American singer-songwriter Vincent Poag has shared his new album, a heartwarming and soulful collection of twelve songs titled Masquerade. The eighth song of the album is the only collaboration from the tracklist, with Diana Hope’s beautiful voice enchanting us from start to finish, especially with the exquisite humming that ends the song in full grace.
Following in the footsteps of legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Vincent Poag has brought back the power of poetry and music into the modern era. Born in the 1950s in Massapequa, Vincent Poag attended performances by Sinatra and Elvis Presley as a teenager, and was exposed to the Broadway musical era.
Despite receiving his first guitar at the age of eight, marking the beginning of his songwriting process, it is following a birthday present in 2008 by his wife, who gifted him a guitar, that Vincent Poag began releasing music. To date, he has released four albums, including his debut LP Circling Back in 2011, For The Girls in 2014, Heroes and Demons in 2018 and Masquerade a few weeks ago.
It’s Only The Beginning For Singing Sensation, Harlow
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
Harlow
“Once You Get The Music Bug, You Never Get It Out Of Your System.”
It’s Only The Beginning For Singing Sensation, Harlow
On one of my very first trips to Nashville at age 14, a much older and seasoned musician looked at me with sympathetic eyes and said, “Once you get bit by the music bug, you never get it out of your system”, and he was absolutely right.
For me, getting into music was simultaneously the most natural and yet abnormal thing I’ve ever done. That “music bug” was in me from day 1 but I don’t come from a musical family so I had to do a lot of convincing to get my parents to take me seriously at first. It only took a few times of being kicked off the soccer fields for singing and day-dreaming for them to see that their “little athlete” might actually be an entertainer instead. They finally got the picture a few years later and have been on board ever since!
Because I had to work so hard just to get the chance to start pursuing my dreams I have a huge appreciation for getting to do what I do. After nearly 10 years of visiting Nashville (and living there for 4 of those) I finally found what I was looking for the whole time: myself. There was lots of trial and error but all of it led me to where I am at now. So to anyone wanting to get into this industry I can honestly say just stay the course and stick with it! I’ve had so many doors open because of the power of the internet and apps like TikTok, where I have gained close to 70k followers. You can see how listeners are really gaining the power to choose who pop’s off and who doesn’t. We, as music consumers, have a lot more say than we’ve ever had before so there’s never been a better time to go for it!
Now, I am overjoyed to be releasing music and it is only the beginning! Releasing my first single “Haunted Houses” in October last year was actually so terrifying but so liberating. The song is a light-hearted and lyrically clever take on dealing with your inner demons and realizing that sometimes the biggest obstacle you have is yourself. I knew I wanted to write a song about mental health but I didn’t want it to perpetuate the sadness. I wanted it to be more playful and upbeat so that it makes you feel better! Seeing this song gain traction on radio stations this year has been really cool especially since I am still an independent artist. It can be really hard to break through FM radio but I have a handful of FM stations that are now playing “Haunted Houses” in their rotation and seeing it win multiple fan voted contests has also been such a highlight for me!
My latest single “Dirty Mouth” is relatable for anyone on dating nowadays as it addresses the issues of commitment and catching feelings which often feels so taboo in today’s dating culture. This song is basically me making fun of myself for promising to not get involved with anyone and then immediately finding myself getting attached to someone new. Vocally this song is so much fun to play with and really hits the perfect combination of soulful and spunky. Lyrically, it feels really confessional which is definitely a format I intend to keep using in my songwriting.
One more single is on the way, set to release in early April 2021, and I am eager to keep writing and growing. This is a very exciting time for me and there has been such an outpouring of support that I am eternally grateful for!
The Love Of Music Brings Together The Ghosts Of Liberty
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
THE GHOSTS OF LIBERTY
“Through many of life’s challenges, they maintain a deep and abiding appreciation for the ways that love and music can truly overcome any obstacle.”
The Love Of Music Brings Together The Ghosts Of Liberty
The Ghosts of Liberty comprises husband and wife duo Emma & Tyler Millard. To fully understand their story, we should start from the beginning.
When Emma knocked on Tyler’s door for that first co-writing session one evening in May of 2014, all they really knew (aside from their mutual contact, Tyler’s brother Mark, who had suggested the meeting) was that they both had a passion for creating music.
Emma didn’t know until later that day that Tyler couldn’t see her; he had slowly been going blind from a degenerative retinal disease that the doctors discovered when he was 21. Tyler didn’t know that Emma had battled depression and anxiety throughout her life since childhood. Neither knew that one day the unique experience of carrying these invisible burdens, along with their shared passion for music, would forge the strongest of friendships, and ultimately lead them to the altar four years later.
Tyler picked up a guitar the same year he learned he was losing his vision. He began writing, playing and singing as much as possible, endeavouring to carve a different path for himself. Emma, a native Texan, was a classically trained singer, having performed in many genres and on many different stages since she was young, from dancing and singing in musicals to fronting an alt-pop band. Tyler and Emma quit their jobs as math teacher and executive assistant, respectively, and by 2015 were fixtures in the greater Greensboro, North Carolina music scene.
Their first EP “Daddy’s Daughter” named after the July 2020 single, comes as a breath of fresh air for anyone who craves the heart and thoughtfulness of folk music, with the modern polish of mainstream country and pop. From their writing style to their stage presence, Ty’s steady and cool nature balances Em’s gutsy emotionality, and together they are a musical force.
Through many of life’s challenges, they maintain a deep and abiding appreciation for the ways that love and music can truly overcome any obstacle. This message is the overriding theme of their work.
Two out of the three singles from theirifall 2020 EP have been released- look for the final single coming late this October.
Distinctive Edgy Alternative Pop Music from Haddix
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
HADDIX
“if you can’t move to it or feel something internally while listening – it just doesn’t feel authentic.”
Distinctive Edgy Alternative Pop Music from Haddix
The release of my first single is a nothing less than a huge milestone in my life and career.
Crash and Burn is a sexy and edgy alternative pop anthem that is all about confidence and power. I know we can all think of a situation where we have been approached by someone whose presence isn’t wanted – I’ve been there – I get you!
When this song was written we wanted to embody the strength of someone who is just out for a good night with friends with no intentions on meeting or going home with someone! It’s a song that not only makes for awesome club music, but also inspires and pumps up people’s independent confidence. Finally being able to share my music with the world on all platforms has really brought my dreams to life – and I am so excited to share all the amazing songs that I have been working on for the past few years.
My music tends to have a dark alternative pop vibe that I definitely think was inspired for my love of Contemporary dance and art – as a dancer and studio owner I always felt that music had to make people feel something. Whether it’s a hard hitting sexy pop song or a heartfelt vulnerable ballad – if you can’t move to it or feel something internally while listening – it just doesn’t feel authentic.
