, and soul music like Earth Wind and Fire, Al Green, to some of the Motown greats like Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson.

Speaking of the album, tell us about your creative process for the development of its 11 tracks. Also, were there songs that you recorded that did not make the final tracklist?

So overall, I wanted to make an album that really showed off my versatility. There is kind of a wide range of songs and styles represented on the record and I’m super happy about that. I wanted the record to be well balanced from chill melodic songs, to more upbeat, high intensity bangers (i.e. the title track “Mountains”).

Lyrically and style wise, I started off wanting to keep the indie integrity of Squares which I think was maintained well, but I’m super happy that most of the songs took their own shape, touching on some different genres and feels.

I did have some ideas that didn’t quite make it on this record, but I’m definitely keeping them in the holster for future albums because I still have a lot of love for them!

How old were you when you initially fell in love with music, and were there any specific artists and/or producers early on that influenced you artistically?

I was around 13 years old when music really hit me as a passion and what I wanted to do. Drums is my primary instrument and my brother is also a drummer. One day he brought home an instructional video featuring Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band. I watched the whole thing from start to finish and I was HOOKED! I decided literally while watching it that I wanted to play drums and that I wanted to be a musicians. The rest was really history from there!

There are plenty of producers and artists that I love and admire very very much. Some of my main influences as far as artists are: Michael Jackson, The Police, Incubus, Usher, MGMT, and Twenty One Pilots (among MANY others).

As far as producers: I LOVE the work that Pharrell does, also Dr. Dre, Polow Da Don, Stargate, Max Martin, Rick Rubin, and Oak Felder. Too many to name lol.

How many instruments do you play, and which would you say was the most difficult to learn?

I play mostly 4 instruments: Drums, guitar, bass, and little keyboard. Drums was definitely the most difficult, but also the most fun lol.

With the "Mountains" album and the "Nostalgic" music video now released, what next can we expect from Squares musically?

So we’ll have more music videos for some of the songs on the album coming soon, and we’ll continue playing live and hopefully be on a couple small tours starting late 2023 and early 2024!

Stream and Share “Mountains” on Spotify

Connect with Squares: LinkTree | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Review: "Human Nature" EP by Mikebøi

Experimental electronic producer Mikebøi confounds all expectations on the emotionally charged “Human Nature” EP. In a hybrid series of styles, there are an endless number of angles that are pursued. Pop, dubstep, noise, hip-hop, broken beats, and brittle textures reign supreme.

The EP’s six tracks explore the idea of near collapse. Beats have flexibility, with elastic grooves stretched far beyond any reasonable comfort zone. Change is the only constant, as Mikebøi makes sure to tear apart their arrangements, rearranging them in confounding, complex, and startlingly unique ways. Even at their most experimental, Mikebøi maintains a degree of vulnerability that can be found in the melodies to the nimble, ballet-like rhythms.

Nods to the latest wave of avant-garde meets the club emerge throughout the duration of the collection. Arca’s maddening twists and turns prove to be one touchstone of the overall aesthetic. On the heavier side of things, the glitch cacophonies that reassemble repeatedly draw upon early Oval, as there is that same level of dissonance mixed with beauty giving it that sweetness. The physicality of the pieces, the fragile and the frantic, incorporate lessons learned from Four Tet. Among all these different aspects one thing remains true – that Mikebøi manages to sculpt a sound very much rooted in the here and now.

Stuttering electronics fall apart with the fantastic opener and title track “Human Nature.” A longing aspect comes into focus, as the beats briefly flirt with EDM. Lumbering bass runs through “Never Stay”, featuring SRU with the inclusion of vocals adding a fine touch to the emotional tenor. One of the catchier pieces, the longing of the work has an intrinsic bliss, with the chopped-up vocals for the finale a fine touch to an already visceral piece. Industrial aesthetics on “Elevate” goes for the unhinged. “I Know a Ghost” has a beat-down expressiveness, allowing for chords to ring up to the sky. Gleeful abandon rushes through as “Dimension” clips samples down to mere milliseconds. Strangely hopeful “Φ૱Φ૱Φ૱” has an origami-like aspect, bringing things to a grandiose close.

“Human Nature” has an endearing, lovely sound as Mikebøi offers a stream of consciousness that is equal parts atmospheric as well as emotionally moving.

Stream and Share “Human Nature”

Big KRIT, The Cool Kids, and More to Join 'Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party' on October 7th

The legendary Hip-Hop group Little Brother released their seminal debut album The Listening on February 25th, 2003. All year-long, Little Brother co-founders Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh have been celebrating the masterwork's 20th anniversary, starting with a four-city tour back in March. Last week, they took to social media to announce that the year-long celebration would be brought back to its roots on October 7th with "Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party". The duo has revealed the show's full lineup with a parody of Wrestling legend Booker T's infamous N-word slip in a 1997 WCW promo. Starring Phonte as Booker T and Rapper Big Pooh as Stevie Ray-- known as Harlem Heat, one of wrestling's greatest tag teams of all time --the two deliver a spot-on reenactment of the moment that segues into the show's lineup.

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Hosted by comedian Sam Jay, "Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party" will be headlined by Little Brother, with supporting performances by Big KRIT, The Cool Kids, and Zo! & Tall Black Guy. DJs Hourglass and Wally Sparks will be on the ones and twos. The festivities kick off at Noon, and the performances will begin at 3PM. The event will take place at 310 East Main St, Durham, North Carolina 27701.

Purchase tickets here.

Ranked among Rolling Stone's "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time", The Listening helmed a pre-social media era where Alternative Rap found its audience through online message boards. As pioneers of "grown man" or "every man" Rap, Little Brother was rightfully placed among Billboard's "Greatest Rap Groups Of All Time".

The group's new documentary May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story will arrive later this year.

