Category Archives: Video

05.05.24
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Wren Astra’s New Single ‘Concussed’: A Musical Journey of Resilience and Social Justice

Wren Astra embodies a unique blend of creativity and academia, seamlessly navigating her roles as an indie blues musician and a respected professor at USC. 

Her new single, “Concussed”, is a profound exploration of societal issues, drawing from a diverse range of musical influences to tell the story of experiencing concussion at the hands of an abuser.


It is a powerful and emotionally charged song that delves into the harrowing experience of living through physical assault and the complex dynamics of trauma bonds.

The decision to release it on leap year day adds an extra layer of symbolism, reflecting the disorienting and surreal nature of the events depicted in the song:

“This was a very difficult video for the crew and actors to make. I wanted it to be a graphic and realistic retelling of the very real events that survivors live through. I want viewers and listeners to live through and feel why many of us return over and over to our abuser with hope that things will turn out differently.“

The collaboration with guest vocalist Zero Surico of @for3sthills brings additional depth to the vocals, amplifying the intensity of the message. It’s evident that a lot of thought and emotion went into creating both the music and the accompanying video, making it a compelling and thought-provoking piece of art.

The song also explores the confusing thoughts, feelings, and physical disorientation that occurs in real time of an abuse event. It features Wren Astra reading the legal restraining order for her abuser as she whispers, with haunting melancholy vocals by Surico and the moody strings of guest celloist Christopher McCarthy.

In her dedication to inclusivity, Wren actively collaborates with artists from marginalized communities, diversifying the artistic landscape and fostering a sense of representation and belonging.

Crafting the Wren Astra brand as an outlet for pain and trauma through music reflects a courageous and inspired endeavor. Music’s capacity to convey profound emotions serves as a perfect medium for sharing her story and fostering healing, not only for herself but also for others who have encountered similar challenges.

Through her interdisciplinary approach, informed by her background in social justice medicine and medical writing, she brings depth to her music, offering insights into the systemic issues she addresses.

Wren ensures that her commitment to inclusivity extends to her live performances, creating spaces where individuals of all backgrounds and identities feel welcomed and celebrated.

Her work serves as a powerful catalyst for social change, inspiring others to join the fight for justice and equality through artistic expression.

Keep up to date with Wren Astra on Instagram and Facebook

Stream music on Spotify and YouTube

04.24.24
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Video Voyageur: 3 Q’s with Peter Calandra

Renowned composer and keyboard player Peter Calandra’s latest album “Spirit” is a captivating blend of his unique musical style, bringing together 10 original compositions with 3 cherished covers from earlier repertoire.

From the introspective melodies born during the pandemic era to the nostalgic tunes reminiscent of his youth, Calandra’s album promises a rich and varied listening experience.

The album ranges from tender folk-inspired piano solos to more expansive, soul stirring compositions enhanced by ethereal synthesiser textures. Through singles like “Spirit” and “Night Sky”, listeners are treated to glimpses of Calandra’s atmospheric piano compositions, each track offering a serene oasis amidst the noise of the world. His music serves as an invitation to pause, reflect, and find solace in moments of quiet contemplation. 

Peter Calandra has had an illustrious career as both composer and keyboard player in New York City’s vibrant music scene, with a prolific output.

With over 100 film scores, thousands of compositions for TV and film, and notable contributions to major events and networks, Calandra’s impact on the industry is undeniable. Recognition from esteemed institutions like the Independent Spirit Awards further solidifies his status as a respected and influential artist.

We caught up with Peter Calandra to get the lowdown on the inspiration behind the beautiful new music video for title track “Spirit”: 

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

This song, like every song on the album, came from one of the 65 Saturday Night Live Streams I broadcast from my studio during the pandemic. I set up a droning sound using a Moog app on my iPad and improvised the rest of the song. I did have a concept of what the song should express. I tried to use musical language I associate as a cross between ‘Americana’ and Irish Folk music.

This would be some of the sounds created by classical  composers like Aaron Copland and also some of the musical feeling from the piano music of Bruce Hornsby and Lyle Mays as well as the melodic feel used by many Irish folk songs. I did not copy any song, just some of the feeling these musical materials can convey. I also wanted there to be some space in the music and this is where the droning sound on the iPad helped out. It achieves the kind of effect that the droning reeds on an Irish bagpipe does by giving you an inspiring bed of sound over which you can improvise.

