Dany Horovitz is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for delighting audiences with his memorable melodies and beautiful storytelling through vivid lyrics of love, loss, and life, drawing inspiration from ancient poets, modern philosophers, and personal experiences. Born to a middle-class Jewish family in Montreal and raised outside Toronto, Dany’s music is infused with modern takes on familiar sounds: melodic guitar and piano chords, popping bass licks, and toe-tapping percussion. What kind of advice could you give a young kid in this world? For Dany, he wanted to be prepared if his nieces and nephews wanted to ask the cool uncle for life advice. Here’s what he came up with: try to be your best self as much as you can; forgive yourself when you’re not your best, because that will happen, then try again; and, forgive others too whether they ask for it or not. Basically, be good. That is the essence of his new song, “Be Good.”The writer Aldous Huxley coined the term “Phanerothyme” to describe the category of mind-altering drugs that would instead become known as “psychedelics.” It is based on the Greek words “phanein” (to reveal) and “thymos” (mind). This album is called Phanerorhyme as a nod to the fact music, too, is a mind-altering substance.

Neurodivergent underground cult figure BDEE (pronounced “Bee-Dee”, a tribute to Dee Dee Ramone) has written and recorded over 2000 songs and put out nearly 200 releases in his 26 years of activity as a musician. Like outsider icons Wesley Willis and Daniel Johnston, BDEE has hovered at the margins while steadily growing a cult following drawn to his one-of-a-kind personality. In BDEE’s case, his rambunctious live shows, prolific output, and dizzying versatility have also contributed to his near-mythical stature among his followers. Over the years, the Jamaican import has encompassed punk, shoegaze, hip hop, indie, goth, and everything in between, making it next to impossible to put what he does into a single box.

Will of BDEE shares:

“Daysleeper” is the first of eight live videos from BDEE + the venomous oranges’ performance at the Dinos in Vietnam Sessions. Recorded at Grifters Studio in Massapequa Park, Long Island. The oranges are joined by drummer Hugo Lopez, who has been a significant contributor to the band for several years. “Daysleeper” is on BDEE + the venomous oranges new ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRUM EP streaming everywhere now!

The sessions, started in 2020 by Jay Carrie and Will Forthman, were created as an alternative to live shows during the pandemic, giving bands the opportunity to document their live sets and give a much needed outlet in some very isolating times. Dinos in Vietnam morphed from a DIY label to a production company and has been constantly putting out bands live sets ever since. Paul Motisi manned the second camera for this session. Check out more from Dinos in Vietnam Productions on their YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/@dinosinvietnam

BDEE + the venomous oranges crafted their new album  Ultraviolet Spectrum in the hopes that like minded neurodivergence folks will be able to relate. All too often, people on the spectrum find themselves on the outside looking in. This new set of songs is the band’s way of speaking to that experience. Ultraviolet Spectrum goes out into the world as a beacon of support, as well as an attempt to help eliminate negative taboos surrounding autism, mental illness, and all developmental “disabilities.” BDEE + the venomous oranges want to personally let you know that acting and thinking differently than “normies” should not be considered a disability.

As we continue to move through the 21st century, we should look ahead to a world where there’s room for everyone on this wonderful, challenging ultraviolet spectrum we call life.

In her musical realm, Jennifer Harper seamlessly blends the nostalgia of the 1970’s with a contemporary flair, adorning her sound with a new layer of uplifting pop. Possessing a rich vocal timbre and lyrics that invite introspection, Jennifer Harper has an innate ability to captivate listeners, guiding them into the realms of her contemplative and secure artistry. Beyond the mere realms of artistic expression, for Harper, music is an unwavering message woven into the very fabric of her being—a sentiment that has echoed since the days of her childhood. “Remembrance” transcends the conventional confines of a mere song; it emerges as a resounding statement of purpose, a melodic manifesto that celebrates the enduring spirit of pursuing one’s deepest dreams.

Tell us the story of this song,

This is a hope filled song about remembering your power, remembering who you are and who you came here to be.   

I was inspired to write this song after completing a year studying Human Design and Gene Keys.  As I embodied the teachings – I wove what I learned into my musical creations.  It was also inspired by my experience in a group led by a woman trained in Andean Shamanism.  

I wrote this song about my own remembrance – with a lightness and joy.  I wrote it easily and effortlessly. It was a deeply honest and clear expression of how I feel and my heartfelt wish for others.  

I almost called it “Rest Your Head” as it is about rest and reset.  It is about honoring our feminine energy rather than pushing so hard all the time in the masculine – in the machine that is our modern society. 

However, the core message of the song is remembering who you are on a soul level.   Thus, I decided to call it “Remembrance” 

It is a song to awaken, particularly in women, a remembrance of our power.  A remembrance of our ancient lineages – a time of healers and priestesses, a time of matriarchy.  

why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

In this video I wanted to capture my own remembrance. Over the past 5 years I have experienced many visions of other worlds, past lives, alternate realities – I’m not quite sure what to call them other than remembrances, because that is how they feel.

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

I have spent many hours in reverie on my bed much like this – in guided activations where my imagination and dreams have blossomed. Very prominent in my visions are ancient temples where women offer healing, initiations and rites of passage. Ceremonies of such beauty, peace and power. Crystals everywhere. It was my intention to capture but a glimpse of how this feels to me.

What was the process of making this video?

We filmed over 2 days. Partially in my home and then at a local park on the water.

