Los Angeles pop singer-songwriter Lauren Waller has released a brand new album called Talking to Myself.
Talking To Myself delivers a bittersweet intoxicating cocktail of indie, synth, and pop capabilities, with fresh, forward-thinking sounds. Lauren nails it with playful invention, swagger, lyricism, introspection, and theatricality. From luminous dreamscape pop to catchy dance songs, Lauren’s emotionally generous storytelling and distinctive voice provide an antidote for the run-of-the-mill. Comparisons can be made with the likes of Lorde, Hayley and Kiyoko.
Her choruses are catchy and memorable in each song of this album, with the standout being Lauren’s hooks.
Prepare for a celestial journey with Saint Luminus’ latest instrumental masterpiece, “Echoes of Light.” This progressive and space rock guitar piece is a captivating sonic experience that combines triumphant melodies, pulsating synths, and innovative sound effects.
But it’s not just about the music – “Echoes of Light” carries a profound message, urging listeners to disconnect from the noise of TV and media and instead embrace the hidden wonders of the past, waiting to be discovered by simply looking up to the echoes of light.
According to Saint Luminus, “Echoes of Light” was crafted to take people on an unexpected journey. It goes beyond the confines of a traditional rock song, incorporating a rich tapestry of instrumentation to deliver something fresh, inspiring, and memorable. As a guitarist, Saint Luminus believes in pushing boundaries and offering listeners a unique experience that transcends genres. With this single, he not only explores the vastness of Electro Space Rock but also reminds us that the universe of music is waiting to be explored.
Amidst the darkness, division, and hatred prevalent in our world, Saint Luminus seeks to remind us of the wonders that lie hidden in plain sight. He encourages us to direct our attention to the “Echoes of Light” and discover the beauty and inspiration that can be found within. In a world inundated with noise, his music provides a respite, inviting us to embark on a meditative and transformative sonic journey.
Saint Luminus, known as William Rustrum in his earthly form, is an instrumental guitarist-composer who has mastered the art of the cosmic vacation. After honing his skills as a guitarist in the world of thrash metal, he faced a setback when his physical playing ability crumbled. Undeterred, he embarked on a journey of rediscovery and emerged with a renewed dexterity and an enlightened approach to his craft. Today, his sublime and melodic instrumental compositions blend the sounds of the universe with progressive rock, creating harmonious sonic landscapes that captivate the imagination.
Listeners will be enchanted by Saint Luminus’ ethereal atmospherics, skillful passages of lyrical shred, and evocative musical motifs that evoke a bluesy longing reminiscent of David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. His music transcends mere notes and melodies, inviting listeners to explore the boundless realms of the cosmos through sound.
“Echoes of Light” is a testament to Saint Luminus’ artistry and his ability to craft music that transports us beyond the mundane. It’s a sonic odyssey that challenges conventions and leaves a lasting impression on those who embark on the journey.
George Collins’ new pop rock track “I Got What I Got” is a testament to the joys of gratitude and redemption. With a bluesy swagger reminiscent of Eric Clapton or Steely Dan, Collins draws on his experience as a screenwriter and novelist to craft literate and insightful narratives that are both thought-provoking and boldly vulnerable. The song is the first release from his upcoming sophomore EP, Songs for Grown-Ups.
George’s story is one of perseverance and determination. Having received his first guitar at the age of four, he pursued both guitar and piano throughout his childhood and beyond. However, in his late 20s, he encountered many older musicians who were unhappy with their lack of success and had fallen into toxic patterns with alcohol and drugs. Determined to avoid this fate, George pursued a successful career as an investment consultant and financial executive, but ultimately chose to leave it all behind to nurture his creative world and be a dedicated full-time parent after the birth of his first child in 2012.
“I Got What I Got” is a reflection on the journey of life and the importance of appreciating the good things that come our way. The song was inspired by a night of reminiscing with an old friend about their wild days in Prague in the early 1990s and how far they’ve come with the wonderful wives they married.
George explains: “’I Got What I Got’ is a song of gratitude for returning to life after a long time in the emotionally-barren wilderness, of finding redemption through the love of a perceptive and patient woman.”
The song’s catchy pop hooks, bluesy guitar riffs, and his soulful vocals make for a highly enjoyable listening experience that shows his unmistakable talents as a songwriter and musician and serves as a strong introduction to his upcoming EP.