MORE ABOUT LITTLE BROTHER:

Little Brother is a critically acclaimed hip-hop group from Durham, North Carolina. Credited as one of the first buzzing rap acts in the pre-streaming era of online message boards, Little Brother emerged during the new millennium renaissance of alternative rap in the early 2000s. The group helped pioneer "grown man" or "every man" rap, relating to the working-class and everyday person. The group’s members-- rappers Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh --formed as college students at North Carolina Central University in 1998.

Over the course of their illustrious careers, Little Brother has worked with some of the biggest names in music: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil' Wayne, and many more. Pooh currently manages Dreamville artist Lute, and DJ’s under the moniker RPM. Outside of his work under Grammy-nominated soul outfit The Foreign Exchange, Phonte has written music for Sesame Street, AMC's Sherman’s Showcase, and VH1's The Breaks. He also co-hosts the Questlove Supreme podcast alongside Questlove of The Roots.

Connect with Little Brother: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Interview: Lebanese Rap Duo R.Y.M Discuss Their New Single/Animated Video "Al Qiyama"

“R.Y.M aims to make a positive impact in the world, and in the way the youth reasons and acts. We want to show today’s youth a more sustainable model, a new way of being “gangster” or “dope”, far from the guns, violence, drugs and blasphemy.”

— R.Y.M

Congratulations on the release of your new single entitled "Al Qiyama"; tell us what initially inspired its writing and who provided the production.

When we turned 18, we stopped pursuing our dreams and followed society’s “traditional” path. Life in Lebanon comes with a lot of challenges and setbacks. We didn’t have the needed mindset nor resources and didn’t feel empowered to move up our musical passion.

Around 10 years later, knees deep in our professional careers, thousands of miles apart, trying to advance despite crises, conflicts, and social turmoils we decided to resurrect our ambitions and dreams.

“Al Qiyama” translates to resurrection and reflects our return to rap more determined and at peace than ever. “Al Qiyama” is also a calling for spiritual, and behavioral change of today’s youth and future leaders particularly in our region. A calling to rise above inter-generational reflexes and perceptions, to question and challenge indoctrinated narratives, and forge a new truth by means of reason, education, wisdom and kindness.

This song was recorded and produced at RedBooth Lebanon (@redbooth), under the direction of Scarlette Saad. The track is a fusion of Oriental and Western cultures, a sort of bridge between the two civilizations.

The animated lyric video is really dope as well; how did you connect with its creator Roudy el Hajj?

A good conscious rap song excels in 3 factors: the message, the delivery, and and the relatability. The process of delivering the message requires the activation of many sensory features from both the artist and the listener. The message of a song can be either found or lost in its delivery. Hence, the decision to proceed with an animated lyric video came naturally, for two main reasons: first the idea could be fulfilled independently of the geographical distance between us. Second, it was only natural to release “Al Qiyama” through a video that prioritizes the lyrics while remaining visually artistic and creative.

We got introduced to Roudy el Hajj via a cousin working in the United Arab Emirates. @roudy.elhajj is also an expatriate who left Lebanon seeking a better future. We scheduled a call and shared our initial thoughts and were amazed by Roudy’s level of enthusiasm, professionalism and innovative thinking.

We are very blessed and grateful that our musical journey is allowing us to meet such amazing talents and beautiful individuals like Roudy. We are currently working together on a new project and are really excited to explore new possibilities and concepts.

How would you say that the Leave a Mark Project (LAMP) is represented in the music that R.Y.M creates?

Each release has its purpose and its aim. It’s like with each verse, chorus, and song, we seek to convey a message that will hopefully resonate within the soul and mind of each listener.

We want to break barriers, stereotypes and traditional ways of thinking. By addressing various themes pertaining to human life, and presenting them in daring and bold ways, we want for each song to leave a certain impact on individuals. Accordingly, we are consciously and continuously choosing quality over quantity, targeted heavy impact over large scale light reach.

Will "Al Qiyama" be a featured track on an upcoming EP or album you have in development? If so, what can you tell us about the project?

“Al Qiyama” was just the beginning. We are working with several other producers and talented professionals to produce more original songs that will eventually fall under the Leave a Mark Project. We purposely worked with producers from various, non-rap backgrounds to give a creative and innovative sound to our music.

Alongside “Al Qiyama”, two tracks are already finalized and, as said earlier, we’re constantly adapting and finding solutions to progress despite the geographical distance and the work pressure.

The Leave a Mark Project is our way of making an impact. Each song in the Project will address a specific theme and embrace a different style. We pour our souls into every track with the aim that LAMP, as a constantly growing and evolving organism, will in its entirety constitute our memoir, the narrative of two Lebanese brothers who were not afraid to stand out, be transparent and advocate for what is right.

This project is our contribution to the world, for ideas are eternal; and we hope that one day, could be today or in a hundred years, those ideas will influence and spark the rebirth of a nation.

For first time listeners/viewers of "AI Qiyama" and R.Y.M's music overall, would you say that it is the voice of Lebanese hip-hop, or is your music representative of something else?

Actually, it is both. “Al Qiyama” is representative of the voice of Lebanese hip-hop in the sense that its message is politically and socially engaged. Lebanese hip-hop artists all share the burden of a perplexed and disenchanted country/region. As a result, generated music is more than often nuanced with such hot topics. However, our music is representative of something else. There are very few rappers in the Middle-East, let alone in Lebanon, who decided to express their voices in English in a region still strongly arabicized in its forms of artistic expression.

R.Y.M represents familiarity and novelty. We offer listeners a raw and emotional performance, a symbiosis of conscious rap accompanied with oriental melodies/vibes. R.Y.M aims to make a positive impact in the world, and in the way the youth reasons and acts. We want to show today’s youth a more sustainable model, a new way of being “gangster” or “dope”, far from the guns, violence, drugs and blasphemy.

Our model is built on the concept of self-questioning, self-acceptance, and self-development. We try to always be true to ourselves and avoid creating a dishonest and harmful persona behind the comfort of a microphone.

With "Al Qiyama" single and animated lyric clip now unveiled, what's next for R.Y.M musically?

