Indie rock act The Lightning Struck’s sound didn’t happen by accident. In 2000, frontman Loren Davie moved to New York City after listening to The Velvet Underground and Nico one too many times. Over two decades of making music there later, Loren returned to his hometown of Toronto and brought the city’s sound with him. He formed The Lightning Struck with old friends Michael Milanetti and Blitz, and the trio were soon joined by Aussie expat drummer Liam Baidon.
Debut full-length, bolt from the blue, is a straightforward rock release that treads a fine line between groove and noise – two genres that serve as essential to the band’s identity. While this could arguably be dubbed as a pandemic album, it’s more of a recovery album. There is a struggle to come to terms with our current world both as a society and on a personal level. bolt from the blue explores our anxieties and negotiation with the world as we find it now.
Groovy focus track, “Rock n Roll Ending,” looks at the 21st century situation of “burnout” – read as: systemic exploitation – and rejects it entirely. “Don’t want a culture where we eat our young,” Loren protests. “Caught in a web of scams before we’ve begun.”
As longtime members of Blue Sky Miners, the musical duo of Eric “The Duke” Duquette and Jena “Goldie” Gogo had released two albums, toured North America, and enjoyed national radio play. Still there seemed to be uncharted musical waters on the horizon, so Duke & Goldie escaped from Toronto and set out for a small island in the Pacific Northwest in May of 2020.
The rag tag pirate-like community of (aptly named) Protection Island turned out to be the perfect coastal environment for the pair’s musical evolution to take place. Fire lit jams, a newfound connection to nature and deep reflection on their roles as settlers in this land gave spark to the self-titled EP that the now Vancouver-based twosome are proud to present.
Recorded with producer and pedal steel ace Aaron Goldstein (Julianna Riolino, Daniel Romano, Kathleen Edwards) with rhythm pros Anna Ruddick and Dani Nash, Duke & Goldie charts out landscapes and stories from thrilling rocky mountain highs, to mysterious remote deserts and walks the line barefoot between warm-folk storytelling and mystical country twang. All while asking deeper questions about the duo’s place in the land they love so much.
Singles “Courage,” “Rocky Mountain Feeling” and focus track “See You There” navigate the ups and downs of life on the journey to self-discovery. “See You There” was written in contribution to a fundraiser for a women’s shelter, for which Goldie ruminated about a spectrum of tough experiences—inequities, systemic failures, abuse—in search of the beauty in human connection. “We wanted to tell anyone experiencing adversity that they are not only seen and worthy of love where they are, but that they deserve so much more,” she states.
Xondra delivers the stunning new single “Like You Used To,” out today, which blends the boundaries of Indie Pop. Recommended if you like artists such as Boygenius, Taylor Swift, Kehlani, Annie Dirusso, and Maisie Peters, Xondra takes elements of her inspirations, and creates a unique listening experience of her own.
Xondra (she/they) is the artistic identity of Alexondra O’Connell. Born to parents of Cuban/Puerto Rican and Irish descent, Xondra was raised on Long Island, New York. From a young age, they had a passion for songwriting, often sitting next to the radio, jotting down lyrics they admired, and assembling them into their own compositions. During high school, Xondra performed their original songs at various bars and venues throughout New York before pursuing a college education focused on contemporary songwriting.
Xondra‘s musical style encompasses a diverse mix of Pop, Rock, R&B, and Indie genres. Since 2014, they have showcased their talent in both acoustic and full-band performances within the DIY scene of New York City and the tri-state area. While studying at the SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, this pop singer/songwriter sharpened their skills and developed their unique voice. Xondra brings feminist themes to the forefront, delivering heartbreakingly honest lyrics that resonate with the universal experience of being a woman in a male-dominated world.
Xondra delivers the stunning new single “Like You Used To,” out today, which blends the boundaries of Indie Pop. Recommended if you like artists such as Boygenius, Taylor Swift, Kehlani, Annie Dirusso, and Maisie Peters, Xondra takes elements of her inspirations, and creates a unique listening experience of her own.
Listen in here:
Xondra (she/they) is the artistic identity of Alexondra O’Connell. Born to parents of Cuban/Puerto Rican and Irish descent, Xondra was raised on Long Island, New York. From a young age, they had a passion for songwriting, often sitting next to the radio, jotting down lyrics they admired, and assembling them into their own compositions. During high school, Xondra performed their original songs at various bars and venues throughout New York before pursuing a college education focused on contemporary songwriting.
