Lindsay Solo is a trained vocalist who has been inspired by music since she was a girl. She just released her first solo album called Love Reimagined, full of songs that mean something personally to her. Every song is a cover that she performs in her own unique way that exemplifies how each one makes her feel. While each song is powerful and shows us what she can do, her rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is her most powerful.

Her version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” highlights her vocal range and talent as a singer. She is able to maintain a base, which is where she naturally goes, while going both high and low at any given time. She is able to move her voice so effortlessly as the song crescendos. Her version of the song is more gospel and R&B inspired, which gives her the leeway to go as low to as high as she can. 

She recently performed the song at the EastWest Studios in Los Angeles where she brings the song to life. You can see how effortless it is for her to sing, but also the passion she has for music. You know instantly that this song means a lot to her, you can hear it in her voice and see it in her performance. Her rendition gives you goosebumps when she sings it because her version is more intimate, it’s personal. She sings it like she is singing directly to you. 

Lindsey Solo is such a talented singer. She brings her music to life because she is able to connect to it so deeply. It’s so beautiful and raw. You can listen to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and the rest of her album on Spotify and you can see the video of her performance at the EastWest Studios on YouTube. It’s a must listen. We spoke to Lindsay for a special edition of Video Voyageur you’ll find below.

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

I love the cinematic stylings of the original song and it worked well in the context of “Love Reimagined” because it is very supportive in regards to our world globally with what has been happening throughout the Pandemic. We really connected it to the social justice movement that was happening throughout the lockdown and it transcended not only as a love song but also as a call to support real issues going on in our society right now.We chose this because the original had an epic feel to it which allowed us the opportunity to arrange it a completely different way while still achieving the same results. By making it a gospel arrangement I feel we brought the soul out of this song with an organic direct resonance to it and could really convey an authentic and genuine emotion with this arrangement.

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

This song was made in the 70’ s,  so we looked at other artists around that time and wanted to capture a timeless visual feel of how bands were performing in those days. We wanted to make a nod to visual styles of the past with a more modern flare and an intercutting of the musicians vs a straight on shot of the band. Since we recorded this live, we wanted to capture the energy of the performance by not just focusing on me, but all of the incredible musicians who contributed to this wonderful arrangement. We focused the story board in a way that allowed the music to be supportive with an organic visual performance.

What was the process of making this video?

We really wanted to get into the mood and feeling of the song by having an incredible team on set, including the location. East West studios is iconic and really set the tone to grab the song and take you on a journey with us back in time. The energy of the room itself, (where Frank Sinatra recorded “ New York, New York”) was felt the moment you walk in. Everyone played a special role and was specifically chosen with their talent in mind. Each detail was carefully thought out.  Hair, makeup, styling, musicians, as well as the videographer were key. I wanted to make sure we captured intimate details of the live performance because they are so integral to the power behind the music. Because we were going for a specific style of music we also wanted to be sure we had incredibly seasoned musicians that live and breath music everyday. The gospel choir was definitely a focus as it brings out the meaning of the song even more and inspired me to sing with even more feeling. The day was long but the process was so much fun, especially after being in lockdown and not performing live as often. It was incredible to see one another and share in music that day. We didn’t want it to end. It was like a healing balm that we all needed.  

Chugging in from New York City, The R Train pulls into the station with a new song called “Rock On” and we do rock on! The song is funky with elements of Black Sabbath, Tom Petty and the Beatles. The trio and long time friends feature multi instrumentalists, deep bass and powerhouse harmonies that feature pounding drums with power and precision. 

Having co-written all the songs, their inspiration is vast including  Billy Joel, Chuck Berry and Paul McCartney. The diversity in their music allows a wide range of audience with their feel-good vibes of rock and roll and makes us want to jump on the party R train! 

“Rock On” is an ode to classic rock while consistently incorporating vintage guitar riffs with a modern flair. A band that is good for all ages and has lasted through the ages, The R Train pulls out all the stops on their journey to rock and welcome us to rock our hearts our and dance to the groove of the music, and we sure do!

Watch the video below!

Find The R Train via:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify

Brittaney Delsarte releases her latest single “Southern Life” in anticipation of her upcoming EP Call Me Blossom. “Southern Life” begins with a throwback beat, setting the tone for the song. This song is similar to that of late 90s and early 2000s hip-hop and R&B hits. Brittaney creates “Southern Life” using her experiences as she was born and raised in South Carolina. This single discusses all the positive experiences that come from living that southern lifestyle.

