Monthly Archives: March 2022

03.14.22
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Eli Lev’s Latest Single Makes Us Dance in Our Chairs

Indie pop-folk singer/songwriter Eli Lev returns with his latest project born from the pandemic called Walk.Talk.Dance.Sing. The EP is set for release in April, though his string of releases from this project have already hit fans by storm. His catchy beat and infectious melodies married with his deep passion and love for his craft is what makes his work so inspiring.

He has released 3 singles previous to his most recent indie pop song “Vacation,” which was released in February. Each song was written about a specific emotion we all had during the pandemic. The first release, which inspired Walk.Talk.Dance.Sing, “Be Your Someone” is a nice Bon Ivor meets Ben Harper style sound about learning to coexist with your partner. This led to the next single, released a year later, called “Dancin’ on the Lawn,” a song with an Ed Sheeran vibe to it, is about the hope Eli has for the future of live music; he’s hopeful that we will all be together together again. Finally, “Move As You Do” is the slowest and most intentional. It takes on the ideas of the future and how fast you “should” be going to achieve life’s biggest moments. He takes is slow and says that he will get there when he gets there.

“Vacation” takes on a Jason Mraz vibe with a catchy beat and memorable lyrics. He sings about taking the little things in life during the lockdown and making them fun. He explains that it’s all about the mindset. “Escape! Travel! Movement! These three things were essentially non-existent and forbidden for two years during the pandemic so I wrote Vacation as a way to remind myself that everyday I could put myself in the same mental state if I was thankful for my partner and everything we had in life,” shares Eli. “We could be each other’s escape and peaceful feeling. I wrote this song turning all the mundane tasks of everyday living during the pandemic into something exotic and special and interesting – kind of like an extremely long vacation!”

Listen to Vacation here:

All his music is available for purchase and streaming now. Be on the lookout for his upcoming EP.

You can find Eli Lev via:

Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // TikTok // Spotify // Soundcloud

03.11.22
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EDM and DJ Duo, All of the Above, Premiere New Single “Inside My Head”

Jay and Sofia make up the DJ and electronic producing duo All of the Above, or AOTA. The Southern California duo is carving out a spot within the industry with their quality productions and groove-filled performances. With a musical background ranging from rock to metal, AOTA have crossed into the EDM genre to deliver a dynamic style and sound. With every release, the SoCal natives will have listeners engulfed into the world they create with atmospheric productions. 

AOTA wouldn’t exist without Sofia, who pushes their musical boundaries. She’s dabbled in a few musical projects, ranging from drumming to guitar work. Her love for EDM and rock is what makes AOTA what it is. Jay brings in his own style and influence, with a love for EDM and Metal music. This influence is what gives Jay a different perspective on their music and what provides him a unique sound and style for creating and playing their music. 

The recently released their newest single, “Inside My Head,” an EDM and tech house single that makes one feel at ease and calm. Unlike some of their other songs, “Inside My Head” isn’t meant to get one feeling hyped in the traditional sense of the word. Instead of increasing your energy for a party or rave, this song wants you to be mindful instead.

“Inside My Head” sustains a beat the whole time with occasional electronic riffs here and there. When the song gets to its climax, we hear “inside my head,” the only words in the song. While you may not hear this song at a rave, it shows AOTA’s musical range and their ability to explore sounds and styles. “’Inside My Head’ was inspired by the two and a half years of the pandemic where it was difficult to see friends and family and the toll it took on our mental health and fortitude,” shares AOTA. “Being unable to socialize in person and with the weight of worldy issues, politics, and personal matters, it became easy to feel trapped in a prison inside my head.”

Listen to “Inside My Head” here:

Find All of the Above via:

Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Spotify // Soundcloud

03.10.22
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VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3QS WITH CLEVER HOPES

While directing the musical Once in Montréal, Andrew Shaver and Eva Foote began a beautiful friendship and musical collaboration. After splitting with his girlfriend, Shaver hit the highway and called his buddy Matthew Barber as he drove to Toronto. This was the beginning of a new chapter for Shaver that would see him bounce around a few winter sublets before heading to Australia to – as a buddy so wisely suggested – flip his chi. 

Produced by Barber, Artefact, Shaver’s new album out January 20th, chronicles the journey of that flip. Clever Hopes was born when he got back to Canada and played those songs for Foote. 

We caught up with Clever Hopes regarding her new video below.

