It’s not too often that we associate face-melting guitar crunch with crying fits, but Zeroz (FKA Butterfly) aren’t like other bands. The Portland duo marries the sugar-rush pop hooks and guitar riffs of ‘90s alt-rock with modern hyperpop sensibilities and, well… sadboy tears. 

If The Breeders and Pinback had a baby inside a battered computer server that developed a serious case of the feels and binge-watched anime from within its own internal eye, it might sound something like Zeroz. 

Frontman / bandleader Aidan Christopher Haughey (who goes simply by Z, his character name in the Zeroz universe) explains:

When I first started writing “Monster E-Girl,” I’d just finished watching the anime series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (AKA DanMachi), which I really, really liked, so I was crying a bunch. And I kept crying every time I’d listen to the song as I was putting it together, which has never happened. I’ve been working on it for almost a year, which I’ve never done for any other song. It’s just a really intense song. Plus, I cry more over anime than over anything else. 

The other songs on the album have a more clear lyrical and thematic intent, but this one’s more ambiguous. It may sound corny, but in anime there’s a lot of forgiveness and sacrifice and people ovecoming their differences to make something better, even if the people are flawed. I’m not a total pessimist or anything, but the fact that you can see these worlds where you have these complex characters where lots of fucked-up things happen, but ultimately a lot of these characters sacrifice themselves. That touches me because, I mean, it sure would be nice to live in a world like that!

Lol is out October 19th! 

Brooklynite musician Jason Vitelli brings some style to your stereo in his first instrumental single
“SNAZZY CATS.” The 10th track off of his upcoming album 1. Ambient Corridors, the tune is dedicated to his former cat on premises Momma. With a funky guitar strum, clarinet crescendos and electronic effects, SNAZZY CATS provides the perfect accompaniment to the modern evolving world. You could perhaps say he is embracing AI. “I am drawn to the combination of synthetic and real elements. Interaction between human and programmed performances can create something entirely new.”

Having already made his mark with three lyrically rich singer-songwriter albums, it might appear paradoxical that Brooklyn-based musician Jason Vitelli’s latest endeavor showcases his music without words. However, as he points out, 1. Ambient Corridors marks his debut instrumental collection, signaling a return to his musical origins.

Although his electronic toolkit from the “turn of the century” may have been more limited compared to the expansive software libraries available today, Jason Vitelli’s creative genius and compositional skill shone brightly. This brilliance was evident in his orchestration, original sampling, and sound design.

Across a tapestry of 12 tracks, he artfully blended acoustic instruments such as cello, viola, piano, electric guitar, and a variety of woodwinds with his electronic manipulation of found objects, crafting an impressionistic auditory voyage. As he aptly puts it, “I’m drawn to the fusion of synthetic and organic elements. The interplay between human and programmed performances has the potential to give birth to something entirely novel.”

A riveting entry point into Jason Vitelli’s oeuvre, SNAZZY CATS is a jewel of sonic delicacies. Its funky flow brings flavor to our ears, rolling us down the lane to his upcoming instrumental album 1. Ambient Corridors.

Carefree bass spoons a buttery guitar tone, whilst a juicy mid-tempo groove rounds out the palate. You’ll find the tune to be the perfect accompaniment to a stroll through Central Park. . “I find tactile elements in my music reveal themselves while watching the city throb around us.”

Let “SNAZZY CATS” envelope you in wonderment as you pass by throngs of tourists

There’s something to be said about the power of being called to make music. But when that power combines with an unshakeable mission to change the world, what you get is the tour de force known as AY Young. To simply label AY Young as an emerging hip-pop artist and multifaceted talent would be an immense understatement. AY embodies the roles of singer, songwriter, entertainer, producer, and entrepreneur, among others, and his daily efforts contribute to the ongoing global transformation.

A UN-recognized sustainability advocate and Champion of the Sustainable Development Goals who’s devoted his music to activism since his teens, AY launches the next phase of his Battery Tour with a historic renewable-powered concert on September 21^st in Times Square, New York City. 

With more than 900 performances under its belt, AY’s globe-spanning Battery Tour has pioneered a unique approach to live music. This global concert series is powered entirely by renewable energy and is more than just an entertainment event, it seamlessly blends the musical experience with education, community upliftment, and humanitarian initiatives.

With international cooperation, the Battery Tour has revolutionized musical performance by introducing collaborative solutions to the global energy crisis. To advance his cause, AY has forged partnerships with corporate brands like Samsung, General Motors and BNP Paribas and civil society organizations like the UN Joint SDG Fund, Global Resilience Partnership, National Wildlife Federation, We Don’t Have Time, New Use Energy, Sauntr, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Ideas for Us, Faraday Foundation and Clever Carbon.

It’s not difficult to see why: “GOALS” bumps with a sense of hope that’s impossible to resist. 

“This song,” says AY, “stands as an anthem, a sonic force that ignites the enthusiasm within you, regardless of the challenges or aspirations you face. It not only pumps up your spirits, but also commemorates the resilient essence of humanity, underscoring the significance of believing in the trajectory you chart. Life can be fleeting and fragile, but if you believe in yourself it can be something wonderful and powerful!” Full context on “GOALS” from AY below.

As much as AY’s music rouses a feeling of duty towards our collective stewardship of the earth, he also understands that hope is the greatest motivator. It also doesn’t hurt to have one of the year’s catchiest hooks in your back pocket — which could just as easily be said about previous single “2030.” 

“GOALS” is the title track from AY’s forthcoming EP. The EP sets the stage for AY’s upcoming full-length album Project 17, which features a track dedicated to each of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 

One listen to the new single and you’ll walk away certain that we can all meet our goals together. 

An endless need for self expression has helped songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Walton focus on his creative vision as an independent artist to write and produce his debut EP titled Island: a beautiful, heartfelt collection of songs about love, loss and change.

The 28-year-old from Hamilton, ON has been involved in a handful of collaborative original

bands spanning many genres (Wooly Mantis, Downstream) but “Island” is the first of many

projects that are from the mind of Walton as a solo act. Being able to have full creative freedom

has allowed Walton to find his voice in the songwriter space.

Reminiscent of the Laurel Canyon era of folk and singer-songwriter with a genre-blending modernism, Walton’s latest single “Through The Glass” is a drift inspiring transportive listen.

About his songwriting intent:

“My goal with songwriting is to take the listener on some kind of journey, whether it may be from lyrics, music or both. To take the listener out of the present moment and into a place that feels familiar, yet new and exciting. A place that is comfortable, where the listener does not feel alone and can drift away in peace.”

Free Under Fire is a Canadian rock band known for their signature groundbreaking yet nostalgic sound of rock and sonic live performances. Emanating from Toronto, Ontario, they released their debut album Beauty in Extremes in 2022.

Summer single “Airplane Over Texas” was inspired by a tongue in cheek reference to ZZ Top and the intent to have the listener liberate themselves emotionally in times of distress. They capture that with their signature sound in a bar floor moving, Trans-Am burn out romp that leaves you feeling free. 

“Although I’m happily married, breakup songs are my favourite to write,” says Hamiltonian singer-songwriter, Roslyn Witter. 

Following her exploration of a friend’s breakup from an abusive partner in her previous single, “Letting Her Go,” Witter is returning with a first person reflection on ‘that a**hole ex’ that everyone’s experienced.

“If you’re not here, I must be in the right place,” Witter asserts over breezy country pop-rock and mandolin inflections. “Heartbreak Lane” is a vulnerable yet confident song that finds Witter picking up the pieces as she “[rips] that Bandaid off [of her] skin,” looking the pain of love lost straight in the eye.