by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH DEBO RAY

Debo Ray is well known for her powerhouse vocals, and for her ability to command stage presence, but with her latest single “Take That,” the Boston based artist opens a new chapter. Vulnerable, raw and fearless, the song marks a turning point in her music journey – one where personal history, healing and musical innovation come together.

In this exclusive interview, Debo shares the story behind “Take That,” the emotionals that shaped its lyrics, and the process of bringing her past and present selves together on screen.

Filmed in collaboration with Vano Projects, the music video captures the emotional weight of childhood memory, the struggle to reclaim identity and the ultimate act of self liberation.

Watch the Official Music Video here:

1.Tell us the story of this song. Why did you choose to visualise this song specifically in this way?

“Take That” is about reclaiming your power. It’s about what happens when you face down your past, especially the parts that tried to define you, and choose to stand in your truth anyway. I (and my writing partners Jerry Velona and Prince Charles Alexander) wrote this song from the perspective of someone who’s walked through emotional fire and come out the other side with scars and strength.

We chose to visualize this story by weaving together my past and present selves: child Debo and adult Debo, because I truly believe our younger selves never leave us. They’re witnesses. They’re roots. They hold the earliest versions of our dreams. Showing both timelines in the video allowed us to bring that emotional journey to life. I wanted people to feel the transformation.

The video team at Vano Projects helped us bring this vision to life with so much creativity and care, even within the constraints of an indie artist budget (which, let’s be real, is always a part of the puzzle!). We shot everything in just a day and a half across three nearby locations, and somehow, it all came together like magic.

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

I’m a first-generation Haitian-American, raised in a deeply religious and traditional household. My upbringing was filled with music (both my parents are gifted singers and instrumentalists) but it was also filled with strict expectations, unspoken tension, and emotional volatility. My father had a temper that shaped a lot of my early experiences with fear, shame, and silence. Those patterns followed me, even into adulthood.

For years, I buried that part of my story. I thought if I just kept performing, kept achieving, I could outrun the pain. But when I began writing this album, I knew I had to be honest. “Take That” became a turning point: a declaration. Not of vengeance, but of truth. A way of saying: This happened. It shaped me. But it doesn’t own me anymore.

The visuals reflect that healing arc. There’s resistance, confrontation, but ultimately, release. And that’s the legacy I want to build; not one of hiding pain, but transforming it.

3. What was the process of making the video?

Creating with Bojan and Laura of Vano Projects is always a joy. They’re not just brilliant visual storytellers, they’re collaborators who really see me. We’ve done several videos together now, and they understand my vision, my aesthetic, and my need to tell the whole story from styling, setting, emotion, all of it.

Jerry (my husband, co-writer, and creative partner) and I brought them a loose concept rooted in the lyrics: this idea of a young girl running toward herself. I told them I was finally ready to show more of what I’d been holding back. From there, the four of us sculpted the vision: Laura sourced the two phenomenal actors — Jaelyn Francis, who played little me, and Jimmy Jules, who played my father — and Bojan found the main location. Jerry suggested the Harvard Stadium for the final running shots, which gave the video that haunting sense of endurance and triumph.

We shot most of it in one powerful, emotional day and wrapped up with a quick sunrise shoot at the stadium. The result is something that feels both deeply personal and universally human. It’s one of the bravest things I’ve ever created.

Keep up with Debo Ray 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

07.10.25

by Jane Lambert

Debo Ray’s Self Titled Debut Shines with Bold Emotion and Limitless Sound

With her self-titled debut album, Debo Ray, the Boston based powerhouse vocalist delivers a soul baring statement of intent. And it is one that refuses to be boxed in by convention.

Known for her virtuosic collaborations and genre blending performances with artists like Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, and the band Screaming Headless Torsos, Ray has now stepped fully into her own creative spotlight, and she brings with her a striking voice and a fearless approach to storytelling through sound.

Listen here:

From the opening track “Tell Me What You Want,” it’s clear that Debo Ray is not interested in playing it safe. The opener fuses classic R&B sensibilities with a whip smart rap verse, immediately signalling that Ray is here to challenge expectations.

She follows it up with tracks like “Feelin’ Lucky”, which swaps intensity for lightness, dipping into pop’s playful textures without ever losing her signature vocal presence.

Throughout this album there is an energy of total freedom, with each song like a different room in a beautifully lit house.

