Kristen Rae Bowden’s brand new single “Skateboard” is like the equivalent of catching the perfect breeze on a summer evening.
It’s effortlessly cool, fun, and impossible to resist. This indie-pop gem is all about the rush of first love and the carefree freedom of summer nights.
From the moment Joe Lawlor’s guitar riff kicks in, you’re pulled into a dreamy world where guitars shimmer with a mix of clean tones and just enough edge to keep things interesting, creating a backdrop that’s as vibrant as a sunset and as gritty as the pavement under your wheels.
Bowden’s vocals are pure magic – equal parts tender and daring, she’s got that rare ability to make every lyric feel like it’s meant just for you.
Produced with a perfect balance of indie sensibility and pop appeal, “Skateboard” is mixed by music industry heavyweights John Alagia and Pedro Laet. The layered guitars and Bowden’s ethereal vocals creates a dreamy soundscape that is as warm and inviting.
Whether you’re reminiscing about your own youthful escapades or in the thick of them now, “Skateboard” is a track that will have you lost in the heat of summer nights and the timeless thrill of young love.
Kristen Rae Bowden is a singer-songwriter with deep roots in music, growing up in a musically gifted family in Boone, North Carolina. She taught herself piano by ear and later expanded her musical education with classical flute training and a BFA in acting and musical theater from Elon University.
In 2019, she released her debut album, marking the start of her solo career. Collaborations with Joe Lawlor, a guitarist with ties to the Dave Matthews Band, have been a highlight of her recent work, including performances at major events and alongside notable musicians. Kristen’s music is known for its impressionistic storytelling and evolving style.
R.O.N., the creative genius behind STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, recently released new single “KATAWARA” which is the opening for the anime “Sengoku Youko: The Thousandfold Chaos Arc”.
This new track is an amazing mix of authentic Japanese sounds and modern rock, encapsulating a profound message about living life with purpose and without regrets.
It’s the perfect opening theme, intertwining haunting melodies of the shakuhachi, the resonant strings of the koto, and the dynamic presence of the shamisen instrument creating a contemporary sound that perfectly complements the fast-paced and evolving storyline of “Sengoku Youko.”
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION also discusses the importance of synchronizing the lyrics with the animation, making sure that the video not only tells a story the lyrics tie in so closely with the story because they worked with the director to make this song:
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
This song says, “It is important to live your life without regrets when you look back on it at the end of your life. It is very important to have a firm sense of purpose at the present time, and to have the will to always grasp the principles of your actions. If you are able to do this, then you must accept everything.”
I often attend events abroad these days.
There, I am experiencing firsthand the influence of anime. That’s why I made the video to let people around the world know more about this song.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
I wrote the lyrics with an awareness of the beauty of the Japanese language while staying close to the content of the anime “Sengoku Yokou”, so I created a video with the lyrics on the anime image.
3. What was the process of making this video?
I asked them to match the timing of the lyrics with the animated images and to make the video something that I would never get tired of watching.
I asked them to keep in mind the flow of the story of anime “Sengoku Yokou”.
—
In many ways, STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION’s new single “KATAWARA” represents a new milestone in anime music. The meticulous attention to detail in synchronizing the music with the animation and the thoughtful integration of traditional Japanese instruments showcase R.O.N.’s exceptional artistry and dedication.
Through this groundbreaking video, the viewer is invited to embrace life’s journey with purpose and to appreciate the timeless beauty of Japanese culture, re-imagined for a modern world.
Faint Halos’ latest single, “Disaster,” offers a stirring and intense preview of the upcoming album, “I can see a million lights“, set for release in August 2024.
“Disaster” opens with urgent, fingerpicked acoustic guitars and restrained drums creating an immediate sense of tension and anticipation. The song’s structure is robust and contained with a dramatic instrumental bridge that breaks like a storm, releasing pent up emotions before settling back into a resilient calm.
