New Music: Dakota Avenue

Emerging from the UK is promising pop-rock outfit Dakota Avenue. If you’re already a fan of British indie talents like Sam Fender and Nothing But Thieves then the chances of you falling in love with this trio are exceptionally high.

With its dreamy and polished production, melodic new single ‘Slap Me Silly’ presents listeners with captivating vocals that carry thought-provoking and relatable lyricism.

“‘Slap Me Silly’ is a hypothetical plea for a saint-like figure to appear and click the reset button.”

The group will perform live at 33 Oldham Street in Manchester on the 11th June 2022, followed by Kendal Calling later in the year.

Dakota Avenue

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D/troit – Heavy

Scandinavian masters of funk and soul D/troit return today with their latest single… and it’s a showstopper!

‘Heavy’ is taken from the band’s sophomore album of the same name, and delivers a refreshingly raw yet colourful take on the retro-soul genre.

With a flavour of the Western infused into the sound (you’ll experience hints of mariachi and Spanish guitar), the track feels playfully nostalgic, but also epic and cinematic in tone.

The Danish band have had quite the journey since winning ‘Best New Band’ at the Scandinavian Soul Music Awards in 2016, garnering support from the likes of BBC 6 Music, Radio 2, and soul legend Gabe Roth.

Listen to the album here | D/troit

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New Music: the eight five two

One of the most impressive debuts of the week comes courtesy of Australian based newcomers the eight five two.

Mysteriously dark, melancholic and intense in tone, ‘Shiver’ is a beautifully constructed indie-rock composition that feels truly unique in style.

Charged with deep emotion, the song is all about the disconnect of not being able to let go.

“A haunting past left behind that you can’t help but want more of. It’s the river flowing inside your mind, blocking out all other thoughts. With no hope of swimming against it, you’re left with a memory, a shiver, a sweet but violent current that runs down the back of your neck into your heart.”

With such an impressive introduction to the world, this collective of gifted musicians could well be one of Australia’s next big talents to garner global attention.

the eight five two

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New Music: Amore Audio

https://open.spotify.com/track/3j8CQEwCEpDtjSBmXRtTxX?si=a7d0196589414bb2

Little is known about Berlin-based newcomer Amore Audio. And yet, the mystery of who this artist is adds to the allure of the music that he creates.

‘Ait’ manages to achieve that almost-impossible feat of sounding raw, organic, experimental and future-forward, while still maintaining a sense of relatability. It’s a piece of music that feels mainstream and underground in equal measures.

“I wrote ‘Ait’ after losing a friend. The song is about ‘acceptance’, a gentle reminder about how little the universe cares about our lives.”

The further along you listen to the song, the more it rewards you with complex layers and beat structures. Overall, this is one very interesting artist worth keeping an eye out for.

Amore Audio

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New Music: Fake Dad

Consisting of bandmates Josh Ford and Andrea de Varona, Fake Dad are an emerging outfit from Brooklyn who are currently creating some of the most interesting blends of indie, electronica and pop.

New single ‘How Do I Cry’ presents a refreshingly eccentric twist on the alt-pop genre, bouncing between tones of playfulness and melancholy.

“Crying is so easy, even babies can do it. But over the years, we learn to squish it down. Soon we walk around like a sponge, oversaturated in stale emotions – unable to cry even if we wanted to.”

It’s the kind of sound that lifts you up, while still reminding you that it’s OK to feel human and vulnerable.

Fake Dad

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New Music: The Christopher Brothers

Hailing from Los Angeles come pop-rock outfit The Christopher Brothers. With a rapidly growing army of devoted followers, this trio has already had songs feature on prestigious rankings such as the Billboards Hot Single Sales Chart and the Top 40 Radio Media Base Chart.

Garnering early praise from the likes of LA Times, Neufutur Magazine and none other than Simon Cowell himself, the group looks set to have their biggest year to date – thanks to their own infectious style of music-making that delivers a modern twist on the classic garage-rock sound.

The Christopher Brothers

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Dalton Cyr – Dying to Love You

Fans of the Pretty Little Liars television series may already recognise Dalton Cyr, who is not only a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist but also a noted actor.

Since the launch of his debut record in 2012, this Los Angeles talent has consistently released heartfelt fusions of classic pop, indie and rock – creating songs that have immediate appeal to most. And as an experienced performer, Cyr has been on several tours over the years, opening for the likes of Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. On his new single, he says:

“I wrote this song to capture the helpless feeling of being trapped in a hot and cold relationship. The toxicity of emotional high highs and low lows takes a toll on the psyche- hence, ‘Dying To Love You’.”