Drawing directly from her life experiences, tracks like “Gaslight” and “You Read Me Wrong” confront toxic relationships and emotional exhaustion with an unflinching honesty. “Take That”, which is the album’s final track, could have veered into cliché territory in lesser hands, but Ray has transformed it into a moving meditation on solitude and survival. Her vocals here are rich, sincere and even the simplest lines resonate.

One of the most striking things about Debo Ray though is how cohesive the project feels despite its stylistic elasticity. Whether its pulling from rock guitar rifts, jazz harmonies or gospel style vocal layerings, Debo connects each choice back to the core truth of each song.

The other thing to note here is that whether Ray is pulling from rock guitar riffs, jazz harmonies or gospel style vocal layering, she connects each choice back to the truth of the song. Her voice is a thrilling instrument in its own right, morphing from silky smooth phrasing to more gritty soul belts with a total command of her voice without ever losing warmth or clarity.

What makes this debut especially compelling is its balance. It contains joy and pain, vulnerability and confidence, and tradition and innovation all live comfortably side by side. It’s a full picture of who Debo Ray is as a musician and a person. She is complex, radiant and rooted in truth. As she herself has said, “After years of interpreting the music of others, I felt it was time to tell my own story.”

This album is that almost certainly telling that story. One of reclamation, celebration and a declaration of creative freedom.

Find out more about Debo Ray on her Website

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music

07.01.25

by Jane Lambert

Layers of Light – George Collins Channels Gabriel on Latest Single “Open Up”

From the opening bars of George Collins’s “Open Up,” there is a sense that something deeper is at play. Not just another well crafted track from a thoughtful songwriter, but a deliberate reaching for something sacred.

And indeed, the song wears its Peter Gabriel influence proudly, especially the spectral fingerprints of Mercy Street , which was one of Gabriel’s most haunting and meditative works.

But Collins doesn’t merely mimic it. He reinterprets, he absorbs, and he builds his own quiet cathedral of sound.

At its core, “Open Up” is about vulnerability — that conscious, often exhausting decision to remain emotionally available as the years add both wisdom and weight.

The chorus is a mantra more than a hook, a repeated invitation inward and outward. It’s no coincidence that the track is driven by keyboards and layered vocals rather than Collins’ familiar guitar. This is definitely a songwriter stepping outside his comfort zone and embracing evolution.

That creative shift was made possible by the collaboration with award winning Canadian producer Rob Wells, who is known for work with some of the biggest names in pop.

And yet, instead of gloss, Wells helps shape the texture. Their work together feels cinematic but never overblown. Moody yes but also very much grounded in humanity.

George says about the song:

“Concerning the story behind “Open Up,” it was definitely intended to be a Peter Gabriel influenced track from the very beginning – he is one of my heroes.

For the new album, I also wanted to expand my songwriting beyond the guitar-based songs I’ve written all my life and tip my hat to other styles and genres that have influenced me over the years.

I had the title and the concept for the song, the chorus, as well as several guitar riffs kicking around in my head for years, but I knew I wanted “Open Up” to be a keyboard driven track with layered vocals, sonorous textures and exotic instrumentation, like Peter Gabriel’s “Mercy Street.”

As a guitarist with limited production skills, I knew I needed to collaborate on this song with an A-list keyboardist/producer to bring my incipient ideas to life.

I approached one of my Mentors, Rob Wells https://robwellsmusic.com/ an award-winning, multi-platinum selling Canadian songwriter and producer who has worked with Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and dozens of other notables – and who happens to be one of the nicest guys in the world.”

Exotic instrumentation winds through “Open Up” without calling attention to itself, and the vocals stack shimmer like late afternoon light through stained glass.

You can hear how hard Collins has worked on the vocal performance, singing through the song again and again over two days in a Prague studio with no shortcuts taken. What’s striking though is how much heart is in the details. The production is refined, but the soul of the song comes through in Collins’ voice.

He is offering an important message not to harden – don’t retreat, stay open! Something that many of us could listen to.

“Open Up” is indeed one of those late career songs that is reaching forward into a new phase of creativity, with courage and grace.

Connect with George Collins:

Website / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube

07.01.25

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH MOLLY THOMAS

When a life altering moment changes everything, some artists retreat. Others write. For Molly Thomas, the aftermath of a devastating car accident in August 2023 became both a period of deep healing and unexpected creative clarity.

