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.
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 inthis 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.
Boston’s Best Not Broken has built a reputation for high energy shows and catchy, power pop/rock original songs. Drawing from Brit Pop, Alternative Rock, New Wave, and their own unique brand of singer-songwriter sensibility, the band crafts soundscapes that appeal to fans of artists ranging from The Killers to Ed Sheeran.
Their thoughtful and, at times amusing, lyrics match the upbeat nature of the instrumentation, creating a fresh musical odyssey that is infectiously fun. Their live performances showcase the band’s contagious energy and often evolve into interactive dance parties where the onstage antics compel fans to rock out and let loose.
Their new song “I Don’t Belong,” and the video, explores adolescence and finding where you belong. It’s a tribute to those that never quite fit in in high school, but ultimately find their way. It’s also tribute to the many aspiring rock stars that never quite make it but have a treasure trove of memories to look back on.
We got the chance to speak with Best Not Broken about their fun and relatable video for “I Don’t Belong”:
Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
The song “I Don’t Belong” is a satire of a boy who graduates in the 90s, doesn’t align fully with any particular clique, dreams of being a rock star, but turns out to be just an average guy – which ultimately isn’t that bad! The song is intended to shine a spotlight on our inevitable silly high school regrets. The lyrics inspired the light-hearted, nostalgic video… which kind of wrote itself!
What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
This song was dripping nostalgic references to the 80s and 90s and we felt compelled to bring them to life in the video. There was no shortage of visuals to choose from – from the Rubiks cube to the mullets… sadly they all felt to natural!
What was the process of making this video?
We knew we wanted the video to be shot in a high school. So the first challenge was finding a high school that would actually let us do it. We had the good fortune of getting access to Souhegan High School in Amherst, New Hampshire, which really was designed perfectly for our intended scenes. We hired 106 Studios to handle the video production and collectively brought in our actors and built out the drama. We pre-ordered a bung of 80s and 90s paraphernalia, and after two days of camera work, we had enough footage to tell our little story. We were so lucky to find all the awesome actors and contributors. If you haven’t yet tried to shoot an era-specific nostalgia video, we highly recommend it.. ha!
Ray Levier, a seasoned drummer and highly sought-after sideman, unveils his most poignant and personal track to date with “Wig Glue.” This jazz funk fusion composition pays tribute to the legendary guitarist Mike Stern, renowned for his work with Miles Davis and other esteemed jazz and fusion acts. “Wig Glue” is a spirited and groove-filled piece that embodies resilience and determination, inspired by Stern’s remarkable journey of overcoming a devastating accident.
The backstory behind the song adds a layer of depth and inspiration. In 2016, Stern suffered a severe accident, breaking both of his humerus bones and causing nerve damage. This left him struggling to hold a guitar pick, threatening his ability to continue performing. In a stroke of fortuitous creativity, Stern discovered a solution in wig glue—a conversation with fellow musician Etienne Stadwijk led him to Ray Levier, who had been using wig glue on his drumsticks after his own accident.
Levier, a highly skilled drummer, generously shared his unconventional method with Stern, resulting in a remarkable breakthrough. By using wig glue, Stern regained his ability to hold the pick and continue playing. Grateful for the solution, Stern highlighted Levier in interviews and expressed deep appreciation for the fortuitous suggestion. Together, they formed a bond and playfully referred to themselves as members of the “wig glue club.”
“Wig Glue” serves as a dedication to the resilience of both Ray Levier and Mike Stern, embodying the idea that even if something is broken, it can be glued back together, allowing the journey to continue. The track itself captures the spirit of funk, infusing it with elements of jazz and fusion to create an infectious and dynamic sound. Levier’s rhythmic prowess takes center stage, driving the groove and delivering captivating musical moments.
Joined by Etienne Stadwijk, Mike Stern, and esteemed bassist Will Lee, known for his exceptional contributions on ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ and collaborations with renowned figures like George Benson and The Brecker Brothers, Ray LeVier and friends embark on a melodic enchantment with “Wig Glue.” This harmonious convergence of musical talent amplifies the impact of the track, elevating it to new heights.
With its infectious rhythms, captivating melodies, and spirited performances, “Wig Glue” captures the essence of overcoming adversity and pushing forward in the face of challenges. It serves as a testament to the power of music to inspire and uplift, and Ray Levier’s tribute to Mike Stern stands as a powerful symbol of the strong bonds and mutual support that exist within the music community.
Listen to “Wig Glue” and embrace its empowering message of resilience:
The debut single “City of Strangers” from Seattle’s Night Wilds drops today. It is the first release from a 17-track debut Rock-opera album All That Should Have Been, which much like Pink Floyd’s The Wall, along with modern inspiration from Tool, Radiohead, and even Rage Against The Machine, blurs the line between entertainment and enlightenment.
When Night Wilds singer-songwriter Seth began writing “City of Strangers” 15 years ago, he couldn’t have known that the song would turn into the first single, but it serves as the perfect launching point for a collection of songs that reveal a deeply personal and sometimes painful story.
Regarding the creative process, it could be said that the song grew with him, as the first verse of “City of Strangers” came at a time when Seth had not yet begun the journey of recovery and sobriety.
The somber ballad starts with:Well they shut and locked the door to my cell now/And they called lights out so long ago/And I don’t think I can take this darkness anymore/All my walls are falling down. And follows with: And down that corridor I hear/Men throw themselves against steel cages/Oh God, tell me this is not what we’re living for/Oh tell me there’s more.
“The beginning of the song, which is really a sort of desperate story of this guy listening to people slam themselves against these steel cages and screaming, you know, ‘God, is this really what we’re living for? Like, this can’t be why we’re on this earth, just to slam our bodies into these cages.’ That’s the part that was written 15 years ago,” says Seth.
The track bends from the darkness into the light, just as Seth’s path into sobriety, with this ending: And brother, you’re not broken you’re just tired of the cold/And you have built the prison, and you guard the door.
“The whole end of the song was just finished a few months ago as it sort of came into focus in the whole arc of the album,” says Seth. “So with recovery, that’s where I began to realize the second half of the song.”
“City of Strangers” was tracked at Robert Lang Studios (Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and Electrokitty Studios (U2, Dave Matthews, Kendrick Lamar) with longtime Heart drummer Ben Smith and mastering and mixing engineer Tom Hall, and features a strings arrangement and performance by Yoed Nir.
After taking in the song’s musicality and lyrics, the listener is left with a message of hope and a belief that things can always get better, but first, we must venture into the darkest caves to understand that we’ve had the key to access the light all along.
Listen to “City of Strangers” now on Spotify and all streaming platforms
Kickstand Jenny is an alternative rock group based out of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. With inspiration coming from all genres of music, from Van Halen to Prince, they have been inspired from all the good stuff, forming their diverse original music.
The band is known for their hard work and humble spirits, and the success of their music has allowed them to tear up the stages with some of their idols, including Slaughter, Living Colour, Sebastian Bach, L.A. Guns and LIT.
The 4-man rock band just released their debut rock album, Between the Lies. The 10 song album explores the death and rebirth of a soul. The songs are upbeat and heavily reminiscent of the likes of Slaughter, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and even Bon Jovi.
The project is inspired by the “death of live music” caused by the pandemic, and the desire to march on and rise up like a phoenix. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with famed producer Chas Sandford.
But the standout song on the album is the song “Solo,” which features Mark Slaughter himself. “Solo” was actually the first song from the album the band recorded. “We sent Mark some songs to check out, and he chose this one, as he said it reminded him of his early days when he was in the band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion,” shares Preston Morelock, Kickstand Jenny’s frontman. “Mark really put his stamp on the song, yet it remarkably sounds unique and different from his other works.. Interestingly, the song is about going solo and leaving a situation, which is what he did in 1989 when he left Vinnie Vincent and formed the band Slaughter.”
Modern Mystery 
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