Keyth Jones has never been afraid to shake things up. Over the years, he has explored everything from the kaleidoscopic harmonies of Fractal Cat to the experimental edges of Plän Pläns, always taking his music somewhere new.
His latest single, “Run To Me” roars in with a different kind of mission, cutting through the noise with a blistering, fuzzed out garage rock rush.
Listen here:
This track is a raw, high energy homage to the rough and tumble 1960’s garage bands that lit up basement parties and dive bars before vanishing into crates of forgotten vinyl. As soon as the guitars kick in, it’s all speed, sweat, and grit.
There is an urgency; Jones sings like he has something to prove, his voice riding the distortion like a runaway train. The rhythm section is relentless, keeping the pulse pounding from start to finish.
Jones wrote “Run To Me” in the most fitting way possible – jamming with his wife on drums, chasing the thrill of loud, unfiltered rock n’ roll. That energy is baked into every note.
“Run to Me” came from a 2022 jam session with my wife on drums. I had just started playing electric guitar again and wanted to write a rocker that paid homage to the 60s garage bands. My buddy and I used to spend hours combing bargain bins in record stores for those bands. It was like a competition to see who could unearth the most obscure 60s relic. Then we’d go back to his basement and rock out, and we always felt like we were the only people in the world who cared about this stuff.”
But don’t mistake the song’s ragged edges for carelessness. Getting the right balance between loose and electrifyingly tight took serious effort. Jones has said that this was the toughest track to get right in the studio, with producer Miles Gannett helping to fine tune the chaos into something razor sharp.
This is the perfect preview to Jones’s upcoming “Love Yourself” EP, due out in April 2025. While the full project is set to explore themes of self-reflection and romance, “Run To Me” is all adrenaline. Rock and roll at its most immediate and infectious.
Whether you are a fan of The Sonics, The Stooges, or The White Stripes, this one demands to be played out loud!
George Collins’s EP “Songs for Grown-ups“ is a wonderful exploration of adulthood all wrapped up in the comforting embrace of Americana rock.
This EP, which includes six previously released singles along with a new and exclusive bonus track, offers a profound reflection on the themes of family, love, aging, and gratitude, all delivered through Collins’s signature warm and inviting sound.
The EP opens with the vibrant “I Got What I Got,” a feel-good anthem that encourages listeners to appreciate life’s blessings.
This song has an upbeat tempo and a melody that creates an instant connection, setting a positive tone for the journey ahead.
Following this, “Where Have I Been All Your Life” displays Collins’s introspective songwriting at its finest, balancing the competing demands of personal passions and family obligations – a relatable sentiment for many especially in the busy world of today.
One of the standout moments in the collection is “My Wish For You.” This song is a touching tribute to Collins’s daughter that took almost a decade to craft. This song encapsulates the hopes and dreams every parent holds for their child, that each parent wants the absolute best for their child and this shows true sincerity and love.
“Stop the Sun” is a more contemplative reminder of life’s fleeting nature, skilfully bringing together themes of time and existence into its storyline. This is a track that invites the listener to pause and reflect, and it really adds a lot of depth to the overall message of the EP.
As the journey comes to a close with “Saving the Best for Last,” listeners are treated to a saxophone-infused melody that has a contemporary flair.
What makes “Songs for Grown-ups” particularly remarkable is Collins’s ability to tackle complex themes without becoming overly serious. Instead, he creates an experience that is both introspective and celebratory and invites the listener to revel in the joy and wisdom that comes with maturity.
Overall, George Collins’s Songs for Grown-ups is a delightful addition to the Americana rock landscape.
It shows an artist who has embraced life’s myriad of experiences, as well as looking back at all of the crossroads and paths that took one to where they are, today. Through catchy hooks and thoughtful storytelling, Collins delivers a collection that will relate for anyone navigating the ups and downs of adulthood.
