AFROJACK and Mike Williams Won’t Leave You ‘Alone’

GRAMMY Award-winning producer and global dance music icon AFROJACK and Mike Williams are two of the most prominent names in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, and their collaboration on “Alone” is causing a lot of excitement among fans of the genre. The two producers have been teasing the track in their sets for months, building anticipation for its official release.

For AFROJACK, “Alone” represents another step in his evolution as a producer. Over the years, he has established himself as a master of his own AFROJACK sound, blending hard-hitting beats with catchy melodies and infectious hooks. With “Alone,” he takes his sound to new heights, crafting a track that is both powerful and uplifting.

“Mike is a good friend and amazing producer, was a pleasure to work with him and even debut it on mainstage ultra last weekend! Excited to hear it played around the world all festival season!” – AFROJACK

Mike Williams, meanwhile, is known for his ability to create tracks that are both melodic and filthy. His music is characterized by soaring synths and driving basslines, “Alone” is no exception. Together with AFROJACK, he has created a track that is sure to get hearts pounding and feet moving on dancefloors around the world.

“Feels incredible to do this track together with Nick. I played an early version of this track in my Tomorrowland Winter set and Nick was actually in the crowd listening, after the set he came to me and asked what track that was. We decided to work on it together.

He added so much cool stuff and the track became truly a combination of our styles. Hope everyone likes this dance floor banger!!” – Mike Williams

The two producers have been friends for a while, and their mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work is evident in “Alone.” The track is a testament to their shared vision for the future of EDM, and a showcase for their individual talents as producers and musicians.

With “Alone,” AFROJACK and Mike Williams have once again proven why they are two of the most exciting and innovative producers in the EDM scene today. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the genre, this track is sure to get you pumped up and ready to party. So turn up the volume, hit play, and let the music take you away!

vidpoet and Sperry bring another installment of art bap you will love to love

Art Therapy Part Two is here, picking right up where Part One left off, like at the bus
depot, pocket full of trust dividends waiting to hop into an uber and go somewhere to
think, write, or groove. And it might be a real good thing, if. . . .
. . . there were more room in the hip hop sphere for involved lyricism, or if there were a
premium placed on completely DIY production creeping close to radio quality, or if
there were more of an appetite for the truly independent aesthetic and not the
mainstreaming of everything as filtered through trope and cliche. . . .
However, there is the sense that vidpoet believes in an audience for his work—that, in
reality, none of the above is prohibitive.

No mistake, this is art rap with a golden-age scabbard. This second installment of the
Art Therapy series prides itself on an awareness of the music’s roots as well as its
trajectory. The formula is simple: a sorta-Philly emcee, vidpoet, over an Egg Harbor
City native, Steve Sperry. The result: engaging, colorlful, something outside the box,
but maybe with one foot still in it almost squarely as a pun.
Here, vidpoet’s poetry finds renewal through Sperry’s interpretations. It’s hard to
pinpoint what makes this music sound old and new at the same time. While vid and
Sperry have no designs on pigeon-holing themselves as a new bap [sic] or boom trap
duo, for purposes of Art Therapy, that is precisely what they are, and to great effect.
The sly suggestion here is that this stuff may seem—seem—easy to make. Full-on
verses, yes . . . no punch-ins . . . considering the phraseology,
vidpoet bringing his typical atypical on this EP, with plenty of provocation and imagery.
His delivery may be somewhat unorthodox, but he hits enough snares to justify his
sometimes following secondary, even tertiary elements in Sperry’s deceptively simple,
or simply complex, offerings.
Art Therapy, Pt. 2 celebrates what can occur when two artists come together,
recognizing what the other is worth. This has been, and will continue to be the story,
with at least two more installments of Art Therapy in the pipeline.

