Amanda Daviner is a versatile artist whose music serves as a testament to the captivating world of interpretive imagery. Through her soulful vocals and introspective lyrics, she skillfully conveys profound and relatable emotions. Amanda is dedicated to shattering conventions, refusing to be confined to any one musical category, and drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of influences.

This dynamic diversity is echoed in her music, featuring a wide range of tones and rhythms that evoke memories of iconic artists like Bowie, Prince, and Harry Nilsson. Amanda’s primary muse lies in the unique vocal style and poetic lyrics of Fiona Apple, while her songwriting carries the infectious catchiness reminiscent of Tom Petty’s hit-making techniques. Since relocating to Brooklyn in 2015, Amanda has made her indelible mark on the city’s thriving music scene.

She has co-headlined the Brooklyn Music Festival, and her performance at Vimeo’s corporate offices was a historic first. Amanda also left a lasting impression with her appearance on the renowned Larry Flick’s SiriusXM show. Amanda’s latest single release, “Déjà vu,” produced by Ted Mason (formerly of Modern English), made a striking debut on the DRT Top 150 Independent Global Chart, earning her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.

The highly anticipated release of her first EP, “Catharsis,” is scheduled for Fall 2023, with mixing expertise provided by the esteemed Steve Lyon (known for his work with Depeche Mode and Paul McCartney). Amanda Daviner is a formidable presence in the music industry, and her star continues to ascend.

Amanda’s stunning new video for “Scorpio” is out today; we caught up with the artist below.

1. Tell us the story of this song why did you choose to visualize it specifically in this way?

When I was younger I was still getting to know myself and sought out affection and companionship in the wrong places. I would look for superficial attributes or return to what was familiar in past relationships. This of course all proved to be disastrous. One guy I fell for that was especially crushing, happened to be a Scorpio. Although our personalities clashed at times, I was so enamored with him. It wasn’t until he betrayed my trust that I truly felt the sting of his tail, so to speak. I wanted to emulate the pain of that experience in an allegory and thought, what better than a Vampire themed music video to illustrate that deep feeling of deception and heartache.

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

Everything in the video, from the color palate to the locations and frame rate was used to illustrate how time passes in our lives and how the main character is changing. We shot the beginning of the video in slow motion to convey that dreamlike state of longing and euphoria that one has when meeting someone new. The shots are warm and vibrant, full of life. As we ease into the video, we watch as reality hits and we are back in regular motion. The world seems colder, as does our main character’s disposition. Finally when we reach the climax and we see her hardened and giving into the very same behavior she once fell victim to. It is a cyclical tale of how hurt people, hurt other people.

3. What was the process of making this video? (and anything else you want to tell us?) 

I had recorded Scorpio at the beginning of the pandemic with producer Ben Rice. He created this magical, compelling warmth with his production which really encapsulated the emotion in the song. I really felt that I had to take this video to somewhere darker than I have explored before in order to match the song’s intensity.

I came up with the idea for the video while at a friend’s short film release party. My friend Shoshanna, who worked on the production, introduced me to the Director of the film, Eddie Lebron, and the producer, Leticia Buchanan. The music and vibe of the party was very gothic and so were they. That’s when it hit me: Vampires! Not only was I going to do a vampire themed story, but after watching their engaging and vibrant short, 21^st Century Courtship, I wanted to work with them as well. We ironed out the details over the next few months and shot in three locations over two days. I was able to work with actress and model Shoshanna Withers, who is a close friend of mine as well as Jehiah Bray, who played our villain.

One of the striking things about this video are the gorgeous locations. Steve Walter, owner of The Cutting Room in Midtown, let me use his beautiful venue to shoot performance and date footage. We also filmed in Connecticut at my friend’s lovely home and even did some guerilla style scenes on the streets of New York. It was a whirlwind and such a blast!

I wrote, directed and Edited the video so it was a completely immersive experience for me and an opportunity to share my visual arts skills as well as musical. All I can say is I’m surrounded with people who are supportive and talented and I am truly blessed.

