One minute, St. John’s singer-songwriter Dave Whitty is cracking his audience up with tales of misadventures with friends, and the next he’s conjuring profound feelings of nostalgia or pain with stories of love, friendship, and the things that make Newfoundland special.
With over 15 years of experience playing live shows and three solo albums released since 2012, Dave has molded a one-of-a-kind vibe. His songwriting combines a distinctly East Coast sound with modern themes that resonate and his guitar style is self-taught, using a mixture of strumming, flat-picking and fingerpicking which is immediately recognizable as his own.
Following on the heels of “Ducks in a Row,” Dave is now sharing the second single from his upcoming fourth album, Long Way to Go (due out this September 2024). “Where I Belong” was loosely written with his grandparents in mind and for anyone who’s had to leave to go away for work. Being from the most easterly point in North America, Dave’s known of many people who have to travel far away to work. It’s not easy to always leave your loved ones, so this song is about that feeling of wanting to get back to your home… or where you belong.
I wrote this song very quickly one day while exploring different guitar tunings. There’s a guitar track in the tuning of CGDGGD and another in standard tuning. This recording also features some incredible Canadian artists. Joshua Van Tassel (percussion), Kendel Carson (fiddle), Todd Lumley (piano/organ), and Chad Murphy (electric guitar). – Dave Whitty
Growing up is a funny thing. The dream pop duo known as Jackie and her brother’s new song, “Just the Rain,” is about a blissful moment in time. You can remember the smell, the sounds, the sights. You took the risk, you lived the adventure and now it’s time to drive home. And during that drive, there’s nothing left to do but to be. Your heart, head and spirit are in the same place…all at once. With that you can let your senses play with that simple moment that will soon become a beautiful memory. A memory you only get to revisit properly if you were fully present in it.
Some of the lyrics are from a memory I have of my drive across Canada last year. We were driving along the Icefields Parkway in the shadow of these giant beautiful mountains and we could see sunshine all day, but behind us there were dark clouds following and finally when we stopped to rest, the rain took over and we knew it was time to go home. We were content with all the amazing sights and it was time to just reflect back on all the awesome moments we’d had.
Luke MacDonald is chasing luma. A multi-hyphenate project defined by introspection, chasing luma explores some of life’s most challenging yet fulfilling themes via beat-driven alternative pop. Balancing the energy of modern electronic music with the wistful nostalgia of contemporary indie music, chasing luma evokes emotion in equal parts through both story-telling and sonic excellence. At once deeply personal and universal to boot, chasing luma makes sincere music that prompts us to seek our own truth.
Luke has always been really into the 2000’s era of pop – born in 1998, his earliest musical memories come from that time. As he was finishing up his new single, “nervous,” he realized how much of the song’s DNA felt like the music from that time, but brought into the modern era of sonics – “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus came to mind when thinking of
I never like to dive too deep into the meanings of my songs, because I think it’s really beautiful to be able to assign whatever meaning feels appropriate to yourself as the listener. Generally, this song can kind of be viewed as revisiting old vices or situations and getting in your own way by indulging in things that don’t serve you anymore, even if you’re self aware about it being wrong for you. – chasing luma
Los Angeles’ Sam Weber (originally from British Columbia) is continuing his string of single releases leading up to the release of Clear and Plain, a meditative collection of intuitive songwriting out on August 23rd.
New single, “Void,” is a gently rollicking journey which muses on Weber’s time spent in New Mexico. Its stripped-backed instrumentation (glimmers of piano, guitar, and brushed drums) creates space for the great skies of this southern state to appear in our minds’ eye.
The laidback nature of music in “Void” juxtaposes a story within its lyrics which found Weber coming dangerously close to losing his life on the state’s highways.
[“Void”] was written around the time Mal and I went to Bosque Del Apache nature preserve outside of Socorro, NM so they could film and photograph the sandhill crane migration.
The same Socorro that’s known for the Lonnie Zamora Incident, one of the best documented
close encounters of the third kind. Driving north on the 25 highway, we were looking at emergency vehicles headed south in the opposite lane. I turned back to our lane and there was a car inside of 100 feet driving toward us on the wrong side of the road. I grabbed the wheel from Mal who was driving and ripped it into the passing lane, and we teetered on two wheels and almost rolled the car and died. I think some of that near mortal energy combined with all the alien energy made its way out of me in “Void.” –Sam Weber
Denise Marsa’s new album, PIVOTAL, marks a significant milestone in her prolific career as an award-winning singer-songwriter and keyboardist. This year, she released “Kiss Me in the Rain,” whose Until Dawn Remix reached #6 on the UK Music Week Commercial Club Charts, and “Rainbow” (Until Dawn Remix), celebrating love and inclusivity during Pride Month. PIVOTAL encapsulates Marsa’s years of dedication, showcasing her versatility with a diverse mix of genres. Known for her innovative blend of alt-indie pop, Marsa started her label, KeyMedia Group, in 1998, releasing her debut solo album “Self” to stellar reviews.
Marsa’s career began in NYC, performing in clubs and achieving early success with “Lucky Stars” and The Flirts’ “Helpless (You Took My Love).” She secured deals with Warner Bros UK and Warner Chappell US, later forming her band in Los Angeles and focusing on independent releases. Recently, Marsa signed with BMG Publishing US and debuted her one-woman show “The Pass,” winning the Best Concert Award at the 2021 United Solo Festival. Today we dive into her latest video for “Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet (Until Dawn Remix)” which Denise shares insight into below!
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
I believe certain spirits of those who have passed on linger, impacting us with their words or actions. This song is about those past spirits meeting our current spirit. I used a strobe light in the music video to create a dreamy, magical effect, signifying life and afterlife. It represents not giving up and still being in the game, speaking to myself and others who might feel like giving up. The first line of the song is inspired by my late mom Flora: “As if you were here, I can hear you telling me, girl, you can do anything you set your mind to.” I dedicated the video to her, performing center stage in all black, focusing on my face and words to emphasize the message.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
Inspired by classic films and often watching TCM, I aimed for a film noir vibe—contained, center stage, with stark lighting focusing on my face and lyrics. Wearing shades added a foreign film touch, like a 50s French movie star, fitting as I was named after French actress Denise Darcel. The counting part of the song was spontaneous and unrehearsed, reflecting the natural songwriting process.
3. What was the process of making this video?
I conceived the idea of shooting in two locations and called my frequent collaborator, photographer and videographer Bill Westmoreland, who lives nearby in the West Village. He liked my ideas, and we used his strobe light. We filmed me walking into my studio, presenting myself as tired and discouraged. Then, at his studio, we shot with the strobe light and dark setup, focusing on my face and singing. We did three takes, and I edited the video myself, mainly using the first take for its raw and real feel. The video includes images like me sitting on a block with my head down, a ship of ghosts representing those who have passed, and scenes of people on stairs symbolizing the ongoing struggle of life and dreams.
Johnny Polygon’s latest release, “Step 1,” is a profound and transformative hip-hop track marking a pivotal moment in his career. This powerful track delves into the most crucial step of his 12-step recovery process: admitting powerlessness over drugs and alcohol. With a career defined by his refusal to conform to industry norms, Johnny continues to push boundaries with his music, using his personal battles as fuel for his artistic expression.
“Step 1” captures the raw essence of Johnny’s journey towards sobriety. The song opens with a haunting melody that mirrors the introspection and vulnerability required to confront one’s addictions. Johnny’s lyrics are brutally honest, detailing his years spent indulging in vices and the eventual realization that his lifestyle was unsustainable. The line “the drugs didn’t get me high no more” poignantly encapsulates the moment when he hit rock bottom, a turning point that led him to seek help and embark on the path to recovery.
In Johnny’s words: “‘Step 1’ is about the most crucial step in my 12-step recovery process, admitting that I’m powerless against drugs and alcohol. I spent the majority of my life indulging my vices and taking advantage of my access to excess. Eventually, it all caught up with me, and the ‘drugs didn’t get me high no more.’”
Johnny Polygon’s journey is one of resilience and unwavering determination. Born in Ohio and raised in Oklahoma, Johnny’s musical roots are as diverse as his geographical upbringing. In 2004, he embarked on a life-changing journey to Los Angeles with just $297 in his pocket and a dream of becoming a rockstar. Over the next 15 years, he navigated the highs and lows of the music industry, living in New York and Los Angeles, and touring with legendary artists like Nas and Kid Cudi. His rockstar lifestyle, however, came with a heavy price.
In 2018, Johnny was diagnosed with heart disease, a diagnosis that exacerbated his struggles with mental health and substance abuse. This period was marked by near-death experiences and a desperate attempt to maintain control over his life. Initially, the idea of sobriety was met with denial and defensiveness, as Johnny feared losing the creative spark that defined his music. However, facing the brink of death forced him to reconsider, leading to his decision to enter rehab and commit to a life of sobriety.
Since his decision to get clean in 2023, Johnny has channeled his experiences into his music, documenting his recovery journey through powerful and evocative tracks. “Step 1” is the first release from his forthcoming conceptual album, which centers around themes of recovery, sobriety, and the ongoing battle with addiction. Recorded in his home studio, this album represents a significant milestone, marking his first project created and released during his first year of recovery.
Johnny Polygon’s refusal to compromise his unique sound has resonated with audiences worldwide. His music remains as innovative and authentic as ever, proving that his creative essence shines even brighter in the absence of substance dependency. His accolades include signing with DJ Green Lantern, featuring on Nas’ album with the song “Black President,” performing at the Presidential Inauguration and the Rock the Bells Concert, and collaborating with artists like Dead Prez and Kid Cudi. He has also toured independently across the US and Canada, been featured on NPR’s Heavy Rotation, voiced a kids show on National Geographic, and co-starred on an FX pilot. His Grammy nomination for work on Nas’ Untitled album is a testament to his enduring talent and influence in the music industry.
His music serves as an inspiration to anyone facing similar battles, offering hope and a reminder that it’s never too late to seek help and turn one’s life around. As Johnny continues to share his story through his music, he remains a beacon of authenticity and strength in an industry often characterized by excess and superficiality.
With a stellar rollout planned for his new album, Johnny Polygon is poised to make a significant impact with his honest and raw portrayal of addiction and recovery. “Step 1” is a bold and poignant introduction to this new chapter in his career, offering a glimpse into the profound transformation that has shaped his music and his life.
Modern Mystery 
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