“Just calling to tell you that it never was a matter of faith / It’s getting harder to pretend that I am not gonna break”—are delivered with a directness that cuts to the core.
The unadorned vocal style in this latest single from Faint Halos shows an authenticity that is rare to come across in music today, making it a deeply relatable song for anybody grappling with personal or artistic struggles.
And the production is also intentionally raw which allows the song’s emotional depth to carry through.
Faint Halos blends classic indie rock influences with a unique sound. The result is a track that is both familiar and refreshingly original.
“Disaster” not only Faint Halos’ musical talents but also sets the stage for their forthcoming album, promising a collection of songs that are as introspective and evocative as this single.
This is a must listen for fans of heartfelt, authentic music.
Stay tuned for more from Faint Halos and look out for “I can see a million lights” in its full glory this August:
The new video for Stephen Jaymes’ latest single release, “Last Predictable Summer,” orchestrates a disconcerting dance of juxtapositions, exploring themes of impending doom and carefree revelry.
Using regular stock photography, Jaymes paints a striking portrait of the zeitgeist, where sun-drenched scenes of frolicking beachgoers and carefree road trips collide violently with the grim spectre of apocalypse. This cinematic manifesto, a punk-ironic folk opera, thrusts the viewer into a kaleidoscope of cognitive dissonance.
The listener is serenaded by William Blake-inspired imagery invoking apocalyptic falcons and gyres. The video morphs seamlessly from blissful ignorance to haunting premonitions, showing diseases seeping from the permafrost and plastics raining down from the heavens, all while an infectious rhythm compels us to sway to the beat of our rapidly approaching doom.
As the world teeters on the edge of a collapse, Jaymes emerges as our reluctant prophet and punk poet laureate inviting us to join him in a danse macabre to face the music.
In this interview, we caught up with Stephen to find out the inspiration behind the new song and the story of the music video.
The official music video for “Last Predictable Summer” by Stephen Jaymes is now available on YouTube here:
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
I’m releasing my first full-length album this fall, and in the process of writing and recording the songs, I realized I had this feeling of urgency. We all know things are seriously out of whack in the world along multiple vectors, but we’re rewarded for ignoring that, numbing out.
So the realization sometimes comes at you sideways. I looked at the feeling, and what I saw was a background belief that next year nothing will feel normal, and nothing will ever really feel normal again. That this is the last year where we can all push our apocalyptic fears to the background. Which means this summer, the season for fun, is the last normal summer.
The last time we can dance obliviously. From here on out we’re going to have to learn how to dance to oblivion. Being oblivious won’t be an option. The devastation that just happened to Houston, the assassination attempt that has left everyone asking what is real – these are the harbingers of our future reality that I sing about in the song. They’re arriving even as I’m trying to promote the single. So it turns out my sense of urgency was founded.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
Once I had the song written, and it wrote itself out pretty quickly, it was pretty obvious to me that the video had to be people having summer fun, oblivious to the doom over the horizon. Originally I was going to make a video with Ross Kolton, my collaborator on the three previous official videos, but Ross got called out of town by a big client on our shoot date.
I had already created the video that eventually became the official Last Predictable Summer music video in a fit of inspiration, feverishly seeking out the perfect stock footage to create a visual equivalent of an infectious, danceable rhythm carrying an apocalyptic message. It was supposed to be a guide for the project with Ross.
But once I started showing it to people whose opinion I trust, the feedback was that I already had the official video in hand, that I should release the stock footage version. The clencher for me was when my partner Christal, who as a professional film editor has worked on big shows like Scandal and Inventing Anna, said that the message played better with me just out of the way. I knew she was right.
3. What was the process of making this video?
Unlike my previous three official music videos, where we meticulously planned out locations and shots, this was a product of an inspirational trance. In one 24-hour period I found all the stock footage I needed, licensed it, and cut it to the song.
