Monthly Archives: January 2023

01.31.23
by

Low Tide Levee’s “Nautilus” is Hypnotic Psychedelic Rock at its Finest

The image of the sea at its lowest level—low tide—and the shore littered with an array of curiosities, presents a powerful metaphor for self-reflection. The idea of a “mental low tide” can be applied to those revelatory but fleeting moments after a hit of pot or a micro dose, or upon waking up from a vivid dream. They can even occur in a random jolt of inspiration where a buried desire comes into consciousness. 

“The name Low Tide Levee speaks to me on a lot of levels: I do love marine biology, I am a diver, and I am passionate about ocean conservation,” shares singer/songwriter, composer, and former Marine Biologist Amy Brookes. “The analogy of low tide symbolizing revealing things in our unconscious and subconscious is powerful for me. I am always drawn to looking at the strange and gross things after a low tide. Exploring those things metaphorically in our minds can be healing and powerful.” 

Low Tide Levee’s new psychedelic and classic rock single “Nautilus” symbolizes this idea of ocean tides meeting one’s mental tide. Inspired by a tiny Nautilus carving, a beautiful netsuke that Amy happened upon by luck while in a little shop one day. Originally a “riff song,” there are 3 distinct melodies in the song that all came together into song. Eventually, it came to Amy that she could feature the Nautilus character.

“Nautilus” flows a lot like the tide. The classic guitar riffs with the hypnotic beat and an island pop vocal style in Amy’s voice create an ebb and flow in the music. The energy is reminiscent of Pink Floyd meets Fleetwood Mac. It gives off a feels of sitting in the ocean and letting the tide take you away, drifting and floating with the water and current. Lyrically speaking, the listener is invited to journey down into the ocean, sinking beneath the waves with the surface sounds further and further away, and life slowing down.

“As the development of this song unfolded with lyrics emerging from my subconscious, it became about the wisdom of life, far beyond our human thinking ways, and the depth that exists if only we take the time to listen,” says Amy.

Listen here:

Connect with Low Tide Levee

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

Advertisement
01.31.23
by

Merlot Embargo Shares Their New Indie Pop Single “Not Gonna”

Merlot Embargo is the self-produced and independent indie pop duo recording music out of our home studio in LA, where they’re also raising their daughter Joanna. Their music is diverse but rooted in the classics. While they strive to make each song something unique and fresh, Scarlet’s sultry voice and Geoff’s groovy guitar-ing make it all feel like Merlot Embargo.

Some might even consider Scarlet and Geoff an unlikely duo: a seat-of-the-pants, army brat singer-songwriter, paired with a native Californian music school nerd and engineer by day. But the blending of their different approaches to music (and life) has helped them create music that’s provocative, but also real and approachable. They temper each other’s worst tendencies, and in their good moments, bring out the best qualities in each other.  Throw in their band, and it’s a collab made in heaven.

Merlot Embargo just released their new upbeat and catchy pop rock single, “Not Gonna,” a song that takes down their own inner demons about ageism in the music industry. The music tells a story of fun and excitement while the lyrics tell a story of resistance and obstacles. Together, it reflects the message of being outwardly fine, but battling setbacks in pursuit of a goal on the inside.

Scarlet’s voice is familiar, almost like a Brandi Carlile meets Ingrid Michaelson. The music and beat is instantly recognizable as uniquely Merlot Embargo with it’s clear influence of Coldplay and The Beatles.

“Hopefully, this song inspires people to keep persevering and following their dreams,” share the duo. “They may be closer than they realize.”

Connect with Merlot Embargo

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

01.31.23
by

Gracie Jet Debuts Emotionally Powerful New Single “Sister”

English born, but raised in Ontario, Canada, Gracie Jet has emerged on the alternative pop scene with great gusto. 

Her debut single “Sister” is an emotional and raw ballad that explores the relationship with her sister who has struggled with mental health since she was a child. The song is delicate and also carries strength with the rich vocals from Gracie. It is a song about struggle, perseverance, family and love.

“My sister has struggled with mental health for years. As her sister, I have watched her through it all. I’ve watched as my best friend/sister retreated to her bedroom and became a stranger. I’ve walked with her through it all. I’ve taken  her to the hospital, watched her fall apart. I’ve watched her struggle through all the ups and downs and been so scared that you would lose her in the end.” 

While this song explores a serious and challenging theme, Gracie´s upbeat energy and character shines through. Her voice alone commands all of the attention here, with a rich range similar to that of pop star Adele and Lana Del Ray. 

“I wrote this song for her to remind her she is not alone and that she is loved and she would miss that her life is valuable. This is a love song also for all the  family members watching their loved ones struggle and an anthem for people struggling that you are not alone.”

Listen to “Sister” today to hear what all the fuss is about over this brilliant young Canadian artist. 

Stay current with Gracie Jet on her Website, and social media channels Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and TikTok . Stream music on YouTube, Spotify and Soundcloud.