Her new single “Crash,” co-written with longtime collaborator Ken Rose, captures that raw emotional journey with rare honesty and grace.

Quiet, luminous, and haunting in its simplicity, “Crash” tells the story of survival, acceptance and the deep gratitude that follows being kept on this earth by the kindness of others.

In this interview, Ken Rose opens up about the inspiration behind the song, the process of writing and recording it, and the symbolism behind the intimate video that accompanies its release.

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

Crash was the only song we wrote after Molly’s accident. We were sitting on Captain Tom’s dock, in the hammocks. Molly was still in recovery, and the song just flowed naturally.

It’s always been a favorite because of its honesty, and I love the free, easy ’70s vibe we captured. “Crash” is essentially a documentary that encapsulates Molly’s accident — not just the physical experience, but the emotional and spiritual journey as well.

It’s also a reflection of the deep gratitude we feel for the community and circle of friends who showed up when Molly needed support the most. I asked Molly to record a simple, neutral, and unaffected vocal video on the porch because I wanted to capture her emotional strength. It was a gamble — it was either going to work or completely fall flat.

Since Molly and I were writing and recording the album before, during, and after the crash, I witnessed her pain, joy, and growth firsthand. I wanted to capture her “survival” in the video — and I think we did.

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

The inspiration for the video was to capture the essence of “pure” Molly, combined with the feeling of movement — driving — to represent her journey and recovery. The clarity of Molly’s emotions, contrasted with a blurry, surreal night drive through a foreign country (I filmed it in Casablanca, Morocco), felt like the right metaphor.

3. What was the process of making the video?

The process of making the video was simple: don’t overthink anything.

We had just half a day to create something, so it had to be all about trust and flow. That’s how our creative partnership has always worked — trusting that whatever we make together will be honest.

Find out more about Molly Thomas on her Website

06.30.25

by Jane Lambert

“Second Chance” Is Stigma’s Boldest Leap Yet — Raw, Reflective and Roaring with Purpose

There’s a fire in “Second Chance” that doesn’t flicker. It surges.

German hard rock band Stigma, forged in 2021, have made good on the promise of their earlier EPs (Last Order, First Call) and delivered something tougher, deeper and far more personal. This is a record born from global, political and internal unrest, and every note very much feels like a response to it.

Recorded high in the Italian mountains and carved out of both philosophical musings and lived in experiences, “Second Chance” truly stands out.

Listen in here:

Stigma don’t look for the easy answers here. Instead, it’s more about owning the chaos, surviving the night, and daring to keep going. From the opening track “The Signs”, frontman Gerald Zinnegger sets the tone. It’s searching, defiant and anthemic.

“Spinning circles in space and time” he sings, with conviction. That duality of doubt and defiance ripples through the whole of the album. “Glorious Victory” follows with a cinematic sweep. Guitars soar, drums pound and the message lands with a force – that true strength lies in control.

If “Second Chance” has a heartbeat, it is “Blaze of My Heart” where Zinnegger is at full throttle, singing like a man with nothing left to lose. It’s a cathartic outburst and a reminder of why any of us hold on through the noise. The bands sounds really locked in here.

Their lead single, “Faraway” is a rare and tender moment. This song is restrained, melancholic and shot through with longing. Inspired by the prison island Gorgona, it is a study in emotional isolation. Yet even here, Stigma show a flicker of hope, of imagined forgiveness.

Then comes “Monster,” arugably the album’s most vulnerable moment. The lyrics here flirt with self loathing but stop short of collapse. The closer “Corruptor” slinks in with a poisonous groove – hypnotic, lean and devestatingly timely. It’s a warning more than protest that corruption is not always loud. Sometimes, it whispers. And, sometimes, it is you.

Overall sound wise, the album strikes a powerful balance. Guitarist Markus Mantau, bassist René Chlebnitschek and drummer Bernd Paptistella lay down a muscular, dynamic foundation throughout. The production captures the sweat and shadows of a real band in a real room.

Crucially, “Second Chance” is an album that connects everything together. It is an album that reminds the listener that rock doesn’t have to posture to hit hard. That heaviness can come from honesty, not just distortion. That a band still finding its shape can already sound this defined.

If “First Call” introduced Stigma, “Second Chance” certainly cements them as not just a band to watch but a band that sees the world clearly and sings about it honestly.

Find out more about Stigma on their Website