I started working in Nashville about two years ago, and fell in love with the city that seems to never sleep when it comes to music.
Being from Toronto, Nashville felt like a huge change in atmosphere! I was always so inspired by my surroundings and couldn’t wait to return for the next music trip. I am so grateful to work with my team, and have had the pleasure of working with Grammy nominated song writers and producers who have inspired me and made my EP killer!
I know this is just the beginning for my music – there are so many more songs to share! I hope my music gives my listeners a glimpse into my mind, but also speaks their truths too. No matter where my music takes me, I plan on making my mark in this world and putting on one hell of a show!
Spotlight Featured Pop Artist; She Is Kings Inspires Millions
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
SHE IS KINGS
“I knew I wanted to be where the best of the best live so I could learn and glean from gifted musicians“
MAD FVN; You Are Hired – You’re A Popstar In The Making
Years upon years of dedication and hard work have led to this moment for me. The upcoming release of my first song titled “call me when you grow up…” is an anthem to a less than desirable relationship. The title says it all, and it will definitely leave you with the words stuck in your head. I am so excited to finally have music out on every streaming platform. It’s basically saying that boys can be immature as teenagers, but don’t lose hope because they do grow up, and hopefully are able to handle their emotions and communicate better. This song really could be about anyone, but my main goal with it is to let others know that if they’re going through something that relates to this topic, I’m right there with them.
Music is my language. It is also my first love. At a young age, I knew that I was put on this earth to sing and write songs that move others the way I am moved every time I hear a phenomenal artist. I began performing at 3 and writing my own songs at 8.
I knew I wanted to be where the best of the best live so I could learn and glean from gifted musicians.
After years of begging, my parents and I finally travelled to Nashville to explore the industry. This continued all throughout high school. Ten trips later, we decided to move so I could pursue my dreams. While continuing to write with incredibly gifted Grammy nominated writers and producers, I was also building a fan base on Tik Tok and Instagram. Today, my platform includes over 3.5 million followers on Tik Tok and over 100,000 of Instagram.
I placed every ounce of creativity and energy possible into the songs I write. Whether it’s a pop ballad, or a sassy and empowering dance song, I am continuously trying to work on my craft and inspire others. This is only the beginning and there is so much music to come.
Pop songs are amazing, but I love bending & breaking rules when it comes to my sound. While I am considered a pop artist, I also love the unexpected.
Artist Spotlight: Charmian Devi – “No Peace” – “Radio Of None”
Charmian Devi, Montreal-based singer-songwriter, enters this new decade with a new vision, releasing two out-of-the-ordinary singles, “No Peace” and “Radio of None.”
In touch with music since her youngest age thanks to having a father who was a fan of the 70’s most sought-after records by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and all the legends that enriched the music scene back then, Charmian Devi naturally composes, creates, and writes .
Growing-up with this atmosphere surrounding her daily life, Charmian quickly picked-up music as her calling, and played in several bands, formed bands, and worked with the most respected musicians and artists throughout her long and fruitful journey.
This year, she released those two magnificent songs, produced by Marc Urselli in New York City, and recorded along very special musicians such as Bob Dylan’s bass player, Tony Garnier.
Artist Spotlight: Charmian Devi – “No Peace” – “Radio Of None”
MAD FVN; You Are Hired – You’re A Popstar In The Making
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
MAD FVN
“The beautiful thing about music is you don’t have to be a musician to love it”
MAD FVN; You Are Hired – You’re A Popstar In The Making
I am a performer. There’s never been any question in my mind when it came to what I was meant to do, and I think that rings true for a lot of people in the music industry. The only time doubt comes in is when we’re figuring out how the hell we’re supposed to make it happen! In that regard, there’s a lot of doubt. There are no resume’s to hand in, no amount of internet interviews that say “You’re hired! You’re a popstar”. You simply have to do the work. You have to be good at what you do and prove that you are over and over again before the doors start to open.
What’s gotten me through that process is never forgetting the fun part! Remembering what I do this for: the music.
Music has been my everything since the beginning. The beautiful thing about music is you don’t have to be a musician to love it. It’s emotional, raw, devastating, euphoric, and the ultimate healer. I’m lucky to feel confident in my songwriting, my singing, and my performances, because I get to be that outlet for people that need it. I get to help people heal by being vulnerable myself, and in our darkest times, when people feel the most separated, I’m honored to be a part of the unity that music creates.
Life is simply too short to second guess your talents. I’ve sung since the day I learned how (albeit not very good in the beginning), began writing when I was 14 (again, not very well) and have been on a stage since elementary school through music, dance, and theater. I was horrified to go out on stage, yet totally mesmerized and excited. It was this need for me to keep getting up there, even when the stage fright hit every single time. In the beginning, none of us are very good! But I knew I could be great, if only I kept pushing.
Now here I am, 23 years old, releasing my debut single “Skeletons”, utterly thankful that I never gave up on myself. It’s hard work but that’s what makes it worth it.
This single didn’t just happen over night.
It was constant practice, writing, planning, collaborating, and perseverance that led me to this first step of many to come, and I’m excited. I like the work, because it makes me better. This song means so much more to me than it’s surface portrayal of power and vengeance. It’s a symbol of what I had to do to get to this point, and beyond. “Skeletons” is only the beginning, and even if just one person walks away from this song feeling like they’re not alone, I’ll know I’ve done my job.
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
Ella Fence
“what’s worse than when you fall over in front of over 400 people when you’re the only one on a stage”
Ella Fence The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist
Being asked to write about something about myself that people may not know about me really got me thinking.
As an artist I have the luxury of sharing more personal experiences through music as well as interviews, however there are always so many things that get left unsaid. I don’t mind a little secrecy and in some ways I am a can be a very private person, but there are certain stories I don’t mind sharing, particularly those that overcome mental burden.
This leads me to one of those stories, which I’d like to share for the first time, about when I injured myself on stage during a sold out show in front of over 400 people in 2016. I have previously joked in private that the thing that was bruised that day was my ego, although I actually tore some serious cartilage in my left hip, left untreated cartilage doesn’t heal, without the proper recovery regime it can develop into chronic pain.
So I threw myself into the rehab and tried to keep myself in high spirits mentally.
In reality I was sinking into a pretty low place, and throughout that time I started developing negative thought patterns and unhealthy practices that I still catch myself in now – luckily I’m aware where it came from and am able to disassociate from those thoughts.
Throughout that rehab period, I began to associate things that would usually bring me so much joy (performing on stage and exercising) with physical pain. I still continued performing and exercising, but it wasn’t the usual liberating experience I was used to.
Loooong story short, I chose to take ownership of an exhaustive rehab regime and through that dedicated work and I can honestly say I’m stronger mentally and physically than I have ever before.