Dalton Cyr

C.S. Fulp – 411

A master of many talents, American artist C.S. Fulp is not only a singer but also songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has consistently released perfected fusions of summery pop and indie-rock.

New single ‘411’ is no exception, and features lyricism that explores the complex emotions that humans experience when longing to reconnect with former lovers.

Since we last featured this prospect back in 2020, he has gone on to achieve acclaim from the likes of Lyrical Lemonade, Before The Data, Early Rising and Fashionably Early – firmly cementing his status as one to watch.

C.S. Fulp

Alice Rowe – As It Seems

UK singer and songwriter Alice Rowe returns today with a captivating mix of neo-soul and alternative R&B through the release of new single ‘As It Seems’.

The song marks a comeback for the Hastings artist, who has already received praise from the likes of Wonderland, Spindle and BBC Radio 1.

With essences of jazz and old-school hip hop, the track feels reminiscent of the early work by Amy Winehouse, yet still feels fresh and current. Speaking on the single, Rowe says:

“I wrote this track after attending an art exhibition in London ‘Alice in Wonderland – Curious & Curiouser’, the concept was about a girl who struggled to survive the confusing world of adults, she also struggled to come to terms with life and learnt that there are many layers/ mysteries. It is thought that Alice and several other characters secretly suffer from mental health issues which helped me to come up with the lyric ‘behind closed doors you can’t see, nothing is ever as it seems’, this is a metaphor for the many doors Alice opens in Wonderland and also for real life where you never know what’s truly going on. After attending the exhibition I felt that the concept fit with my current thoughts at the time and it felt right that I explore that. I then created the project. The art work is also inspired by one of the pieces of art in the gallery which I have in my home studio. This track is really exciting for me as I feel like this is where I found my sound.”

Alice Rowe

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Felix E. – Touch Me

Already an established musician in his native home of Denmark, Felix E. is a drummer who has worked alongside Scandinavian pop megastars like Drew Sycamore, Alex Vargas, Coco O, Nik & Jay and Mads Langer.

New single ‘Touch Me’ propels Felix E. into the spotlight, and is a masterclass in fusing the past with current. This is a sound that feels nostalgic and classic, while still delivering an energising and modern twist on indietronica.

“‘Touch Me’ is an ode to sex and love and the woman taking control in bed. It’s about how sex is a consensual act when done right. It’s about giving and receiving in equal measure and doing your absolute best for the person you love.”

Felix E.

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Alex Amor – Colour Me

One of the most charming slices of indie-pop this week comes courtesy of emerging London-based, Glaswegian starlet Alex Amor.

Balancing elements of the melancholy with playfulness, ‘Colour Me’ is the perfect love song for the modern age, and captures that moment in our lives when we fall for someone special.

“When you’re in a dark place, life can seem grey, monotonous and stale. But sometimes, all it takes is for one person to come crashing into your life for the world to come back in blazing colour. Falling in love makes the leaves turn greener, the sky bolder and the sun shine brighter. It’s like you’re viewing the world through a saturated lens, where the boring parts of life become not only bearable but enjoyable again with this person by your side.”

With over a million streams to date, as well as early support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, The Line of Best Fit, Clash and Notion, Amor looks set to have her biggest year to date.

Alex Amor

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New Music: Sydney Ross Mitchell

Rising US singer songwriter Sydney Ross Mitchell creates magnificently atmospheric pieces of indie-folk that are in a league of their own.

This artist finds music more as a lifeline than a creative outlet, which may well explain why songs like ‘Bunny’ are so intensely captivating and emotive. Speaking on the single, Sydney says:

“A song that came to me in a dream, recorded in Los Angeles in October of 2021. It’s my first release since moving from Texas to LA and I can’t wait to start this new chapter.”

Sydney Ross Mitchell

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ATO – COLD

Photo / Alex Waespi

Rising Leeds rapper ATO returns with new single ‘COLD’, featuring production credits from stevexcooper.

Inspired by his sense of identity as a Northerner, the song’s lyrics find ATO musing over the exclusive nature of the London scene, as well as his everyday frustrations.

“‘COLD’ is a stream of consciousness that addresses my everyday vexations. As an outsider from Leeds, I find the industry politics and exclusive nature of the London scene a bit weird. I wanted to express who I am against the backdrop of these frustrations.”

ATO

New Music: Rio Rainz

Photo / Nick Velasco

At just 18-years-old, Rio Rainz is fast becoming one of UK’s most exciting alt-R&B and rap prospects. Through beautifully emotive and melodic releases, this artist delivers refreshingly introspective lyricism with sincere vocals.

