Bryan Banks is a musical storyteller. His poetic use of the guitar blended with his sultry voice and impassioned lyrics create a wonderful journey through music. His 2017 album The Sudden Sounds of Urgency is an example of this. With influence from metal, rock, R&B, country, and anything else you can think of, The Sudden Sounds of Urgency is about the pitfalls of our relationships in life.
The album leans heavily on melodic hard rock, punk rock, and metal. His music sounds like that of Green Day, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith, while his voice is similar to that of U2 and Guns N’ Roses. Lyrically, it’s all the negative feelings in a relationship, almost like he’s using music as a coping tool. It’s unique and refreshing to hear.
Most of the songs on this album are very hard rock-esque, but songs like “Escape the Insanity” and “Transfusion” sprinkle in something different. With “Escape the Insanity,” we get more of a country rock sound that’s softer. It starts slow which is a stark contrast to the other songs on the album that dive right into the rock and roll influences. With “Transfusion,” we still get that hard rock and metal sound, but there’s sections of slow music intertwined in the song to mirror the lyrics of being used to heal someone’s pain.
Bryan keeps us on our toes. He keeps us hooked by his sound and suddenly changes course ever so slightly to force us to hear and feel what he’s singing. He brings out emotions in us we thought we buried deep or even knew we had. His album The Sudden Sounds of Urgency has been released on YouTube where you can hear it now. If you like hard rock and metal with passionate lyrics, this is the album for you. Be sure to give it a listen.
GR^VE (pronounced ‘grave’) is a newly formed duo composed of Seraph on vocals, and music by Carbon. The pair have come together by what they described as a mutual understanding of our common mortality. Their mission statement is to provide a necessary soundtrack to all who listen to their upcoming multimedia releases of video art and streamable music in a single format. Recently sharing their new single and video for “In Fire,” this starts a whole new unique and notable realm for the group.
“In Fire” is the first video where we actually present ourselves physically which was a little intimidating on my part. It’s easier to let the music speak for itself where there is a vulnerability in associating the person with the music. We felt that in order to present the story in the way it was intended it was important to do so. The song and video are representative of both the external doubts we are fed from the world and those more dangerously coming from within our own psyches. In moments of anxiety and depression we find the will to continue on and push ourselves. This is ultimately the meaning behind the song. Not in the taunting verses, but the refrain. I hope this resonates with people as I feel we all experience this in some way.
We used the imagery of an 80’s horror film in which the antagonists are expressing those doubts to an inner child. No children were harmed in the making of this video. We both love b-horror movies so this was a fun project to do. The effects are cheesy in order to both sell the 80’s b horror look and to not trigger anyone. It is intended to evoke how media can influence and cause self-esteem issues from a young age. We are presented with information from birth to confirm to a worldview that may no longer exist. The world is changing. It is not kind by nature and it is up to each of us to find our place in it.”
Multi-platinum hit-making trio Cheat Codes, popularly known for their smash single “No Promises” (feat. Demi Lovato), have collaborated with prolific drummer and producer Travis Barker and electro-pop singer Tove Styrke to release their latest single, “All Things $ Can Do.” Coming off their Country-Pop crossover single, “Never Love You Again” with Little Big Town and Bryn Christopher, the chart-topping artists are back to showcase yet another dimension of their artistry with their newest cross-genre collaboration. “All Things $ Can Do” is available now on all digital streaming services, found HERE, and with an official music video starring fitness model and social media sensation Sommer Ray, found on YouTube HERE.
“All Things $ Can Do” is a genre-blending single that combines rock, trap, and pop influences into one. The song begins with Tove Styrke’s beautiful vocals singing along to a trap beat. The rock influence begins during the build-up and solidifies at the drop that launches the melodic and catchy chorus; making a very polished pop song. Vocals from Cheat Codes can be heard singing alongside Tove Styrke and are most prominent during the second verse. The musicians sing about fixing a state of sadness with materialism, exclaiming “I was sad ‘til I bought something new.”
Speaking about the meaning of the song, Cheat Codes stated, “A lot of people get into this rat race of trying to have more, make more and do more but at a certain point it’s a mental illness. When you go down that rabbit hole of everything that money can do for you, it poses the question ‘what can’t it do?’ Some of the best things in life such as love and relationships require time and attention. You can’t just throw money at it and expect it to flourish. Life’s about balance.”