Instances that would usually let get in the way of my performances no longer phase me. Cause hey, what’s worse than when you fall over in front of over 400 people when you’re the only one on a stage that is set up in the round (where you’re in the middle and the audience literally surrounds you) and you flash them incredibly un-glamorous underwear? (You know the beige ones that stick to your skin so you have no panty lines? Yep those ones.)
“Ella Fence is The Genre Hopping and Shape Shifting Indie Artist That’s Not Afraid To Explore and Go Beyond Musical Boundaries”
Juan Sánchez Neo Classical Music Impacts You Like No Other
Sofia Boyden
“I am nowhere near where I want to be as a country artist I have hours of work to do everyday and I LOVE IT“
Sofia Boyden Finds Her Calling to Country Music
My name is Sofia Boyden. I am a Country Music singer and songwriter. I am fairly new to Country Music, I have only been listening to this genre for about five years. I was raised on Classic Rock, Soul, Jazz, and many more amazing types of music. I was always the youngest one at concerts my parents took me to, be it Tom Petty, The Eagles, Heart, Stevie Wonder, or Bobby Caldwell, to name a few. I loved singing songs that none of my friends knew, and sometimes songs even my parents have never heard of.
I have loved using the musical gifts God gave me, ever since I was a little girl. I’d sing anything. Throughout my entire high school career, my love for singing grew even more. I joined two choirs and performed in my school musicals, but I was so afraid that everyone would think I was pursuing a career without any promise. So, I never auditioned for solos or put myself out there to be heard. I was afraid of judgement and being looked at as weird or as a daydreamer. All I knew is that I wanted to be a performer and sing music to thousands of people every night.
Country Music is my biggest passion now, however, it was not always the genre I wanted to pursue. I knew I wanted to be a singer songwriter, but finding one lane to choose was very difficult for me. Less than a month after I graduated from high school, along with earning my Associate of Arts Degree at the same time, I was in Los Angeles recording songs, shooting a music video, and meeting with record labels. I did this every month for the rest of that year. As amazing as that all sounds, it never felt right to me.
I was singing Pop R&B, but that didn’t feel right. I was doing what most people dream of their whole life.
It was all happening to me in a short period of time, but it didn’t feel right. I felt like the more I would do to pursue this dream, I would stay in the same place. I wasn’t going anywhere. My family and I decided to leave people we had been working with in LA. That was the hardest decision I ever had to make because I had grown so close with them. I knew it was best, they knew it was best, my parents knew it was best for me to pursue a different path.
After three months of praying and waiting, I signed to my now-management team in Nashville. Flashback five years earlier, I had met with my now-manager because he was interested in working with me. I was thirteen at that time and was very serious about doing this. But my mom and dad felt that the time wasn’t quite right. But now I know that it’s a lot more work than just getting on stage a few nights a week and singing.
I am nowhere near where I want to be as a country artist I have hours of work to do everyday and I LOVE IT.
But the thirteen year old Sofia would not have been able to handle it. So thank you mom and dad for the wise choice. Now, I am more than happy where I am, and most importantly, it feels right. I know this is where I’m meant to be. I was blessed to go to Nashville for the first time last year and put lyrics I’ve sat on for years into powerful, beautiful songs.
The first song I ever wrote in Nashville was my first single that was ever released, my first single to be added to playlists, and my first single to be played on the radio. In my first song, Blame It on My Heart, I wanted to write a song that really tells what it feels like when you’re head over heels a lot quicker than expected. Sometimes I think there’s an invisible timeline of when certain things are supposed to happen in a relationship, so I wrote this song for the people who go all in. My favorite song I’ve written so far, Prove You Wrong is a song for the people who doubted me and weren’t supportive of my career choice. As I said, in high school, I was shy and quiet and didn’t say a word about my hopes and dreams. So when I finally gained the courage to tell people my passion, not everyone was excited for my future. I wrote this song for myself as an outlet, but also made it for everyone; not just a song for the people trying to make it in the music business. I love big-band sounds: Earth, Wind, and Fire, Billy Joel, Elton John, so I really wanted to add that element to this song specifically, even though it is carried throughout all my songs. As much as I love a lot of instruments, my ballad, You Ain’t Him, is definitely my most meaningful. I drew from experiences that I know most other people have gone through of dealing with a bad relationship and moving on to one that is much better. I have come to the realization in the song that what is in front of me is better than what’s past. Like all my songs, it’s for everyone to relate to because we’ve all been there.
I am so happy and excited to share my music with the world. My self-titled debut EP was released on November 8th. You can find my already released singles Blame It on My Heart and Prove You Wrong on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Google Play, and more. Thank you so much to everyone for supporting me and listening to my special lyrics. This is only the very beginning.
Juan Sánchez NEO CLASSICAL AMBIENT MUSIC IMPACTs YOU LIKE NO OTHER
Juan Sánchez Neo Classical Music Impacts You Like No Other
Juan Sánchez
“Others said that they cried the first time that they listened to it, as they felt that my music touched their souls.”
My name is Juan Sánchez, and I am a composer – but I was not always this way. This journey of mine began when I started taking piano lessons at the conservatoire at only 14 years old, which is when a deep passion for music and creation of art was born. During the end of the 80’s until the end of the 90’s, I was playing the keyboard with different bands, which helped me to feed this passion. In 1995, I travelled to London to study music and technology, and this is where I lived for five years. In 1999, I started to make instrumental ambient electronic music, and since then I have been creating music for multimedia and sound libraries for music producers.
I have always felt very grateful to have found my job as an ambient music composer and sound designer, but in my heart, I did not feel completely fulfilled with this role.
“I had always dreamed about becoming a professional pianist and composer, but I didn’t have the confidence to pursue this dream, as I felt that this was only for very talented musicians and I did not see myself in that way.”
I thought that, if I were to create music, nobody would want to listen to it – or worse, that they would listen to it and wonder why I had bothered to create music in the first place.
This negative trajectory that my life was on began to change when, one day, I discovered the music of ambient artists Max Richter and Ludovico Einaudi. I fell deeply in love with their compositions. I have always been a fan of ambient music – in fact, this is the music that I was creating at that time – but these artists were something special to me. They were different to the others. I loved the way they were mixing classical music with electronic sounds, using the piano as the main instrument. This started a fire of passion in me. Motivated by this discovery, I started searching for more similar music, and discovered other artists such as Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds, and other neo classical composers. I knew that this was the push that I needed to begin composing my own music.
The first piece I crafted entirely independently, inspired by the music I had been listening to, was a hybrid neo classical/ambient piano composition, which I christened as “Rebirth”. In March 2019, I took the plunge and released “Rebirth” as a single on Spotify and other music streaming platforms. To my surprise and delight, it was very well received on Spotify and quickly began to accumulate traction. People began adding it to their public and personal playlists, and I was receiving very good feedback and positive reviews from general listeners and music bloggers alike. They wanted me to make more music – and so did I.
