by Jane Lambert

NYC’s Eri Blossom Shares Latest Hip Hop Blend in “Breakthrough”

Eri Blossom’s latest offering, “Breakthrough,” is a captivating fusion of cultural influences, R&B and hip hop sensibilities, and poignant lyricism that culminate in a track of remarkable depth and resonance.

Inspired by the Academy Awards incident involving Will Smith, Eri Blossom navigates the complex waters of cultural expectations and gender roles, specifically within the backdrop of Japanese society. The track’s introductory notes unveil a soundscape that seamlessly melds traditional R&B grooves, contemporary hip-hop elements, and traditional Japanese instrumentation. The result is a sonic tapestry that defies boundaries, reflecting Eri’s duality as an artist shaped by both her Japanese heritage and American upbringing. As the song unfolds, her bilingual delivery further enriches the narrative, allowing listeners to traverse between languages as she eloquently articulates her message.

Eri Blossom’s ability to encapsulate profound emotions in her music is undeniable. “Breakthrough” delves into the struggle against deeply rooted traditions, particularly those that undermine the agency and potential of women. With heartfelt honesty, Eri unveils the stark contrasts between outdated societal norms and the modern aspirations of women, a theme that resonates far beyond cultural confines.

Her background steeped in both Japanese and American culture is a driving force behind the track’s authenticity. Drawing on influences ranging from R&B legends like Chaka Khan to contemporary hip-hop icons, Eri effortlessly weaves together an intricate musical fabric that transcends genres. Her journey from Japan to New York City and subsequent exploration of jazz and other genres add layers of complexity to her artistry, evident in the multifaceted layers of “Breakthrough.”

“Breakthrough” not only marks a personal triumph for Eri Blossom but also stands as a testament to the power of music to transcend cultural barriers. By blending languages, genres, and perspectives, she creates a musical experience that speaks to the universal struggle for empowerment and self-expression. As the world continues to evolve, artists like Eri Blossom play a vital role in reshaping narratives and fostering a global dialogue. Through “Breakthrough,” she not only delivers a mesmerizing track but also ignites a conversation that reaches far beyond the notes and rhythms.

Connect with Eri Blossom via:
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify

08.18.23

by Jane Lambert

Shawn Bediako’s “Sojourners” is an Homage to Those Who Are Unapologetically Authentic

In a world where music often follows predetermined paths and well-trodden genres, Shawn Bediako emerges as a true artistic sojourner with his new hip hop and jazz infused single, aptly titled “Sojourners.”

“Sojourners” is a groovy ode to the seekers, the visionaries, and the authentic souls who embark on uncharted paths. Bediako’s lyrical prowess shines as he paints a vivid picture of those who trust their vibes and navigate life’s twists and turns with an open heart.

The song’s message resonates deeply in a world where conformity often takes center stage – it’s a call to embrace the unknown and find purpose even in unpredictability. In his own words, Bediako speaks of this track as an ode to visionaries who are unafraid to be authentic and unapologetic. “It’s people like this that he admires and try to pattern himself after as an artist,” he shares. These moving themes are backed by funky bassline and sparse but slick percussion that let his poetic wordplay shine through.

Shawn shares, “there are no first person pronouns or possessives in the lyrics; I intentionally use “we” and “our” as a nod to the idea that all people who share the goal of inspiring others have a collective, unified identity.” The tracks’s theme of unity adds yet another layer of depth, mirroring the diverse encounters we face as we traverse our own paths.

Bediako’s multidimensional background as a musician, composer, emcee, and even a tenured professor, adds layers of complexity to his musical narrative. Bediako’s unique blend of Soul/Jazz, Hip Hop, and Funk pays homage to the likes of The Roots, Mint Condition, and Roy Hargrove, while carving out a distinct space for his own creative expression.

This journey of sound and soul is a testament to growth, connection, and the pursuit of authenticity. Stream “Sojourners” now and experience the transformative power of music that speaks to the very essence of our humanity.

Follow Shawn Bediako via:
Socials: Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify

08.17.23

by Jane Lambert

Video Voyager: Deirdre Murphy’s “Sweet and Strong”

Singer/songwriter Deirdre Murphy is the creator of many original works of music, dance, theatre, circus, and performance art. It’s evident in the music video for her neo-folk song “Sweet and Strong.”

The video is a depiction of a beautiful, light hearted, and sweet celebration of life and friendship. It’s a pure showing of loving life through dance and movement. There has never been a more lively, happy, or delightful music video. It’s freeing to watch these friends interact with each other in such a loving and open way.