Musician and producer Travis Barker is best known for being the drummer of the critically acclaimed rock band blink-182. The band achieved mainstream success during the early 2000s, as their memorable music is still enjoyed by many, with over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Aside from his achievements with blink-182, Travis Barker has made a name for himself with his extraordinary drumming talent and production skills, making him a sought-after collaborator by many; appearing on tracks with artists of different genres such as Ty Dolla $ign and Steve Aoki. Some of his most viewed collaborations include “I Think I’m OKAY” with Machine Gun Kelly and “11 Minutes” with YUNGBLUD and Halsey. Collectively, these videos alone have garnered over 150 million views. Most recently, he signed with Warner Chappell Music and performed “La Di Die” with rising stars Nessa Barret and jxdn on Jimmy Kimmel Live and joined forces with WILLOW in her recent song “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l.” Travis has also found success in industries outside of music, such as his clothing line Famous Stars and Straps and his vegan CBD brand Barker Wellness.
On working with Travis Barker, Cheat Codes stated, “It’s been a dream working with him. He’s one of those guys that can hear the song once and know exactly what to play. I swear he’s got a photographic memory or something.”
Swedish vocalist Tove Styrke gained mainstream attention from the public with her appearance on Swedish Idol 2009, where she finished third place. Since then, she has established a successful solo career making electropop music. Her single “Say My Name” was featured on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of the 2010s. She also featured as guest vocals of “Faded” for DJ Alan Walker’s live performances, with their performance together in Bergen currently garnering over 214 million views. The pop singer released her latest single last June titled “Mood Swings.”
”I’m beyond excited for this collaboration to be out! When I heard this song I immediately fell in love with it.” Styrke continued, “And to be on the same track as Travis Barker is so cool, he’s such an icon.”
The visual for the single stars fitness model and social media sensation Sommer Ray starring as herself while Trevor, KEVI and Matt of Cheat Codes assume the roles of a cleaning crew sent to look after a lavish mansion. As the cleaning session progresses, they invite a few friends over, things get out of hand, and an epic party ensues. Iconic drummer Travis Barker joins the crew and pushes the energy levels through the roof, performing alongside Trevor on guitar, Matt on bass, and KEVI and Sommer on vocals, singing to their crowd of friends as cash flies through the air.
Cheat Codes released the first part of their debut album Hellraisers, Pt. 1in May. The highly anticipated release featured tracks such as the lead single “Lean On Me (feat. Tinashe),” “Stay (feat. Bryce Vine),” “Do It All Over (feat. Marc E. Bassy),” and “Hate You + Love You (feat. AJ Mitchell).” The name of the album, “Hellraisers,” was the nickname given to the group by their late manager, Michael Theanne, who passed away over a year ago, describing their playful and adventurous lifestyle. The album itself has three parts – each part has a distinct sound influenced by each member. This first part is focused on Trevor’s pop-leaning sound, while the second part will be focused on KEVI’s hip-hop flavor, and the third part will be focused on Matthew’s dance-influenced sound. The album was followed by the official music video for “Lean On Me,” the Hellraisers, Pt 1 Remixes album featuring electronic dance music artists Morgan Page, Michael Calfan, and more, and the country-influenced “Never Love You Again” with Little Big Town and Bryn Christopher.
Today, iconic bass music DJ, producer and label owner SNAILS releases the highly-anticipated second edition of his SLIME TIME EP series. Well known around the world for his unparalleled sound design that combines bass, trap, dubstep and metal, the Montreal native gifts us with three high-octane tracks in SLIME TIME PT. 2 now available on all digital streaming services.
SNAILS unleashed his SLIME TIME EP on the world in March following a year-long hiatus and introspection, which led to an enhanced visual brand heavily inspired by Salvador Dali’s work and a return to his metal-inspired sub-genre that fans dubbed as “Vomitstep.” The 3-track EP included the lead single “FROGKIND” and two other filthy synth-filled releases, “BRAINFARTS” and “GASTROPODZ.” The renowned DJ and SLUGZ MUSIC label head retained all the nasty drops, guttural bass, trap rhythms and grotesque sound design that fans have come to love from SNAILS while also incorporating new, funky elements. The EP was critically acclaimed by the likes of Forbes and FLAUNT Magazine, with the latter hailing SNAILS as “The Bass King.” He also released a music video for “FROGKIND” shortly following the EP, which showcased SNAILS’ new visual aesthetic by incorporating layers of beautiful colors and movie-quality effects to the deranged and repulsive creatures that are the cornerstones of the SNAILS world.
