by Jane Lambert

Lakaff Finds New Heights With “may.Be” and “Jambles”

There’s a reason Washington D.C.’s Lakaff keeps calling his sound “heart music.” This is not a gimmick but a mission. A singer songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer who started ou on French horn and euphonium before teaching himself bass, guitar and production, Lakaff has been steadily building a catalogue of songs since 2023 that blur the lines between indie rock, hip hop, and electronic music. His latest two singles “may.Be” and “Jambles” show just how far that vision has come.

Released earlier this year, “may.Be” is Lakaff’s first Dolby Atmos release and the kind of track that makes you want to sit between the speakers.

It’s built on a sleek electro groove, layering artful drums, shimmering guitar and silky flute and sax lines from Grammy winning guest Johnny Butler.

Emmy winning engineer Cheryl Ottenritter handled the Atmos mastering. This is a song that defines Lakaff’s “heart music.”

Where “may.Be” is expansive and collaborative, “Jambles” is more stripped back and personal. Lakaff channels the wiry guitar energy of early Strokes records, then threads it through the trap style percussion he admired from artists like Future.

Instead of leaning on a drum machine for thetrap meets guitar vibe, he tracked live, kit oriented sounds, giving the song a punchy and human edge beneath its clattering hi-hats and pulsing bassline. Lyrically, it’s a collage of daily life fragments gathered over time, dotted with sly nods to Oasis, “Sk8er Boi,” and other personal touchstones.

Together the two songs function as a kind of diptych. “may.Be” reveals Lakaff the collaborator, reaching outward with a lush and immersive production.

“Jambles” shows Lakaff the diarist, boiling down his influences into something lean and immediate. Both singles are recognisably his. They are playful, soulful and just a little bit restless, constantly looking for new ways to join the organic with the synthetic.

If these tracks are any indication, Lakaff’s “heart music” is becoming something of a signature sound. With more Atmos mastered singles already in the pipeline and live shows on the horizon, both “may.Be” and “Jambles” show an artist whose sound is emerging and coming into focus – immersive, genre blurring and designed to resonate well.

About Lakaff

Lakaff is a Washington D.C. based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Raised on school band brass instruments (French horn, then euphonium), he discovered rock in middle school and taught himself bass while playing along to Aerosmith records, and soon added guitar, vocals, and production to his skill set.

Since 2023 he has steadily released tracks that mix indie rock guitars, trap inspired percussion, dexterous bass lines, horns and other unexpected textures, taking cues from artists as varied as Oasis, Disclosure, Shania Twain, The Prodigy, Kasabian, and 50 Cent.

His singles feature artwork by visual artist Masato Okano, known for designs for Metallica and Murphy’s Law, and collaborations with Grammy winning saxophonist Johnny Butler and Emmy winning audio engineer Cheryl Ottenritter.

With more Atmos mastered singles planned and live performances on the horizon, Lakaff is carving out a distinctive place in today’s music landscape – quirky, playful, and soulful.

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music

08.29.25

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH ANIMALS IN DENIAL

Animals-in-Denial-shallow-cover-rock-grunge-metal

With its emotion and frenetic energy, “Shallow” stands as one of Animals in Denial’s most striking and personal songs.

Written by Christian Ines during a tumultuous and destructive relationship, the track captures the chaos of love that is built on lies, obsession and abandonment.

Now paired with a haunting new video directed by Jon Paul Anderson, “Shallow” plunges viewers directly into Ines’s headspace – a first person descent into a relationship unraveling in real time.

We sat down with Christian to talk about the story behind the song, the inspiration for the visuals and how a chance discovery on YouTube led to a creative partnership that brought his vision vividly to life.

Watch the Official Music Video to “Shallow” here:

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

Well I wrote the song when I was going through a horrible relationship. It was full of drama and part way through I started to realize that this was just some sort of game and that the feelings she claimed to have for me, were completely shallow. It was one of those songs I knew I wanted to have a visual component ie video for, but I was a bit stuck at how to do it.

I wanted it to convey the vibe of where my head was at, and to make a person watching feel like they were a fly on the wall in my head. So the choice to visualize this way was really me finding the right video maker with the right eye and sense of frenetic clarity. The director/maker Jon Paul Anderson, and I hit it off and he completely understood the vision and really fleshed it out more and really nailed it. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to take the lead on the project.

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

As far as the inspiration for the new video, it was always a song I wanted to have a video for, as it’s really meant to look like you’re inside of my head while I’m going through a relationship that’s really just a train wreck in disguise. I wanted it to feel frenetic yet clear, as during that time and relationship hot and cold can’t even begin to describe it. One minute you’re feeling like you and this person can withstand the weight of the world, and others you don’t even know if she likes you. I wanted it to also convey a feeling of loneliness or more like abandonment as that’s what I was feeling when I wrote the song.

So the video takes a first person view, to try to make you feel like you’re me and going through the motions of something even though you know in your gut something isn’t quite right. Me and the director went back and forth over email and then he went to work filming and editing and what he turned in needed no revisions. I loved it when I saw it and thought he completely nailed it. I hope you like it.

