BENJI LEWIS - RIDE

Intoxicating like a cabernet by a warm winter fire, Benji Lewis’ latest release is a river of emotions and intellect. “Ride” is a blanket of feelings, a swim through a vast stream of intoxicating sounds, an effervescent plane of both pleasure and pain. His moving take on alternative resonance is sincere, possessive, moving. Almost impossible to articulate, Benji Lewis blends his medicinal vocal powers with Lincoln Jesser’s feathery production. An indescribable truth radiates from “Ride,” slowing the world around you, awakening your truest self. Lose yourself in this hazy labyrinth defined only by Benji Lewis.

URCHN - COMPOSURE

From the first 10 seconds of URCHN’s debut single “Composure” I was instantly hooked. Soft muted guitar plucks that drive with a sense of urgency. A nervous percussive shaker sound. A brief flutter that reminds me of a baby dinosaur. My early impression was that I was listening to something I hadn’t quite heard before, and it only gets better as the song continues. Making his debut via Casablanca Sunset, URCHN is the solo project of the Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and producer Max Greenhalgh. Max is also notably recognized for his work as the front man in the indie pop act Inspired & The Sleep amongst other projects and musical outlets. Cinematic in feel, with thought-provoking lyrics sung in a haunting half-falsetto, URCHN quickly weaves a web of contemplative discomfort on “Composure”. The thoughtful blend of organic and electronic sonic elements, syncopated rhythms, and vocal affectation come together to make this track one of the most compelling debuts of 2018 thus far.

[PREMIERE] TIM ATLAS - COUNTERFEIT

Master of vintage vibes and soulful swag, the one and only Tim Atlas is back with a new tune just as he prepares to embark on his All Talk! Summer Tour, and we’re excited to have the honor of premiering it for you today on this lovely New Music Friday. 

Clocking in at just under three minutes, “Counterfeit” is a short and sweet slice of classic Tim Atlas grooviness. Replete with a sassy bass line, plenty of cowbell, sexy synths, and cheeky gang vocals for good measure—it’s a bouncy toe tapper that’ll have you moving without even realizing it. Tim’s soft and subdued vocals glide above the 80’s rock drums, nostalgic synths and jazzy guitar and bass licks. Like most of Atlas’ music, it transports you back to an earlier era while maintaining an air of contemporary electro-funk of which the likes of Chromeo or Cherub would likely be fans. 

Speaking about the track, Tim said:
"We're all guilty of indulging in something when we know we shouldn’t. But we do it anyway because we’re human and we often choose that feeling over what actually makes sense."

Catch Tim Atlas on tour in a city near you
JUN 17 Bottom Of the Hill - San Francisco, CA
JUN 20 The Peppermint Club - Los Angeles, CA
JUN 21 Beat Kitchen - Chicago, IL
JUN 23 The Barbary - Philadelphia, PA
JUN 27 Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY
JUN 29 Middle East - Cambridge, MA

NIGHTSEASON - NOTHING CALMS MY MIND

Choosing a debut single as a brand new act is probably one of the most difficult decisions in an artist’s career. It’s the first impression, and you never get a second chance at it. Automatically and instantaneously you’re defining your sound and crossing your fingers in hopes that listeners have a meaningful reaction. Nightseason’s “Nothing Calms My Mind” is one of the more exciting and inventive debuts in recent memory, and it feels like this group already has a very developed idea of what their “sound” is.

Somewhere between the alternative/indie rock of bands like Kings of Leon and Sir Sly and the left of center pop stylings of groups like Electric Guest and Alt J, this new duo composed of drummer/producer Patrick Zeinali and singer/guitarist Jordan Caiola has come together as Nightseason to craft innovative yet infectious music. “Nothing Ever Calms My Mind”, which was released Friday by artist-friendly curation platform and label Noon Pacific, has already caught the attention of key industry tastemakers such as Hillydilly and landed on Spotify’s New Alternative playlist. An honest and introspective tune featuring Caiola’s gritty, mature vocal prowess and Zeinali’s slow-burning, forward-thinking production, it’s nothing short of an impressive first offering. What's more impressive is these dudes met over the internet and made an entire EP together over email while across the country from each other. We're eager to hear that EP and can only hope for more Nightseason soon in the weeks and months to come!

Left to right: Patrick Zeinali and Jordan Caiola are Nightseason.

FEATURE: LAYNE

Recently I got to talk with the rising artist LAYNE before her set in Denver, who is a producer/singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist...aka a bad ass. Not only is she extremely talented but also a sweetheart who was easy to talk to and fun to be around. In her performance she engaged the audience with her dynamic stage presence and her ability to shred on the guitar and the mic, to ensure it was a night no one would forget. With her sound that to me is somewhere between Hayley Williams and Echosmith, what's not to like? After hearing her new EP, and especially the track "I Want More", I was instantly hooked, and now listening to LAYNE's music has become a daily routine.

Check out our interview below where we talk about how she got into music, her creative process, being a woman in the industry and more. 

First off share with us how you got into music. How did growing up in the black hills of South Dakota influence your music? 