Xondra’s musical style encompasses a diverse mix of Pop, Rock, R&B, and Indie genres. Since 2014, they have showcased their talent in both acoustic and full-band performances within the DIY scene of New York City and the tri-state area. While studying at the SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, this pop singer/songwriter sharpened their skills and developed their unique voice. Xondra brings feminist themes to the forefront, delivering heartbreakingly honest lyrics that resonate with the universal experience of being a woman in a male-dominated world.
GRAMMY-nominated dance music icon Audien, popularly known for hits like Billboard Top 40 “Something Better” with Lady Antebellum and GRAMMY-nominated remix of Bastille’s “Pompeii,” has collaborated with melodic bass producer William Black, best known for songs like “BACK TO U” with SLANDER and “Deep Blue” with Monika Santucci, to release their new single “Would You Even Know.” The pulsing track that was debuted at Ultra Music Festival features the stunning vocals of Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Tia Tia and is available now on all DSPs and streaming services.
‘Would You Even Know’ combines Audien‘s signature progressive house sound with William Black‘s melodic bass approach, creating a unique and dynamic track that is both emotional and energizing. The collaboration between the two came about following an impromptu backstage meeting at a show in Vegas and the rest is history. The song is a testament to the power of collaboration and shows how two talented artists can come together to create something truly special. Tia Tia‘s soaring vocals add an extra layer of emotion to the track, which expresses the feelings of missing and appreciating someone important to you, making it a must-listen for anyone looking for an uplifting musical experience.
Known for his production prowess and uplifting melodies, Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Audien has established himself as an icon in the dance community. A staple in the progressive house genre, he has garnered the support of industry veterans such as Tiësto, Above & Beyond and Armin van Buuren through his extensive discography that includes collaborations with the likes of BTS, ARTY, MAX and Echosmith, and official remixes of songs by Coldplay, Halsey, Nile Rodgers, Jess Glynne and Calvin Harris.
“This collab was so natural. When two artists who stay true to their sound come together, and their sounds are quite different, something unique always comes. It’s tough to classify what kind of song this is but I love the result. William’s a great guy and Tia is the songstress we needed for it”. – Audien
“Would You Even Know” comes on the heels of marquee performances at New York City’s Avant Gardner, Insomniac’s Beyond Wonderland, and Miami Music Week. In February he released his first song of 2023, the uplifting progressive house anthem “Antidote” with Codeko and featuring Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-producer JT Roach. The positive grooves of this progressive house record “speaks of being a source of peace in a world of chaos and toxicity” according to JT Roach. On Saturday, July 15, Audien is set to bring his ‘Stay True Los Angeles’ show to the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Insomniac show will be held at The Torch at the L.A. Coliseum and will feature support performances from his talented friends and collaborators Elephante, yetep, Laszewo, OCULA, and Danny Quest. Tickets are available HERE.
“I was so stoked to work with Audien on Would You Even Know. For me the song is about appreciating the people you have in your life and being grateful for them.” – William Black
Having mesmerized tens of thousands of fans during notable tours alongside industry giants like Adventure Club and Illenium, William Black’s talent on stage is undeniable. His debut album, ‘Pages,’ received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative exploration of mental health themes through captivating music. Collaborating with artists who share similar stories added a powerful and unique dimension to the album, leading to immediate chart success on iTunes and Billboard. His 2021 album, ‘Pieces,’ climbed to number 1 on iTunes Dance Charts, cementing his name as a bonafide talent poised for stardom. As 2023 unfolds, William Black has returned triumphantly to live performances, gracing festivals, headlining sold-out shows, and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the electronic genre with more to come.
““Would You Even Know” is a song about watching your ex move on with someone else and
wondering if they’re doing all the same things that you used to do.” – Tia Tia
Grammy-nominated songwriter Tia Tia has penned hits for popular artists such as Justin Bieber, Ava Max, John Legend, and Saweetie, and established herself as a rising artist in 2023. She has released a new single every Friday of the year and gained substantial momentum on Apple Music and Spotify. Additionally, two of her songs, “Wait” and “Do It Better,” are currently trending on TikTok. Tia Tia’s global reach is also evident through her iTunes charting success. Six of her songs have charted worldwide, including three top 10s, since the start of the year. With 16 songs already released in 2023, Tia Tia is showing no signs of slowing down.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in California and currently located in Ontario, rapper Nyne’s music captivates his listeners through his tales of passion, painful memories, and harsh realities he’s overcome in his life. His remarkable vocal control and thought-provoking lyrics only add to the raw emotions baked into each one of his songs. Writing his new single, “Kill or Be Killed,” he reflected on lingering anxiety and decided he won’t face regret in certain situations. Instead, he’s using those moments as motivation to keep going and fulfill the plan he made for himself.
Modern Mystery 
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