This positive feedback and reassurance gave me the confidence I desperately needed to start creating more neo classical/ambient style, piano focused music. I released each perfected composition as a single on Spotify. This allowed my audience to grow, as news of my music spread throughout the music community and more and more people clicked the “play” and “add to playlist” buttons. People were even following me so that they would be notified if I released any new music. I was, of course, thrilled at the positive feedback that was flooding in, but I was also very surprised, as I never thought that my music could be so well received.
In this experience, I have also been incredibly lucky to have the unwavering support of the new age/neo classical music promoter BT Fasmer, the man behind the very popular New Age Music Guide blog. One of the pieces of immensely valuable advice BT Fasmer gave me was to release all of the singles again, but this time collected together as a complete album. I fortunately followed his advice, which lead me to September of 2019, when I released the album, also titled “Rebirth” after the first single I ever released. Thank you, BT, for your support and guidance!
“The positive response that I am receiving for this album is just incredible. I don’t even have the words to describe how wonderful it is – it feels like a dream that I will wake up from at any minute.”
Every day, I wake up to a flurry of comments from a huge variety of people across all my social Juan media platforms. They tell me how they feel about my album; how beautiful they think it is, and how much it has moved them and changed their perspectives on music or life. Some people have told me that “Rebirth” has impacted them in a way that no other album has done before, and others said that they cried the first time that they listened to it, as they felt that my music touched their souls. Consequently, I am extremely happy with how the response to the album is growing and developing over time – this, for a composer, is such a great achievement, especially for someone who almost did not follow their dreams due to self doubt.
A question that I receive often along with this feedback is “Why did you choose the name “Rebirth” for your first album?”or “What is the meaning behind the title of your album?” –
Here is my explanation.
Over the course of the last two years, I have started to learn how to reprogram my brain by taking personal development courses. My goal is to completely overcome my self-limiting beliefs that were hindering my growth and personal development. Now that I am starting to see the fruits of my success and change the way I think, I feel that, in some way, I am becoming a new person – I have been reborn. I have no doubt that this is just the start of my career, and that great things are to come in the future. My music is available to be streamed on Spotify and other music platforms, under the name Juan Sánchez if you want to follow along with my journey.
Dacian Miron Is Feeling Dangerous with Dark Upbeat Pop Punk Rock
Dacian Miron
Slightly Mysterious, Somewhat Delirious – That highlights the dark days…. These Are Dark Songs, But Very Upbeat.
I’m currently 29 years old. I was born in Valcea, Romania, a small country town in the heart of the country. I moved to Deva, Romania when I was about 3 years old. My parents got divorced when I was young and at around 10 years old, my mother brought me over to the United States in search of a better opportunity. And man, what a ride that’s been. It’s been a tough road for a single mom, but she’s been very supportive and i owe most of this to her.
Been in Tampa ever since.
I didn’t have many friends growing up in middle and high school, honestly. Got picked on a lot because of my thick accent. I made a few friends here and there in the anime club. I picked up my first guitar at the age 16. My cousin had an old crappy Dender Squier from music class and I bummed it off him. Not gonna lie, I sucked pretty bad. I started off covered the cliche blink 182, sum 41, punk rock, then eventually migrated to new found glory and all time low.
It wasn’t until age 18 I started my first pop punk band calledAnother Tragic Case, we still sucked but we picked up a little traction due to the clever lyrics and catchy chord progressions. Locally we were playing with home time homies Set It Off. Cody and i did a few songs together back in the day(click on the youtube link and see). Even have a circles cover online with him and i playing a local gig.
At age 20 is when i got serious and startedThe August Name. We were more thank pop punk. It was my first rock band band that i played guitar in and i was actually proud of. We recorded our first Self Titled EP withLee Dyess(Producer of Mayday Parade, Go Radio and I Set My Friends On Fire)and we also played with a few notable bands like Hawthorne Heights and AWOLnation.Did a few cross country tours with them. But the eventual drama caused the band to reconsider it’s style thus creating internal conflict. Eventually the band disbanded in 2013.
At that point in time, i decided to consider going solo. I recorded a few demo songs. Even my first solomusic video. ( A Place Between The Ocean and The Stars) check it out here. I’m sure it’s still up on youtube somewhere. Got a little love on that, although the production and quality wasn’t anywhere near what i’m currently writing now. Not gonna lie, after that i took some time in my life to configure my internal struggles. For about 4-5 years I was dealing with severe alcohol and depression issues. I needed a wake up call, which I got. Which I am eternally grateful for love and support of friends and family because without them i wouldn’t be here.
Fast forward to 2018, i started to get back to writing. The first song I wrote was in September of 2018. Which was “Feelin’ Dangerous.” The track is basically post breakup anthem after a 4 year relationship I endured with an ex who i thought was a good enough fit to consider marrying. Unfortunately, we all know life cant be just fairy tale endings. People change. Things happen. It’s an ode to the once love lost. But with a tone that asks the former “Are you sure you even wanted this from the start“? Which you can tell from the Chorus. It’s a track that describes the start and finish of a relationship, from the passion and lust filled first kiss, take me on your bed to the end of a chapter in ones life.
To be quite honest. This wasn’t my favorite track. I like it. It’s good. But i have some very interesting songs coming out soon. Currently over 20 written. Working on an EP now called Slightly Mysterious, Somewhat Delirious – That highlights the dark days of my past from alcoholism, depression and getting bullied. Don’t get me wrong, these are dark songs, but very upbeat. I’ll just say that Brendon Urie would be proud.
Australian Duo, Leaving Lennox Makes Nashville Home
Leaving Lennox
We Wrote Basically Anywhere and anytime
We are “Leaving Lennox”, an Australian duo, who have recently moved across the world, to Nashville Tennessee. We met back in 2014, int college where we were both studying a bachelor of music performance. We instantly clicked, musically and as people.
Fast Forward to 2019 and we are in Nashville Tennessee, gearing up to release our latest single “Old Love”, in July of this year. This year has brought a lot of change and personal growth, as well as exciting news, that has come with relocating here in the USA.
Recently, we have gone through a rebrand, changing our name to “Leaving Lennox”, which for us, was fitting, due to our journey as a couple and the on- going significance of “Lennox”, being a place we first lived together. We also felt keeping “LL”, was important to the cohesiveness of our brand.
We have been writing a lot and are excited to keep releasing more music consistently after this first single of 2019. We write all our own music, together mostly, although we always say, there is absolutely no formula for a good song. Some of our strongest songs have been co written, while others have been written separately. We never plan to start with either lyrics or music and sometimes, nothing flows, so we try again the next day!