I played instruments my whole life, partially because my dad and brother were also into music. There were always instruments around the house so I would just pick one up and start learning it. I started writing songs in the 3rd grade then in the 5th grade I wanted to do more. So I got into band and orchestra, and was in a punk band from 6-8th grade. Singing kind of came last. There was never a moment when I was all of a sudden like I want to be a musician, I just always was into music and so i pursued it. 

As far as South Dakota, It influenced my music a lot. It is so much a part of the things I like and what I write and is very much a part of my aesthetic. My drummer and I actually bonded over our like for forests, because he’s from Portland. I grew up outside a lot, snow boarding with my friends, and spending time out in the middle of no where with my music on and I miss that a lot. 

Whats the story behind the braid?

I started doing it a while ago and over time more and more people started recognizing me for it. So it’s just become a thing. Some days I hate my hair and I want to change it, but its a good thing to have something recognizable for the brand. I didn’t mean for it to happen and I don’t like change a lot so I would just keep braiding my hair and now I can't change it haha. 

What made you want to move out to LA and how has that been so far?

I actually graduated high school early in South Dakota so I could go straight to LA, because it was something I always wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be in music and so I graduated and bounced. I like LA for the scene but I don’t necessarily like living in LA. I mean I have great friends, a sick team, and lots of people there, but I want to live in a forest. If I was going to move anywhere though it would probably be Seattle or maybe Toronto or New York because I like big cities, but I do love nature and the outdoors. 

So you recently toured with K. Flay. How was that and what did you come away with from that tour? Was that your first major road tour? 

I was a fan of hers forever, I fucking love her. When I got the tour I was like “Alright Layne you gotta be on your A game”. But once we got to hang out I realized that she’s one of the coolest people ever. She kind of treats me like an older sister. It was overall a really fun experience, went really smooth and the crew was super awesome. It wasn’t my first road tour, I had done 1 or 2 before but they were smaller, and DIY style.  

Your new EP “Wednesday” came out at the end of last month and has been doing really well,  How was creating and recording this EP?

The EP all together was easier than normal. We made like 15-20 demos and ideas, then widdled it down to the best songs, which originally was 6, but then we decided on 4. The guy I make all my records with, Devin, is also my best friend, so we sat in the room and just made the whole record together.  It was easy and fun. I feel like we finally set what we should sound like and where we should be going and that has taken a really long time to figure that out. So it was different that I was really excited to put this out, because in the past I have been more anxious about it. 

The Fog seems to be the most popular track on the EP, sitting right over 1 million plays on Spotify. What is the meaning behind the track? 

‘Omg’ was actually supposed to be the lead single we we’re pushing, but I kind of always knew the fog would stick out. Its about being in LA. Especially growing up in North Dakota and then moving to LA, you see the people that are purely just latter climbers. The people who will do whatever they need to do to be famous, and none of it is wholesome. There is no realness to them at all. They just climb the latter, they know how to do social media, they know the people to hang out with, you know what I mean? Its bullshit. Its also about the times where A&R’s or different people in the industry have told me shitty things like I need to wear tighter clothes or be sexier…what’s that supposed to do with anything? So overall its just about the shallowness that is going on in music. There is so much realness in music too...but there will always be that sliver of people. 

When you sit down to write a song, what does your creative process look like? Where do you like to keep your writing? 

I start with production, since I grew up playing a lot of instruments. I will throw on a drum loop in Pro Tools and then usually work on chords, unless i’m writing a sad song. Then I will just sit down with my guitar and play. Everything on my tracks minus the drums sometimes, I play. I will produce out an entire idea and then I will take it to Devin and then we will go through what I’ve done and clean it up. I am very into production, everything that happens goes through me. I would never walk away from a song and say do whatever you want. I am very hands-on with all of my music. 

As far as lyrics go sometimes I write them in 30 minutes where i’m crying and writing. Those are usually the best ones too, the ones where I need to write. I don’t even realize what i’m saying but i'll listen to it and be like wow thats dope, I didn’t even realize I said that. But there are times when I produce the beat first and then I need the top line and thats usually harder to write. And I actually don’t write anything down. I will remember it or I will use voice notes.  

Do you feel like being a female in a heavily male dominated music industry makes anything easier/harder for you? 

It sometimes makes things easier surprisingly, but it can make things harder too because people don’t always respect you. Since I grew up playing instruments and in music i’ve been through a lot. For example when I am going to play a show and the sound guys see I play guitar they will think I am just a rhythm guitarist and so I will have to tell them, I will be playing the leads so they need to turn me up. Because they don’t usually expect the girl to be the lead. Also, when I talk in certain production lingo, you’ll have guys be like ohh she thinks she knows what she’s talking about and i'll just be like yeah I do. I have to battle that, but its fun sometimes. I get to be like just because you're a dude doesn’t make you smart.

Through your musical journey what has been the most exciting part? And what are your biggest career goals? 