3. What was the process of making the video?

The process for the video wasn’t mine, but it was basically me and the director going back and forth over email. I started looking for cool music videos on YouTube and found a really talented YouTuber named Jon Paul Anderson. He did a video for a nine inch nails song, called “Vessel” that I was blown away by. I reached out to the guy and we hit it off chatting and so I then told him I had a song I really thought his approach would be perfect for if he was interested. He said to send him the track and I’ll let you know. He came back super enthusiastic, and asked if I had any ideas, I replied with what I was thinking about being a fly on the wall inside of my head.

He followed up with me quickly, that he had some footage that he thought would be perfect he also had some ideas for some stuff he could shoot to add. The end result was something I was beyond proud of.

08.27.25

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH REVVNANT

As climate change accelerates and the planet edges toward catastrophe, there are few artists willing to confront the crisis with complete honesty. Revvnant, led by Eliphaz Costus, formerly the drummer ofThe Flying Eyes and Black Lung, has always blurred genre boundaries drawing from trip-hop, dream pop, industrial and doom to create immersive and emotionally charged soundscapes.

His latest single “Rise”, with a striking visualizer by artist Morgan Beringer, channels fear, despair and urgency into a haunting meditation on environmental collapse.

In this feature, Eliphaz walks us through the beginnings of the song, and the process of collaborating with Beringer to translate its themes into a trippy, morphing visual experience.

Watch the visualizer to “Rise” here:

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

“Rise” is purely about the existential threat of climate change, witnessing the chaos, and how bearing witness affects me emotionally. It’s a complex mix of fear, despair, rage, and eventually apathy to be able to move forward with the day. The tone of the song treads the line between hopelessness, and a call to action…We need to rise up to stop this madness and save our planet.

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

I worked with an incredible video artist from the UK named Morgan Beringer (https://www.morganberinger.com/), and I let him run with it. After explaining themes of the song, he came up with the concept of using idyllic images of healthy nature devolving into degraded, industrial landscapes. This worked really well with his signature, trippy style where visuals bloom and morph into each other.

3. What was the process of making the video?

That was pretty much all Morgan Beringer’s doing. I gave a few notes here and there, but mostly I stepped aside and let him do his thing. Which I was happy to do after how hard I had already worked on the music.

Listen to “Rise” on Spotify

08.17.25

by Jane Lambert

Kenzy Kyx Shines with Playful Liberation on “I’m So Glad”

Kenzy Kyx has never been afraid to bare her soul, but with “I’m So Glad” she proves that empowerment can be just as powerful as vulnerability.

Where her earlier work leaned into more melancholy, this new single bursts with cheeky confidence. It’s a glitter coated reminder that joy can be the sweetest revenge.

Listen here:

From the first shimmering notes, “I’m So Glad” struts in like the soundtrack to your best post breakup night out. The production, which is helmed by Kyle Delfatti and Max Bunster at Wildwood Sound, sparkles with playful details. It has tight rhythms, buoyant melodies and flourishes that keep the song light on its feet. You can feel the late night studio energy baked into every bar, a mix of laughter, creativity and a shared obsession with pop done right.

At the center of it all is Kenzy’s voice. Sultry yet soaring, carrying both the relief and the sass of the lyrics. There’s a interesting blend of influences here. Sabrina Carpenter’s wink, Gwen Stefani’s bite, and just a hint of Stevie Nicks’s timeless edge. But Kenzy is completely unique with her vocals. She is in control, playful and unafraid to poke fun at a chapter that once felt heavy.

What makes the track stick, though, is its universality.

“I’m So Glad” captures that euphoric moment when the weight finally lifts and you realize you’re free. It’s not about heartbreak – it’s about release. And in a pop landscape that sometimes takes itself too seriously, Kenzy’s tongue in cheek liberation song feels like a breath of fresh air.

With cover art shot by Athena Khalifeh, the single looks like freedom too. Together, the visuals and the music form a bold statement. Kenzy Kyx isn’t just moving forward, she’s dancing forward and is inviting the rest of us to join her.

Keep up with Kenzy Kyx on her Website

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music

07.29.25

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’S WITH REEYA BANERJEE

After a string of visually striking and concept driven singles, Reeya Banerjee brings things home both literally and figuratively with the music video for “Upstate Rust,” the fourth and final release ahead of her upcoming album This Place set for release on August 22nd, 2025.

Filmed at Lorien Sound in Brooklyn, the video captures Banerjee and her band The Merseyside Darby in their natural habitat – laughing, sweating and absolutely living inside the music.

Unlike the stylized visuals of her previous singles, this video opts for raw honesty and full band energy, spotlighting the chemistry, connection and joy that fuel Banerjee’s live performances.

It’s a fitting choice for a track that closes the album with heart and clarity.

We sat down with Reeya to talk about the story behind the song, and the decision to film a stripped down performance.

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

Upstate Rust is the closing track on my album This Place, and in many ways, it’s the emotional resolution.

