by Jane Lambert

Brighten Your Day with Lauren Waller’s “3-2-1”

The Los Angeles-based artist bridges the divide between 1980s dark wave and modern electro-textured indie pop. Her aesthetic also encompasses the confessional and poetic intimacy of the singer-songwriter idiom and the thrilling satisfaction of modern pop. Her soulful pop has earned her favorable comparisons to Lorde, Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, and Ingrid Michaelson.

Most recently, Lauren has released new single “3-2-1” and we are here for it! The pop creative took the countdown song to a fun and club dance orbit, circling around artists like Gayle and Fletcher, Halsey and even Old School Fergie all rolled into one hit track.

“I decided to write ‘3-2-1’ because I just wanted to have fun. I wanted to have a song that was not just fun to listen to, but also a song that was fun to sing along with to perform!”

The song is a blended mix of new age pop mixed with old school 2000 vibes and is arranged to perfection. This song is definitely a vibe and we can’t wait to hear more from Lauren!

To date, Lauren has released two EPs, and performed on RTE, Ireland’s National Television, at the International Rose of Tralee Festival, and appearances at the Viper Room and the Hotel Café. Waller has opened for many iconic bands such as Wilson Philips, Anna Nalick, A Flock of Seagulls, and most recently: Tower of Power. She was set to open for KT Tunstall prior to COVID-19, but the show has since been postponed.

Connect with Lauren Waller via:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // TikTok // Spotity // Soundcloud

02.01.23

by Jane Lambert

Jessica Cotten Debuts Her New EP, ‘Edge of the Wilderness’

Edge of the Wilderness is the provocative new EP from the indie electro-pop artist Jessica Cotten. The 6 song EP is Jessica’s aim at political and cultural uproar. It calls out failed leaders, corrupt systems, and hypocritical faith.

“This is a big deal for me, but I felt like I had to speak up,” Jessica says. “I wrote these songs out of a need to express my feelings, and share my experiences of existing alongside broken systems. I didn’t intend for the songs to be a way of exposing harmful people and ways of thinking, but, as I wrote, these things needed to be named. I was angry when I wrote a lot of these songs, and I’m still angry.”

Edge of the Wilderness is ambient and atmospheric as her dream pop elements blend with the electro-elements. Her voice is angelic and calm juxtaposed against her guttural lyrics. Each song tackles something different. Opening the EP is “City on Fire.” This song was written during the political unrest spanning 2016-2020. Jessica found herself separating herself from toxic people and cultures as she watches everything fall apart around her. The overall message is that of hope, however. It’s meant to say, “this way of doing things is broken; it’s falling apart, and we need to let it fall apart so we can build something new and healthy.”

“My Heroes” points out gender discrimination, the lust for power, continued systemic misogyny, and the idea that leadership means putting people last and putting personal drive and success first. “Another Love” follows with the theme of Christianity and the hypocrisy it often boasts. But “Reach Out To Me” follows with a strike of love and hope as she explores how we are all connected which is why we should all care more for each other.

“Steady Now” was actually written as a piece of a poem from one of the novels Jessica wrote. “This particular character is a strong, fierce woman who always knows what to do, and this poem/song is her talking to herself in the midst of a really painful, scary loss,” Jessica reveals.

The EP wraps up with “Every Golden Hour,” a mostly ambient instrumental song about Jessica’s dog, who unfortunately is no longer here. It’s about connection, that even though he’s gone, their spirits are still connected.

Making Edge of the Wilderness marks a powerful journey overcoming anxiety, fear, and showing up for yourself, even if that means stepping out into the unknown. “Music is in my soul and it makes me come alive,” Jessica says. “I hope that my words, stories, and melodies offer the world a place to breathe and a sense of connection to the deeper meanings of life.”

Connect with Jessica Cotten

Website / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

01.31.23

by Jane Lambert

Low Tide Levee’s “Nautilus” is Hypnotic Psychedelic Rock at its Finest

The image of the sea at its lowest level—low tide—and the shore littered with an array of curiosities, presents a powerful metaphor for self-reflection. The idea of a “mental low tide” can be applied to those revelatory but fleeting moments after a hit of pot or a micro dose, or upon waking up from a vivid dream. They can even occur in a random jolt of inspiration where a buried desire comes into consciousness.

“The name Low Tide Levee speaks to me on a lot of levels: I do love marine biology, I am a diver, and I am passionate about ocean conservation,” shares singer/songwriter, composer, and former Marine Biologist Amy Brookes. “The analogy of low tide symbolizing revealing things in our unconscious and subconscious is powerful for me. I am always drawn to looking at the strange and gross things after a low tide. Exploring those things metaphorically in our minds can be healing and powerful.”

Low Tide Levee’s new psychedelic and classic rock single “Nautilus” symbolizes this idea of ocean tides meeting one’s mental tide. Inspired by a tiny Nautilus carving, a beautiful netsuke that Amy happened upon by luck while in a little shop one day. Originally a “riff song,” there are 3 distinct melodies in the song that all came together into song. Eventually, it came to Amy that she could feature the Nautilus character.

“Nautilus” flows a lot like the tide. The classic guitar riffs with the hypnotic beat and an island pop vocal style in Amy’s voice create an ebb and flow in the music. The energy is reminiscent of Pink Floyd meets Fleetwood Mac. It gives off a feels of sitting in the ocean and letting the tide take you away, drifting and floating with the water and current. Lyrically speaking, the listener is invited to journey down into the ocean, sinking beneath the waves with the surface sounds further and further away, and life slowing down.

“As the development of this song unfolded with lyrics emerging from my subconscious, it became about the wisdom of life, far beyond our human thinking ways, and the depth that exists if only we take the time to listen,” says Amy.

Listen here:

Connect with Low Tide Levee

Website / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

01.31.23

by Jane Lambert

Merlot Embargo Shares Their New Indie Pop Single “Not Gonna”

Merlot Embargo is the self-produced and independent indie pop duo recording music out of our home studio in LA, where they’re also raising their daughter Joanna. Their music is diverse but rooted in the classics. While they strive to make each song something unique and fresh, Scarlet’s sultry voice and Geoff’s groovy guitar-ing make it all feel like Merlot Embargo.

Some might even consider Scarlet and Geoff an unlikely duo: a seat-of-the-pants, army brat singer-songwriter, paired with a native Californian music school nerd and engineer by day. But the blending of their different approaches to music (and life) has helped them create music that’s provocative, but also real and approachable. They temper each other’s worst tendencies, and in their good moments, bring out the best qualities in each other. Throw in their band, and it’s a collab made in heaven.

Merlot Embargo just released their new upbeat and catchy pop rock single, “Not Gonna,” a song that takes down their own inner demons about ageism in the music industry. The music tells a story of fun and excitement while the lyrics tell a story of resistance and obstacles. Together, it reflects the message of being outwardly fine, but battling setbacks in pursuit of a goal on the inside.

Scarlet’s voice is familiar, almost like a Brandi Carlile meets Ingrid Michaelson. The music and beat is instantly recognizable as uniquely Merlot Embargo with it’s clear influence of Coldplay and The Beatles.

“Hopefully, this song inspires people to keep persevering and following their dreams,” share the duo. “They may be closer than they realize.”

Connect with Merlot Embargo

Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / TikTok / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

01.31.23

by Jane Lambert

Gracie Jet Debuts Emotionally Powerful New Single “Sister”

English born, but raised in Ontario, Canada, Gracie Jet has emerged on the alternative pop scene with great gusto.

Her debut single “Sister” is an emotional and raw ballad that explores the relationship with her sister who has struggled with mental health since she was a child. The song is delicate and also carries strength with the rich vocals from Gracie. It is a song about struggle, perseverance, family and love.

“My sister has struggled with mental health for years. As her sister, I have watched her through it all. I’ve watched as my best friend/sister retreated to her bedroom and became a stranger. I’ve walked with her through it all. I’ve taken her to the hospital, watched her fall apart. I’ve watched her struggle through all the ups and downs and been so scared that you would lose her in the end.”

While this song explores a serious and challenging theme, Gracie´s upbeat energy and character shines through. Her voice alone commands all of the attention here, with a rich range similar to that of pop star Adele and Lana Del Ray.

“I wrote this song for her to remind her she is not alone and that she is loved and she would miss that her life is valuable. This is a love song also for all the family members watching their loved ones struggle and an anthem for people struggling that you are not alone.”

Listen to “Sister” today to hear what all the fuss is about over this brilliant young Canadian artist.

Stay current with Gracie Jet on her Website, and social media channels Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and TikTok . Stream music on YouTube, Spotify and Soundcloud.

01.31.23

by Jane Lambert

Puppets of Castro’s “Living the Dream” is Witty and Catchy

Puppets of Castro is the Los Angeles-based musical project of Andrew Lorand. An eclectic satirist and keen observer of the humor and pathos found around the darker edges of the human condition, Puppets of Castro takes his listeners on an often humorous, and often contemplative ride.

His song, “Living The Dream,” comes from his album, Nude Descending an Elevator. It’s got a great, catchy hook that immediately grabs your attention, and the song contains seven musical references from rock classics. See if you can find them all.

“My first band was the Kiwi’s, back in 5th grade, though technically in 3rd grade I was a member of the 007s, and we had only one song (we would lip sync to ‘Wipeout’, which of course was an instrumental). Nobody looked at us and thought these guys are really going places,” quips Puppets of Castro. “This song is for all the bands and musicians who stuck with it long after dreams of riding in limos, appearing on The Midnight Special, and getting their Star on Hollywood Blvd. had faded.”