The team of people I have around me is the best part. Its so rad because a lot of the people at the level I’m at don’t have that kind of support. I have people that have spent all of their own money and given me all their time to do this. I have a fucking team, that is basically family and a lot of people envy that. As far as goals I want to be able to leave something that’s different. That bands some day will say I want to sound like Layne. Thats how you know you did something different. I just want to keep doing what i’m doing and grow more and increase my production and just keep going bigger. For my ideal live performance, it would still be a 4 piece band but I would change how the room is set up. I want you to walk into an environment, where there are lights all over the room, in the very back and sides, not just on stage. 

Lastly since we’re a music blog we have to ask, what are your top 5 favorite records/artists right now?

Charli XCX , Now, Now, Saint Vincent, Daughter, Hazel English

WHETHAN - GOOD NIGHTS (FEAT. MASCOLO)

One of the reasons young Chicagoan Ethan Snoreck, known professionally as Whethan, has achieved such success so quickly is his attention to mood in his musical productions. The recent high school grad has an uncanny ability to tap his sound design skills to establish an intangible emotional vibe that always seems to match perfectly with the singing style and songwriting prowess of his vocalist collaborators — resulting in hit record after hit record. Rather than trying to excel with a particular sub-genre of electronic music, he just makes music. Sometimes it’s more chill and indie, other times more energetic and poppy, but it’s never generic.

This time, he’s enlisted newcomer Mascolo, whose raspy vocal is a bit reminiscent of Drew Taggart’s on The Chainsmokers’ “Closer” but with way richer emotional density. Lyrically, it’s a nostalgic anthem recalling the “Good Nights” with a past lover. Mascolo’s soulful lines and Whethan’s light synths and claps work effortlessly together on this fun short jam. You’ll want this one on your summer Spotify playlist!

PHIL GOOD - GROWING UP

Phil Good is back and he is absolutely philling it with this second release! (See what I did there?) In all seriousness though, the Los Angeles singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist came out of the gates incredibly strong with debut single “Sleeping In” which was a frickin’ earworm if I’ve ever heard one. The guy can write hooks! But he’s got the lyrical prowess and production chops to go along with it, which is certainly rare these days. With top-notch future pop production, relatable lyrics, and a killer synth lead, “Growing Up” is a deeper and darker follow up which shows a more emotional side to the emerging artist. He’s in good company too with fellow Working Group Management clients like Cheat Codes, Billie Eilish, and CADE (among others). I for one am extremely eager to hear more of what’s in store for Phil Good.

[PREMIERE] YOKE LORE - HOLD ME DOWN (GILLIGAN MOSS REMIX)

I first noticed Yoke Lore on the upper ranks of the Hype Machine charts earlier this year and was instantly entranced with the honesty and sincerity of the music. Part indie folk, part dream pop, and part experimental electronic, it’s reminiscent of legend-caliber acts like The Shins and M83, but is also uniquely its own. The project is the new musical venture of Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Adrian Galvin, previously of Yellerkin and Walk the Moon. I was lucky enough to catch a live set last month in Hollywood at School Night, and let me tell you, he did not disappoint!

I’m honored today to premiere the first remix of a Yoke Lore track, coming in the form of an unconventional, playful, house-influenced edit from Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based producers Gilligan Moss. Moss’ inimitable production tendencies have led to impressive remixes for artists such as Sia and Glass Animals and a 2015 EP of original music called Ceremonial with over a millions listens on Spotify.

Their envisioning of “Hold Me Down” begins almost like a symphony, then the isolated vocals make an entrance joined by a delicate synth line, and not until almost a minute in do we start to get any percussion. The beat is somewhat familiar indie-dance but is scattered with an array of flittering flourishes that lead to listener down an unexpected path. Coupled with Galvin’s hypnotic vocal melodies, it’s easy to get lost in — the perfect tune for a mid-December morning.

Catch Yoke Lore on tour now supporting Handsome Ghost, remaining dates below:

12/14 Big Room Bar Columbus, OH (tickets)
12/15 Cattivo Pittsburgh, PA (tickets)
12/16 Beachland Tavern Cleveland, OH (tickets)
12/17 Schuba's Chicago, IL (tickets)

GOLDEN COAST - MAKE YA MOVE + GOLDEN COAST EP

Well it's finally arrived. I think we've posted damn near every single from Golden Coast's amazing debut 'Golden Coast EP' and today I'm totally thrilled to bring you the last single "Make Ya Move." A sheer delight to listen to, the duo has channeled their west coast vibes into a perfect distillation of pop indie rock in this tune. I know it's December, but this new single instantly takes me away into the warm green re-birth of spring driving down the best coast with the top down. According to the guys: "Make Ya Move was our attempt to kind of throw off some of the traditional song-y rules and do something just purely fun.  Kind of tried to channel our inner Macklemore or Bruno and talk a little over-confident swagger.  Think it’s our favorite dance tune to date." I couldn't agree more, let the head bobbing, toe tapping, throw my hands up dancing begin, and just in time for the weekend! If you're feeling this tune, like I know you will, go ahead and throw on their entire EP it's well worth the ride.