Building on the ID-filled July release of his SLIME TIME VOL. 1 mix which was the #1 most popular mix on 1001Tracklists.com, the superstar bass DJ/Producer releases three more songs as part of SLIME TIME PT. 2 featuring the adrenaline-filled hit single “SLIME ZONE,” released in July. The beautifully chaotic track features sirens that roar and electronic voices announcing “you are now entering the Slime Zone,” preparing listeners for the experience that follows. Two new additions come with “PEACE SLUGZ ROCK N ROLL” and “TRAILZ.” The guitar-led, heavy metal-inspired “PEACE SLUGZ ROCK N ROLL” and the robotic and twisted “TRAILZ” showcase Vomitstep to the extreme and SNAILS’ ability to incorporate different genres into his signature sound. As festivals return, including the impending return of his own SLUGGTOPIA at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, be prepared to experience these songs live in all their bass glory. In 2020, SNAILS collaborated with SVDDEN DEATH to release “DEATHMATCH”, which received high accolades from the biggest names in dance music. He also released the music video for “FRONT 2 BACK” with Kill The Noise & Sullivan King and the WORLD OF SLIME remix EP featuring stellar remakes by bass stars Subtronics, Modestep, Blunts & Blondes, and more.
The Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience is a rare newcomer to traditional pop…fusing a big band spirit with an inventive edge…at once more risky than Buble, more modern than Sinatra. Shaun, an Emmy award-winning crooner (and lead singer of the internationally known vocal group, Tonic Sol-fa) indelibly stamps vocal jazz and swing with a contemporary punch – to the delight of both traditionalists and newcomers – emerging as an original voice in the continuing tradition of the American singer. The new single and video for “All Because of You” is a heartfelt and timeless tale that Johnson brings to life effortlessly. We had the pleasure of catching up with Shaun as he dives into his latest work and video.
Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
When I was writing for the new album, I realized, quite accidentally, that every song had a common theme. Each tune spoke to or was inspired by an influential woman in my life. And “All Because of You” happened to be a love song for my wife, Mary. I’d actually tried to write many love songs over the past few years but could never quite get the words to work. Either the feeling was lessened by word choice or the overall lyric turned to cheese. I suppose it’s ironic that the love song I finally felt ready to release to the world happened to be a song about writing a love song. My wife cried when she heard the demo, and I think that made the work worthwhile.
What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
My wife (Mary) works side by side with me on most creatives – from pictures to posters to billboards and more. Her creativity is constantly on “play,” and she typically has million dollar ideas that we must create on a shoestring budget as a small business. We’d envisioned sweeping shots of castles in Scotland, famous special guests, or couples who’d been together for 50 years+. But since Mary is usually behind the camera, and since this song was written for her, I convinced Mary to step in front of the camera for a rare appearance. Our story and the storyline of this video needed to start with this simple request. It is my hope that I’ll still be treasuring this snapshot in time on my last day. And in the meantime, I’d like to think that the raw emotion of “All Because of You” and the pared down, linear video will speak directly to counterparts, partners, and true companions the world over.
What was the process of making this video?
We were in Nashville when this video was shot and asked our friend, Erick Anderson (a well known photographer), to shoot family pictures. Mary and I had been brainstorming a very simple video concept that might serve the lyrics of “All Because of You” and ended up asking Erick if he ever shot video. Though it was not his chosen medium, he agreed to give it a try. Mary was drafted – somewhat unwillingly – to appear in the video, and we only did a few takes. To be honest, it was unexpectedly emotional for all of us. The black and white feel of the video – though draped in technicolor – ended up fitting perfectly with a simple love song and its surprisingly complex message.
Gaming Music legend TheFatRat, popularly known for his immense online following of over 5.6 million YouTube subscribers and extremely popular songs like “Unity,” “Monody (feat. Laura Brehm),” and “Fly Away (feat. Anjulie),” which have over 800 million streams combined, releases his catchy new collaboration, “Our Song.” The chill electronic single features the sultry vocals of singer/songwriter Cecilia Gault, popularlyknown for the 2019 hit “Love Me Like You Used To” with Kaskade and the Top 10 Billboard Dance Bop “Parallel Lines” with Zookëper. “Our Song” is the fifth song revealed from TheFatRat’s upcoming debut album, PARALLAX, and it is available now on all digital streaming platforms HERE.