Getting it done in the living room is no badge of honor, necessarily, but when it starts to
sound like this, maybe it’s time to start paying attention. At the end of the day, “indie
rap” is not really a sound, or even a style. If it’s an approach, however, then it’s safe to
say vid and Sperry would happily fly that banner. Maybe it has more to do with the
point of entry than anything else? But to seem straight ahead while delivering aslant
does require a certain amount of skill, and perhaps to the more discerning ear, all of
this will resonate . . . and if not, this music would content itself besides, with vid’s
origami preciosity and willful obtuse re-contextualizations, and, of course, Sperry’s
natural inventiveness as a producer.
In the great tradition of rap music, Art Therapy Part Two was realized when Sperry
handed some hot tracks to vidpoet, and the latter spat over them. If expectoration
does not suffice to be a higher form, then imagine saying a rhyme in time over
something that you’re really feeling, maybe reading off your phone, watching your
touch screen fill up with droplets of saliva—some kind of guide to how to do it right.
That was the aim here, without putting on airs, to make this music in the manner in
which it was intended to be made. And some would say, this creative intention never
really strayed that far, only it may be more evident in certain places?

KAYAM RELEASE THEIR SECOND ALBUM: “OMENS”NEW LP BLENDS FOLK, INDIE-POP, AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC

KAYAM is no stranger to creating music that defies the usual expectation, and
its most recent release, “Omens,” is a perfect example of what it means to set the bar higher in
terms of one-of-a-kind enthusiasm and innovation. This release happens to be the siblings’
sophomore full-length. The duo, which consists of siblings Kim and Mike Rauss, features a huge
range of creative influences, to the point that they affectionately refer to their wide-ranging
sound as “Falafel Pop,” not only a reference to the fusion of styles that defines their music, but
also a tribute to one of their favorite foods: chickpeas!
From the intimacy of folk to indie-pop, organic sounds, and alternative, the sound of the duo has
a lot to offer in terms of nuances and originality. The diverse sounds that animate the band’s
music are deeply interlinked with the pair’s diverse backgrounds in life. The siblings enjoyed a
multicultural upbringing, as they experienced life in places as diverse as England, Germany,
and Israel. All of these places and their different twists really inspired the band’s music and
ability to continually expand their soundscape in order to portray a vast range of personal
experiences and beyond. If you have the chance to witness a live performance from the duo,
you’ll certainly notice how KAYAM’s music is incredibly layered. Kim, who provides beautiful
vocals, also plays the Celtic Harp. This instrument brings a magical, almost otherworldly vibe to
the duo’s sound. Mike is a versatile performer who plays guitar and sings. In addition, he also
builds intricate fabrics of looped parts, often using his guitar as a percussive instrument and
even beatboxing from time to time!
The album features eleven songs, including the track “Omens” which is the album’s
groundbreaking lead single. KAYAM are always ready to embrace new creative challenges and

