by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’S WITH AMANA MELOME’

With her single “Con C.ALMA” and accompanying video, Amana Melome’ continues to create a space that is both deeply personal and quietly powerful.

“Con C.ALMA” is more than just a song. It’s a reflection of her philosophy on creativity, presence and moving through life at your own rhythm.

Filmed in the flower lined streets of Southern Spain and in her own creative studio, the video captures the calm, colour and intention that define this new chapter of her artistic journey. Rooted in themes of self-trust, patience and inner alignment, “Con C.ALMA” feels like a gentle invitation to slow down and reconnect both with ourselves and with the world around us.

We spoke with Melome’ about the symbolism behind the visuals, the spontaneous process of bringing the video to life and why flowers became the central metaphor for this beautifully unhurried release.

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

Con C.Alma is a song about doing things on your own way at your own pace, without letting the world rush you.

I felt flowers were very symbolic for the sentiment behind the song. You can’t rush a flower to bloom, and you can’t expect one flower to be exactly like another either! Just like people!

The intention was to create a video that felt elegant yet simple, colourful and calming like sunshine.

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

I intentionally inserted flowers in all of the visuals for this song! I made a wire flower for the cover of the single, I am wearing big flower earrings in the video and I am walking and dancing around the beautiful flower lined streets of Andalusia in Southern Spain.

There is a softness dancing with the boldness of the images, a calm and colourful sultry meets don’t mess with me vibe hahaha! I thought after waltzing around these beautiful streets, orange trees and fountains, ending up in my studio was the perfect ending to the story line.

Lighting my candles and painting, with flowers in my hair. This is my actual studio where I paint and record music, so it encapsulates my essence in a perfect way!

What was the process of making the video?

I had the vision of the vibe I wanted to create, and called in my good friend and amazing makeup artist Kirsten (shoutout to @kirstenpromakeup) who is always game to get creative together!

I pulled the clothes and accessories from my closet. Once I explained my vision, she found a walking map of the flower-lined streets in the area, and off we went!

2 iPhones in hand and a tripod! We walked through all of the areas, I sang the song through once (sometimes twice) at each, and we kept it moving. Once I left her, I drove to my studio…and it hit me: that could be a perfect closing scene! Super unplanned I filmed all of the studio images by myself! Opening the door, to lighting the candles, to painting and dancing in the mirror. I was just imagining fun edits…and I happened to have two big white flowers in my studio (the last of a bouquet gifted to me on my birthday a few days before). I chose my favorite clips and the rest is history!

I am very happy with how the video turned out!

Keep up with everything Amana Melome’ on her Website

06.30.25

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH CLEMENTINE MOSS

As a founding member of the all female Led Zeppelin tribute band ZEPPARELLA, and the force behind introspective solo projects like Nothing Will Keep Us Apart and Clem & Clearlight, Clementine Moss has long balanced raw rock power with a spiritual depth.

Her latest work continues this exploration, blending poetic songwriting with personal transformation.

In this exclusive interview, Clementine opens up about the emotional and spiritual shifts that inspired one of her most evocative songs called “Coming to Meet The Blues”.

Created during her journey toward sobriety, the track and its accompanying music video captures the ache of existential questioning and the haunting beauty of roads not taken. Working closely with visual artist Luigi Florente of Blackstars Studio, Clementine brings to life a narrative of romantic memory, longing and awakening. All framed through a vintage lens that echoes the soul of the song.

Here, she walks us through the heart of the piece, the vision behind the visuals and how art continues to help her meet life without the veil:

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

I wrote the album, and this song in particular, as my life was shifting and I was becoming sober. The songs on the record ended up being a kind of love letter to the life I was leaving behind, the late nights in bars, substance-induced hazy moments where judgment was maybe not present. Those moments could be beautiful and creative, but also illusory and over time I began to be more excited by meeting life without a veil.

This song is about that feeling of longing that is existential, when alcohol takes over and you begin to question all the choices that brought you to this point. The narrator of the song sees someone across the bar and paths not taken come into view and amplify the question… have I made the right choices? Is this where I thought I was going? Is the uncertainty I feel about myself truth or mistake?

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

I work with Luigi Florente of Blackstars Studio in Spain to do the videos for the album. I ask that he work with clips and footage without AI generation, and he has a wonderful way of getting inside the song and telling the story. He chose to tell the story of lost love here, and we loved the romantic visuals.

3. What was the process of making the video?

Luigi finds the clips and puts the story together, and then I bring the video into Wondershare and add some lighting and texture. I love working in that program, as there are so many options to use so easily. I love things to look vintage, and the various options of light leak filters really add to the romance.

06.20.25

by Jane Lambert

Slow Burn Elegance – Lil’ Red & The Rooster Shine on Latest Single “Melancholy Mood”

Lil’ Red & The Rooster slow the pace and turn up the elegance on “Melancholy Mood,” the fourth single from their forthcoming album 7.

With a tip of the hat to blues greats T-Bone Walker and Dinah Washington, this track is a smoky and slow burning gem dripping with class, control and emotional finesse.

Jennifer “Lil’ Red” Milligan delivers the vocals with a velvet gloved hand, allowing every word linger in the air like perfume in a dimly lit club. There’s pain here for sure, but it’s the kind of pain worn like a tailored dress – graceful, knowing and timeless. Her phrasing moves with the same unhurried confidence as a singer who understands what it means to have restrain.

Pascal Fouquet’s guitar work is pure vintage cool. His tone is warm and articulate, never showy. It’s just the right bends, the right space and the kind of touch that makes the blues feel intimate and eternal.

Bobby Floyd’s B3 organ swells beneath the track with a soulful subtlety, while Jean Marc Despeignes (bass) and Pascal Mucci (drums) keep things locked in with a hushed, heartbeat rhythm section that lets the emotion breathe.

As part of 7, “Melancholy Mood” feels a lot like a candlelit centerpiece. A moment of reflection that invites listeners to lean in closer. It’s not just a love letter to classic blues, but a confident entry in that lineage, re-imagined with the Rooster’s signature “retro modern” touch.

In a world that often moves too fast, “Melancholy Mood” is a reminder that sometimes the deepest feeling comes in the quietest swing.

Lil’ Red & The Rooster’s upcoming album 7 is a rich blend of gospel, blues, retro soul, and pop jazz rooted in a distinctly 1960’s vibe. Featuring seven original tracks, including an instrumental and a gospel blues opener, the album explores themes of freedom and soulful transformation. With Grammy-nominated Bobby Floyd on B3 and piano, 7 is both elegant and gritty, nostalgic and fresh.

The full album drops August 22, 2025, with singles released every three weeks along the way!

Find out all about Lil’ Red & The Rooster on their Website

02.11.25

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’S WITH GAVIN HOLLIGAN

From the roar of the football pitch to the soul-stirring acoustics of Abbey Road, Gavin Holligan’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Once a rising star in the world of professional football, he made the bold leap into music, carving out a career that has seen him work with legends like Stevie Wonder, Gloria Gaynor, and Duffy.

But beyond the session gigs and high-profile collaborations, Gavin’s true creativity lies in his ability to create deeply personal, timeless music. Songs that stir you on a deep leve.

His latest release “Just Passing Through“is no exception. Inspired by the fear of losing a close friend to cancer, the song captures the raw emotion of grief, love and the fleeting nature of life.

Recorded live at the now iconic Abbey Road Studios, this track strips everything back to its very essence – pure, unfiltered storytelling through music. In this interview, Gavin shares the deeply personal journey behind the song, the magic of recording, and what it means to create something timeless.

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

The song was inspired by the pending thought of losing a close friend and colleague who was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Fortunately he has made a full recovery, but the whole experience hit me deeply, and made me consider that we are all facing the inevitability of our departure from this life, or at some point likely to lose someone that we love and appreciate dearly.

Less than a year after writing the song, I was invited by a record label to record a couple of my original songs, live at Abbey Road, and I thought it would be the right time to express this piece, and do it in the most honest and meaningful way, especially after having lost a good friend and colleague of mine, (a separate incident to my other friend, also to a brutal bout of cancer).

My next challenge became figuring out who would be able to assist me musically, but I was fortunate to have the good pleasure of being accompanied by some of the best musicians I know! I and the core musical line up, met for a meet and greet – the day before to play through the song and feel our way through the structure, and make sure we were all on ‘the same page’. And then we did one final run through in the morning of the shoot – before the trip to Abbey road, where we met the String players for a final top and tail on set.

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

So much of my time is spent carefully crafting music/records (for myself and others), with the use of software, samples, and machines! . Whilst this is an amazing and enjoyable process (for the most part) there is something magical about capturing a live take of a song, in one take, with humans in the room. The video is literally a documentation of that exact moment, when we all found a way to connect with the song, and each other, and do it seamlessly! It was all about maintaining the integrity of the sentiment of the arrangement and the lyrics, by bringing a level of simplicity and honesty to the performance, which I believe can be very hard to do, but I feel that we did thankfully!

3. What was the process of making the video?

There was an enormous amount of pressure, as we only had around 45 mins to get in and set up, do a quick sound check, and execute the song! Most of the magic of the video is in witnessing the beauty of the music/arrangement, the lyrics, and of course, the honesty caught on camera. There was literally no way of preparing for that moment, other than being ‘fully present’, and of course knowing how to deliver in your chosen craft (performers and crew).

There was a camera team set up and an audio team already assembled to capture the moment, and we literally had time enough to record 3 takes of the track.

We then decided on which take was the best take, and I believe it was take three that we chose as the best take!

Even the camera edit was done live, so all in all, a very efficient process and an incredible outcome considering all the variables!

I am really pleased the world can enjoy this art in such an authentic way.

11.22.24

by Jane Lambert

Laura Baron’s “Beauty in the Broken” is a Mesmerizing Meditation on Vulnerability and Hope

In a world where music often feels crafted to fit industry molds, chasing trends or filling a commercial void, Laura Baron’s new album Beauty in the Broken stands out for its authenticity and artistic intuition.

Her songs don’t follow any pre-set formulas or calculated gimmicks but, instead, they flow with a natural grace, shaped by genuine emotion and life’s unpredictability.

Listen in here:

Guided by the rhythms of experience, each track feels like a reflection of a specific moment.

From the uplifting energy of “Walking on Water” to the quiet introspection of the title track, Baron lets the music lead her and allows for an organic exploration of joy, heartbreak, and healing.

It’s this sense of freedom – this refusal to cater to anything but the soul of the song – that makes Beauty in the Broken such a compelling listen. Baron’s warm and dynamic vocals have the ability to glide over the upbeat instrumentation.

In the title track, “Beauty In The Broken”, the song marries delicate acoustic guitar and tender strings, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and expansive. The poeticism in the lyrics conveying a profound sense of healing and acceptance, reminding us of the grace that can emerge from even the most challenging experiences.

Then there’s “Misfits and Renegades,” a celebratory track that pulses with energy and infectious optimism. Blending folk and blues, the song’s vibrant piano lines and vocal harmonies create an empowering narrative about embracing individuality and defying expectations.

Baron also brings a touch of romance and intimacy with “Enchanté,” a lush and atmospheric track that blends folk and jazz in a way that recalls the emotional complexity of early Nick Drake. The song’s soft, tender melodies underscored by rich guitar work and a dreamy vibe that transports you into the world of quiet longing and connection.

Perhaps most surprising is her re-imagining of the 1931 classic “Dream a Little Dream.” With its gentle, stripped-down arrangement, Baron gives the song a new life, elevating it with intricate guitar work and lush vocal harmonies. It’s a beautiful moment on the album, showing an ability to take something familiar and turn it into something completely her own.

Produced with precision by Marco Delmar, the sound is lush and inticate without being over produced.

With the title to guide us, we are swept up in the flow of the album. The great thing about music like this is that the listener can allow the music to conjure our own thoughts, allowing enough space to take its own unique message and arrive at its own conclusions about life.

As an artist, Laura Baron has always been known for her ability to connect deeply with her audience, and Beauty in the Broken is no exception.

A longtime fixture of the DMV music scene, Baron has earned accolades for her work, including multiple Wammie Awards for her previous album, Heart of the Great Unknown.

But wiith Beauty in the Broken, she builds on this legacy even more and delivers a collection of songs that feel timeless in their emotional honesty and artistic integrity.

Keep up to date with Laura Baron here:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Soundcloud / YouTube Music

02.15.24

by Jane Lambert

Jason Vitelli Transcends Genres with his Mesmerizing “1. Ambient Corridors” Album Release.

Brooklyn-based composer, artist, and instrumentalist Jason Vitelli released his new album “1. Ambient Corridors” earlier this year.

The album serves as an inaugural instrumental collection, a series of projects planned by Vitelli, and highlights a return to his compositional roots. His dedication to exploring nuances of instrumental music comes to the fore here where Vitelli vividly experiments with various music styles and elements.

All 12 tracks on this album show genuine musical skill as well as fine talent in sound design and orchestration, creating an overall impressionistic sound.

Earlier single releases from the album, such as “Exit Love Story” and “Night Falls”, exemplify Vitelli’s ability to craft emotive melodies while experimenting with various musical styles and elements, songs which he coins “vignettes” in that they are short and highly illustrative.

While the ambient genre usually conjures up the idea of a quiet and chilled-out musical backdrop, Vitelli takes the genre and molds it with his unique instrumentation and chamber orchestra, creating a more avant-garde sound that could be likened to 20th-century composer Olivier Messiaen delicately mixed with the experimental rock of Bowie and Kate Bush.

There is a newness, a freshness as well as an ode to the “modern” music style of the past, as Vitelli breathes new life into these pieces.

The piano counterpoint in “Lost and Found” is inspired by Bach, for example, while “The Veil” contains richer textures, deep cello melodies, and rhythmic percussion. “Snazzy Cats” brings together gentle jazz piano and cinematic elements with curious pop-style lines and an overall lounge aesthetic.

All of these tracks on the album captivate the listener with quirky and sometimes surprising sounds, adding to the experience.

“1. Ambient Corridors” is a rich collection of instrumentals that Vitelli has been cultivating for over two decades. These pieces all originated from a variety of multimedia projects, including short films, modern ballet productions, and documentaries. Recognizing the abundance of material he had amassed, Jason decided to categorize them based on mood and release each as a playlist in a series of albums. This is why there is a numerical prefix in the album’s title to signify the plan to reveal more playlists in the future.

Some instrumental vignettes were composed with a plan to match specific video cues, while others were to be transformed into fully developed pieces. While Jason handles most of the recording and sampling himself, additional depth was added with session musicians on viola and cello.

Finally, the mastering expertise of audiophile Barry Diament brings the finishing touches, ensuring a cohesive sound through leveling and subtle EQ adjustments.

Listen to “1. Ambient Corridors” on Spotify.

Stay up to date with Jason Vitelli on his Website and social media Facebook and Instagram.

Stream music on YouTube and Spotify.