Musically, we’re trying to advance on all fronts. We have dozens of lyrics, melodies, and choruses developed; we are working with several music producers and studios to create variant tracks and beats; we are expanding our horizons in terms of video production and featured tracks, and are strengthening our knowledge about brand management as well as music distribution and promotion. Being independent is not easy but the taste of freedom is sweet.

Stay tuned, our upcoming song “Lost” will present a completely different side to R.Y.M; more personal, and vulnerable. The song is for every individual, who at one point in his/her life felt tired, not good enough, or depressed. It is important to accept and deal with our emotions, but also to know that nothing lasts forever; and the key for change lies within us. R.Y.M will also be doing some singing in that one … we hope you stay with us for the ride.

Stream and Share “Al Qiyama”

Connect with R.Y.M: Facebook | Instagram

Pop Artist Bava Unveils Her Debut EP "Imitate" and Seductive Title Track Visual

Popstar-in-waiting Bava wraps a bow around her opening remarks as a newcomer in her impressive debut EP titled “Imitate.” The release gets a companion in the shape of her incredibly sleek and seductive video to its title track.

Speaking about the EP release, Bava explains “This EP felt like a mini heroes story. We start smack bang with raw self-reflection, then we're just taken on a serotonin drive with Itsy Bitsy and Back to Me, and then we plummet into the depths of anger and then we're back in this resolution at the end. It felt like these five songs gave me this journey arc that mimicked the journey arc I was on myself. I was this inhibited Haitian girl making music, then I formulated my sound, then I'm shot into the stratosphere with Taki Taki, and then I'm brought back to my depths with the way the world goes. I'm now coming out and I'm a little bit tougher.”

With her prior released EP tracks, Bava has been creating music inspired by bold, energetic pop sounds on “Itsy Bitsy” and “Back to Me (Me Ma Moop)”, whereas more recently “I Wish” found Bava in a slightly more vulnerable light, in all its emotive ballad-like glory, and “$EX SELLS” with its tongue-in-cheek, gritty, industrial quality.

Although she is a new artist only releasing her debut EP, she has already received impressive support online, on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube, amassing almost 3 million followers and accumulating over 1 billion views. She’s also been supported by likes of key tastemakers such as NYLON, PAPER & MTV amongst others. In doing so, she continues to grow as a budding force in upcoming pop music today.

The launch of the Imitate EP is just the beginning of an important, future alternative pop star. Listen to “Imitate” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Bava on her social media.

Stream and Share “Imitate”

Connect with Bava: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Grandaddy Announce "Sumday: Excess Baggage" Collection and Share “The Town where I’m Livin Now”

Modesto, CA’s influential indie-rock group Grandaddy have announced a special digital release of the Sumday: Excess Baggage, a thirteen-track collection of rarities and b-sides from the Sumday-era that unfolds like a lost Grandaddy album and is set for release on August 25 on Dangerbird Records. The band has also unveiled lead single “The Town where I’m Livin Now” alongside an official video, a spacy, wistful ode to the dissonant American landscape of California’s hardscrabble Central Valley.

Grandaddy leader Jason Lytle said, “I like making songs like this. Lots of bleak but sweet visuals. Everyday stuff available for everyone to see...but some of us just end up with the twisted work of documenting it.”

In May, Grandaddy announced Sumday Twunny, a limited edition 4-LP boxed set to be released on September 1 via Dangerbird Records. The collection includes the remastered original album as well as a complete 4-track demo version titled Sumday: The Cassette Demos, and Sumday: Excess Baggage.

“After many years of hammering away at writing and recording as Grandaddy, Sumday seems to be the center of it and where it all peaked. To the journalists we were, ‘On the verge of greatness, underrated, overlooked, unsung.’ It was a tumultuous and exciting time for us for sure. Also very exhausting,” Lytle said.

“Revisiting this material and reflecting on those times has been a double edged sword. Bittersweet is an apt word, I suppose. Twenty years after the fact, I'm just grateful to be alive and kicking… celebrating that moment in time by re-releasing the original album, B sides and extras of that era, and even some raw cassette demos of the album itself a sort of sketchbook/rough draft of the LP in cassette form. So be it then. ‘On the verge of greatness, underrated, overlooked, unsung.’ This is what all of that sounds like. I'll take it.”

Grandaddy formed in 1992 and have released five official LPs, most recently 2017’s Last Place. Grandaddy members include Jason Lytle, Aaron Burtch, Jim Fairchild, Tim Dryden, and the late Kevin Garcia, who passed away in 2017.

Stream and Share "The Town where I'm Livin Now"

Pre-Order Sumday Twunny 4-LP Boxed Set

Stream and Share “Sumday: The Cassette Demos”

Connect with Grandaddy: Website | Instagram

Dot Hip Hop Gives Hip Hop Culture a Home Online (and its Own Digital Real Estate)

Domain extensions (i.e. .org, .com, .biz) are often viewed as simple punctuation at the end of a website address. But they are more than just a label. They are a digital asset, a digital brand, and a valuable digital space. Dot Hip Hop, LLC, a domain name registry that manages the Top-Level Domain (“TLD”) extension .HipHop, is giving everyone in the Hip Hop community a chance to claim their place online and contribute to the culture, with access to .HipHop domains.

As the Hip Hop community celebrates 50 years of transforming global culture, it’s the perfect time to kick off a new online era. An era when the communities of Hip Hop regain control of their culture.

“Before meeting the domaining experts on our team, I had no clue that any one person or group could hold the right to operate a domain extension such as ‘.com’; something so quintessential to the entire internet’s functionality,” says Ajene Watson, Managing Director of Dot Hip Hop, LLC. “Then I came to learn that one of these domain extensions was .HipHop. It immediately became a matter of duty for me, because if there were ever a time and space for my culture to reclaim its birthright, it would be right now through the ownership of Hip Hop online and in the digital world.”

Dot Hip Hop is the combined brainchild of several experts in the domain name industry, along with a bonafide child of Hip Hop culture.

Monte Cahn, a seasoned master of the domain name business, identified a unique opportunity to secure the .HipHop domain extension. Monte then recruited the domain name registry legal and operations expert, Jeffrey Neuman. Neuman’s initial role was to manage the very difficult task of getting the transfer of the .HipHop domain extension to Cahn approved by the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”)—the legal body responsible for the allocation of Top-Level Domain (“TLD”) extensions such as .HipHop.

Unexpected happenstance required Monte to identify an additional partner. In a twist of fate, just days after establishing Dot Hip Hop, LLC on August 11, 2021, Hip Hop’s recognized birthdate, Cahn was introduced to Ajene Watson, an investor, advisor, and CEO of DigitalAMN. Watson, whose current focus at DigitalAMN is on developing business strategies and platforms to assist everyday people establish and grow transferable wealth, was born on August 11, and grew up in the Bronx neighborhood credited with the birth of Hip Hop.

Under a unique set of circumstances, Cahn and Watson agreed to forge a relationship and within hours of meeting, joined forces to grow and deliver the .HipHop domain extension. Cahn educated Watson on the business potential of the domain naming space, and Watson provided Cahn with personal insight into the importance of putting Hip Hop culture first. With the aid of domain name marketing whiz, Scott Pruitt, Dot Hip Hop, LLC began its campaign to reach key members of both the domain naming and Hip Hop communities to participate in building one of the few, globally cultural domain extensions known to date.

The need for a solid, community-owned online home for Hip Hop is clear. Websites and email addresses matter, and are key business tools and Intellectual Property (“IP”) assets. For creators and businesses, having an active social media presence isn’t enough, as accounts get hacked, platforms control data monetization and social media platforms can get shut down or change policies. The only way creators can ensure they have full control of their content and data, and can monetize their audience is by owning their platform, a valuable part of their IP. Dot Hip Hop aims to build an entire online community and network of .HipHop spaces–all individually owned and operated but belonging and contributing to the larger cultural scene.

Other cultural groups have been recognized by domain names in recent years, such as .gay for LGBTQIA+ content. But Hip Hop, globally, is more than music, transcending nearly all socioeconomic and religious boundaries. It is unique as it’s all-encompassing, embracing music, culture, community, fashion, art, attitude, and more. And it’s big: Global revenue for media, fashion, music, and all the other sides of Hip Hop has added up to more than $19 Billion. It appeals to a diverse demographic worldwide, making up over 33% of streamed content and putting it in first place among musical and dance genres and very close in fashion. It has set the standard for fashion, dance, and pop culture at large.

Yet those at the forefront of creating and currently driving the culture haven’t had enough of an ownership stake or a say in its future.

“I believe, if a group is given the opportunity to control its foundation, it can maintain it,” states Monte Cahn, Dot Hip Hop Managing Director. “Registering domain names, in addition to providing a valuable digital asset through content, has the potential to spark participation, ownership, and a sense of pride in belonging to the Hip Hop community.”

Dot Hip Hop aims to turn the .HipHop extension into a uniting force for the community, where the community writes its own destiny. Furthering this mission of empowerment, the Dot Hip Hop team is developing plans to forward education workshops teaching the community how to research, analyze, buy, and sell domain names (i.e. digital real estate). It’s also creating digital tools that help creators regain control of their data and IP and easily connect their .HipHop addresses to digital wallets and other aspects of blockchain and Web3. And lastly, .HipHop is working with initiatives and organizations that support Hip Hop culture, to drive a portion of its revenue back into the communities of Hip Hop. From housing to scholarships for higher education, to caring for elder founders that contributed greatly to the “pillars” of Hip Hop, Dot Hip Hop, LLC is committed to financially supporting viable solutions for socioeconomic advancement throughout the communities of Hip Hop.

“At a business level, .HipHop is about selling domain registrations; that’s how money is made!” explains Watson. “At a human level, however, it’s about the betterment of society. We believe that by offering ownership of Hip Hop through equity and education on digital real estate, and by reclaiming control of Hip Hop’s online identity and community endeavors worldwide, Hip Hop will re-find its purpose as an extended voice of the 60’s movement, which ultimately wasn’t aimed simply at freedoms for Black Americans, but for the greater observance of love, peace, unity and prosperity amongst all people. Look at how far the culture of Hip Hop has come, only to realize we were kinda lost. But now with .HipHop, maybe…, just maybe, we’re finally found.”

Entertainment Mogul Cam’Ron Giles Adds Three New Shows Under His Come and Talk 2 Me Network

Cam’ron Giles announces three new shows under his “Come And Talk 2 Me” network. “Es Lo Que Es," "Come And Talk 2 Me,” and “Ma$e’s Fix My Life” will premiere this fall.

In February 2023, Giles launched the sports talk show “It Is What It Is” alongside fellow co-hosts Mason Ma$e Betha and Treasure “Stat Baby” Wilson. Months after the show’s rapid rise in popularity, “It Is What It Is” is expanding their coverage with an all-hispanic show in “Es Lo Que Es.”

“Es Lo Que Es” (@esloquees_talkshow) focuses on baseball coverage by a Hispanic/Latino cast with actor Cuban Hunter (@thecubanhunter), hardworking dad Fidel Gocio (@fgocio), and known blogger Loopy (@everybodylovesloopy). The sports show currently has a few episodes out now on YouTube and became the first show to branch from “It Is What It Is” on the “Come And Talk 2 Me” network.

When asked about the show’s vision, producer BBinc stated, “I want it to be presented as if we’re giving barbershop talk or block talk you would see in NYC about baseball. Not only do we want to talk about what’s going on currently, but we would also like to discuss the great moments in the history of the sport. It’ll feel very natural as if you’re drinking a Corona and watching the game with your friends.”

“Come And Talk 2 Me,” hosted by Cam’ron, where Cam’ron helps people with their personal issues. Whether it’s relationship problems, family issues, or job troubles, Cam’ron wants to be an open ear and provide his best advice on any matter. The trailer has Cam’ron Giles helping a married couple overcome adversities such as the wife being handicapped and the husband expressing how tired he is taking care of her.