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

This is the song that documents the catalyst for the breakup and, as such, the album. It’s also the first song Eva and I worked on together. We had sorted out harmony lines for her, but it was originally written just from my perspective. We were days away from recording before we realized that we needed to divvy up the verses to really tell the story properly. We switched the pronouns and it came to life in a whole new way. I can’t imagine it otherwise now. It became the blueprint for how we approached the rest of the album in-studio. It’s the kind of broken hearted love song that might come too late to fix things, but just in time to try again.

What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

As soon as we recorded this track, Eva imagined a boxing video for it in which she’d drag me into a ring to kick my ass wearing a unitard and a big ol’80’s hairdo. We didn’t end up going in exactly that direction, but, she does take the solo to teach me a lesson in the middle of an empty parking lot. This video is really the brainchild of my buddy Kyle Gatehouse’s. He conceived of it. He shot it. He edited it. An intense relationship has a way of warping time and memory, and we wanted to create a rapid-fire slideshow of fragmented moments and places, something that looked like how a remembered romance might feel.

What was the process of making this video?

Kyle is a ruthless planner. I fly more by the seat of my pants. This kind of video was never going to work just winging it. But, c’mon, every creative process needs a little room for the unknown. So, Kyle spent hours storyboarding the shots and then we headed out on the shoot days looking for locations that inspired us. It was a great balance between preparation and spontaneity. The shots themselves (the hyperlapse, the match cuts etc) were easy enough to set up and shoot. The work was in the sheer number of them that we needed to capture to make it all happen – to say nothing of the mountain of time Kyle spent editing this monster.

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03.10.22
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Video Voyageur: 3Qs with Angel Forrest

Angel Forrest was named Female Vocalist of the Year 7 times by the Toronto Blues Society between 2013 and 2021. In November 2019, ready to hit the American market, Angel released the critically acclaimed album Hell Bent with Grace which has been nominated at the JUNO Awards in 2021 as Blues Album of the Year.

The new single “My Favourite” reflects the love you can beautifully share when you’re in your best place (mentally, emotionally, spiritually…physically). In this time of uncertainty, the song is that plea that we need to find a haven, a place where we can love ourselves and take solace so we can learn to love and be kind to others. We caught up with Angel regarding her new video below.

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

My husband and co-writer D.Columbus and I spent the last 2 years on an island in the Pacific….we found ourselves very blessed to be surrounded by such beauty during these ugly times. Our creativity, confidence, passion, hope, and joie de vivre returned quickly …we became what we thought, was our best version of ourselves. 

I think the song’s lyrics are very visual.

What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)?

I wanted this time and experience of reflection and rebirth (if you will) documented ….a reminder to us all of the beauty and love that surrounds us.

Finding peace within…on an island or wherever.

‘Love the life you live…live the life you love.’

What was the process of making this video?

‘My Favorite’ was filmed in the Dominican Republic …in Michès to be exact. Mother Nature blessed us that day with perfect weather.

And love was definitely in the air.

03.10.22
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D. Columbus Rides In With “Saddle Me Up”

D. Columbus has been active in the music industry for over 30 years. Notable for his versatility, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist — who is a seasoned guitar player, bassist, backing vocalist, singer, live sound engineer and music producer — has taken part in fourteen studio albums, earning recognition from the Maple Blues Awards and more.

Best known for his collaborations, it’s D. Columbus’ turn to debut his own solo album, demonstrating a mastery of writing catchy feel-good songs that speak to the heart and bring people together. Produced with Angel Forrest and Ricky Paquette, 11 Dollar Bill is a stompin’ good time. Spirited and fun, the track “Saddle Me Up” conjures a euphoric feeling. 

https://soundcloud.com/denis-columbus/08-saddle-me-up-mst-1644/s-I8aXpMFIgce

Sensitive yet powerful, D. Columbus has an impressive vocal range. While surrounding his precise yet gravelly voice with full orchestrations that combine guitars, bass, drum, keys, fiddle and pedal steel, he unveils an honest country-pop music — there’s an emotional rawness to it and that’s what makes it so real. 

03.10.22
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DJ Karaba Shares Her “Roots”

DJ Karaba’s music is electric and spicy. There is no moment of pause or slow down. Her intensity, her wish to see people dance and feel the music the way she feels it, is aspirational, all-consuming. DJ Karaba is currently working on her own project – an EP that will combine her love of creation and movement for music lovers, and her desire to master production – alongside Young Galaxy’s Stephen Ramsay, whom she cites as a key mentor and collaborator during this process.

New single, “Roots,” recreates the style of South African Amapiano and is a feel good track that was made for the dancefloor. The song’s title is a statement to DJ Karaba’s Congo-Brazzaville origins and feels like a return to Africa for her.

https://soundcloud.com/djkaraba/roots-masterbyphil/s-X1ZbP8w3JAz