Originally from Washington D.C. and currently based in Prague, George Collins blends elements of Americana rock with the introspection of blues and soul. His music nods to iconic artists such as The Beatles, Elvis Costello, Dire Straits, Tom Petty, Otis Redding, as well as James Brown.
Collins is also an experienced writer, having penned two novels, a screenplay, as well as numerous short stories and poems. His artistic journey reflects a deep commitment to authenticity, making him a unique voice in today’s music scene.
Christian Imes, the driving force behind Animals In Denial, delivers a potent blend of industrial rock and electronica with latest single “Coi.”
“Coi” is a track that has been a long time in the making. Initially composed in 2003, it began with electronic sequences created using Acid Pro 4, a tool that allowed Christian to stitch together the core of what would become a powerful and compelling piece.
The track was initially intended as a pitch for one of his earlier bands, but the project was shelved when the band’s singer felt there wasn’t enough room for lyrics. However Christian knew there was something special within the track’s groovy, hard-hitting beats and dark atmosphere, so he tucked it away for years until the timing felt right to revisit it.
Listen in here:
“Coi” channels the spirit of Nine Inch Nails and takes much of its inspiration from albums like The Fragile and Pretty Hate Machine. These influences are clear in the driving, industrial beats which are combined with a massive wall of sound created by searing guitar lines that cut through the electronic undercurrent. Imes explains that he wanted the track to be something that rocked as hard as metal but still had a danceable, rhythmic groove.
The result is a track that balances heaviness and energy, perfect for both head-banging and losing yourself in its hypnotic rhythm.
One of the standout elements of “Coi” is its guitar work. Christian used his Epiphone Les Paul Special 2 to lay down both the rhythm and lead tracks, capturing a raw, gritty sound that perfectly complements the song’s darker vibe. His 85 Gibson Les Paul Studio, which was a cherished birthday gift from his mother, was used to add more depth and richness to the lead lines in the chorus, as well as fatten up the rest of the sound to give a sense of power. The guitar parts came naturally, with many of the recordings being first takes.
While the bass lines were created using a sample pack and a keyboard, they blend in and add a weighty low-end that helps to anchor the frenetic energy of the drums and guitars.
Christian’s attention to detail in production, even when using non-traditional instruments, shines through in every aspect of the song.
Recorded with a Shure SM58 microphone and enhanced using the Nectar plugin and a mic modeler plugin, Imes delivers a raw and emotionally charged performance.
The lyrics reflect his feelings of betrayal, frustration, and emotional turmoil after a toxic relationship. Imes recounts how the relationship, marked by manipulation, dishonesty, and infidelity which left him feeling used and lost. Lines like, “I’m sick on the in, you’re sick on the out,” capture the disconnect between his efforts to heal and his ex-partner’s refusal to confront her own demons. At the time, Christian was navigating challenges related to PTSD and ASD, which added to the complexity of the situation.
“Lyrically, this is another one that was about one of my ex-girlfriends. It’s not nice but she treated me about as bad as you can possibly treat someone. From the hot and cold, to endless lies about stuff you should never lie about. She was my first after school serious relationship and I got really invested, and in retrospect the signs, flags, whatever, were there. I was also seeing doctors and therapists to deal with PTSD and ASD and trying to figure out “me” is why I think I missed some clear signals that we would’ve been better as friends.”
Reflecting on the lyrics today, Imes acknowledges that both he and his ex-partner were dealing with unresolved pain, but at the time of writing “Coi,” he was still deeply hurt. He now sees the relationship from a more mature perspective, recognizing that it was a combination of their struggles that led to its unraveling.
Christian Imes, the brain behind Animals In Denial, is an artist who defies boundaries and challenges the status quo. His music merges elements of alternative rock, industrial, electronic, and even pop. As a neurodivergent artist, Christian shares a unique perspective and experience with Asperger’s syndrome, creating songs that speak to the human existence in profound and innovative ways.
A devoted family man, Christian can often be found jamming with his sons, passing on his love for music and creativity. His ethos can be summed up in his own words: “I just want to live my life surrounded by music.”
As the latest addition to the Animals In Denial discography, “Coi” solidifies Christian’s place as a visionary in the alternative and industrial rock music genres.
“Coi”is now available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Kristen Rae Bowden is a singer-songwriter with deep musical roots, hailing from Boone, North Carolina.
Growing up in a family of musicians, Kristen developed a keen ear for harmony at an early age and taught herself to play piano before expanding her skills to include classical flute and earning a BFA in acting and musical theater from Elon University.
Since releasing her debut album in 2019, she has become known for her storytelling and music that blends folk influences with pop and Americana. Her music reflects a balance between vulnerability and strength, turning personal experiences into cathartic, universally relatable songs.
Her latest single, “Skateboard,” captures the exhilarating rush of young love, likening its emotional highs to the thrill of skateboarding.
With lyrics inspired by her own memories and co-written with Joe Lawlor (Dave Matthews Band), Kristen continues to create music that resonates deeply with listeners. In this interview, Kristen shares the story behind the music video to “Skateboard,” offering insights into her creative process and the visual storytelling that brings the song to life.
Watch the music video here:
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
“Skateboard” is a song about the breathless exhilaration of young love in the newfound freedom of college.
When I was 18 there was a time when I was still with my high school boyfriend, in a long-distance relationship as he’d gone to a different school. He was a skateboarder. (I definitely was not!) We would visit each other on weekends. It was early September, the weather was still very hot in that “dog days of summer” stagnant way, and I remember waiting until late at night for him to arrive, with heavy anticipation. When he did, we’d go out skateboarding together around the lamp-lit streets and brick paths of the campus, enjoying the cooling breeze of movement as the heat radiated off the pavement, still hot from the sun of the day. We’d stop at various parties, sometimes a home-made half pipe in a parking lot, and drink beer or a PJ concoction out of red solo cups. (I could only pretend to skateboard after I’d lost some of my inhibitions.) We were in love and on our own for the very first time. That feeling of freedom and youthful elation is what inspired the lyrics for this song.
Even though this specific experience of mine is what inspired the lyrics, the song is really about the semi-universal experience of that feeling… the rollercoaster high of young love. Skateboarding is a great metaphor for that thrill.
So I chose to visualize the song with all sorts of different young couples, and skateboarders catching air.
My hope is that all sorts of folks can see something in the visuals that resonates with their own experience of being young and unsupervised and in love.
2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
Instead of telling a narrative story with this video, I wanted the visuals to impart a feeling of euphoria and exhilaration. What could be more exhilarating than flying through the air (or falling in love for the first time)?
Also, this is a lyric video, so I had the opportunity to use different text styles and animation as a visual expression of what I’m singing.
The verse lyrics, “If you knew me once / then you know me still / Would you still recognize me?” are quiet and intimate, and sung from the present day as I’m looking back and remembering. I chose a cursive script and gave it a glow effect, as if I’m writing an imaginary letter to all my former lovers.
In contrast, the chorus vocal is soaring and expansive: “Feeling so high / when you’re driving all night / to my front door.” This is me living in the memory of that euphoria, so I chose an expansive outline font and made it transparent, so the skateboarders could fly through the lyrics, and the viewers’ eyes can take it all in at once.
Animating the chorus lyrics was really fun… I love how they give you a sense of the rhythmic patterns.
3. What was the process of making the video?
I made this video myself on my iPad. First I chose stock footage and licensed it… which is really fun, making a giant folder of footage that might work to tell the story and capture the vibe, and then going lyric by lyric deciding what works best. This song really lent itself to that… I basically ended up with a folder of badass skateboarding footage!