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

The main part of the video is taken from the live performance of the music played in my studio during the broadcast. I wanted to contrast that with other visuals I captured in New York City. I also contrasted the live playing, in black and white with the visuals which are in color. The music is peaceful and heartfelt and the scenes captured show that there can be those same moments found in a bustling city if you know how to look. The video clips were taken in Union Square, on the Highline and in Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

What was the process of making this video?

I started out by mixing and editing the musical performance as the original version was almost 10 minutes long and while fine for a live performance, had too many spots where there were too many notes being played by the pianist (that would be me lol). Once I did that and edited the video to match, I decided to look through my catalog of visual content created from my travels and came up with about 10-15 film clips to choose from. At this point contrasting between the Black and White performance with the colorful and Slo-Motion video content from NYC seemed like a good way to enhance and create a compelling story. Then  it was just a matter of choosing and editing the NYC content with the live performance. 

“We live in turbulent times where success is measured in clicks and quite a bit of online content is limited to 60 seconds or less. All of this comes together to create a reality that flies by at an alarming rate where you can get swept up in all this and feel like you are on an out of control roller coaster ride. There has to be a place for music and art that moves people and tells a story and develops over time to help slow down the pace of life. That is the essence of what my goals are for the music I create. Telling stories in sound that touch people’s hearts.”

“Spirit” is available now!

Keep up to date with Peter Calandra on his website www.petecalandramusic.com

Stream music on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube Music. 

04.12.24
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Experience the Raw Power of Maryen Cairns’ Latest Single “Give To The Chase”

Singer-songwriter Maryen Cairns’ latest single, “Give To The Chase” explores a profound connection to nature and her dual roles as both a mother and an artist. 

The vivid imagery of her residing in an off-the-grid yurt while nurturing her children adds a layer of authenticity to her music.

Her choice to record the song in the solace of her home reflects the intimacy and personal nature of the track. This marked the start of a transformative journey which culminated in her 2002 album “Stories from the Red Tent” which explored women’s narrative and bonds within the sanctuary of The Red Tent.

The lyrics of “Give To The Chase” carry a poignant message about humanity’s relationship with the Earth, urging environmental consciousness and stewardship. Maryen’s solo performances amplify this message, transforming it into a rallying cry for a sustainable future.

Maryen’s adeptness at rhythm as well as owning a profound affinity with nature really shine through in her unique performance style. Her talent as both musician and storyteller is evident:

““Give to the Chase” is performed as a solo percussion & vocal piece… shamanic sound ringing in this song for our Mother Earth. Maryen is perched on a cajun with her feet utilising two pedals whilst wearing a rattle on one ankle, simultaneously playing a medicine drum & shaker whilst she sings.

Give to the Chase personifies Mother Earth herself, moving between singing as Mother Earth & singing as a member of the human race. A story of generations working to save the environment and live within nature, knowing that human’s race to survive, with only the fittest/strongest/smartest making it for the human race itself to survive.”

Maryen Cairns’ has received widespread acclaim over the past three decades, and is well known for her allegorical themes. She has most famously been guided under the mentorship of Rolling Stones producer, Chris Kimsey.

With her brand new album “One Woman Band, Live at Echotown Studios Vol. 1” due to be released on May 3rd, fans will be delighted to listen to a collection of songs that truly encapsulate her unique sound as well as offer a glimpse into her captivating solo performances.

Maryen Cairns’ music continues to captivate and inspire audiences, offering a reflection on life, nature, and our interconnectedness with the world around us which is often forgotten in the fast paced world today.

Keep up to date with Maryen Cairns:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music

Listen to Maryen’s New Single “Give To The Chase” on Spotify!

03.27.24
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VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3QS WITH GAVIN MCLEOD

At just 24 years old, Gavin McLeod has already established himself as a seasoned singer-songwriter and virtuosic guitarist in the sphere of indie rock music.

From his early days rocking out on video game drums to gracing the stages of festivals and television shows, Gavin’s musical path is nothing short of remarkable.

Driven by a deep passion for collaboration with other musicians, Gavin leads his band of brothers, blending the intimate storytelling of 1970s singer-songwriters with the electrifying energy of modern UK indie rock.