“‘Damaged’ is about my experiences over the past three years and the headspace I have been in. I’m talking about the times I missed being close to another person but I’m looking at myself in the mirror. I lost myself a little but that’s not the space I’m in any more.”

Rio Rainz

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New Music: Sofia Lafuente

If there’s one soloist who’s likely to hit the mainstream in a big way anytime soon, I’d place my bets on US-born and London raised American-Spanish artist Sofia Lafuente.

With inspirations as varied as Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks to Shakira, this talent creates songs that feel timelessly classic, deeply emotive and refreshingly relatable. On new single ‘Domestic Bliss’, Lafuente says:

“It’s a look back at the time when I first met my partner. The excitement, the hope but also the complete question mark as to how it was going to work, especially dealing with distance and a pandemic. It was my way of capturing that feeling of a positive ‘what if?’. Instead of uncertainty giving you anxiety, using it as a reason to live fully in the present.”

Taken from the new EP ‘Habits’, which is out now | Sofia Lafuente

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New Music: Ella Tiritiello

Photo / Sandra Thorson

While still only 15-years of age, rising Swedish starlet Ella Tiritiello is picking up significant momentum thanks to her phenomenal performance on new single ‘Say Something’.

Inspired by powerhouse legends like Diana Ross, Adele and Sia, this artist has constructed one of the finest pieces of Scandinavian pop so far this year.

“I loved to sing their songs in my room, but I never wanted anyone to hear, mostly because of my stage fright. I couldn’t see myself stand in front of people and sing.”

Ella Tiritiello

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New Music: Nate Brazier

Photo / Sam Shack

Track of the week. South London-born, Bristol-based Nate Brazier may be a relative newcomer to most, but this talent has in fact spent the last four years quietly making music.

With its unique style of alternative music, his melancholic yet introspective new single ‘Inertia’ features dusty garage beats, intelligent lyricism and intoxicating vocals.

Brazier wrote the track as an honest reflection of the most recent chapter of his life, and grapples with his generation’s fears of coming-of-age.

“Living in this world with my friends, every event feels monumental and every decision feels life changing. I wanted to make something that felt equally immersive and overwhelming.”

Nate Brazier

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Cassia – 16-18 (Why You Lacking Energy?)

Photo / Sebastian Berthold

Macclesfield trio Cassia’s signature style of fusing indie rock with understated psychedelic tones has seen the group garner well over 500k monthly listeners on Spotify alone recently.

New single ‘16-18 (Why You Lacking Energy?)’ is taken from their forthcoming album, alongside a run of live dates across the summer.

“This song is about being obsessed with how shiny the past looks and is based around a series of daydreams I kept having all set between the ages of 16-18. I think at the time I wished that I could just go back, cause in my head it just seemed easier.” – Rob Ellis, Cassia

Cassia

Cassia Performances 2022

  • 04/06 Leeds – Live at Leeds Festival
  • 10/07 Landernau, France – Fete De Bruit Festival
  • 22/07 Oxfordshire – Truck Festival
  • 23/07 Skipton – Gateways Festival
  • 24/07 Suffolk – Latitude Festival
  • 30/07 Derbyshire – Ynot Festival
  • 31/07 Cork, Ireland – Indie 2022 Festival
  • 11/08 Cornwall – Boardmasters Festival
  • 12/08 Leicestershire – 110 Above Festival
  • 15/09 Utrecht, Netherlands – Ekko
  • 16/09 Groningen, Netherlands – Simplon
  • 17/09 Erfurt, Germany – Franz Mehlhose
  • 19/09 Stuttgart, Germany – Im Wizemann
  • 20/09 Essen, Germany – Zeche Carl
  • 23/09 Osnabrück, Germany – Kleine Freiheit
  • 26/09 Prague, Czech Republic – Chapeau Rouge
  • 27/09 Vienna, Austria – B72
  • 30/09 Madrid, Spain – Siroco
  • 01/10 Barcelona, Spain – Laut
  • 05/10 Dublin, Ireland – Academy
  • 11/10 Glasgow – SWG3
  • 12/10 Newcastle – Newcastle Uni Student Union
  • 13/10 Manchester – Academy 2
  • 14/10 Leeds – The Wardrobe
  • 16/10 Nottingham – Rescue Rooms
  • 18/10 Bristol – Trinity
  • 19/10 Birmingham – Institute 3
  • 20/10 London – Koko