Brittaney is a woman with many accolades and years of experience in the arts. She was blessed with a talented family who pushed her to achieve her dreams. At age 4, Brittaney was training with some of the best institutions in voice, dance, and acting. In 2018, Brittaney received her Masters from Arts Studio Drama School in New York. She has appeared in many plays both on and off broadway. In addition to her contribution to the arts, she also participates in journalism with big TV networks such as CNN. Brittaney is an inspiration to many women, especially those who are minorities and are often discouraged from reaching their full potential.

Throughout the single, Brittaney’s voice truly stands out. Her training in jazz vocals shows true through her melodic compositions in her chorus. Her verses bring out her pop technique as well as show her ability to blend genres together. Her shifts between pop verses to a jazzy chorus are very graceful and smooth. Her backup vocals in the chorus create a spatial awareness for the audience that helps create significance in her lyrics. 

“Southern Life” has a vocal production similar to that of Destiny’s Child. The beat fits the category of 90s-2000s hits. Destiny’s Child would group together to sing parts of their songs, typically the chorus, and add dimension to their music. Brittaney creates a similar effect by doubling her vocals in the chorus. Her vocal range is similar to that of Ari Lennox and SZA, although Brittaney sings at a faster pace. “Southern Life” is a sentimental tribute to the joyful life in the South. Its fast-paced tempo allows the single match today’s pop hits while the beat brings us back in time. We are excited to listen to more of Brittaney Delsarte with her upcoming album Call Me Blossom.

Stream “Southern Life” Here: 

Follow Brittaney Here:

https://www.brittaneychatman.com

https://www.instagram.com/brittandbroadway/

Bryan Banks is a musical storyteller. His poetic use of the guitar blended with his sultry voice and impassioned lyrics create a wonderful journey through music. His 2017 album The Sudden Sounds of Urgency is an example of this. With influence from metal, rock, R&B, country, and anything else you can think of, The Sudden Sounds of Urgency is about the pitfalls of our relationships in life. 

The album leans heavily on melodic hard rock, punk rock, and metal. His music sounds like that of Green Day, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith, while his voice is similar to that of U2 and Guns N’ Roses. Lyrically, it’s all the negative feelings in a relationship, almost like he’s using music as a coping tool. It’s unique and refreshing to hear.

Most of the songs on this album are very hard rock-esque, but songs like “Escape the Insanity” and “Transfusion” sprinkle in something different. With “Escape the Insanity,” we get more of a country rock sound that’s softer. It starts slow which is a stark contrast to the other songs on the album that dive right into the rock and roll influences. With “Transfusion,” we still get that hard rock and metal sound, but there’s sections of slow music intertwined in the song to mirror the lyrics of being used to heal someone’s pain. 

Bryan keeps us on our toes. He keeps us hooked by his sound and suddenly changes course ever so slightly to force us to hear and feel what he’s singing. He brings out emotions in us we thought we buried deep or even knew we had. His album The Sudden Sounds of Urgency has been released on YouTube where you can hear it now. If you like hard rock and metal with passionate lyrics, this is the album for you. Be sure to give it a listen.

Find Bryan Banks via:

https://www.bryanbanksmusic.com/home

https://www.facebook.com/Bryanbanksmusic/

https://www.instagram.com/Bryan_Banks_Music/

GR^VE (pronounced ‘grave’) is a newly formed duo composed of Seraph on vocals, and music by Carbon. The pair have come together by what they described as a mutual understanding of our common mortality. Their mission statement is to provide a necessary soundtrack to all who listen to their upcoming multimedia releases of video art and streamable music in a single format. Recently sharing their new single and video for “In Fire,” this starts a whole new unique and notable realm for the group.

“In Fire” is the first video where we actually present ourselves physically which was a little intimidating on my part. It’s easier to let the music speak for itself where there is a vulnerability in associating the person with the music. We felt that in order to present the story in the way it was intended it was important to do so. The song and video are representative of both the external doubts we are fed from the world and those more dangerously coming from within our own psyches. In moments of anxiety and depression we find the will to continue on and push ourselves. This is ultimately the meaning behind the song. Not in the taunting verses, but the refrain. I hope this resonates with people as I feel we all experience this in some way.

We used the imagery of an 80’s horror film in which the antagonists are expressing those doubts to an inner child. No children were harmed in the making of this video. We both love b-horror movies so this was a fun project to do. The effects are cheesy in order to both sell the 80’s b horror look and to not trigger anyone. It is intended to evoke how media can influence and cause self-esteem issues from a young age. We are presented with information from birth to confirm to a worldview that may no longer exist. The world is changing. It is not kind by nature and it is up to each of us to find our place in it.”

Multi-platinum hit-making trio Cheat Codes, popularly known for their smash single “No Promises” (feat. Demi Lovato), have collaborated with prolific drummer and producer Travis Barker and electro-pop singer Tove Styrke to release their latest single, “All Things $ Can Do.” Coming off their Country-Pop crossover single, “Never Love You Again” with Little Big Town and Bryn Christopher, the chart-topping artists are back to showcase yet another dimension of their artistry with their newest cross-genre collaboration. “All Things $ Can Do” is available now on all digital streaming services, found HERE, and with an official music video starring fitness model and social media sensation Sommer Ray, found on YouTube HERE.

“All Things $ Can Do” is a genre-blending single that combines rock, trap, and pop influences into one. The song begins with Tove Styrke’s beautiful vocals singing along to a trap beat. The rock influence begins during the build-up and solidifies at the drop that launches the melodic and catchy chorus; making a very polished pop song. Vocals from Cheat Codes can be heard singing alongside Tove Styrke and are most prominent during the second verse. The musicians sing about fixing a state of sadness with materialism, exclaiming “I was sad ‘til I bought something new.”  

Speaking about the meaning of the song, Cheat Codes stated, “A lot of people get into this rat race of trying to have more, make more and do more but at a certain point it’s a mental illness. When you go down that rabbit hole of everything that money can do for you, it poses the question ‘what can’t it do?’ Some of the best things in life such as love and relationships require time and attention. You can’t just throw money at it and expect it to flourish. Life’s about balance.”

Musician and producer Travis Barker is best known for being the drummer of the critically acclaimed rock band blink-182. The band achieved mainstream success during the early 2000s, as their memorable music is still enjoyed by many, with over 12 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Aside from his achievements with blink-182, Travis Barker has made a name for himself with his extraordinary drumming talent and production skills, making him a sought-after collaborator by many; appearing on tracks with artists of different genres such as Ty Dolla $ign and Steve Aoki. Some of his most viewed collaborations include “I Think I’m OKAY” with Machine Gun Kelly and “11 Minutes” with YUNGBLUD and Halsey. Collectively, these videos alone have garnered over 150 million views. Most recently, he signed with Warner Chappell Music and performed “La Di Die” with rising stars Nessa Barret and jxdn on Jimmy Kimmel Live and joined forces with WILLOW in her recent song “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l.” Travis has also found success in industries outside of music, such as his clothing line Famous Stars and Straps and his vegan CBD brand Barker Wellness. 

On working with Travis Barker, Cheat Codes stated, “It’s been a dream working with him. He’s one of those guys that can hear the song once and know exactly what to play. I swear he’s got a photographic memory or something.”

Swedish vocalist Tove Styrke gained mainstream attention from the public with her appearance on Swedish Idol 2009, where she finished third place. Since then, she has established a successful solo career making electropop music. Her single “Say My Name” was featured on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of the 2010s. She also featured as guest vocals of “Faded” for DJ Alan Walker’s live performances, with their performance together in Bergen currently garnering over 214 million views. The pop singer released her latest single last June titled “Mood Swings.”

”I’m beyond excited for this collaboration to be out! When I heard this song I immediately fell in love with it.” Styrke continued, “And to be on the same track as Travis Barker is so cool, he’s such an icon.”

The visual for the single stars fitness model and social media sensation Sommer Ray starring as herself while Trevor, KEVI and Matt of Cheat Codes assume the roles of a cleaning crew sent to look after a lavish mansion. As the cleaning session progresses, they invite a few friends over, things get out of hand, and an epic party ensues. Iconic drummer Travis Barker joins the crew and pushes the energy levels through the roof, performing alongside Trevor on guitar, Matt on bass, and KEVI and Sommer on vocals, singing to their crowd of friends as cash flies through the air.

Cheat Codes released the first part of their debut album Hellraisers, Pt. 1 in May. The highly anticipated release featured tracks such as the lead single “Lean On Me (feat. Tinashe),” “Stay (feat. Bryce Vine),” “Do It All Over (feat. Marc E. Bassy),” and “Hate You + Love You (feat. AJ Mitchell).” The name of the album, “Hellraisers,” was the nickname given to the group by their late manager, Michael Theanne, who passed away over a year ago, describing their playful and adventurous lifestyle. The album itself has three parts – each part has a distinct sound influenced by each member. This first part is focused on Trevor’s pop-leaning sound, while the second part will be focused on KEVI’s hip-hop flavor, and the third part will be focused on Matthew’s dance-influenced sound. The album was followed by the official music video for “Lean On Me,” the Hellraisers, Pt 1 Remixes album featuring electronic dance music artists Morgan Page, Michael Calfan, and more, and the country-influenced “Never Love You Again” with Little Big Town and Bryn Christopher.