Like I said, it wasn’t supposed to be a public video. It was supposed to express the overall mood I wanted to convey in the larger video we were planning. Being in that mode took the pressure off and let me focus on getting it as close as possible to perfect so that Ross would get the visual message I wanted to convey.
Luckily for me, the world of stock video has really modernized in the last couple years, with so many creators wanting to earn passive income from their cool shots. I don’t know that I could have made this a few years ago. I want to personally thank everyone involved in the bus shots. Without that amazing footage it might not have come together so well.
Side note, when you look closely, notice that the driver of the bus isn’t really sharing everyone else’s mood. I couldn’t have asked for something more perfect even from an AI generator. For the actual cutting, I use a variety of different editing softwares, but for this one I just cut it fast in iMovie on my iMac. No filters, almost no transitions. It’s not even color treated. I wanted it raw, like someone shaking you awake.
Once I accepted this as the official version, an ethos of blunt reality was born. Less was more. To be honest, everything about the writing of this song and the making of the video was pretty swift. Like these ideas had been percolating for awhile and were now ready to be poured out fast. It’s not always like that.
George Collins is a multi-faceted artist whose music, writing, and creative endeavours reflect a life rich with experience and inspiration.
Hailing from Washington D.C., and now based in Prague, Collins has embarked on a musical journey that transcends traditional boundaries as he blends classic rock influences with contemporary themes.
Collins recently released his latest single, “Saving the Best for Last,” a standout track from the eagerly anticipated EP, “Songs for Grown-ups” set to be released this summer. This song serves as a powerful, upbeat anthem about the beauty and potential of aging inspired by musical legends such as George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, and Neil Diamond. Wrapping up the EP’s themes, it reflects on the passage of time and the wisdom gained through life’s experiences.
In this interview, Collins delves into the story behind “Saving the Best for Last.” He believes in the possibility of achieving one’s best work at any age, a sentiment that is passionately conveyed through his music.
We also explore the creative process behind the song’s captivating video, crafted by the talented Marta Vorontsova. Utilizing stock footage, AI images, and animation, the video beautifully illustrates the song’s themes and Collins’ vision. From conceptual discussions to iterative feedback, Collins describes how this collaboration brought his ideas to life in a visually stunning manner.
The official lyric video for “Saving the Best for Last” by George Collins is now available on YouTube here:
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
This was the last tune written for my second EP, “Songs for Grown-ups,” and I knew I wanted to end this collection with a positive, upbeat, exuberant anthem about getting better with age.
For this song I was inspired by the work of George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and Neil Diamond.
The song summarizes the themes explored in the previous tracks of the EP and reaches the hopeful conclusion that, as I continue getting older and enter a new phase of existence, I can bring all the lessons I’ve learned to bear to create a fulfilling and joyful later stage of life.
I have always believed that, no matter my age, my best days and best work lie ahead of me – and this song attempts to express that belief.
I have also been inspired by iconic artists who did some of their greatest work in their later years such as Bach, Beethoven, Yeats, Eliot, Monet, Matisse and Picasso – masters who can serve as models for us all by fusing youthful energy and passion with the wisdom and perspective of age.
Plus, the track absolutely rocks and is loaded with hooks, including a 1970s-style modulation to emphasize the “surprise” in the lyrics – one doesn’t hear many such modulations these days!
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
There were several key images I knew I wanted to focus on in the video to illustrate the themes of the song: confusing maps and road signs (“Figure out the way that I should go”), climbing mountains and overcoming other difficulties (“But I never lost faith in me and all that I could be”), couples working their way through difficulties (“It’s taken us a while to learn to smile”), older men finishing a race and winning trophies (“Here I am, better than ever”), older couples deeply in love and enjoying their Golden Years (“We’re gonna have fun in the days to come”), just to name a few.