Shortly after we formed, in mid 2015, we decided to release our debut album “Wayward Minds”. While we had already written a few songs together, the inspiration behind the album came from being added to the line up to several summer folk festivals in Australia, including the mid-north coast ‘Wildwood Festival’, where we debuted the record. The entirety of “Wayward minds”, was written together, throughout a few weeks, in our first apartment, in Newtown, NSW. We wrote basically everywhere and anytime! The apartment was isolated so we could stay up late writing. We wrote one song in the bathroom, because the acoustics were so great. Wherever and whenever we had inspiration- we wrote it down!
A few months later, we headlined a sold-out ticketed show at Port Macquarie’s “Purple Sanctuary”. Mick and I always say that this was a pinnacle in our career so far, as this was the first time we had experienced a full room of people singing our lyrics back to us.
To support the release of new music, we are excited to announce that we have booked a string of music festivals and songwriting festivals throughout Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Kentucky.
We will play our first headlining festival on October 5th, at Princeton Kentucky’s “Annual Artisan Festival”. We are also playing Georgia’s “Big Red Apple Festival” and being selected for the 10 day“Frank Brown International Songwriting Festival”, alongside 200 established songwriters on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida.
The new single, “Old Love” features Aaron Sterling on drums, who is the live touring drummer for John Mayer and session drummer for artists such as Maren Morris, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, James Bay and Keith Urban.
The inspiration for this song actually came from observing friends and family and how they moved on, or didn’t move on, from what they believed was their first love. The song is written from both perspectives of a past relationship and references “the one that got away”. There are tones of regret, peace, solitude or longing, depending on how the listener interprets the lyrics. We wrote the song in hopes it would be relatable to many, as we believe, everyone has a “first love”, whether you end up with them or not.
The female perspective speaks like a true romantic- of her longing for “old love” as a young girl, while the male perspective reminisces on a past-relationship with a sense of regret and is too late to realize that he walked away from his “first love”. Both sides come together for the chorus, where the lyric speaks of reminiscing on all the great times- even though they have ultimately both moved on.
The single, which is being released on July 19th, just recently won the “best pop song”, in the “World Songwriting Awards”. We will be attending the awards show in Gatlinburg Tennessee this September, where we have been nominated for four awards in the 2019 Josie Music Awards. This is the largest award show in the world for independent musicians, with over 23 000 submissions in 2019. The awards include Best Pop/contemporary duo, Best Folk/Americana/ Bluegrass duo, Folk single of the year and a solo submission for Mick as “Musician of the Year”.
The single will be available for purchase and streaming on the 19th of July. and Keep up to date with Leaving Lennox and their tour dates on Facebook and Instagram.
Edgy Classical Crossover from Lady Of The Shallows
Lady Of The Shallows
With many operatic roles to my credit I am no stranger to the stage.
I grew up surrounded by music in a musical family in South Africa.
My fondest memories are of us singing in the car while going on vacation. Making up harmonies as we go along!
Singing has always brought me great joy. My mom enrolled me for private voice lessons when I was 14 with an opera singer who lived in my small home town, Rustenburg. My voice teacher happened to be from Czecoslovakia and she instilled a love for Opera in me. With her encouragement I went to a performing arts school after I finished high school. That was an absolute wonderful experience!
My training was very specialized. After my studies I lived in England before moving to the US.
With many operatic roles to my credit I am no stranger to the stage and have entertained audiences all over the globe in Ireland, South Africa, Namibia, England, America, Canada, and Italy. Before emerging as a single artist, I had the incredible experience of forming the classical crossover group Klassika® in 2013. Drawn to the more edgy side of the crossover genre I love to create a mysterious and etherial world with music and voice.
My favorite crossover artists in Emma Shaplin. I am now stepping into my solo career with my latest singles “Regnava” and “Ave Maria”, produced by Paul Schwartz. Regnava was chosen for it’s haunting sound and glorious melody line. The Ave Maria by Mascagni is one of my favorite pieces of music and I am thrilled to have been able to record it.
Lyrics and translation for “Regnava”– this song is an arrangement by Paul Schwartz of the opera aria, Regnava nel silenzio from Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti.
Regnava nel silenzio The night,deep and dark,
alta la notte e bruna… reigned in the silence…
Colpia la fonte un pallido A pale ray from the gloomy moon
raggio di tetra luna… shone on the fountain…
Quando sommesso un gemito When a low sigh
fra l’aure udir si fe’; was heard throughout the air;
ed ecco au quel margine and there on the fountain’s edge
ah! l’ombra mostrarsi a me. the shadow appeared to me!
Ah! Ah!
Ave Maria (this is the intermezzo from the opera Cavelleria Rusticana by Mascagni)
Ave Maria, madre Santa, Sorreggi il piè del misero che t’implora, In sul cammin del rio dolor E fede, e speme gl’infondi in cor.O pietosa, tu che soffristi tanto, Vedi, ah! Vedi il mio penar. Nelle crudeli ambasce d’un infinito pianto, Deh! Non m’abbandonar.Ave Maria! In preda al duol, Non mi lasciar, o madre mia, pietà! O madre mia, pietà! In preda al duol, Non mi lasciar, non mi lasciar.
Hail Mary, holy Mother, Guide the feet of the wretched one who implores thee Along the path of bitter grief And fill the hearts with faith and hope.O merciful Mother, thou who suffered so greatly, See, ah! See my anguish. In the cruel torment of endless weeping, Ah! Do not abandon me.Hail mary! Oppressed by grief, Do not leave me, O Mother, have mercy! O Mother, have mercy! Oppressed by grief, Do not leave me.
Freya’s Mission In Music & The Creative Industry Helping The Minority
Freya Roy
this release only marks the beginning of what I am going to do
Freya’s Mission In Music & The Creative Industry Helping The Minority
I have been gigging since 2010 at the the age of 14, and after a really good few years of writing; producing and releasing EPs, and gigging around the south-east of England, I went to study jazz guitar at music college. My vision to spend the next 4 years surrounded by jazz soon turned south when I experienced trauma to my wrist. I had to step away from the intensities of playing and for a good few years I fell silent on the music front and people thought I had given up on the dream. I took my time getting back into good health and slowly got to a point where I could be making music again, although it did of course mean navigating a slightly different route, with patience and discipline.
I returned to studying with my focus more on composition and production, taking inspiration from artists such as Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper and Angie Stone. My sound was constantly developing and although I wasn’t any closer to releasing new music, I continued my hiatus with the mission to refine my style and writing. I always felt that there was still more I could do to everything I made. I needed the time to experiment and develop my writing and thankfully, being in the college-bubble in Leeds enabled me to safely create and do just that. I decided to take down all my previous releases and start afresh as an artist. I was lucky enough to be tutored by Abstract Orchestra’s musical director, Rob Mitchell, whilst in my final year at Leeds College of Music. Being a huge fan of hip-hop producer J Dilla, Rob gave me the space to really explore the hip-hop and contemporary R&B elements of my sound, whilst maintaining a strong focus on melody and jazz harmony. I was taking huge influences from the neo-soul icons throughout this process and this is how most of the material from my album ‘AHLKE’ came about.