With his debut album, “The Constant Astonishment,” produced by industry veterans, Gavin is poised to captivate audiences with his anthemic melodies and captivating lyrics.

His new single “Things We Used To Do” is accompanied by a brand new music video, which was shot at a live show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on December 14th 2023.

It features a mix of raw and up close footage from the live show, at what is now a legendary Toronto music venue known for hosting countless influential musicians and bands over the years.

We caught up with Gavin to get the lowdown on the inspiration behind the music video:

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

I have been playing live with my band since I was 11 years old. For the first single off of our debut album, it felt natural to shoot the music video at a show, raw and in the moment. There were a million stories this video could’ve told, but ultimately I wanted it to represent the band and the song in a very real way. Recording this song was an incredibly collaborative experience and most of the track was recorded live off the floor with the four of us in a room together.

Recording the music video at a venue was the closest I felt we could get to that original recording session. It was a special night at the Horseshoe Tavern downtown Toronto, and the whole thing was captured and put together beautifully by Connor Scheffler.

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

I have always taken heavy inspiration from all of the old bands and artists of the 70’s. Neil and Bruce and Petty, those guys always had some great live music videos that always stuck with me. This music video is our attempt at that classic style, with all of the musicians on stage playing the song in real time. It is a raw and messy and chaotic in certain places, but that is how a live show can often be. We stepped out on stage that night with one chance to nail this video shoot, and we are all really happy with the result. We had a great crew filming us that night, and the energy from the crowd in the room was excellent. 

3. What was the process of making this video? 

For anyone from Toronto, the Horseshoe Tavern is an iconic and storied venue. Many great bands have graced the stage, and it’s always an honour to play in that room. I had booked this show months in advance, and when we began music video discussions, it made a lot of sense to line it up with this night. After some preplanning with Connor Scheffler and his team, we met up before soundcheck and started shooting some footage.

The video contains shots from soundcheck, the greenroom, and the live performance of the song. To keep everything in time, our Drummer Tyler played the song to a click track, and we tried our best to play as close to the studio recording as possible (which proved to be much easier said than done).

Afterwards, Connor put a few cuts together for us to watch and absolutely nailed the visuals and the flow of the end product. We are all very happy with how it came out.

The synergy between Gavin McLeod and his band shines brightly in this single and Gavin’s vision of capturing the raw essence of their live performances seamlessly translates into the recording process, resulting in a sound that feels both intimate and exhilarating:

“I had the romantic idea of recording the album old school style – live off the floor – just like a show. It was a dream come true”, Gavin says.

“Things We Used To Do” is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo.

On Lead Vocals are Gavin McLeod, McLeod and Patrick Mills on electric guitar, Gavin McLeod on percussion, Tyler Dewar on drums, and Joey DePaiva on bass guitar.

Keep up to date with Gavin McLeod on his website at www.gavinmcleodmusic.com 

Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 

Music can be streamed on Spotify,Apple Music, and YouTube.

03.21.24
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Maryen Cairn’s Releases Sentimental New Single “Flew Away”

Maryen Cairns’ latest single, “Flew Away” pays homage to Joan Taubman, a trailblazing female pilot from Australia.

Released on International Women’s Day, the song reflects Cairns’ deep admiration for Taubman’s courage and resilience, despite her initially knowing much about her extraordinary life.

The song draws from folk influences, with Cairns’ exquisite vocals and intricate guitar work. 

Performing the song solo, Cairns shares her personal connection to the track including her unique approach to the whistling solo originally composed by her friend Paul Stockton:

“When my children were little, I used to take them to the swimming at the pool in my parents building in Sydney. They were, like most children, very noisy! An old lady who lived in the building used to waylay us on the way to the pool, and demand to know who gave us the right to use the pool. Years later my mum told me that she had been one of Australia’s first female pilots and that she used to reminisce about flying under the harbour bridge with her friends! Joan Taubman’s flying suit and helmet are in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, and I wrote Flew Away to celebrate how we never know what another person has gone through, what they have achieved, just by looking at them.