take their music to a more personal dimension, allowing their creativity and wide range of
influences to stand out. From the edge of alternative music down to the melodies of alt-pop, Kim
and Mike are always eager to splice up different influences into a cohesive and one-of-a-kind
sound.
KAYAM value the ability to approach music from a very eclectic point of view and a style that
could be described as a fusion of genres. This is exactly what the audience can experience on
the album’s lead single “Omens,” which is a truly amazing achievement from the duo. The song
offers a really interesting and pristine sound with some lush acoustic guitars, gentle harp and
soothing vocals, in the vein of artists such as Sufjan Stevens or Elliott Smith. “Mike’s Trip to the
Desert” has a different vibe, with a psychedelic touch and some dreamy soundscapes that make
the formula all the more haunting and mesmerizing. In addition, “Lately” brings back some of the
more intimate tones and some electronic experimentation to the mix. “Let’s go for a walk” adds
to the variety of the album with some articulate acoustic arpeggios and ambient tones, while
retaining the intimacy that makes the album so special. “11 Days” brings some field recordings
to the mix to add to the organic nature of the mix, offering a more spontaneous flow.
Each tune is an opportunity for the siblings to let their creative side shine and explore new ideas
and a funky / blues touch that makes it stand out. “A Dreamt Up Moment” brings back the lush
acoustic tones with an intricate layering of arpeggios and a truly stunning, cinematic
atmosphere. “Bloom” follows right after, giving the album yet another touch of organic sounds
and a distinctive rhythm using the guitar as a percussive instrument. “Atlas” lets the many vocal
layers through, and the result is a soothing, peaceful and almost spiritual atmosphere that
makes the sound very dream-like and otherworldly, along with the stunning stringed
instruments. “Personal Song,” is energetic and edgy yet extremely nuanced. This song stands
out as a great introduction to the pair’s concept, highlighting the siblings’ ability to consistently
spice things up with innovative sounds. Last but not least, “Kim’s Fairy Memory” is another
beautiful acoustic interlude with melancholic Harp arpeggios and a dreamy atmosphere.
This release is a great new beginning for KAYAM and an exciting chapter that makes this
release so special and one-of-a-kind, a perfect calling card for the artist.
Find out more about KAYAM and listen to “Omens.” This release is going to be available on all
digital music streaming services from February 16th, 2023.
KAYAM’s music is highly recommended to fans of artists such as Blanco White, Nick Mulvey,
Billie Marten, and Rhye. Their sound falls along the same lines, but it adds a distinctive
personality that makes it stand out. “Omens” is a perfect example of this, and it stands out as a
really great introduction to the sound of a duo with a focus on bringing an innovative twist to the
music. KAYAM is eager to let its creative side shine and defy the usual expectations and
constraints that make most artists fall into a comfort zone and into a creative rut. With KAYAM,
you can always expect a fresh, original sound with a unique flair and lots of layers.

From Brooklyn to Asbury Park: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Beastie Boys Grammy Winning Album Hello Nasty

On March 31st, House of Independents will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Hello Nasty, the Grammy winning platinum album by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Beastie Boys, with a live tribute concert. 

Asbury Park mainstays, Chris Rockwell Collective, will headline what promises to be a raucous evening, featuring loads of special guests and a set list of fan favorites. No strangers to the Beastie Boys catalog, the last time the group paid tribute to the iconic band was at The Stone Pony to a sold out crowd on New Year’s Eve 2018.Special guests for the evening include Kosha Dillz, cast member on MTV’s Wildin’ Out, and Alexander Simone, the grandson of legendary singer Nina Simone. Enlisted to assist on vocals are award winning Hip-Hop artist Nick Nubz, and internationally acclaimed rapper Andre Velazquez.“Beastie Boys are one of the biggest influences on my music, as well as who I am as a person,” says Chris Rockwell, who, like Beastie Boys, is originally from Brooklyn. “They fought for my right to party, and I won’t let them down.”In an effort to drum up local awareness and funds, portions of merchandise and ticket sales of the evening will be donated to Asbury Park African-American Music Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing accessible resources that reflect Asbury Park’s African American music heritage for the City of Asbury Park and others to use as a basis for interpretive heritage projects.The roster of talented musicians joining the stage for this momentous night includes Telegraph Hill Records recording artist Alixandria Gagliastro of the band Lake Champagne, plus Andrew Oliva, “BassKidd” Timmy Douglas, James Dalton, Josh Cabrera, and more.Location: House of Independents / Asbury Park, NJDate: March 31stTime: Doors 7pmTickets: $18 in Advance/ $20 at the doorwww.mrchrisrockwell.com for tickets

Alex Whorms’ Inspirational Single “One Day I’ll Be Gone”

Alex Whorms crafts music that is essentially a genre unto itself. From her beloved piano, the Hamilton singer, songwriter and screen composer flows freely and flawlessly between styles and sounds, gracefully blending classic singer-songwriter pop, jazz, rock, folk and almost anything else that strikes her fancy — while investing everything with honest tales and authentic emotions drawn from her own life and experiences. 

Alex shares “One Day I’ll Be Gone” in anticipation of her third EP due later this year. This is a song telling you to go for it, whatever “it” is. Not settling, or becoming complacent or too comfortable. It’s about chasing down those special moments and experiences, and truly appreciating them in the moment instead of wasting time “wishing and waiting” for them to happen.