Betha’s new show, Ma$e, Fix My Life will focus on people overcoming difficulties in their lives.

Giles explained his interest in developing these different shows with a desire to transition into show production. “I have been trying to work with others to be on networks or shows to no avail. I’m forty-seven. I’m tired of waiting for calls back. I told myself “let me take a chance on myself” and that’s what I did.” said Giles.

Check out All episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/@comeandtalk2me

Brooklyn Indie Rock 4-Piece PLIGHT Announce Summer Tour Dates in Support of Debut LP "Plastic Sun"

Brooklyn-based four piece Plight has spent the last five years making a name for themselves in New York City, cultivating their own brand of alternative over the years. Now with their debut LP 'Plastic Sun' on up-and-coming imprint à La Carte Records, the sound of Plight has evolved into a concoction of chunky power-pop anthems, wall-of-sound shoegaze, and morose slowcore ballads.

Their first offering is the single, "No Outlet." The track hearkens back to the classic 90's sound honed by acts like Duster and Smashing Pumpkins mixed with the contemporary sensibilities of Title Fight and Nothing. With the single, Plight delivers a music video with footage of them that could have easily been ripped right from 120 Minutes.

The band says, "Plastic Sun is about finding your beach on a trash island drifting somewhere in the ocean."

"Plastic Sun" is out now on à La Carte Records (Soft Kill, Lesser Care, The True Faith).

Upcoming Shows:

7/22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Gold Sounds w/ Spirits of Leo, Dead Leaf Echo, Dahl Haus (Vinyl release show)

7/23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Silk City w/ Notofthisworld, The Ricos, Nyxy Nyx, Dreamswell

7/24 - Richmond, VA @ Bandito's w/ Always Another, Dozing, Day Aches

7/25 - Raleigh, NC @ Schoolkids Records w/ Sesame, Illuminating Daydream, Napalm Cruiser

7/26 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 Bar w/ Naw, Ammonia Wash, Nowhere Safe

7/27 - Savannah, GA @ The Sentient Bean w/ Lobstrosity, Malpais Anhedonia, Necralant

7/28 - Jacksonville, FL @ Rain Dogs w/ Ducats, Bad Madonna, Bobby Kid

7/29 - Charlotte, NC @ Bart's Mart w/ Supervertigo, Swae, Cursejar

7/30 - Baltimore, MD @ The Crown w/ Ugly Twin, Benign Impact and Sleepy Sword

Stream and Share “Plastic Sun” on Spotify

Connect with PLIGHT: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Upcoming 1MX London Music Festival 2023 Mixes Top Filipino Music Artists With Hot International Acts

As giant music festivals around the world are fast becoming more identical in look, sound, feel and high-ticket prices, niche music festivals that mostly offer one-day fests of dedicated themes are now growing rapidly in popularity.

“1MX London Music Festival 2023” -- scheduled this July 8, Saturday, at the new outdoor venue Dockyards in East London’s historic Royal Docks –- is one of the ultra-cool smaller festivals that are finding global audiences. A globetrotting festival brand highlighting Asian artists and has travelled to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and Manila, 1MX made its debut in London in 2022 mixing Filipino headliners with U.K.-based Asian music artists. The very encouraging reception led to this year’s return to the city with a top-notch cast to perform live in one of the world’s hottest music venues.

Headlining “1MX London Music Festival 2023” at the Dockyards is the following combustible line-up of exciting Filipino and international artists:

• Ben&Ben – This talented folk-pop band from the Philippines has been wowing audiences since 2017 with chart-topping hits like “Kathang Isip” and “Maybe the Night,” to name a few. They were named Spotify’s Most Streamed Artist in the Philippines in 2020 and won numerous awards. With a unique approach to songwriting, all band members of Ben&Ben collaborate on each song’s lyrics and music. They combine electric and acoustic instruments, such as violins and guitars, to create their distinctive sound.

• Yuna – This award-winning Pop R&B artist from Kuala Lumpur known for her jazz-inflected style rose to prominence in 2008 with her breakthrough hit, “Deeper Conversation” which won Best Song at the Malaysian equivalent of the Grammys. She has recorded with international music names Jhene Aiko, Usher, and Pink Sweat$, played festivals such as with Lollapalooza, Camp Flog Gnaw, charted in the Billboard U.S R&B charts, performed on popular talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Late Night with Seth Myers, and produced hits that earned raves from big music industry publications.

• Moira - This multi-awarded singer-songwriter and the Philippines’ Most Streamed Filipina Artist for six consecutive years has been making it as one of the most successful Filipino singer-songwriters in recent years. She dropped hit after hit to the adoration of millions of fans worldwide. Moira’s achievements continued to soar as she held her first sold-out concert, “Tagpuan,” which featured her hit singles “Malaya” and “Tagpuan.” This year she was able to reach a milestone with more than 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, solidifying her position as the Filipina voice of this generation. Her album “Malaya” was certified 8× Platinum.

• Johnny Orlando – Toronto-born singer-songwriter Johnny Orlando is this generation’s rising pop superstar impacting a global music stage. Orlando has amassed over 2 billion streams, and a social media following of over 28 million+ engaged fans worldwide. At 20 years of age, Orlando’s music has generated over 2 billion global streams and acclaim from the likes of Billboard, Variety, Paper, Teen Vogue, and more. Along the way, Orlando garnered nominations for Breakthrough Artist of the Year & Pop Album of the Year at JUNO Awards, as well as three consecutive wins for Best Canadian Act at the MTV European Music Awards.

