Category Archives: Uncategorized
Bryan Away Pens Epic EP “Give In”
Bryan Away is an artist that surely is on our radar in the New Year. His new EP, “Give In” is a charming release from start to finish that brings the soul and essence of his music to life. His songs are an immersive experience that bring his music to life. For the release Bryan called upon the legendary James McAlister to the table to produce.
You may know of McAlister from his work with Sufjan Stevens and Bryce Dessner of The National. With a stamp of approval (not that he needed any!), Bryan’s songs are heartfelt and captivating as each piece takes you on a wild and whimsical ride through his mind and soul. Based in Chicago, you can feel the spirit of his music within every listen. Showstoppers include “Pour One Out,” and the title track “Give In,” which you can watch and listen to below.
The 5-track EP packs a great deal of sonically alluring sounds that spans the themes of loss, longing and isolation…something that relates to most if not all on some level. His heavenly vocals and bold and steady instrumentation bring a bit of light into the darkness, as he carries us away one song at a time.
Connect with Bryan Away via:
The Normal Living Go Big With New Single
An amazing new release from New Jersey favorites, The Normal Living, “Fame to Claim” opens with a beautiful piano melody accompanied by an up-beat rhythm. As the lead vocal comes in the piano fades into the background a little bit but the precise rhythm is still very apparent. Beautifully produced by Chris Badami, this track feels huge. Each instrument – the drums, piano, guitars, flute, and vocals – all have their own space in the mix. Nothing is drowning anything else out while nothing is sticking out either – it’s truly a perfect blend. The harmonies mesh with the lead vocal providing just enough support and an ethereal quality for the listener.
This rock-meets-country power anthem instills hope and courage upon those following their dreams despite the hardships and self-doubt that are often involved in the process. There is purpose and intention in every word describing the experience of leaving home to follow this dream. The song opens with “They say home is where the heart is” and goes on to describe a journey from Michigan to the East Coast until they can “put a stake in the ground” and “find a place of [their] own.” With this track it’s safe to say they’re well on their way. Listen on all your favorite streaming platforms.
Video Voyageur: 3Qs with Dirty Snowman
It’s safe to safe the men of the Dirty Snowman Society are not afraid to get dirty… They’ve been making waves in the rock world with newest single, “Mad Bull”, a politically driven anthem. Chris, Frank, Jonnie and Pat un-apologetically sing about a certain someone we all know very well.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?
Mad Bull is a special song for us. It’s a high powered rock anthem about the deplorable state of affairs in the White House, Washington generally, and the news media. It is a protest song that gives people a lot of emotive lines they can hang onto. The song needed to get done and we needed to do a video to further bring alive the lyrics and visually represent the energy of singing them. There is no way to let this song sit without a video. We intentionally focused the video on the energy of the band and the surroundings in Colorado in which the song was created – its America, saying what needs to get said – we hope the lyric version in particular is the focus this time.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The surroundings in the video, the mountains, the snow, the woods, are undeniably Colorado, and one of the many visuals that emote America. This is also where we came together as a band, and where we decided to do this song. The Colorado backdrop is also who we are. When you watch it we think you can feel the energy of the group and the decision to do our part by putting out this song coming through.
3. What was the process of making this video?
As you might know, Frank, our lead singer and drummer, is also a director with a few Emmys to his credit – he really mapped out the visuals and the flow. We are also lucky that, being in the business, he was able to call some great people in Colorado to do the film work. In particular we are fortunate that Michael Coe, the great film editor, who Frank knows well, took an interest in the song and wanted to help create this. For the rest of us in the band, we got into the flow (a longer story is why I (Chris) wasn’t wild about the tree well shot).
Video Voyageur: 3Qs with Benny Sinclair
Melbourne’s Benny Sinclair is an artist on the rise for 2020. His glorious new video for “Jungle” which is taken from his new release, “Assumptions,” is beyond dope from start to finish. His unique and visionary brand of Hip Hop gives him a headstart as we jump into the New Year and Sinclair shows no signs of slowing down. We had the absolute honor of sitting down with Benny Sinclair as he chats about his latest masterpiece.
Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? –
Jungle Is my own modern day version of ‘Concrete Jungle’ by one of my great inspirations ‘Bob Marley’. The lyrics express my personal frustrations & anxieties of modern day urban living. (Track Produced by ALFRD, cuts by Dj Rellik, mixed by Jase Beathedz & mastered by Dave Walker). I felt this track would be good to visualize as it allowed me to be creative. I felt we achieved this through a good contrast of tougher/gangster rapper type scenes & quirky humorous scenes such as rapping to a monkey puppet & dancing around with a lady who is suppose to represent my lawyer. The video was filmed & edited by Jeff Valledor who I have worked with on several projects. Jeff is a creative genius & is able to bring my music to life!
What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)?
I had just come out of some very tough times in my personal life, which I touch on in my lyrics. I had at times felt some of my darkest days, my music has been my escape, & through this video I feel I have been able to visualize a small chapter of this time of my life to my audience. I feel this video captures my story!
What was the process like of making this video?
The process was awesome. I really enjoyed making this video. I felt I could really be myself and take on the creative role. I always love bringing my tracks to life and seeing the end result. This video is my personal favourite!
Give a listen to Benny Sinclair on all digital outlets:
Connect with Benny Sinclair,
Video Voyageur: 3Qs with Matt Vantine
Well known for his unique writing and toe tapping production any and all Matt Vantine songs will relentlessly get stuck in your head for weeks on end, and his newest single, “Drop Dead”, is not different.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?:
I knew during the recording of “Drop Dead” that it would be my next single. It’s one of my more pop-oriented tunes with a chorus that can be easily memorized and sung. Tommy Joyner, my good friend, co-writer and producer suggested that the video serve as a backdrop to the lyrics which were displayed playfully on the screen in rhythm with the vocal melody. The song itself demonstrates a sort of stark contrast between the upbeat melody and the somewhat dark lyrical content. The final lyric in the song is “I wish you all the best, but go drop dead”. As the lyrics were being revised and finished over the melody, I knew the video could display the same sort of contrast.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
Bob Sweeney shot this film on a Super 8 camera. He was picturing me just kind of meandering about some streets and trails in Philadelphia, seemingly lost. This concept was inspired by Ringo’s “lost scene” in “A Hard Day’s Night”. Because what you’re hearing on the song is me playing the instruments, I thought it would be fun to catch some footage of me playing the various instruments in the order that they were played in the song.
3. What was the process of making this video?
Bob and I collaborated on a few videos prior to the making of “Drop Dead”, so we were in a bit of a flow state since we walked into it knowing each other’s style. We shot this video on film, so the actual filming of it was the easy part and was done in one afternoon in August. Bob filmed me walking around the neighborhood of Manayunk in Philadelphia and then we ducked into a rehearsal studio and got some footage of me playing my parts on the drums, guitar, bass and vocals. I’m thrilled with the grainy, reel to reel style of this video. The footage of this carefree and lovely afternoon serves as a great backdrop while the lyrics are neatly (and playfully) displayed across the screen
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