Now, fast-forwarding to 2019, I have been awarded funding and support from the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, listed for Glastonbury Emerging Talent, and I have released my debut album entitled ‘AHLKE’, which marks the end of my 5-year hiatus as an artist!
The 2 singles from the album ‘Midnight Train’ and ‘22 Movements’ have gone on to be play listed on Tom Robinson’s BBC Radio 6 Music Introducing Mixtape, as well as being featured within British Vogue. It feels like being awarded in these ways since releasing my new music has been payback for the time I was unable to do so.
‘AHLKE’ has also been pressed to vinyl, thanks to the incredible help from independent record store, Vinyl Hunter in Suffolk, England. The‘22 Movements’Music Video, released on April 8th, features a beautiful solo performance from UK-renowned ballet and contemporary dancer, Salome Pressac. Shot on location in Norwich, it is partly a tribute to my time growing up and gigging throughout my teens on the city’s diverse music scene, where I built my first following of fans. Salome’s improvised dance in the video reflects on my writing of ‘22 Movements’ which explores sexual identity and my coming-out experience. ‘22 Movements’was a tough track to choose as a single release, it’s very honest. My writing has definitely become more honest in recent years and I think this shows in the body of work that is ‘AHLKE’.
Thanks to the incredible funding and support from MOBO Trust and Help Musicians UK, I am currently touring my album around the UK, with my firstLondon headline showaround the corner, which I will playing with my full band alongside special guests. Other dates have included Brighton, Manchester, Leeds, Suffolk and Norwich, with other upcoming dates in Cambridgeshire and Sheffield.
I release all my music on my own label, FCR Music, which I am using as a platform and community for women and minorities within the creative industries. I am passionate about the fair representation of women and I have used the label as an outlet for other various projects, including a documentary project: ‘FCR Music Presents: Women & The Creative Industry’. This is a collaboration with independent filmmaker, Emile Scott Burgoygne, and is a compilation of interviews with male and female artists based in the UK, discussing gender roles and representation within the creative industries. Artists involved include Carmody, Marie Dahlstromand Scott Quinn. My mission is to grow FCR Musicand continue to use it for projects like these.
Although I have been working on my music for a long time now, I do feel that this release only marks the beginning of what I am going to do. I am excited to use the energy gained from the ‘AHLKE’ release and UK Tour to make new music later this year. I am constantly picking up new ideas and I am excited to put these to work!
I Spent Most Of My Days Dancing & Singing Into A Hairbrush | NIX
nix
Hey y’all I’m Nix from Canada. Thanks for checking me out!
I think like any young girl in the early 2000s I spent most of my days dancing and singing into a hairbrush to Britney, Christina and the Spice Girls. It wasn’t until 2004 when Christina Aguilera blessed us with her Stripped album that I realized how much music and the power of song spoke to me. That album changed my life; it made me want to become a recording artist.
Before I made the decision that singing and writing music was something I wanted to pursue professionally, I had a rich musical upbringing that helped define this path for me. I picked up the violin at age nine and spent my youth relishing in centenarian symphonies and operas. By the time I reached high school I auditioned for any musical ensemble I could, and I was in four different choirs and two orchestras. I was lucky enough to get the chance to explore my musical appetite during my formative teenage years, and it was just after I graduated from high school that I decided to explore music professionally. I somehow managed to juggle university while establishing my music career… and let me tell ya, it wasn’t easy! But fast forward a few years and here I am!
I am beyond proud of my discography (albeit on the smaller side for now), the people I have met along the way, and I am so happy I am at a place in my career where I can share my music with the world. Now for a little bit about my music…
Back in 2014 I wrote my most personal song to date: Six Feet Under. I sat down at the piano with my co-writer, Mat, and while he played the keys, lyrics just poured out of me… and it all came together in about 10 minutes. Six Feet Under speaks about my battle with depression as a young girl and the disconnect I felt between my mind and body, and society’s expectations of me. I like to say that my inner voice wrote this song, because for so many years I felt like I could never actually speak about how I was feeling inside. It was therapy putting my feelings into song, and the response from people who connect with it is the cherry on top.
My most recent singles, Tastes Like Sugar and Playing With Fire were written in the beautiful city of Nashville, and I couldn’t have had a better experience writing and recording these singles.
I was three months into a romantic relationship when Tastes Like Sugar was written, and for me, three months is the point in time that a budding romance blossoms into something more serious. The lyrics paint a picture of when infatuation and love intersect – it’s fun and playful, yet describes the roller-coaster of emotions one may feel as they start to fall in love. I was inspired by my bubblegum pop roots, and wanted to create something light and fun that people could dance to.
Ironically, Playing with Fire was written at the same time, but I was channeling the thoughts of what could go wrong in a new relationship. I drew from my previous experiences of being lied to, cheated on, etc. and hoped that the risk of starting a new relationship wouldn’t follow the same negative cycle.
Looking ahead, I have a few more unreleased songs that I’m planning to release on an EP, and I can’t wait to share those with everyone. In 2019, I plan to tour and connect with as many people as I can, so keep an eye out on my website for any upcoming shows! Until then…thanks for spending time with me, and supporting indie artists!
Marloe Compared to Lorde and Vera Blue; And it’s Easy To Hear Why
marloe
My biggest hope for people listening is that they can listen to my songs and find a piece of themselves in there.
Hey I’m Marloe from Brisbane, Australia and I began my music journey at nine years old singing in my elementary school choir. Like many young artists, I began performing on-stage wherever I could; from my living room in Brisbane, Australia all the way to the Musical Theatre program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy located in Manhattan, New York. During my time in New York, I performed in many short films and theatre productions which forged the foundation to begin my Indie-Pop career.
My passion for singing had always been at the center of heart, I can recall from my childhood, “crying at concerts because the music explained what I simply could not.”
For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a wild imagination and a deep intrinsic love of music, which continues to grow through my journey of singing and songwriting. I’m always thinking of new lyrics to write, melodies to hum and songs to inspire. For me music isn’t just a part of my day; it’s a part of me.
As a special addition to Marloe’s story, we also interviewed Marloe to find out a bit more about her and her music.
Interview:
Marloe’s angelic and vulnerable vocals in “Remember Me” unfold this poignant “piece of her heart” in lucid moments of love and lust. Her bubbly and feminine yet sophisticated side can be heard in “The Day I Knew I Needed You” and again in “The Future Is Now.”
“The Future Is Now” also brilliantly blends 80’s electronica influences with a fast-paced and forward sound filled with playful pops of colour. Marloe’s luminescent and sleek sound can be compared to princesses of pop including Maggie Rogers, Vera Blue, and Lorde. You can find Marloe’s debut singles on all major streaming platforms.