Now when I see an elderly person I wonder what adventures they’ve had, what made them laugh or cry, if they were able to follow their dreams, what they regretted, if they had a great love… I’m aware that we cannot see what a person has been through by looking at them, and this was a big lesson to me, that resulted in me writing Flew Away. I wrote this just after I had made the Femina Australis album, and of course it would have fitted beautifully on that album, being about an amazing Australian woman! The original recording of this song is on my album Come To Me from 2019. It features a beautiful whistling solo from my London friend Paul Stockton. Having been a leading choirboy at St Paul Cathedral school many many moons ago, this was only his 2nd time in a recording studio, and he came up with an incredible melody to whistle as a solo. Now, I can’t whistle, not at all (!) but I love Paul’s melody so much that I feature his solo by singing it!

Recorded at Echotown Studios in Dorchester, England, and produced by Chris Kimsey, “Flew Away” forms a pivotal part of Cairns’ upcoming debut vinyl release, marking a significant milestone in her music career.

With an extensive catalogue comprising of seven solo albums and collaborations with esteemed artists like Fish and Chris Kimsey, Cairns has solidified her position as a notable figure in the indie music scene.

Born in Scotland, and then emigrating to Australia, she began writing songs at the age of thirteen. She pioneered a home recording studio with tools like the Tascam 4-track, and Cubase. In the 2010s, she broke barriers with albums like “Stories from the Red Tent” which challenged taboos with its groundbreaking birthing imagery, and “Femina Australia” celebrating the lives of Australian women. 

Beyond her solo work, Maryen founded The Mfest, a celebration of motherhood and women’s creativity, and hosted Sydney’s first originals-only open mic night. Collaborations included backing vocals for ex-Marillion vocalist Fish. She even played a grand piano in an extinct volcano for a promotional video.

Inspired by her recent solo tour across the UK in August 2023, Maryen continues to engage with her audience through platforms like The Cairns Club, where she shares her personal stories, as well as a popular livestream series.

Stay current with Maryen Cairns on her Website, Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy her music Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

02.19.24
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Shane Heilman’s Latest Release “Psalm 51 (Forgive Me)” Takes the Worship World by Storm – Listen Now!

With over 45,000 YouTube subscribers, and more than 32,000 monthly Spotify streams, singer-songwriter Shane Hellman has a wide reaching and fast growing International audience. 

His latest release, “Psalm 51 (Forgive me)” forms part of The Psalms Project; an ambitious project to set all 150 Psalms to music. 

Each album release from The Psalms Project shows Heilman’s adeptness at bringing together contemporary melodies with ageless Psalms, captivating audiences worldwide.

Collaborations with renowned musicians and producers coupled with a firm commitment to keeping the essence of the ancient texts within a modern composition, have really solidified this project’s standing in worship music. 

“Psalm 51 (Forgive Me)” draws inspiration from King David’s plea of forgiveness. Through introspective lyrics and emotive melodies, this song offers a poignant respite and exploration of human frailty and redemption. And it tackles a difficult and deep topic.

Shane shares: 

“As you probably know, it was written by David after committing adultery with Bathsheba and trying to cover it up by having her husband killed in battle. 

I was hesitant to even try to write a song that captured all of Psalm 51 with music. 

Charles Spurgeon, the famous preacher, even put off writing a commentary on Psalm 51 for weeks because he felt no words could to it justice! 

He said, “Such a psalm may be wept over, absorbed into the soul…but commented on – ah! where is he who having attempted it can do other than blush at his defeat?”

Yet, I’m happy to report, I did write, compose, and record a song (with some friends of mine) for all of Psalm 51!

I think it’s one of the best songs we’ve ever done.”

This soothing and beautiful rendition of Psalms 51 set to music is not only inspiring, but really demonstrates the transformative potential of music and faith. The very talented singer, Trot Lifto, provides exquisite vocals, with haunting piano chords and soaring strings. 

This song captures a sensitive treatment of what is a complex Psalm and subject matter, with simple melodies and accompaniment to create a very beautiful Psalm rendition. 

As the Psalms Projects drums up increasing popularity, Shane’s continues to have a steadfast commitment to translating all 150 Psalms to music, bringing universal themes of hope, forgiveness, and Divine love to the fore. 

The Psalms Project is led by singer/songwriter/producer Shane Heilman, and includes the collaboration of more than 70 accomplished musicians, including Grammy nominees Phil Keaggy and Jeff Duo to name just a few. 

Psalm 51 features singer Trot Lifto. 

Follow The Psalms Project Now Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube