by Jane Lambert

Discover the Awakening: Tataetano’s Debut Album “MaloKhali Rising” Redefines California Sound

Solo artist and singer-songwriter Tataetano announces the release of his debut full-length album “MaloKhali Rising.”

Hailing from the Bay Area in California, Tataetano is the stage name of Antonio Palazzo. This new album of songs features a blend of Indie and Adult Alternative music.

The concept of “Malokhali Rising” revolves around the theme of awakening and inspiration:

“I wanted the concept of this album to have a recurring theme of some version of an awakening or an inspiration to achieve something with new possibilities. I decided to name the album “Malokhali Rising.” Khali means space, silence, or empty, as used in Northern Indian music philosophy to describe the pause between two beats. It’s the moment of space (the khali) where rhythm is born. Malo in Tongan means “thank you.” MaloKhali to me, means finding and embracing the empty space between when one part of life (usually negative) ends and another one (positive) begins and being grateful for that. So, Malokhali Rising is the state of mind in which this occurs.”

Most of the tracks on the album have hints of this concept, but the second track on the album, titled “Down Here,” is the most prominent:

A great wide darkness swallows me

There’s a trillion stars above every tree

I’m not yet tame, but I am small

The voice I lost shouts “fuck” em all

A strange new breath I feel

Down here

A sunrise spills light on the night

A spirit’s shook by a thunder strike

Above the ocean of oxygen

Lives worlds our minds have never been

In the first verse, the song depicts a person overwhelmed by the pressures of modern society. They glimpse the awe-inspiring “trillion stars above every tree,” igniting a desire to leave behind their known world in search of something deeper.

The second verse describes the realization of this search, celebrating nature’s beauty with lines like “sunrise spills light on the night” and the awakening of a spirit “shook by a thunder strike.” It ends with recognizing the vast, unexplored realms of existence, expressed in “above the ocean of oxygen, live worlds our minds have never seen.” The chorus reflects a sense of wonder and renewal, presenting a breath of fresh air that feels entirely new to them.

Throughout all of the tracks, Tataetano brings together a delectable blend of alternative rock elements, synths, and electronica. He stands out for his pleasing melodies and thoughtful lyrics, which together create a unique California sound.

Tracks “You Are My Friend” and “A Day In Harmony” carry a more mellow electronica sound, while “The Pain I Take” is punchier, with rock beats and percussion.

“The Joy Will Be Restored” is a standout track on this album for its vocal harmonies, strong rhythms, and catchy refrains.

The album’s overall instrumentation blends modern electronic sounds with organic hand drums and sometimes ancient percussive instruments, creating a really unique sound.

Alongside the album, Tataetano has also released a book of poems titled “Borrowed Eden.” The book echoes the themes of his music’s emotional richness, and the album and poetry work together to show artistic versatility and talent for combining different creative expressions.

Malokhali Track List:

The Next Thousand Thumps
Down Here
Let the Sky Cry
You Are My Friend
Peter Pan Parable
The Pain I Take
Santa Monica
A Day in Harmony
Blossom of Desire
The Joy will be Restored
Wild Freedom

Tataetano wrote and arranged all the songs and lyrics, working with producer Tal Ariel, an incredible musician who helped develop the songs and ensured they sounded their best!

Keep up to date with Tataetano on his Website. Follow Tataetano on Facebook and Instagram.

Listen to music on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud and YouTube.

05.05.24

by Jane Lambert

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

03.27.24

by Jane Lambert

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.

11.07.22

by Jane Lambert

Elizabeth P.W. Shares Her New Folk Single “Brooklyn”

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Elizabeth P.W. has a new single out now called “Brooklyn.”

A song packed with meaning, “Brooklyn” came to Elizabeth suddenly after the death of her aunt in Manhattan who was involved in a car accident:

“With my Aunt Amy´s death, I had a sudden realization: after over 100 years of Brooklyn being the hub of our family, I was the last living person in the Phillipson family who remained. The chorus of the song popped into my head one day and the rest of the song came soon after.”

With the Americana folk chorus and key instrumental violin and accordion solos, this song is memorable and full of emotion. As a multi-instrumentalist, Elizabeth´s music has been nominated for various composer awards as well as being premiered in films at Tribeca Film Festival, DOC NYC and more.

“Brooklyn” combines various synth sounds with organic instruments like the folk violin to create her signature sound.

Elizabeth released her debut folk album “Haven´t Found It” back in 2019, to much critical acclaim and she has been busy ever since composing music for film scores such as the 2021 NAACP Image Award nominated short film “Gets Good Light”.

Her music influences include Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne and Glen Campbell. With such an eclectic sound and great musical talent for both songwriting and performing, we can´t wait to hear more of Elizabeth´s music both on screen and future single releases.

Stay current with Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner on her Website and social media channels Instagram ,Twitter and TikTok.

Stream music on YouTube , Spotify and Soundcloud

10.10.22

by Jane Lambert

Ariel Arbisser Shares Her New Electro-Pop Single “Rabbit Hole”

Singer/songwriter Ariel Arbisser’s music and performances make her audiences feel seen, heard, and offers a unique glimpse into how she experiences the highs and lows of the world. Her music is raw and passionate, a brand of pop that you won’t find in other artists.

She just released her new electro-pop single, with a hint of funk, “Rabbit Hole,” the follow up single to her last release “Bloodshed.” “The core of this song came to me last year and it’s had a chokehold on me since,” shares Ariel. “Thematically there’s some crossover, but ‘Rabbit Hole’ comes down from the rage-filled fever pitch of ‘Bloodshed’ to this which is a more restrained, sexy, slow-burn. Things haven’t settled yet. The ‘dark side’ is still enticing, maybe even more comfortable than it was before. The full song sonically is true, addictive journey downward.”

“Rabbit Hole” has a contemporary meets retro electro-pop sound, almost like a Sara Bareilles meets Harry Styles. Her voice carries such strength, similar to an Alice Russell or Brandi Carlile, or even an Adele.

Through her lens as a white, Jewish, queer woman, she is transparent when learning out loud and participates in ongoing conversations about mental health, body neutrality, sex positivity, social and racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and more. In a world that’s dangerous for far too many and uncomfortable for almost everyone, she creates a touchstone by creating art, appreciating simple pleasures, and taking dedicated and intentional risks for love.

“With love comes inevitable pain– miscommunication, betrayal, heartache, loss… Allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to experience love, however briefly, is brave. And it’s worth it in the end.”

Connect with Ariel Arbisser via:
Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / TikTok / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

09.12.22

by Jane Lambert

Rising Indie Artist Josiah Mann Shares His First Single “Angel”

Ford Photographs – Nashville Architectural Photographer

Missouri born and raised indie artist Josiah Mann has released his new acoustic indie pop single, “Angel”, released September 1, 2022 from his debut album Grace.

“I wrote the song “Angel” 16 years ago after falling in love for the first time. Prior to that relationship, I had never been in a serious relationship as an adult and really struggled with low self worth. To the outside world, I seemed to be accomplishing a lot with my life but I was super lonely. The song recounts our first night together and the feelings of elation and disbelief that someone so amazing and beautiful would actually want to be with me.”

“Angel” is a love ballad with introspective lyrics and a warm, melodic guitar and piano melody. The song tells a story of love, and the life journey with a vocal strength and vulnerability similar to the likes of John Meyer and Ed Sheeran.

Listen here:

Mann grew up in a family that was always struggling financially, and Josiah was bankrupt at the age of only 25. He was so determined to turn his life around, that he taught himself how to code and began earning a 6 figure salary. By the age of 35, he sold his software company for 7 figures.

After having established himself financially, Mann was then able to develop more of his musical talents and sought to release an album. His debut, “Grace” is a 10 song, self produced collection of songs that reflect on his upbringing and life journey so far.

With an authenticity and fresh talent on the indie pop scene, Joshua Mann is sure to attract a growing fanbase around the world.

Stay current with Josiah Mann on his Website and social media channels Instagram , Facebook and TikTok. Stream music on YouTube , Spotify and Soundcloud