MT:
You recently released a four song EP. From that EP, your original song “The Day I Knew I Needed You” instantly received rave reviews. Can you explain the meaning behind the song and how it might tie into your music career?
Marloe:
I wrote this song about a person that came into my life and kind of broke down all the barriers I’d built up previously. They taught me to be vulnerable and helped me discover who I wanted to be in the world. It’s a really special and rare thing when someone like this comes along, so I decided to write about the day I realized how lucky I was to have them.
MT:
During your childhood it was already clear you were destined to be in the entertainment industry. When did you start writing songs? When fans hear your songs, what message do you hope your fans take away from your music?
Marloe:
I can remember the first “song” I ever wrote, I use the word “song” very loosely because it was more like a chant. I think I was about 10 years old, and it was basically me singing ‘My name is Maddison. Yes it is Maddison’ over and over to some questionable melody because my parents and teachers were constantly calling me by my elder sisters name. Clearly wasn’t a hit because they’ll still mess it up today! My biggest hope for people listening is that they can listen to my songs and find a piece of themselves in there. Whether that be a lyric that they identify with or even a guitar riff that makes them want to dance, I want people to listen to my songs and feel something they didn’t before.
MT:
Your sound has been compared to the alternative pop queens Lorde, Vera Blue, Maggie Rogers and Billie Eilish. Who were your early influences in music and who are they now?
Marloe:
Lyrically I wanted to write something that moved people the way a Sam Smith song would. So I would sit at the piano and pluck out chords and come up with these really deep lyrics. But then as I evolved and started writing with the intention of creating something that people would actually hear, I wanted to keep these emotive lyrics but blend them with fast-paced and forward sounds. I think that’s where I started to look to the likes of Vera Blue and Maggie Rogers.
MT:
Outside of music, what are some of your other interests that fans may like to know about?
Marloe:
My other deep love would be acting. Like music, it’s something I’ve known I wanted to do my entire life and has influenced who I am as an individual today.
MT:
How do you think you and your music have been influenced by the early start of your music career in hometown of Brisbane Australia, your participation in the Musical Theater program at the American Musical, and Dramatic Academy in New York and where you are at today?
Marloe:
The time I spent in New York studying at AMDA played such a huge role in shaping who I am as an individual and as an artist. I think the biggest thing I learnt at AMDA was dedication to your craft, and that no one is going to do it for you, so if you want it, you have to work hard to make it happen.
MT:
How has the response from fans impacted your music? If you could have your fans remember one thing about you, what would it be?
Marloe:
The response from everyone who’s listened has been so incredible. Having these songs that were such a big part of me, now take life and create new meaning with other people has only inspired me to keep opening myself up and sharing my experiences with the world. If there was one thing I would want my fans to remember it would be that.
Anieszka; Don’t Let Anybody Take Away Your Right To Express Yourself
anieszka
For a long time, I was scared to write about what I really wanted to say.
We learn that in the industry, the people that make it are people that follow ‘invisible’ rules in order to succeed. I was faced with the contradicting challenge of creating an ‘original sound’ that was still mainstream. What does it really mean to be an artist then? I questioned myself a lot, and found myself realising that even if this journey takes a little longer than I’d hoped for, I was ready to take it as long as I was able to truly create.
‘Grow’ was the first step in that direction. I was so pulled down by what I felt I had to be in order to succeed. I’m human, insecurities and doubts flare up at times, even if for the most part I’m pretty put together and happy within myself. I was so conflicted about having to be more of this and more of that to get further in the industry, until it clicked one day that I am exactly who I am, and that’s enough. I started thinking about all the people in my life who are talented and have so much to give to the world, but haven’t followed a path towards making it a reality. That’s when I wrote Grow, and soon after decided it was going to be the first release off of my EP ‘Elixir’. I was terrified. I was about to release a song that was filled with a whole lot of truth, as an independent artist with no management, PR or label backing me up. It was a huge risk, and I wasn’t sure if it was the right move in terms of success, but it felt like the right move as an artist.
‘Grow’ had an incredible response, featuring on the Future Classic Office Radio Spotify playlist and the Australian Music Scene Spotify playlist, and gaining airplay on a radio station. Was I surprised? To an extent yes, but most of me was filled with gratitude. I was so grateful I took a risk and spoke my truth, which essentially ended up being everyone else’s too.
‘Elixir’ was filled with five songs, each of them very different to the other. The varying sounds/genres were a rule breaker. Usually an EP has an overall sound, and most of the songs relate to each other in some way. Mine? Nope. Again, I took a risk. I had a lot to say, and I crafted each song to express myself in my truest form. It became evident during the writing process that I had different sounds to express, and I wasn’t comfortable in hiding that in order to fit the ‘norm’. Deep down I knew the right people would connect with this EP, but the originality of it still played on my mind.
Once the EP was released, I did my best to push it but now that I look back on it I don’t think I did enough. Why? I was still scared. Hard to confess but I felt like I had released a body of work that I was very proud of, but that did not reach its full potential because it didn’t fit the standard. I did stand up for it, but perhaps not as much as I should have.
Fast forward a few months and I’ve dropped a brand new single called ‘When Will This Begin’ with UK producer Dat Gruvee. The story behind the song is special. The producer and I met on Instagram, we connected and we started talking about music, life, the stars, déjà vu; deep things. I was flying to London a few weeks later so once I was there, we met up and our connection deepened in person. As expected, feelings developed and it felt mutual, but I soon found out he had a girlfriend. I had to push my feelings aside as we sat in the studio together to create a song, and mind you, I was feeling a LOT. “What do you want to write about?” he asked. I knew I had two options: write about something random or write about exactly what I was feeling in that moment. I told him to give me ten minutes, and I ended up writing the song. The lyrics were raw and intimate. I hadn’t really expressed myself in this way, and I felt exposed. I kept thinking to myself, if this becomes the next single release, how would listeners react? I’m an artist that speaks about deep things; will these lyrics be accepted?
He loved it. I loved it too. He finished producing it after I got back from London, and it turned into this eclectic Afrohouse/R&B track that I’ve played on repeat myself. But again, I was scared. An Afrohouse track from an alt-r&b/soul artist – how will this go down?
These little doubts – they’re not worth it. I really believe in this song, and I believe in my ability to express and create. I feel grateful to be an instrument music flows through, and that I am able to connect with people through my voice and songwriting. The feedback on ‘When Will This Begin’ is that it makes people feel like anything’s possible. If Dat Gruvee and I are able to make people feel that way, we’ve already reached success.
And you know what? I’m not scared anymore. These fears aren’t real, but the art is. And it’s here to speak for itself. Don’t let anybody take away your right to express yourself, there are no rules in expression and there are no rules in art. Put in the work and believe in your talent. Chances are, the moment you let yourself create whatever you feel, that’s when things will start to flow.