It was not easy to figure out how to create the ideas I had without a larger cast, costumes and make up.  My first idea was to create an animated video.  It would have been more straightforward to literally illustrate fantastical images. I really wanted it to feel other worldly.

Ultimately, I chose to work with Heather Seybolt, who I have co created other videos with.  I decided to add visual effects  to differentiate the parts that were dream sequences/ the remembrance.  I wanted it to feel like me but not me – this world but not this world.  A remembrance.

—–

Grateful for the support of her fans, Harper sees herself as an inspiring example that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams. Join Jennifer Harper on this musical odyssey, where each note resonates with meaning, each lyric echoes with purpose, and “Remembrance” becomes a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression.

Renowned as a jazz vocalist and songwriter hailing from Melbourne, Connie Lansberg stands as a paradigm of avant-garde artistry within the realm of jazz vocals. Her latest composition, the exquisite single “Free,” transcends traditional boundaries, seamlessly blending graceful strength and refined power. Lansberg’s performance can be likened to a poised connoisseur engaged in a soul-stirring arm-wrestling match—a demonstration of extraordinary musical prowess.

A labor of love a decade in the making, “Free” unveils Lansberg’s meticulous craftsmanship, safeguarded as a clandestine treasure until the fortuitous alignment of cosmic forces. A collaboration with jazz pianist Mark Fitzgibbon has yielded a delicate dynamism, evoking both comfort and compulsion. This tender ballad, a standout track on Lansberg’s self-produced album, “Alone with Bees,” was recorded in a single take, featuring the talents of Fitzgibbon on piano, Ben Hanlon on double bass, and Peter Hodges on drums—a testament to Lansberg’s exceptional songwriting and producing skills.

In this musical gem, Lansberg’s vocal finesse serves as an energy healer’s scalpel, cutting through discord to access the core of emotional depth. Positioned as a harbinger of the future of jazz, Lansberg’s “Free” is an irresistible invitation to a transformative auditory experience. The juxtaposition of gentle yet formidable forces in Lansberg’s vocals, coupled with Fitzgibbon’s nuanced piano accompaniment, explores intricate themes of happiness, freedom, and the lingering shadows of the past—a captivating journey that navigates introspection with emancipation.

Reflecting on the recording process, Lansberg shares, “Being in the studio with my three favorite musicians was such a joy. And then hearing them so completely respect the delicacy of this song, it just blew me away.” This glimpse into the behind-the-scenes underscores the profound connection and mutual respect among the talented ensemble. Connie Lansberg’s “Free” emerges as an epitome of “delicate dynamism,” offering a masterclass in musical storytelling that implores listeners to confront their past traumas. Through Lansberg’s evocative narrative and her unique fusion of jazz, classical, and country influences, “Free” asserts itself as an absolute must-listen—an immersive sonic experience that transcends conventional boundaries.

Alex Coley is a Nova Scotia-based songwriter and indie-folk musician with an affinity for novelty, big feelings and good questions. Built around his soulful, worn-in voice and wrapped in tender harmonies, Alex Coley & Afterlove explore the elemental tension between joy and pain; heartache and healing; what was and what will be.

I don’t want to talk, I just want to be with you. The ending of the relationship that inspired “Silent in my Car” felt definite, but Alex longed for the friendship they had before things were romantic. He simply missed sitting silently in her company.

His vulnerable and intimate lyrics will be sure to dredge up feelings you forgot were there – inviting you to gracefully move through melancholy. The deeply emotional, stirring song offers a clarity you can often only find when you get really quiet; at the end of a long winding road traveled alone.

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

I wrote this song at a low point during the pandemic. When I was loneliest and hadn’t touched another person for 6 weeks. So even though ending the relationship was right, I kept finding myself longing for her company That’s really what this song is about, that longing for a person. Longing for the ease you felt around a person. After our breakup, I often wished that we could just sit silently together; I just wanted to be effortlessly near her again – not debriefing our break up or fighting about who did what, just silently in her company. There’s something about this song that feels universal and simple; I just missed her.

This song feels so nostalgic to me and the lyrics are full of visual language. It’s a song that I have really clear visual associations for – sitting alone in a car, in an empty parking lot, in the dark, under the glow of a single street light. It made Silent in my Car and easy choice for a video. This is also a song the band really wanted to highlight. It captures the emotion and honesty of our music and we wanted to bring more attention to the song through a video.

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

 We really just riffed on the visual that I described above – sitting alone in a car, in an empty parking lot, in the dark, under the glow of a single street light – and we got really lucky – a big fog bank rolled in and gave the video a texture I’d hoped for. We also played with the idea of how we could bring the memory of my ex into the video. We didn’t want to use any tricks, but we tried to capture the feeling of longing, of having her on my mind, and of missing her. Really, it’s a simple song with a simple video based on a simple idea that is just shot really beautifully. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

Connor Robins, the lead guitarist in Afterlove, directed the video. He’s a long-time friend so it was easy to get creative and throw ideas around. We had explored a lot of different ideas before deciding to keep things simple. When we brought John Walsh (cinematography) and Joe Ciarrocco in to assist they brought things to life. John and Joe have such a goodeye for beautiful shots and tasteful lighting. Once we had the general flow of the video fleshed out, we borrowed my pal’s old VW, found an empty dark parking lot to get started, and then zoomed around old town Lunenburg in search of cool shots. 
Forthcoming debut album The Arc arrives at the end of this locked-down, fearful era when gazing backward was all we had, serving as a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of introspection. Alex Coley & Afterlove‘s music reminds us that the darkest, windiest days are often the days we feel deeper and love harder.