“‘Our Song’ is a track that I’m particularly proud of. Emotionally and sonically, it’s very different from anything that I have done before and it opens a door to a new sonic world that I will further explore in the future,” said TheFatRat. “It’s special to me because it’s almost an anti-electro track. Unlike most electronic music, the drums are loose and often off timing. Also there is no Autotune or other pitch correction on the vocals. Everything is rough and natural and still the track sounds unlike anything that I have ever heard before.”
“Our Song” is an electronic-pop ballad with urban yet nostalgic vibes, an 808 bass and Asian influences. It’s an incredibly catchy yet melancholic song that mesmerizes the listener with its use of subdued electronic elements and Cecilia Gault’s sultry vocals. This sets the foundation as Cecilia sings about her longing for her love who went to war. “As seasons come and go,” the anguished singer’s desire to reunite perseveres in hopes that she will be awakened with a kiss from the person she yearns for. She sings about looking in the distance as she sings their song.
TheFatRat and Cecilia Gault have worked together in the past on his 2018 single, “MAYDAY,” which was co-written by Cecilia and performed by Laura Brehm. Often lending her voice and songwriting skills to progressive house anthems, Cecilia Gault has featured on numerous successful tracks, including co-writing and performing Audien’s “Higher,” the 2019 hit “Love Me Like You Used To” with Kaskade and the Top 10 Billboard Dance Bop “Parallel Lines” with Zookëper. She has garnered support from the likes of Billboard, DJ Times and SiriusXM.
“‘Our Song’ reveals a vulnerability that was a little scary but was ultimately extremely special for me because of it,” says Gault. “The lyrics and vocals are so raw that there was nowhere to hide.”
TheFatRat has been releasing one song every week from his debut album, PARALLAX, and hosting interactive Discord chats afterwards with collaborators and thousands of fans. “Our Song” is the fifth track the influential Gaming Music artist has unveiled to date. The artwork and lyrics from PARALLAX tell their own cohesive story filled with imaginative characters and fantasy settings that have been referenced in his past projects, with each single sharing new chapters of the story. This lore is a huge interest for his rabid fans, who speculate wildly on online forums about the meaning of each release and guess what’s coming next.
The album’s first single released July 9th was “Hiding In The Blue” featuring powerful vocals from Dance Pop singer-songwriter RIELL. The opener of his debut album was a continuation of the main character’s story from TheFatRat’s previous songs, “Close To The Sun” and “Stronger.” After experiencing many physical injuries and mental hardships, she retreats herself to her comfort zone and reflects on her past. “Hiding In The Blue” has already accumulated over 8 million streams across platforms, received National radio airplay on SiriusXM BPM, and received favorable reviews by publications like Flaunt Magazine, Pop Culturalist, and EDM Identity.
The album’s second song, “Arcadia,” contrasts with the melancholic mood of the first track of the album as it is filled with cheerful tunes. As RIELL reminisces in “Hiding In The Blue” about Arcadia being a place she once called home, it is no surprise that the track is more light and upbeat. RIELL returns to sing about Arcada being shaken by a war in “Pride & Fear,” the album’s slower-paced third song which demonstrates TheFatRat’s versatility and RIELL’s incredible vocals. The fourth offering, “Upwind,” is about saying goodbye to her love as he embarks on a journey to war and the sense of adventure he feels as he marches forward. “Our Song” picks up as the tranquility of Arcadia has been shaken by war and the partner of the protagonist has left her to fight, leaving her hoping that he will return safely.
Every song on PARALLAX is free to use on social media for creators and source material will be made public, true to TheFatRat’s ongoing tradition of freely dispensing his songs and their stems to help inspire the many dedicated content creators and empower their passionate projects. This forward-thinking approach has led to him having been featured in 25 million YouTube videos from a range of different content creators – accumulating over 30 billion unique views on the platform. Due to the success of these actions, he’s become a leader in the independent music community and an expert on how technology has changed the music business.
Known for having his music sync-to-screen for many widely popular video games such as Dota 2 and Rocket League, German producer TheFatRat is the flagship musician for video games, tech and gaming culture. He’s the go-to artist for Esports brands like ESL and Dreamhack, and his sound, which Billboard Magazine has coined as “wildly energetic and genre-bending electro,” has earned him a massive legion of highly interactive online fans, over 1.8 billion streams on YouTube and Spotify, and 5.6 million YouTube subscribers.
Modern Mystery 