Fytakyte; I Taught Myself How To Record, Produce and Mix
Fytakyte
Fytakyte; I Taught Myself How To Record, Produce and Mix
What Is Meandersaur?
As a kid, my imagination exploded from the minute I opened my eyes. Life was a moment-to-moment adventure….And if an adventure wasn’t happening, I’d close my eyes and dream one up, or I’d grab a piece of paper and a pen and draw one in fabulously unnecessary detail – it came almost too easily.
Perhaps if I’d grown up in this current era of helicopter parenting and over-prescription, I’d have been diagnosed with some fashionable acronym, drugged up to the eyeballs and left to atrophy behind a screen. Fortunately Dad and Mum were well and truly old-school.
Rather than showering my siblings and I with the latest toys, they gave us books, pens and paper, musical instruments and a big backyard to let our imaginations run wild and free. All the while they gently cautioned us that we would eventually need to order and discipline our wild, unfettered minds.
Music was a constant in our house, but the guitar captured my imagination from the moment I lay eyes on one. The day I learned an A, E and D chord was the day I wrote my first song. At this point though, the guitar was just one of the many ways I gave vent to the waterfall of ideas and impulses plunging through my brain.
Gradually, cognizance of reality dawned. The necessity to favour ordered thought and all it’s attendant grey, prosaic process above all else seemed the only viable option. I worked hard, really hard! I did well at school. It didn’t come easy to me -like writing a story or a song had – but I was proud that I managed it. Some who had dismissed me as a hyper-active kid seemed aghast that I hadn’t fulfilled their dooming prophecies of inevitable adult uselessness. I became a reliable, responsible human.
After school, the guitar became my creative outlet. I hit the woodshed and tried to learn from the greats. I joined some bands and we played – mainly covers, lots and lots of covers.
And yet, my technicolour brain was always there, bubbling below the surface. I would experience sudden jolts of musical inspiration planted as seeds in moments of stunning clarity. During the rain and storms of the day-to-day grind these seeds gradually germinated into feelings that seemed universal, relatable. I found myself always searching for an oblique angle, a different perspective and trying to find the chord that inspired three different feelings at once, with the words to match.
With the advent of the computer age came the unprecedented ability to affordably build listenable productions right at home. I’d always had the ideas, but never a way to capture them to my satisfaction. Now I could, but it didn’t come easy. I drew on my school experience, knuckled down and taught myself how to record, produce and mix.
The result is “Meandersaur”. What is Meandersaur? Meandersaur is the ancient beast of my imagination, saved from extinction with a guitar and a voice.
Australian Singer Lara Nakhle “I Was Born Totally Blind”
Lara Nakhle
Australian Singer Lara Nakhle “I Was Born Totally Blind”
I was born totally blind, in New Zealand, an Australian singer / songwriter of Lebanese origin, discovering my talent and passion for music at a very young age.
I started playing piano from the age of two and singing followed soon after. From the age of five, I have performed at various events around Sydney, including singing competitions, school talent shows, church masses, charity fundraisers, open mic events and clubs. In 2017, I was an artist on The Voice Australia, where I had the privilege of making it to the top 48 and coached by Seal.
People have often described my voice as powerful, angelic, diverse in many genres and gifted. I love performing, as it is my main passion and I hope to inspire others through music.
Apart from performing, I am completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology, which I hope to use in the future to help others. Whilst I have had a busy year with 3rd year study in 2018, I performed at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 to entertain the competitors and their families at The Dome Olympic Park and had more events leading up to Christmas. I have also recorded my debut single ‘Love Left Behind’ which was released on November 16 and I has also collaborated with Adelaide singer / songwriter, Rachael Leahcar, from The Voice Australia 212, to release the classic single ‘Ave Maria’ on 7th December 2018.
‘Love left behind’ is an independent release by Lara Nakhle; music and lyrics written by Roxanne Kiely, Lara Nakhle, Stephen Kiely and John Clement; Piano and Cello Stephen Kiely; and Produced by Stephen Kiely and Roxanne Kiely at ScoopFX Music Studios in Sydney.
I also competed in and won the Tamworth Songwriters Association Talent Quest in Tamworth earlier this year as well as doing several gigs there. I am looking forward to recording more music this year and hopefully releasing and EP by the end of 2019. I am available for corporate, community and charity performances throughout Australia.
Minus Cube; There Seems To Be A Lot Of Music That Sounds The Same
minus cube
I’ve not found much in the mainstream music world that has provided inspiration or an emotional connection.
Our group got together at a time when our previous bands had been and gone, and the relentless push to get gigs, booking agents, managers and record deals, (and also just get to the same rehearsal room at the same time), had been well and truly flushed out of our systems. There was a time when that was so much part of our musical quest, that it could become very easy to lose sight of why we started doing this in the first place! …And that reason was to make music that truly meant something.
In the last few years, I’ve not found much in the mainstream music world that has provided inspiration or an emotional connection the way that bands from 20-30 years ago did. Perhaps that’s why they live on still, but new music has become a rather disposable commodity these days, with a very different approach to it being valued, compared to the way it was.
I prefer to look for music that has emotional qualities, whether it’s lyrics, a guitar solo, a piano part or just one note or line someone may sing or play that speaks to you. In the mainstream world, to me there seems to be a lot of music that sounds the same and fits a core bunch of values that are considered the trend, in order to make a company money for a brief time, until the next song comes along that does the same thing. Maybe that’s why it all sounds the same, but I haven’t been able to find much variety or emotion in many of those songs.
For me, music has always had to be about a lot more than that. I need to make music to communicate sometimes, and sometimes I have to make music as a cathartic process to put an experience or emotion into a tangible thing, that is a song. (which in itself is pretty awesome!) That’s when the creative world becomes its most valuable to me… to be able to create a song that will exist forever, that consolidates something for you, whether that is a memory of someones life, an outlet for mental health issues, or a political issue you want to voice in your own way, and turns it into something real for you. If someone else can relate to it as well, it’s a wonderful bonus, but being true to yourself has always been the main goal.
If your song becomes 15 minutes long, then let it! That’s why the independent music scene is so important, because that is where all this music is these days. Even if you have to go on a weekend long musical quest to discover new artists that speak to you, it’s out there and it will be worth the journey!
We’ve been inspired by many musicians and bands, and I think subconsciously you filter the best parts of all of that down into what makes you. There’s no need to compare yourself to others, or purposefully try and create anything that will be considered acceptable by a mainstream music outlook, because that’s just not real, and right now there is very little reality and emotion there in those songs. I think a better way is to make music for yourself first of all, then it is true and honest and real. That’s the reason we do what we do, and I hope you may like the music we make!