• Janine Berdin – She is a multi-talented Filipino artist who skyrocketed to stardom after winning the grand championship of the popular singing competition, Tawag ng Tanghalan, on It’s Showtime. In 2018, Berdin signed with TNT Records under Star Music, where she released her carrier single “Biyaya,” written by Chochay Magno. Her participation in the TNT All-Star Showdown at the Araneta Coliseum drew massive crowds and fanfare, cementing her status as one of the headlining performers. She also won the Star Music Listeners Choice Award and 4th best song for the Himig Handog 2018 P-Pop Love Songs for her rendition of “Mas Mabuti Pa.” Her success continued as her 2022 single with Adie, “Mahika,” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Philippines Songs chart,

• Maymay – She is a Filipina actress, singer, host, and model who won hearts and emerged as Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7 Big Winner in 2017. After her TV debut, Maymay signed a recording contract with Star Music and launched her eponymous debut album at a star-studded Skydome event. The album received gold and platinum certifications from the Philippine Association of Record Industry. Maymay is also a fashion icon and an accomplished host. In 2018, she made history as the first Filipina to walk the runway during the Arab Fashion Week strutting clothes by the famous Filipino designer Furne One Amato of Amato Couture in Dubai. Today, Maymay is a rising star in the music industry. She has been nominated in the Best Asia Act category at the 2022 MTV EMA for her hit song “Amakabogera.”

• Clara Rosa – Born in the Philippines but raised in the U.K., DJ Clara Rosa’s multi-cultural upbringing birthed a unique blend of musical influences to her sets. Also an instrumentalist and music producer, her sets are characterized by a fusion of genres that include Amapiano, Baile Funk, Dance Funk House, UKG, Jersey Club and Latin Urbano. The sets bring the rhythms and melodies of her cultural roots with the contemporary sounds of the London club scene, creating an electric atmosphere that keeps the dance floor moving.

“1MX is not here to overwhelm you or overload your senses like in giant music festivals; 1MX is a compact Asian music bowl of a festival seasoned with global flavors, served in the right amounts,” said ABS-CBN Global Head of Events Joseph Arnie Garcia, also concurrently ABS-CBN Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

Garcia added: “Our format is straightforward: exciting established and emerging Filipino artists mixed with equally exciting established and emerging international acts. Combine this clear talent showcase with the local cultural offerings of food, drinks, and the like and you have a guaranteed memorable, delightful, connected and more fulfilling one music experience.”

To buy tickets now to 1MX Music Festival in London 2023, visit https://www.seetickets.com/event/1mx-london-2023/dockyards/2627943

Connect with 1MX Music Festival: Instagram

Matisyahu Announces "Live In Brooklyn" Album Out Friday, June 30

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, rapper and alternative rock artist Matisyahu has announced his new live album Live In Brooklyn will arrive on Friday, June 30 in conjunction with his birthday. PRESS HERE to pre-save, and HERE to listen to the album’s lead single, “One Day (Live)” – a fan-favorite whose original version has been streamed over 140 million times on Spotify alone.

Having amassed a global following for his transcendent live show, Live In Brooklyn is the latest achievement in an extraordinary career. The set was recorded at the iconic Brooklyn Bowl New York during Matisyahu’s annual Festival of Light. The release features live renditions of some of his greatest hits including his Billboard Hot 100-charting and alt-radio topping breakthrough single “King Without a Crown,” as well as covers and originals written by his son, Laivy, that they performed together.

Like only the most gifted storytellers, Matisyahu spins the rare kind of stories that simultaneously enlighten, enthrall and expand the audience’s sense of possibility. Known for his skill in blending a shapeshifting collision of reggae, hip-hop, alt rock and boldly inventive pop – all while paying homage to his spirituality and roots in Judaism – the artist’s live shows consistently provide audiences with a dynamic and energetic performance full of life and illumination. With fifteen years under his belt, he’s teamed up with the best improvisational musicians and artists for jam sessions and collaborations, and his long and winding career consists of seven albums including the chart-topping Light, Youth, Spark Seeker, Akeda and Undercurrent.

Matisyahu’s summer tour kicks off Tuesday – for more information on tickets, tour stops (both solo and with G. Love) and more, please visit www.matisyahuworld.com. Full routing can be found below, and $1 for every August ticket sold will be donated to the Last Prisoner Project.

Live In Brooklyn Tracklisting:

1. Not Regular

2. Sunshine

3. Love Born

4. Beauty and the Beast

5. Time of Your Song

6. I Will Be Light

7. Lord Raise

8. King Without a Crown

9. Fake Friends

10. One Day

Summer Tour Dates:

Headline:

June 6 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House

June 9 - Teton Village, WY - Mangy Moose

June 10 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot

June 13 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades

June 14 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Music Hall

June 15 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

June 16 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriets

June 17 - Las Vegas, NV - Area 15 Festival

June 20 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern

June 21 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern

June 23 - South Kingston, RI - Oceanmist Beach Bar

June 25 - Marshfield, MA - Levitate Backyard

June 26 - Marshfield, MA - Levitate Backyard

July 1 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks *w/ 311

Co-Headline with G. Love:

Aug 4 - Pelham, TN - The Caverns

Aug 5 - Chesterfield, MO - The Factory

Aug 6 - Madison, WI - The Sylvee

Aug 9 - Waterville, ME - Waterville Opera House

Aug 10 - Woodstock, NY - Bearsville Theater

Aug 11 - North Stonington, CT - Jonathan Edwards Winery

Aug 12 - Canandaigua, NY - Lincoln Hill Farms

Aug 13 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount

Aug 16 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage

Aug 17 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station

Aug 18 - Manteo, NC - Roanoke Island Festival Park

Aug 19 - Isle of Palms, SC - The Windjammer

Aug 20 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

Aug 23 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live

Aug 24 - Fort Myers, FL - The Ranch

Aug 25 - St. Augustine, FL - The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre

Connect with Matisyahu: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Tracklib Partners Up With !K7 Music to Offer Music From Strut, Black Fire and More for Sampling

Label group !K7 Music, home to four in-house labels, makes part of its iconic catalog available on Tracklib for sampling. The partnership marks a groundbreaking way to give a new generation of producers access to legally sample and license !K7 Music’s catalog within minutes. The new additions to sampling service Tracklib include music by ‘the godfather of acid jazz’ Brian Auger, leading reissue label Strut Records, the legendary free-spirited ensemble Idris Ackamoor and the Pyramids, and pioneering jazz label Black Fire. More from !K7 Music’s label family including songs from Strut, neo-classical imprint 7K!, and more is planned to be made available to Tracklib soon.