01.31.23
by

Puppets of Castro’s “Living the Dream” is Witty and Catchy

Puppets of Castro is the Los Angeles-based musical project of Andrew Lorand. An eclectic satirist and keen observer of the humor and pathos found around the darker edges of the human condition, Puppets of Castro takes his listeners on an often humorous, and often contemplative ride.

His song, “Living The Dream,” comes from his album, Nude Descending an Elevator. It’s got a great, catchy hook that immediately grabs your attention, and the song contains seven musical references from rock classics. See if you can find them all.

“My first band was the Kiwi’s, back in 5th grade, though technically in 3rd grade I was a member of the 007s, and we had only one song  (we would lip sync to ‘Wipeout’, which of course was an instrumental). Nobody looked at us and thought these guys are really going places,” quips Puppets of Castro. “This song is for all the bands and musicians who stuck with it long after dreams of riding in limos, appearing on The Midnight Special, and getting their Star on Hollywood Blvd. had faded.”

Connect with Puppets of Castro and stream his music via:

Bandcamp / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify / Website

01.30.23
by

Modern Mystery Mixtape – Indie Jams 1-30-2023

Your daily dose of indie goodness! Dive into these epic tracks below!

Stephanie Phillips –  “Carousel of Hope”

Manuel SD – “Tonight (I Can’t Find My Mind)”

IRYS – “Waiting Syndrome”

Britta Pejic – “Between the Tines”


LOMNOUV – “Les Fourmis”

Riverfields – “The Darkest Hour”
https://youtu.be/qs0w5nOCREs

Crispus Attucks and the Love Muskets – “Closer”

 
Borderline Natives – “Coming Home”
https://youtu.be/nn1oVPOtg4U

CIAN – “Far From Home”
https://youtu.be/yqinDslgA-M

JF – “Alhabu”

Koalra – “Center of the World”

Frank Black – “Kick Back and Relax”

The Kofrim – “Memory Loss”

Adt – “This Life is Not Mine”

Dean Pilling – The Mountain 

Darcey Flo – “Merry Christmas”

Wes Bowers – “The Night Was Young”

Boden Bender – “My Crosshair”

Kevin Kennedy III – “Second Guessing”

Nicholas Allen – “Nothin’ 2 Somethin’”

01.30.23
by

Video Voyager: 3Qs with Parks N’ Rec

Marco DiFelice is a Canadian singer, songwriter, music supervisor, and producer. In the 90’s, Marco was the lead singer of the pop-punk band, Supergarage. After the band dispersed, he found his way into the world of music supervision, where he selected music for films, adverts, and television shows including Orphan Black and Lost Girl. Now Marco is writing songs against the backdrop of his life as Parks N’ Rec. This project — a collaboration between Marco and several producers back at his own Self Titled Studios — deals with lost love, polarizing societies, and self-renewal.

Brand new track, “Peace of Mind,” offers up Parks N’ Rec‘s spin on the original by classic rockers Boston and will be included on a full-length covers set to be released this coming spring. A well-written song with a simple melody and lyrics, it reminded Marco that good music comes out of a few basic ingredients.

Marco DiFelice is a Canadian singer, songwriter, music supervisor, and producer. In the 90’s, Marco was the lead singer of the pop-punk band, Supergarage. After the band dispersed, he found his way into the world of music supervision, where he selected music for films, adverts, and television shows including Orphan Black and Lost Girl. Now Marco is writing songs against the backdrop of his life as Parks N’ Rec. This project — a collaboration between Marco and several producers back at his own Self Titled Studios — deals with lost love, polarizing societies, and self-renewal.

The brand new track, “Peace of Mind,” offers up Parks N’ Rec‘s spin on the original by classic rockers Boston and will be included on a full-length covers set to be released this coming spring. A well-written song with a simple melody and lyrics, it reminded Marco that good music comes out of a few basic ingredients.

We spoke with Parks N’ Rec about the video which you can dive into below!

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

I landed in Havana and for whatever reason the melody of the song “Peace Of Mind” kept on repeating in my head.   It is an epic, classic rock song from 1976 that is spectacular in production and perfect in execution.  I was inspired to produce a zen like version of the song while doing my morning walk on the Malecon, a famous seawall along the north shore of the city.  The walks are very peaceful at 6 am, in complete contrast to what this road becomes once the day begins.  Living in Havana is a challenge for us comfortable North Americans, and I think I wanted to create a soundtrack deal with this challenge…what a life lesson?!    

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

I made a visual playlist of my experiences over the last 3 years.  First, I wanted to capture the lush grounds of Colombia, Costa Rica  and the seabed of Belize.   Part 2 , I wanted to show the stark contrast of navigating the urban jungle of Havana and NYC.  Part 3 is hubble of telescopic footage that matched what I think I saw, experimenting with Bufo and ayahuasca in Mexico…lol.

What was the process of making this video?

I simply collected footage and sent back to Toronto to a talented visual editor to make it come alive. I would explain the shot list, but he became the story teller as well.