El Paso-based musician Amaris has released a new single called “Lemon, Lime & Bitters”.
This debut indie pop song is a beautiful, emotive and haunting track which is a tribute to Amaris´ husband as she imaged a life in which they lived worlds apart. To combat the longing, she imagines his favorite drink; lemon, lime and bitters. It is also a song that serves as a further nod to the loss of her two babies and five family members in a short time span on 2 years.
“Lemon, Lime & Bitters!” s a great example of how a song can gain power and further its meaning with time. I wrote it in November 2020. Back then, it was about me imagining a lifewithout my husband by my side. Now, it´s about grief, loss, and the will to overcome,” sharesAmaris.
This single was created by listening to voice memos on her phone, hashing out the song in different phases, and finding the lyrics while playing around with different chords on the guitar.
The bass stands out as well as the melody and lyrics, with a style that is both introspective as well as bold. There is an expanded meaning about loss as Amaris´ lost her grandfather and step grandfather a year after experiences 2 miscarriages. There is an additional grief for her grandmother´s same yearning.
Amaris did not decide to become a singer – songwriter; it was something that happened quite by chance really. She taught herself how to play the guitar at age 12, and then moved on to develop her songwriting from there. Now at the age of 24, Amaris continues to write songs that inspire her and bring out those emotions and stories of her life that she couldn´t express otherwise.
With influences as broad ranging as The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers and Nina Simone, Amaris´ musical sound is certainly interesting as well as showcasing her talent.
Black Olive Jazz features the warm singer Kay Kostopoulos and the veteran Noel Jewkes on tenor, alto, soprano and flute. The group performs a wide range of jazz: swing, standards, blues, Latin and originals. Kay and Noel have been featured venues and jazz festivals all around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, Vallejo, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and Fillmore Jazz Festivals. Their album, Exotica, a Mediterranean Jazz Journey, received rave reviews, and was honored by the Stanford Humanities celebration.
Kay is also a Stanford lecturer in Business and Theater, professional actress, singer, dancer and director who has performed in plays and musicals in many regional and Bay Area theaters, including the Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, San Francisco and California Shakespeare Festivals, Stanford Summer Theater and A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theatre). Her theatrical background lends an emotional sensitivity to her lush and sensuous three-octave vocal range. Kay’s bellydancing has roots in an ethnic history rich in tradition, percussive musicality and precise technique.
Their newest song, the soft and lounge music-eque song “It Just Has to Be,” is led my Kay’s sultry vocals that adds an emotional depth to the piece. The lyrics themselves speak of the inevitability of love, and the joy that comes with finding someone who completes you.
The band effortlessly blends traditional jazz elements with modern twists to create a sound that is both fresh and timeless. It does have a Frank Sinatra meets Billy Holiday feeling to it with the deliberate words and slow delicate piano.
The intricate instrumentation and complex rhythms make it clear that this is a band that takes their craft seriously and is not afraid to take risks. “It Just Has to Be” is a fantastic addition to Black Olive Jazz’s already impressive catalog.
Shannon Wurst’s latest single “Memories I Hold” is a captivating slice of Americana nostalgia that effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings. The track is a deeply personal reflection on the painful task of cleaning out a loved one’s house after their passing, and Shannon’s evocative and emotional songwriting captures the sense of longing and loss perfectly.
“That one was hard to write. I spent a lot of time at that house growing up and I have so many memories from there,” she details.
The acoustic core of the track is beautifully complemented by sensually expressive vocals and mournful pedal steel playing, which is expertly handled by Ryan Engleman of the Turnpike Troubadours and his bandmate, Gabe Pearson on drums. With lines like “Time takes all the good stuff, ‘cept these Memories I hold,” Shannon paints vivid pictures and snapshotting feelings of longing that resonate deeply with the listener.
Shannon’s music is best described as Ozark Americana and steeped in the outlaw country tradition of courageously confessional songwriting. Her delicately powerful vocals and emotive first-person narratives make for a brave and sage messaging that draws favorable comparisons to the likes of Margo Price and Lucinda Williams.
“Memories I Hold” is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the power of memories and the emotions they evoke. Fans of Americana and country music will undoubtedly find a lot to love in Shannon Wurst’s latest offering.
Modern Mystery 