With the availability of selected music from !K7 Music’s roster, Tracklib continues to vastly expand its catalog—which is already more than 100K original songs and exclusive stems deep. “At !K7 Music, we always look for fair and innovative ways to bring new revenue streams for the labels and artists we work with,” says Zac Vibert of !K7 Music. “So Tracklib is an excellent fit to help us in this quest. This partnership will help spread our artists' music to a new audience while opening new creative opportunities to license tracks from the catalogs we represent.” Other recent additions to Tracklib include the widely praised record labels Partisan, Ansonia, Edition Records, Bandai Namco, Sonor Music Editions, and Charly.

“At !K7 Music, we always look for fair and innovative ways to bring new revenue streams for the labels and artists we work with. So Tracklib is an excellent fit to help us in this quest.” — Zac Vibert (!K7)

The artists from !K7 Music’s labels have been, respectively, sampled by the likes of Madlib, Bonobo, Mos Def, Boards Of Canada, Air, KRS-One, Ninja Tune’s founders Matt Black and Jonathan More, J. Cole, and most recently by rapper Logic, among many others. That’s a testament to the relevance of !K7 Music’s ever-consistent label group. Samples from Tracklib, in their turn, have in the last year been used on Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Nas’ King’s Disease 3, on Brockhampton’s final album The Family, and the Kaytranada-produced single “Drugstore” by IDK, among many other releases.

“Tracklib continues the concept of fairness and innovating ways to do business; to not be trapped in a singular old-style operational capability.” —James ‘Plunky’ Branch (of Oneness of Juju)

A key example of the cultural significance of !K7-represented record labels, is Black Fire, now available on Tracklib. Amidst the spiritual jazz movement and Black Arts Movement of the Sixties and Seventies, the Washington, D.C.-based independent record label truly revolutionized a model of ‘fairness’ towards its artists. The label follows in the footsteps of other influential Black-owned labels like Strata-East and Tribe. “Fairness was one of our creeds,” explains James ‘Plunky’ Branch, co-founder of Black Fire and the pioneering spiritual jazz-funk group Oneness of Juju. “So the idea of Tracklib is exciting to continue that process. Because it continues the concept of fairness and innovating ways to do business; to not be trapped in a singular old-style operational capability.” Black Fire was truly ahead of its time and paved the way for the independently-minded musical landscape as we know it today.

“When you affect people like J Dilla, Kanye West, KRS-One, or J. Cole—that speaks loudly!,” adds Plunky, who sees the art of sampling as an extension of his work with Black Fire: "I see the rhythm aspect of sampling as an extension of what we learn from traditional rhythms from Africa, Cuba, Brazil… The way those rhythms are constructed, beat by beat, is not too dissimilar from what people do when they sample or take a piece of the rhythm to create something new. Sampling gets at the heart of that."

[Read the exclusive interview with James ‘Plunky’ Branch here — www.tracklib.com/blog/black-fire-oneness-of-juju-jdilla-samples

About Tracklib

Tracklib is a game-changing music tech company with a catalog of over 100,000 all-original recordings that gives music creators access to legally sample and license music in minutes. By radically simplifying music licensing, the platform unlocks creative opportunities for all the world’s music creators, furthers sampling as an art form, and injects new revenue into the music industry.

Tracklib’s catalog consists of over 100K all-original recordings from over 400 record labels and publishers around the world. The catalog includes everything from Isaac Hayes to Mozart and jazz artists Bob James, whose music has been sampled in thousands of songs. Samples from Tracklib have been used in major songs from artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Phantogram, Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Wayne, DJ Khaled, Kaytranada, Nas, Mount Kimbie, and BROCKHAMPTON.

Tracklib is the world’s first and only digital service for clearing samples. The platform finally solves a huge problem in the music industry and levels the playing field by making sample clearance accessible and affordable for anyone.

Connect with Tracklib: Website

Connect with !K7: Website

Ab-Soul to Guest Lecture Pendulum Ink's Next Online Class

Grammy-nominated emcee Ab-Soul is bringing his expertise to Pendulum Ink for an exclusive online class on May 24th, 2023 at 7 PM EST. The TDE artist is known for his unique flow, emotion, and transcendent artistry that appeals to fans of all generations. Participants will have the rare opportunity to learn Ab-Soul's approach to writing songs, techniques, and how he has been able to create a balance between Golden Era fans and contemporary fans. Ab-Soul has proven himself to be one of the most talented and innovative artists of our time, with his influence on the Hip-Hop industry recognized through his Grammy nomination for his performance on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s album titled The Heist. His most recent album Herbert released in 2022, has been widely acclaimed for its depth and complexity, and showcases his range as an artist.

Participants will have the chance to learn from one of the most influential figures in the Hip Hop industry as Ab-Soul shares his writing process, creative insights, and the elements that have made him a transcendent artist. Ten lucky participants will also have the opportunity to ask Ab-Soul a question about his approach to writing songs, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hip Hop fans and aspiring artists.

Access to the online class can be purchased at www.pendulumink.com, and interested parties can also contact info@pendulumink.com or call 917-569-5411 for more information.

Connect with Pendulum Ink: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Australian Born Khmer/Viet Producer Maggie Tra Shares Her New EP "Temporary Feelings", With Phan Thuỷ

Australian born Khmer/Viet producer Maggie Tra releases an ambient floating experimental EP “Temporary Feelings” with Vietnamese artist Phan Thuỷ.

After the success of their first collaboration together in 2021 on ‘Broken Rice,’ the two artists’ decided to work together again on a new EP.