It’s a song about leaving a place you’ve loved – not with regret, but with trust, love and a little bit of fear. It’s about grown-up decisions, emotional survival and believing that what you’ve built can last, even when the geography changes.

The three singles before this had quirky, stylized videos – animation, photo essays, rogue guerrilla no-permit filming in Grand Central.

With Upstate Rust, I wanted to do something totally different. I wanted to showcase my band, The Merseyside Darby, because this song feels like a full-band anthem. Even though they didn’t record it with me originally, they’ve learned it, owned it, and made it their own.

This video is a celebration of that live energy – of how much fun we have together in the room. It’s the first time we’re all on screen together, and it felt like the right way to bring this song to life.

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

The inspiration was really simple: let’s just show the band being the band. Upstate Rust is a big, reverb-heavy, U2-flavored banger, and it’s also my favorite song on the record. We wanted to show what it actually feels like to play it together – no gimmicks, no heavy storyline, just real joy and connection.

We shot the video at Lorien Sound in Brooklyn, which is a studio run by my lead guitarist James Rubino and his business partners Austin Birdy and Jack Quigley. Our rehearsal space is the live room at the studio, and Jack also directed the video. We pumped the master track through the PA and performed it together thirteen times – close-ups of everyone, wide shots of the room, no lip-sync fakery, just full-out playing.

Jack’s footage captured our chemistry and the joy we feel making music together. Luke Folger, our drummer (also my creative partner, co-writer, and the producer and composer for the record) is a beast on drums and has a smile that could light up a room. He’s a full-on beam of sunshine.

There’s a moment where I’m singing along with Daria Klotz, my bass player, and we’re just in the moment together. I’ve known her for ten years – we’ve sung in harmony together in so many bar bands and performances and other contexts, and it was lovely to capture that shared history on camera.

Sam Levine is our rhythm guitarist and the newest member of the band. He’s incredibly talented and smart, and a bit shy – but by the end of the shoot, he was rocking out and singing along, and it was just so endearing to watch him come into his own.

My favorite part is in the final chorus where James and I are literally jumping up and down together. We’ve also known each other for ten years – he’s my ride-or-die best friend. It felt like having a dance party with my little brother. Neither of us are spring chickens – we both have bad knees – so it was probably a terrible idea, but we couldn’t resist. At one point, James’s hat flew off mid-jump and he kicked it toward Sam, who had to duck to avoid being beaned in the face. We could not stop laughing. I’m almost sad that moment didn’t make the final cut.

3. What was the process of making the video?

This was honestly one of the most fun and relaxed shoots I’ve ever done. We met at Lorien Sound, and Jack set up a click track for Luke so we could stay locked in with the master. Then we ran the song thirteen times – two close-up takes for each band member, and three full-room passes to capture the in-between moments and the group dynamic.

The goal wasn’t perfection – it was connection. We weren’t trying to make a slick, overly produced performance video – but that said, what Jack delivered is the most polished of the four videos I’ve made to support the singles from This Place.

We wanted to show what it actually feels like to rehearse this song: sweaty, joyful, slightly chaotic, and deeply connected.

I think that comes through in the video.

Find out more about Reeya Banerjee on her Website

07.11.25

by Jane Lambert

Saint Tone Lights the Fuse with New Single “Explode”

With brand new single “Explode,” Saint Tone delivers a ballad that digs deep into the emotional trenches, conveying a message of healing and release.

Saint Tone is known for his positive and uplifting songs, but the Sarasota based artist slows things down on this more introspective track. The emotional impact is just as hard hitting.

Listen in here:

Built around warm acoustic guitar, gentle piano and subtle atmospheric textures, “Explode” draws listeners into an intimate space of vulnerability. The lyrics are raw and reflective, with lines like “I am here to expose all the bitterness that soils my soul”, striking a chord for anyone burdened by the trials of life and any unresolved pain.

As the song unfolds, it becomes clear that this isn’t just about sadness. It is more about transformation. Saint Tone invites us to confront the darkest corners of ourselves, not to dwell there, but to finally let go.

The repetition of the chorus – “If I don’t let it go, I will explode” – is both a warning and a revelation. The result is a song that is much like a musical exhale, making way for light again after a rough period.

For fans of Sting, Damien Rice or Ben Harper’s more meditative work, “Explode” will feel like home.

It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the most important journey is an inward one, and one where healing begins with honesty.

About Saint Tone

With over 7,000 performances to his name, Saint Tone delivers an uplifting fusion of pop, rock and country styles. He combines catchy hooks with spiritual affirmations and thought provoking lyrics.

Based in Sarasota, Florida, Tony Saint Tone writes music that is centered on themes of self empowerment, motivation and connectionl. His storytelling and high vibe energy together with empowering messages create a musical exoerience that is both fun and deeply meaningful.

Perfect for anthem seekers, dancers and old souls alike, Saint Tone’s music will make your feet move while also feeding your soul.

Find out all about Saint Tone on his Website

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music