Showing posts with label with. Show all posts
Showing posts with label with. Show all posts

Friday, October 25, 2024

San Francisco's "gloomy june" Invite You To Dance While Getting Vulnerable With "Back From The Dead" Out 10/25

Dancing in a graveyard has never been so uplifting as what we see in the new "Back from the Dead" video from gloomy june. With their distinct, high-energy blend of synthpop, pop punk and emo, the San Francisco quartet tear the band-aid off relationship injuries and confront core wounds in a way that will have you up on your feet before you know what hit you.

Playing their part as a kind of funeral version of a wedding band, gloomy june barrel through "Back from the Dead" with frenzied abandon as frontwoman Alexi Belchere brandishes a bouquet of flowers and rolls over her own grave — the implication being that we don't stay "buried" under grief after stumbling in relationships, even if if feels like we'll never be able to pick ourselves up. (The cover art for the single features the band gathered at the entrance to a mausoleum.)

"'Back from the Dead' is the first offering from our debut full-length, which we worked on for a year," Belchere explains. "In the process of writing for the LP, I wanted to reach further into vulnerability with my lyrics. I was trying to do more than just state my own feelings. I wanted to dig deeper down and explore the layer beneath what I thought I was trying to say."

"So, for example," she continues, "I'd start out writing about feeling uncertain with opening up in a new relationship — say, because of past trauma — and I'd end up groping around my discomfort with myself. I also explored the idea of how we sometimes use new love as a means of escaping reality. If you follow your longing, your rejection and your hurt, you get to the source of those feelings and it's like an entire underground cave to shine a light on. That process of illumination is what excites me so much about our new material."

If it seems odd that the rest of the band smiles while Belchere lays herself bare, it's this very contrast that underscores one of gloomy june's fundamental attributes: where bittersweet guitar lines and anthemic synths pair-up with danceable/mosh-able drums, you'll find lyrics about grief and anxiety; conversely, where there are heavy drum breakdowns and descending chords, there are lyrics about hope and love overcoming the weight of the world.

Between now and the LP release, you can catch gloomy june performing at your local LGBTQ+ event or punk space soon. Be prepared to dance while being vulnerable with your friends!

Monday, July 1, 2024

WEALTH HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH MONEY AND HOME HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH LOCATION ON "CAROLINA" NEW SINGLE BY THE FRANNYO SHOW


The FrannyO Show has released “Carolina” now available on Spotify and all the major music services, from the forthcoming album “Box Of Time”, out August 9th.

“I consider myself extremely wealthy," says Fran O'Connell, "but not in a conventional way. What I’m doing right now, this very day—as a nurse and business owner-turned-musician—makes me feel wealthy beyond measure in happiness and friendships.”

Fran believes he was given a gift early in life when he had a first-hand experience with death and dying—an experience he chose to parlay into his life's work. As a boy, Fran grew up with an extended family living in the same house. There were eight people, including a grandfather who did not move to a nursing home until he was 97 years old—where he lived just two weeks before dying. “My grandfather never missed a family birthday party or other celebration,” Fran remembers. “He was there, and I saw how much that enriched his life, saw it up close and personal.”

Fran was 20 years old when his grandfather died. He had been studying speech pathology at the University of Massachusetts. He didn’t really know what he wanted to do in his life. So, he took a basic nursing class—Nursing 101, basically—pretty much because he needed three credits and thought the course would be easy. But Fran hadn't forgotten what he'd learned from watching his grandfather: how important it was for someone to be at home as long as possible.

Meanwhile, about ten years ago, with three grown daughters, a second wife named Kim, and daydreams about running for mayor of Holyoke (which he eventually did), Fran was at his vacation home in Vieques, Puerto Rico, when his life took a dramatic turn. It all started with a guitar he had bought his oldest daughter, Alison. Never really warming to the instrument, she had left it in Vieques—under a bed, it turned out, which is where Fran found it late one afternoon.

Fast-forward to today, and Fran is known as the dynamo that powers The FrannyO Show. Two EPs, a full-length, and a steady stream of singles releases later, the band sits on the verge of releasing its sophomore album, Big Box of Time. The album further cements what Fran's following has known for years: that Fran is an irrepressible songwriter/frontman who's carved his own signature blend of Americana, blues, country, and rock.