Then I used an app called Videoleap to combine and edit… it’s really geared more towards vertical TikTok videos and such, but I found that I could use it to do everything I was picturing in my head. I enjoy using the touch screen of my ipad for a lot of it, as opposed to a mouse. When I animated the lyrics I was literally dragging them with my fingers to wherever I wanted them to go. Something about this makes the process more fun and engaging to me.
When you don’t have the budget to do a big original video production, these are great options for expressing yourself and using your own creativity to expand on your art as an independent musician. I’m so grateful to all the artists out there who captured this footage and made it available to license! And the editing tools these days have almost no learning curve… anybody can get creative with them.
Siren is back with a bang, delivering a potent mix of gritty storytelling and visuals in their latest single, “Dead Beggar.”
Known for their melodic rock fusion and thought-provoking lyrics, the band takes listeners on a journey into the heart of societal divides, tackling the age-old battle between the wealthy elite and the oppressed.
Inspired by the epic power struggles of Game of Thrones, “Dead Beggar” paints a raw, emotional picture of the haves and the have-nots, with a triumphant twist- the underdogs finally win.
To bring this powerful message to life, Siren partnered with acclaimed video director Isaac Deitz, who transformed their vision into a stunning, cinematic masterpiece.
The video, filmed across Coral Springs, FL, and downtown Atlanta blends striking visuals with a storyline that symbolizes the fight for control and the eventual rise of the downtrodden.
In this exclusive interview, lead singer Rob Phillips opens up about the creative process, the inspiration behind the song and its striking video, and how the collaboration with Deitz elevated “Dead Beggar” to a whole new level.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
We wrote the song with a Game of Thrones vibe. It is about the haves and have nots. The visualization was the work of our video director Isaac Deitz. He is extremely talented and has a gift for bringing our music to life on the screen.
2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
We wanted to show a power struggle between the classes of the wealthy and the poor. The orb in the video represents the power that eventually gets taken by the poor. Isaac did an amazing job delivering a powerful visual representation of the song.
3. What was the process of making the video?
The narrator shots were done at our Coral Springs, FL Studio with a black screen. The remaining shots were done in downtown Atlanta, Georgia with the two other actors, the boy and the villain.
They both did a fantastic performance.
Siren’s latest single “Dead Beggar” is distributed through The Orchard / SONY via Madison Records.
AP Tobler uses their own life as a guide for their music. Unlike many musicians out there, you can hear their passion and intimacy with the music, not just the words. We can hear their rawness and vulnerability in their work, allowing the listeners in and feeling along with them. AP Tobler is authentic and that’s what makes them, and their music, so amazing.
Their newest single, “Eclipse” was too big for a single song, so they gave us “Blunt Force,” the single that lives on the B-side. “Blunt Force” is the perfect companion piece to “Eclipse,” a grungy rock song that sounds like Nirvana meets Green Day. “Eclipse” This song is a personal one for AP that most people been through. It describes the way trauma affects our minds and bodies in the music. “Eclipse is about the mental block that comes with suffering a past trauma,” shares AP. “I wrote this song while I was replaying painful events in my head. I was sick of feeling upset over things that had happened years ago. When I write music about personal experiences, the lyrics and melody tend to come together very quickly. This is the case with Eclipse. I was actually on a phone call with friends and started feeling anxious. In the middle of the call, I opened my Notes app and started typing fragments of lyrics about how I was feeling.”
The companion piece, “Blunt Force,” is about a time in which a close friend to AP just left, suddenly and unexpectedly. There was no notice, they were just no longer friends with no explanation. This grunge song depicts this experience and the repercussions it had on AP. “After two years without resolution, I finally wrote a song to express the lingering emotions I was feeling,” says AP. “One night I picked up my guitar and wrote a cord progression that I liked. I started to write the lyrics and within 30 minutes I had a melody and lyrics to represent the emotions of this painful experience. I refined the song over a few sessions, adding layers to fill it out. The writing process was cathartic, as I had encapsulated this traumatic event into a song.”
Listen to “Eclipse” and the B-Side “Blunt Force” here:
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