Staytus is the musical alter-ego of Arizona-based recording prodigy Sam Grundemann, who fuses the immersive sensibility of gaming culture and the moody, stylized futurism of anime with Gen X-inspired angst, all set to a serrated electro-industrial goth metal soundtrack. 

A black-winged avatar come to deliver reckoning for the onslaught of challenges today’s young adults have to navigate, Grundemann’s ability to translate trauma, betrayal, heartbreak, grief and anxiety into sound from a non-neurotypical perspective arrives not a moment too soon.

“Depravity Bites,” the latest single from her upcoming sophomore full-length Wasteland of Broken Hearts, out today, goes for an even starker edge than previous single “Lovesick.” The “Depravity Bites” video sees Grundemann incorporating BDSM imagery for the first time, alternating between a whip and the guitar that has become the centerpiece of her sonic arsenal. Once again, Grundemann shows that she can match her prodigious DAW chops with a burgeoning sense of songcraft.

Listen to the album here:

For Grundemann—a multi-instrumentalist who acquired multiple recording degrees and certifications by the ripe old age of 17—riffing, writing, programming, recording and sound-design all derive from the same creative life force that fires her imagination. And the high-resolution, surround-like ambience of her music demands that we make a distinction between bedroom producer and auteur. With her vision growing by leaps and bounds, Grundemann has crafted an album that grips your attention from start to finish and unfolds much like a film. 

In an age where the full-length album is supposedly dead and buried, Grundemann is doggedly striving to revive the epic appeal of Nine Inch Nails’ classic double album The Fragile. She also unabashedly wears the influence of groups like KoRn, Orgy, Kittie, Black Dresses and How To Destroy Angels on her sleeve. If there’s one act poised to give nu metal a modern makeover so that the familiar riffs, grooves and attitude hit us as fresh and stylish to us again, it’s Staytus. 

Kandle can weave magic so powerful because she feels it too, she is out here in the darkness with us. A true music industry veteran, she has been a powerhouse in the scene with an impressive career spanning over a decade.

“Live A Lie” is the first single off her next album to be released spring 2024. Coming back bolder than ever, self-produced and in charge, this fearless chanteuse shows us once again that her cinematic, raw songwriting can’t be packaged up and put in one simple category. With a wide range of influences ranging from Portishead to PJ Harvey, “Live A Lie” is a hypnotic taste from one of Canada’s finest songwriters.

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

Live A Lie is a reflection on a society that’s burnt out from living in a structure that doesn’t work anymore. After struggling so much myself the last few years with mental and physical health, exhaustion and the near impossible cost of living, the song seemed to almost write itself. I chose to visualize this song specifically because it felt important and relatable and it had a lot of raw emotion. With the sound so influenced by 90s alt rock/trip hop sounds, my mind was time travelling, and all I could see was The X-Files. What better way to tell the story of living a lie than by searching for the truth with everybody’s favourite FBI agents?

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

The first image that came to me was the blinding lights in the car. A chilling scene I remember seeing in an episode as a child that stuck with me for my entire life and brought all kinds of nostalgic curiosity with it. This song, and thus the video, is all about the struggle of searching for a reason, a buried truth; Mulder’s UFO hunt in the face of dense intrigue and deception parallels the average person’s search for an answer to why one must work oneself to death in order to achieve just the mere basics of life. I had to throw dancing into the idea, because really the whole message of the song is to break out of the hamster wheel. “Why aren’t we prioritizing fun in our lives anymore? Fuck it, let’s dance.”

3. What was the process of making this video?

This video was done incredibly DIY with a solid small group of friends and a nearly impossible timeline. My partner/co-writer Jeffrey Mitchell ran with my ideas, created the a treatment for the “episode” and took on the role of director. We shot most of it guerrilla-style in the dead of night, trying to look casual with our hazmat suits, FBI badges, movie lights and musical instruments every time the cops or fire department came by. With little budget to actually create a set, we used my aunt’s print shop which was conveniently filled with old computers, printing presses, and shredders. The outfits were plucked out of local thrift stores and one of my all-time favourite directors Brandon William Fletcher came on as cinematographer. He’s a huge X-Files fan, and he nailed the look, it looks absolutely gorgeous. The deadline was insane, we shot and edited the entire video in just over 48 hours. We were exhausted and excited, and a more than a little sore from all the dancing.