3. What was the process of making this video?
I worked with an extremely talented artist named Marta Vorontsova (Instagram: @_imagikali_), who is specialized in creating music videos using stock footage, AI images, and animation techniques. She has produced many videos for me, which are all available on my YouTube channel (@GeorgeCollinsBand), and each one is unique. We had long discussions about the song and my wishes for the video, then she vastly improved on my original ideas with her brilliant, skillful and imaginative visual presentation. It was an iterative process: She would send me a draft, I would send her my comments, then back and forth until we got it just right and we were both happy with the results. “Saving the Best for Last” is an extremely important song for me, and I love how the video captures and beautifully expresses the deeply personal yet universal themes of this exuberant, inspiring song.
Ray Levier is a multi faceted drummer, composer, and music producer, and has once again captivated audiences with the release of his new music video for “Uncharted Destiny.”
Known for his precision and versatility across jazz fusion, rock, hip-hop, and singer-songwriter styles, Ray’s latest offering shows unique vision and real artistic creativity.
Inspired by the story of a retired Air Force commander who, after narrowly surviving a near-fatal test flight crash, undergoes a biochemical fusion with an alien spacecraft called “Uncharted Destiny”. The commander’s transformation leads to an epic journey that reveals his true identity and connects him with an alien civilization at the edge of the universe, reflecting Ray’s own exploration of new beginnings and the interconnections of life.
The music video is truly epic and one of a kind, taking viewers far beyond the usual music video sphere into an experience that is completely out of this world. Ethereal and imbued with a spiritual component, it challenges viewers to contemplate what else could be out there in the vastness of the universe.
Created by Ray Levier, with sound design by Ray Levier, Frani Lugo, Mike Dwyer, and Leslie Bloome, the cast features Ray Levier as Commander Ray, David Kopec as Brass, Frani Lugo as Tech, and Zenji the Dog as himself. The musicians include Ray Levier on drums, vibraphones, keyboard synthesizers, lead and backing vocals, Richard Tozzoli on guitars and E-harp, and Tim Lefebvre on bass.
The Audio production was done by RSL Production Studio, The Clubhouse, and Alchemy Post Sound, with audio mix by Mike Dwyer and Neil Dorfsman. Conceptual and environmental design was handled by Frani Lugo and Ray Levier, while cinematography, CGI, graphics, editing, storyboarding, and illustrations were all done by Frani Lugo.
The official video for “Unchartered Destiny” by Ray Levier is now available on Ray’s official YouTube Channel HERE:
We caught up with Ray to talk about the music video to accompany this brand new single release!
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
I came up with the concept during Covid when everybody was sheltering in place and it seemed such a lonely time for me and so many others. It kept reminding me of the loneliness and emptiness of space and being alone for extended periods of time without anyone around. The positive side of the story reflects my accident and that there is always hope after a tragedy.
Just when you think you’re at Rock bottom and your life is over then something magical and beautiful appears unexpectedly. This is always been my thought process to stay positive after my accident being burned in a fire at a young age.
Turning tragedy into triumph, is something I knew I must do if I wanted to heal and be healthy as an individual to keep my spirit intact.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The inspiration of this video comes from a story I wrote about a man who is part alien but doesn’t realize it until the end of the video.
He is summoned to the other end of the galaxy to take his place as ruler of an alien civilization. There’s a whole backstory I’m working on with a screenplay that explains the journey in greater detail. So stay tuned for that.
3. What was the process of making this video?
The process of making this video was done with CGI (computer generated imagery) and shooting video with a green screen. We would shoot with green screen, then add all the CGI later to create the scene. Frani Lugo is the genius behind taking all my ideas and bringing them to life through this process.
It took us almost 3 years to create this as he was just one man taking on this monumental task. Normally there’s hundreds of people creating individual scenes working within the CGI realm. He pulled it off with amazing skill. He created everything you see on screen. There was no AI used in any of this. Just pure artistic genius on his part.
I hope the viewers enjoy the video and can take something away from it in regards to their own personal journey.
Modern Mystery 
You must be logged in to post a comment.