We got a chance to speak with Deirdre about the music video and her intentions behind hit:

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

This song has always called for a really physical video, in my mind. My friends and co-performers, Sean and Zsofia, are my training partners and former students. Zsofia asked me one day if her sister could come to class – she said, “She’s only 16 but she is sweet and she is strong.” And I went home and wrote the song. So it has that neat little tie-in, but also the song is about feeling really secure, really good, in your body and your surroundings which I wanted to get across in the video. My relationship with them routinely involves handstand training, acroyoga, many jokes, and bodywork/massage. I love the physicality of the practices themselves – the movement just feels good and practicing together is always great fun. I knew if I could get those elements captured, they would speak for themselves and they would speak visually for the song.

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

Last summer I took up a new hobby with a friend, of rose smelling. We centered our efforts in the rose garden nearest my friend’s house – the one in the video.

A little known fact that is after about 30 or 40 minutes of smelling the roses, you are absolutely drunk on them. Heady. Our extensive research found that not only does it make you drunk, but also that about one in every ten roses smells exquisite (while some barely have any scent at all!). We further noted that about one in every twenty is magical beyond explanation – transcendent. These are the ones that cause a person to stagger. I remember one particular rose that we couldn’t stop smelling for a full 15-20 minutes, knowing that when we left it we would most probably never find it again. As we spent more time there it occurred to me that it’d be the perfect place to shoot a video for this particular song – it’s very much about stopping to smell the roses and appreciating the little moments.

I would fully recommend rose smelling as a hobby, by the way. It’s free, it makes you drunk, and there’s no learning curve – you walk in at the top of your game!

What was the process of making this video?

The process was just as fun as it looks! We were lucky to work with the wonderful Hannah Bloom, who has a real eye for movement and did a beautiful job with the edit. She used a vintage lens – which I think really adds to the feel – sort of old timey, and highly textured what with all the leaves and vines. I was able to work closely with Hannah on the edit and it was really lovely – she was a pleasure to work with. Sean and Zsofia were in fine form and a lot of craic was had, as is always the case with those two.

Connect with Deirdre Murphy via:
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / Apple Music

08.04.23

by Jane Lambert

Stephen Jaymes’ “Tokyo” is the Folk Rock Hit We Needed

The latest musing from LA-based singer/songwriter Stephen Jaymes is the upbeat folk rock single “Tokyo.” Following his impressive debut with “Chief Inspector,” Stephen Jaymes continues to reveal his artistic prowess and ability to craft music that resonates deeply with the soul.

“Tokyo” is just the second in a series of four singles that pave the way for Stephen Jaymes’ debut full-length album. His songs are a search for truth and authenticity, crafting a sonic landscape that refuses to tell big lies but explores the profound depths of human experience. It’s a knock on the window of reality, beckoning listeners to join him on a journey to a magical place that two people create together, even in the face of climate destruction.

From the moment “Tokyo” starts, its rousing guitar riff sets the tone for an invigorating experience. However, this Tokyo isn’t the Japanese city we know but a metaphorical place of transcendence between two people. It’s an escape from the apocalyptic scenes that pervade consciousness, a mythical name from a pre-apocalyptic past. As the singer invites his lover to go there with him, the song feels like a glimpse into a hopeful future.

Stephen Jaymes’ music is a compelling mix of punk poetry, wounded-romanticism, and sonic noir. He weaves intricate narratives reminiscent of Charles Bukowski while infusing his work with psychedelic and introspective elements. His ability to capture the essence of emotion and storytelling makes “Tokyo” a captivating and thought-provoking experience for listeners.

As a self-contained artist, Stephen showcases his multi-talented abilities as a songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. His music exudes the stylish playfulness of Prince, with clever turns of phrases and occasional funk influences, while also channeling the stateliness and mystique of Leonard Cohen.

With his unique blend of folk rock and poetic lyricism, Stephen Jaymes’ “Tokyo” is an exciting glimpse into the talent of this rising star in the music industry.

Connect with Stephen Jaymes via:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Spotify

08.04.23

by Jane Lambert

We’re Falling in Love with Deirdre Murphy’s “Sweet and Strong”

Deirdre Murphy’s “Sweet and Strong” is a neo-folk gem that captures the magic and exhilaration of falling in love. The song’s heartfelt lyrics and warm, summery vibes create a sense of expansiveness and wonder, akin to the feeling of the golden hour when everything appears vibrant and full of possibility.

The song’s simple yet satisfying groove lays the foundation for the delicate percussion and sweet harmonies that weave together seamlessly. The addition of the striking cello adds a layer of depth and emotion, elevating the song to a truly captivating experience. The instrumentation, expertly produced and engineered by Oli Ryan, strikes the perfect balance between folk-inspired elements and an alt/indie sensibility.

But the real standout centerpiece of the song is Deirdre Murphy’s vocals. Her voice is light and carries a warmth similar to that of Moriarty meets Ani DiFranco. Her poetic and wordplay-filled lyrics add to the song’s charm and authenticity, making it easy for listeners to connect with the emotions she conveys.

As a musician and interdisciplinary artist, Deirdre’s background in various performance genres shines through in her music. Her passion for dance and the body, combined with her skills as a guitarist and ukulele player, creates a unique and captivating musical experience.

“Sweet and Strong” is a demonstration of Deirdre Murphy’s artistic versatility and her ability to craft songs that resonate deeply with listeners. It’s a neo-folk masterpiece that showcases her talent as both a songwriter and performer.

With its enchanting melodies and heartfelt lyrics, “Sweet and Strong” leaves a lasting impression and a smile on the faces of its listeners. Deirdre Murphy’s musical journey is one to watch, and her ability to capture the essence of love and life through her music is a true gift to the music world.

Connect with Deirdre Murphy via:

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

07.19.23

by Jane Lambert

Video Voyager: Tadgh Billy King’s “mirror”

Irish alt rock artist Tadgh Billy King’s (pronounced like “Tiger” without the “er”) earliest memories are of literally living above a beloved New York City music venue, The Local 269, his parent’s owned and operated. During that formative time, he soaked in the rock, punk, jazz, and pop that soundtracked the bar’s existence.

This melting pot of sounds would be a template for his own unbound musical explorations where he often explored the music of the Ramones, Green Day, and Nirvana, alongside studying classical vocal and guitar techniques.

The self-reflective and introspective post punk and alt goth “mirror” is at once ethereal and chaotic, brash and sweet. Filled with chilling guitar ambience, goth-y, thick baritone vocals, and crushing walls of sound, it all leads up to a viscerally anthemic, gazy, wild, final chorus.

The music video reflects the darker, more gothic style of the song. He plays with angles and mirrors to symbolize his internal examination and self-reflection.

We got a chance to speak with Tadgh about the music video for “mirror”:

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

Mirror is a song about self reflection. Its me taking a second to examine myself and take stock. At the time of writing it I was looking at where I’d come from, where I am now and how I’ve changed as a person over the last few years. I wanted the video to take the song further in this direction. With the visuals, I wanted to really lean into the goth rock-y style of the music and the introspective meaning behind the lyrics. I wanted to keep everything looking as dark and moody as possible to match the moodiness of the song.

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

I’ve always really liked when artists are able to tell a larger story over a few different music videos. Even if its just a small easter egg or connection between their videos, I always appreciate it. I’m trying something like that with these videos and mirror, like “sit and wait,” is one piece of a larger story that will become clearer as more videos of mine come out.

I wanted this video to feel like a weird dream. I wanted to go a little deeper with this idea of self reflection and examination. This is where the visuals of me with my reflection come in. I wanted it to feel like I was stuck in this liminal space and by filming it on black it allowed me to play around with angles and have me really “examine” myself. I’ve also always been interested in playing around with the idea of reality and how dreams can sometimes feel so real it can sometimes really take a second to discern what’s a genuine memory of something that happened in real life and what’s a memory of a dream.

What was the process of making this video?

There were two main shoots for this video. The first shoot was done in a rehearsal studio here in Dublin that has these big floor to ceiling windows. We hung up some black material and filmed me standing next to the mirror at different angles singing the song and a few takes of me playing some of the guitar parts. Then the second shoot was me in the car. I chose some visually interesting locations around Dublin for me to get in and out of the car and then drove around the city shooting me from the back seat looking into the rearview mirror and the front seat.

I really wanted to play with what was real and what was the dream to try and give a sense that by the end of the video, when I get out of the car, its hard to tell if I’m still dreaming or not. Most of that came down to the editing process. This is the part of the process where I was really able to experiment with the different “mirror-on-black” angles and what meaning and feeling they give depending on the orientation. The car shots were pretty easy to edit, I could visualise what I wanted for them from the beginning of planning the video and was really pleased with how they turned out lighting-wise as that was just a complete luck of the draw.

It was a fun video to make. There will be another one for my next single “breathe out” that will come soon after the single is released on the 21st of July.

Connect with Tadgh Billy King via:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // TikTok // Spotify