From Thunder Bay, ON, stardrop is here to ignite your senses through the power of music and video. Together, with her team of musical genius, they create catchy, soulful pop songs that aim to make softies like you feel like a badass.

Recently, stardrop recorded her first album with Toronto-based producers Tennyson King and Dan Hosh; a collection of self-love anthems that grant us all permission to be unapologetically ourselves. In collaboration with Scott MacKay, they’ve created story-based, character-driven, music videos that visually capture the essence of stardrop and her message.

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualise this song specifically? 

My song “Crown On” is about my day to day struggles of being a human adult. That familiar journey of feeling completely overwhelmed and incapable to then somehow softening and letting go into the mystery of life.  When I wrote “Crown On” I was feeling really stuck and frustrated, but music does this beautiful thing for me, where it allows me to step outside of myself and see a larger picture. As I sang the lyrics I could see this movie happening in my mind, like a short film, starring me and all my messy emotions. 

I knew I had to make this music video that was now playing out in my mind, because “Crown On” is more than just a song to me, it’s a glimpse into my emotional and creative world. It’s my opportunity to feel seen and connected, and it serves as this beautiful reminder that I’m not alone in my struggles. When someone tells me they resonated and felt emotional watching my Music Video, I feel this wonderful sense of connection, and purpose.

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

The inspiration behind the music video comes from different moments in my life where I had to let go of the status quo and just be my full weird self. I’ve always felt this pressure to hide parts of me to be “normal”. 

I wanted to create an honest, character driven video to show this emotional journey of self empowerment. I was so excited to be able to, not only express myself through music and metaphors, but through visuals that go beyond the walls of reality and into my imagination. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

Making this music video was an incredibly fulfilling process for me. Our crew consisted of three; myself, Jesse Hebert and Scott MacKay. We were a dream team. It was our first time working together but boy did we click! Since the vision for the video was already so clear in my mind, I began by drawing out the storyboard (a sequence of drawings that illustrate the different shots that will be filmed). I choreographed a dance number and started teaching it to my dance friends. I called Mario’s Bowl, (one of the local bowling alleys in Thunder Bay), casted my friends, and rallied up some pals to stand around and look cute in the background. It was an incredibly empowering experience for me to produce, write, direct, edit and star in my own project. I still get emotional remembering how good it felt on set. We were filming a scene where I’m singing “I’m right where I need to be!” and those words hit me right in the freaking soul! My own lyrics had never felt more true. That feeling hits me everytime I watch the video now, because it all began as this vision in my mind and now it exists in the world! Honestly, making this video was one of the best experiences of my life.
 A princess locked away in a tower waiting, and waiting. Waiting for my big break as a performer, waiting for a man to come along and make me feel loved and valued. My song “Crown On” was inspired by the moment I broke free from this trap, and climbed outta that dang tower!

The Lazys have been doing the hard yards carving their name into the stables of modern rock since 2007. With a reputation for electrifying live performances and a sound that delivers the true essence of rock, it’s no surprise that the band’s reputation over the last decade has spread from their home shores of Australia to North America, Europe and beyond.

Explosive new track, “Rattle Them Bones,” embodies their trials, tribulations and resurrection throughout the pandemic and its aftermath. Inspired by the frustration of not knowing when or how things would ever get back to normal, it also offers the positive thought that we will all eventually break out of this curse. 

Introducing Malade, the gloss-pop project of Montreal-based singer, songwriter and producer Camille Brown. RnB groove meets crafty pop in this playful, maximalist endeavor.

“Give Up”, produced by her longtime friend and engineer Damien Muller, is Malade’s latest single and most earnest girlpop effort. A hot pink earful, the track exudes post-breakup acrimony, which Malade’s vocals express almost as a mockery. Countermelodies shimmer atop a gloating bass and textured drums. “I’m on the other side of a time where I had to let go of some relationships that weren’t serving me,” she reminisces. “The hyperfeminine pop persona that emerged from that pain was almost like a guardian angel, or a shield to me. The next few releases from this project really reflect that sugar coated, lacquered coping.”