"If you put Delta Blues, New England folk, classic Country, Irish tongue-in-cheek humor, and Caribbean rhythm into a pot and let it simmer," Fran explains, "you'd get The FrannyO Show."

"Carolina," the first offering from Big Box of Time, drives home Fran's long-held belief that home literally is where the heart is—it has little to do with physical location, just as wealth has little to do with how much money we have.

"This song," says Fran, "was written with my daughter Briana in mind. I can remember going through the divorce with her mom. I left the family home where my wife and three daughters lived. I literally felt like I was a man without a home—until something happened that I'll never forget. I can vividly remember Briana running up to greet me after I moved out . As she hugged me, I bent down to kiss her head and smelled her hair. It was at that moment that I understood I still had a home. My 'home' was wherever my daughters were, because home isn't a place but a sense of belonging in each other's hearts."

“I've tried," he continues, "to make certain that I never forgot the gifts from the people I was taking care of—what they told me about their lives, their regrets, etc. I've learned from those experiences and applied them to both the people I love and the music I make.”



The FrannyO Show — Big Box of Time

Tracklist:

1. Big Box of Time

2. Carolina

3. Black Tea

4. Let's Do It Again

5. Three Days of Rain

6. Black Sheep

7. Ricky's Daddy

8. Sadie


Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Singer/Songwriter Ben Sefton Tackles Insecurities with Unflinching Candor and Biting Wit on “Dark Dreams”


There are things that happen in dreams, of course, that none of us would ever feel comfortable sharing in public. Singer/songwriter Ben Sefton doesn’t exactly spill all the details in his latest single “Dark Dreams,” but he bravely stares-down his insecurities and emerges with a mesmerizing new slice of lounge-folk/dark pop genius.

Ben explains, “This is a song I started writing after a bad dream, where all of my deepest insecurities were exposed, my hopes at romance had utterly failed and my perverted longings for certain acquaintances were bizarrely explored (as in every dream I've ever had, I guess).”

While "Dark Dreams” will leave you unsettled (and chuckling) in equal measure, it is perhaps the perfect balance of discomfort and humor to inspire us to take a look at all the foibles we keep hidden from ourselves. It is also an exquisite piece of songcraft with shades of lounge music, vocal jazz and bossa nova — the latest example from a singer/songwriter whose versatility is outpaced only by his smoothness.


After graduating from Selkirk College’s Contemporary Music & Technology Program in 2015, Ben has spent his time crafting and fine tuning his songs. Ben’s budding love of songwriting as a teen quickly developed into an obsession, fueling the creation of 100’s of unreleased songs. Driven by his deep love of earworm pop melodies stemming from such influences as The Beach Boys, Frank Ocean and Andy Shauf as well as a passion for candid lyrical witticism and word play, Ben has effectively created a style all of his own. In March, 2020, Ben released his debut single ‘Humans’ to great reception with the press including CBC Saskatchewan, CBC Winnipeg and numerous music websites in North America, UK, and Europe. The single was included on many pop music playlists including Universal Music owned playlists on Spotify. The video for Humans (created by the artist who did Grimes’ digital Rolling Stones cover) received close to 100,000 views and 100% thumbs up. In addition, Ben was pleased to receive, in 2020, a SK Arts Independent Artist’s recording grant.

Ben’s musical journey has benefitted from the personal instruction and advice of a few key professors and mentors at Selkirk College, a school which boasts such high-profile alumni as Kiesza and Meghan Trainor. Majoring in composition and prompted by his growing curiosity into the inner workings of harmony and song writing, Ben’s musical palate has steadily expanded. With the help of vocal coach Laura Landsberg and backed by hours of focused guitar practice, Ben matches his ceaseless song creation with considerable vocal and instrumental prowess. Drawing on influences of virtuoso guitarists from John Mayer to Django Reinhardt and the rich vocals of Frank Sinatra and Dallas Green, Ben takes joy in constantly refining his skills and looks forward to sharing his vast catalog of songs.

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Congolese Guitarist Marius Billgobenson Soothes Our Weary Ears with “A Little Bit Of Honey”


Marius Billgobenson is not just an artist; he's an ambassador whose life experiences and passion for music have shaped his extraordinary journey. Hailing from the Congo and now residing in Stockholm, Sweden, Billgobenson's artistic prowess transcends borders, making him a true musical citizen of the world.

Billgobenson is proud to release his highly anticipated single "A Little Bit of Honey" — a smooth anthem for weary ears recorded in Los Angeles with two-time grammy winning producer Paul Brown. “Honey” is a poetic expression of love and the transformative power it holds. This soulful track invites listeners into a world of warmth and affection, where the sweetness of life is celebrated through captivating melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

Infused with jazz, R&B, and soul influences, “A Little Bit of Honey'' showcases Billgobenson’s musical versatility and Brown’s production expertise. The track had help from editor Jaqui Brown and was backed by sought-after session musicians David Garfield, Ron King, Tony Braunadel, Shane Theriot and Freddie Washington.

Drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as Van Morrison, Bill Withers, and Bob Marley, Billgobenson's music is a fusion of their songwriting prowess and his unique artistic vision. His latest release is a testament to his creative evolution and his commitment to crafting emotionally resonant melodies and heartfelt lyrics.



Marius Billgobenson's roots lie in a small Congolese village, where he was immersed in the enchanting sounds of the local people and their harmonious existence with the forest. His upbringing, coupled with his experiences living among the forest people during Congo's civil war, laid the foundation for his musical career. Witnessing the discrimination faced by marginalized communities fueled his activism, leading him to amplify their voices through his music.

During the war, Billgobenson spent months in the forest, facing unimaginable challenges. Yet, amidst adversity, he found solace in the traditional knowledge and care of the forest people, emerging with a renewed appreciation for life and a commitment to human rights advocacy.


Saturday, May 4, 2024

The Earthly Frames Sing the Body Robotic with New Single Cicatrise Dud


Musical mad scientist Gabriel Walsh is back with "Cicatrise Dud," the latest offering from his ever-shapeshifting project The Earthly Frames and the first single from the new full-length Infranyms, out June 3rd.

With "Cicatrise Dud," Walsh delves into robotics and the human-technology interface while giving us a taste of his new direction: a retro-futuristic barrage of rock and pop, Infranyms sees Walsh finding the ecstatic sweet spot between new wave and no wave while balancing synthetic sounds with careful, introspective songwriting.

One of most captivating experimentalists on the contemporary indie landscape, Walsh has switched genres over the course of the last six Earthly Frames albums, from electronic to classical to what Walsh himself describes as "deeply weird rock." And, as his body of work expands, Walsh increasingly resembles a kind of missing link between classic American eccentrics like R. Stevie Moore and modern YouTube outsider artists like Louis Cole.

Infranyms is the seventh album in Walsh's series The Rainbow Table — a decade-plus endeavor to create an LP for each color of the classic ROYGBIV mnemonic. Infranyms occupies the much-debated indigo spectrum of The Rainbow Table. Many speculate Sir Isaac Newton only added this half-way color to align with a grander pattern he saw in observation and the occult. Infranyms celebrates this gloriously unverifiable assertion in measure and mystery.

The Earthly Frames is the current musical incarnation of Gabriel Walsh. (Walsh derived the name from the almost-disturbingly trippy children's puppet program Magic Star Traveler.) For twenty-five years Walsh has been producing experimental pop recordings. He’s played in bands such as sad-songers Timesbold, freaky-improvers Wooden Wand & the Vanishing Voice, and Hebrew space-rockers The Solillians.

With The Earthly Frames, we can hear the through-line of layered, warped sounds that Walsh has been honing for a quarter century join up with a fixation on disjointed, fictional worlds. For example, the first Earthly Frames release was a USB drive with a one-of-a-kind narrative fragment. Owners of the devices had to choose whether or not to share their particular artifact with the others to complete the story or keep it to themselves - flipping the notion of music file sharing on its head. The following release came with a card game and short film all set in the world of a billboard salesman who’s having a nervous breakdown.



"...the perfect combination of sophisticated lyrics and ragged, heartfelt vocals — which are both entirely unique in the current music climate." — Big Takeover

"Heady science-fiction metaphysics mix with earthy Americana... [the] untethered embrace of bold sounds and themes sets the project apart from artists who simply forge a signature and tinker with it. Walsh’s work relishes in the profound and the challenging." — Tinnitist

"...melancholy but neon. Cuddly bitterness and sublime despair." — NoHo Arts District


Monday, January 15, 2024

Mark Newman with Roy Blumenfeld (Drummer from The Blues Project) - New NYC and California Area Shows Announced


Singer/songwriter Mark Newman will be back on the west coast appearing LIVE alongside Roy Blumenfeld from the legendary 60’s group, The Blues Project, for two dates later this month; first on Fri. Jan 19 at El Verano Inn located at 705 Laurel Ave in El Verano, California, then on Sat. Jan 20th at The Saloon, 1232 Grant Ave in San Francisco.

You can also catch Mark on the East Coast in NYC on Mon, Jan 15, 2024 @ 7:00PM: The Bitter End, 147 Bleeker St, NYC.



Mark Newman is a well traveled and in demand professional whose musical prowess has taken him around the world several times over; working alongside many soul, blues, and rock greats of our time including John Oates (Hall & Oates), Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), Sam The Sham, Bobby Whitlock (Derek and the Dominos) and Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), as part of these bands Mark has shared the stage with stars such as Sting, Elvis Costello, Travis Tritt and Carla Thomas as well. As an opening act, Mark and his original band have played many dates with acts like Delbert McClinton, Les Dudek, The Doobie Brothers, Don Felder of The Eagles, David Bromberg and many others. Mark is currently touring intermittently with The Hitmen as well as with The Blues Project (led by original drummer Roy Blumenfeld) and his own original project internationally.

Originally from New York, The Blues Project are possibly the best unsung American rock band of the sixties. The music of The Blues Project defies description, ranging from folk-rock to soul, from rock 'n' roll and blues to jazz, all blended together to produce a tremendously wide spectrum. They have played alongside artists such as Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Otis Spann, to name a few.

A multi stringsman, Mark has mastered electric/acoustic/lap steel guitar as well as the mandolin and dobro. Past music releases include the singles “At The Border” which was originally written with the struggles people were experiencing fleeing the war in Ukraine in mind, but is also inspired by the millions of people all around the world trying to escape oppression and hunger on an ongoing basis, “Tulsa”, a song and video created in remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and “From Me To You”, a cover of the Janis Ian song for her Better Times Project of 2020. His most recent studio album, “Empirical Truth” was the 2019 Winner of The Long Island Blues Society Best Album Category, and represented the NY area in competition at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Earlier records include 2006’s “Must Be a Pony”, 2010’s “Walls of Jericho”, and 2015’s “Brussels” - a live acoustic-driven EP.

For More on Mark Newman, VISIT:

www.MarkNewman.us

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Jesse Eplan Blazes into High Gear with Latest Video for his Track “Bakwoods”


Fast rising hip hop star Jesse Eplan just dropped the smoking new video for his well received slow dance worthy anthem “Bakwoods”, which was released on all the major services earlier this year. The popping track details Jesse’s love and respect for one special woman, and for the recreational activities he enjoys doing only with her; regardless of the endless line of shortys looking to get with him and his green sticky leaf.



After his move to Los Angeles in 2018, Eplan has continued adding to his ever growing musical palette, with strong songs and new fire beats coming seemingly every week. A New York native, Jesse broke major ground with the release of his first two major LP's - 2017's "Trap Harmony" and 2018's "Purple Wave", and the Trap and Hip-Hop world took MAJOR notice of the rising young star through his collaborations with like minded artists like Famous Dex (A$AP Rocky, Lil Pump) and Kontraversy (Grafh, LouGotCash), but it seems we've only seen the tip of the iceberg that is Jesse Eplan.



With his major influences ranging from artists like Future to Lil Uzi Vert, Chris Brown, Smokepurpp, MadeinTYO and Travis Scott - Eplan has taken their flow, hooks, beat selection, and more into account when creating his own music. Geography has also had a major impact - as a NY native, Eplan took what he learned from the ever growing R&B, Hip-Hop, and Trap scene throughout NYC and Long Island and relocated to Tampa, FL where he attended the University of Tampa. This added yet another dynamic to his creativity, says Jesse “Being in Tampa gave me new elements of a more tropical sound to add to my music. From its overall Summer vibes to the scenery, it really spoke to me along with being able to meet new artists, producers, videographers and entrepreneurs to learn from and collaborate with”. This is evident in “Purple Wave”, which he categorizes as very different from the rap music of today’s generation. With tracks like “Cannon” (Feat. Kontraversy) and “Lost Time” he goes from hardened undertones to giving himself a chance to do some soulful singing. “I listen to these tracks and its very magical” he says, “The more people I ask, the more feedback I get on how expansive the album is and how everyone seems to have their own favorite track”.