The EP sees Phan Thuỷ creating a healing narrative playing the đàn tỳ bà, alongside Maggie Tra’s floating production. The 4-track EP bridges modern electronic music with traditional sounds to bring generations together through gentle sounds.

On the single, Maggie said, “Temporary Feelings’ is a meditative healing EP that aims to bring listeners into a peaceful space. Sometimes we just get caught up in life, I hope this EP allows people to slow down and enjoy the sounds”.

Released via SYS Sister Sounds Label, the single ‘Gentle Intentions’, off the EP, has been played on NTS Radio, Triple RRR and FBi Radio.

Listen to “Temporary Feelings” on Bandcamp

Connect with Maggie Tra: Facebook

Rakim and Grand Puba Kick Off Salaam Remi’s “Midnight At MuseZeuM” Concert Series in Miami

On Saturday, April 22nd, GRAMMY award-winning producer Salaam Remi launched his historic concert series Midnight at MuseZeuM inspired by Remi’s newest creative venture MuseZeuM.

The event took place in the legendary Miami Beach Bandshell in Miami. Midnight At MuseZeuM had Grand Puba alongside legendary emcee Rakim.

Limited edition merchandise of renowned artists, all created by Remi himself in collaboration with other artists and photographers.

Now Remi is back in NYC with a special MuseZeuM Pop Up to unveil the 1of1 Rakim Artwork piece and the 1 of 100 Limited Edition Rakim hoodies. During the first installment, attendees got a chance to see pieces of the collection curated and created by Remi himself which included Bob Marley, Nas, Marvin Gaye, Slick Rick, Fab 5 Freddy, Amy Winehouse, Celia Cruz, Dennis Brown, and more.

Attendees of this week's popup will see a special NYC unveiling. The MuseZeuM Pop UP will be open to the public: Monday May 1st - Sunday May 7th 11am -9pm.

A special tastemakers event will be on Thursday May 4th, 7-10pm at Legacy NYC. Beverages will be provided by JADE champagne. RSVP HERE.

The next installment of Midnight at MuseZeuM will be held on June 10th with Big Daddy Kane.

K.Flay Announces Headline Tour and Releases Her New Single/Video "Raw Raw"

LA based multi-platinum two-time GRAMMY-Award nominated artist K.Flay has released her new single ‘Raw Raw’. The song is her first new music of 2023 and first since confirming that she has gone completely deaf in her right ear. ‘Raw Raw’ is accompanied by the official music video which offers a psychologically chilling visual that taps into the disorienting effects of her real-life physical disability.

Regarding the single K.Flay says, “‘Raw Raw’ is the start of my next chapter. After losing half my hearing last fall, I was faced with a sudden and intense episode of fear and vulnerability. Like, could I even make music again? Once I got into my recovery and started writing and recording, I knew that I could. And what I wanted to create was music that felt properly rock but also properly future oriented. Uninhibited and different.

“With ‘Raw Raw’ I wanted to capture what vulnerability really feels like. Outwardly it might seem tender, but on the inside it’s messy and bloody and somewhat terrifying. It’s a chainsaw buzzing at your throat.

The new single is her second for new label GIANT Music and the first from a new full-length studio album coming autumn 2023. The video was directed by Griffin Olis (Nicki Minaj, The Aces, Ozuna) and the song was produced by K.Flay, Jason Suwito (Imagine Dragons, COIN, Sir Sly) and Brad Hale (Now Now).

‘Raw Raw’ comes with news of a UK and European autumn headline tour where K.Flay will perform in London, Manchester, Berlin, Paris, Vienna and beyond. It follows a massive US Spring/Summer co-headline tour with grandson kicking off in May.

News of the live shows is welcome for fans who learned via Instagram on September 8th 2022 that K.Flay was losing her hearing due to a rare condition called SSNHL (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) and Labyrinthitis and had to cancel her fall tour plans to deal with the medical emergency.

Always vocal about her personal struggles, K.Flay has shared her journey trying to restore and ultimately learning how to accept and live with her disability. She spoke at length in December with NME about her sudden and unexpected hearing loss, her own mental health, her sobriety, her 2021 breakup with her partner, the death of her father at 14 and more. As part of the interview she talks about the need for inner strength to help get you through the tough times, “For me, there are those moments when you are reconnected with your own power and confidence and you really have to celebrate them because we don’t always feel that way…”

Originally from Illinois, K.Flay, born Kristine Flaherty, started rapping and writing songs on a lark while attending Stanford University, and soon began releasing her self-produced mixtapes. Not long after the arrival of Every Where Is Some Where (her major-label debut), she took her kinetic live set to arenas around the world as support for Imagine Dragons, in addition to earning her GRAMMY nominations in the categories of Best Rock Song (for ‘Blood in the Cut’) and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

Through the years, she’s also brought her genre-bending sensibilities to an eclectic mix of collaborations, working with everyone from Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda to Louis the Child to skate-punk bands like FIDLAR and Dune Rats. But despite that deliberate shapeshifting, K.Flay’s output remains rooted in her undeniable lyrical skills, an element she attributes to her innate love of language and its infinite possibilities.

With more than 1 BILLION streams and 100K+ tickets sold, K.Flay continues to forge her own path as a songwriter, producer and singer. Keep an eye out for news of her new album and in the meantime, listen to her latest single ‘Raw Raw’, watch the official music video and catch her on tour this year – UK & European dates are below:

UK / EU Tour Dates

Sept 20 @ Hybrydy in Warsaw, Poland

Sept 22 @ Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany

Sept 23 @ Melkweg MAX in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sept 25 @ Meetfactory in Prague, Czech Republic

Sept 26 @ Luxor in Cologne, Germany

Sept 28 @ Flex in Vienna, Austria

Sept 29 @ Heimathafen in Berlin, Germany

Oct 2 @ Gorilla in Manchester, UK

Oct 3 @ Brixton Electric in London, UK

Stream and Share “Raw Raw”

Connect with K.Flay: Website | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter