by Jane Lambert

Florida Based Rock Band Displace Reveal Their Funky New Alternative Rock Single “Scarecrow”

Tampa, Florida based band “Displace” have released their new single “Scarecrow” out now.

Displace is a saxophone and electric violin driven funk fusion ensemble who are well known for their improvisation on stage as well as a diverse sound. Displace is a four piece group, with previous album release “Eureka!” back in 2015, their new single “Scarecrow” showcases their introspective alternative rock pop sound blended with complex jazz progressions and funk grooves.

“They say time heals all wounds, but you are inextricably addicted to a memory that only gets more distant each day. Like a lonesome scarecrow hopelessly looking to the sky longing for the very thing your nature seems designed to repel, you reflect on a past that you will never again be present for, with a bleak outlook on the prospects of a future you´d do anything to escape.”

The scarecrow then is a symbol of a fading memory; something you once longed for which is now sinking more and more into the past.

Displace originally formed back in 2012, as a strictly experimental improvisation act and the band enjoyed several live performances which led on to their 2015 release, “Eureka!”. Their sequel album, “Undertow” covers new ground in terms of continuing on the musical fusion but with a much more polished and well produced format. Instrumental melodies are richer, and there is a full woodwind section and percussion sound.

Displace current line-up includes saxophone, electric violin and six keyboards as well as percussion. They have been included in the lineup of several prominent music festivals in the United States, including Gasparilla Music Festival, Blackwater Music Festival, Aura Festival and the Great Outdoors Jam.

You don´t want to miss them live, as they really put on a show!

Stay current with Displace on their Website and social media, Instagram , Facebook and Twitter
Stream music on YouTube , Spotify and Soundcloud

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

10.13.22

by Jane Lambert

Video Voyager: Happy For No Reason’s “Canaries (Hot Summer Night)”

Happy For No Reason is a band that is the antithesis of their name. The band based out of Portland Oregon celebrate every single one of life’s precious moments as two of their members are literally happy to be alive. Comprising of Jo Alexis (vocals and percussion), Neil Goldstein (guitar), and Mark Pritchard (flute), the founding members of Happy For No Reason navigate the rich waters of Jazzy Folk with a pinch of rock, a dash of soul, and even a touch of Bossa Nova.

Their jazzy folk rock single “Canaries (Hot Summer Night)” was revived from Neil and Jo’s early music careers. Neil wrote this chord progression with a jazz band in 1974 and Jo wrote the lyrics in 1991. They put them together one night in 2015 to make the song we hear now. It’s an example of how many of their songs came together.

“The lyrics are about my boyfriend who was working in Harlem at the time and I went to visit him knowing we might break up,” says Jo. “Breaking up when you are still in love is painful but the song has turned into a raucous uptempo sing-along, like the rat pack with a female lead!”

They finished recording, mixing, and making the music video during the pandemic. A friend of Jo’s told suggested the lead vocals were initially too aggressive. So, Jo bought a new microphone and redid her parts, also learning how to use Logic, the DAW (digital audio work station) and spent many hours comping the flute and piano solos.

Their video for “Canaries(Hot Summer Night)” depicts the band on a steampunk style ship, captained by Jo. They are on a mission to catch a canary. The ship and crew are eventually wrecked and never catch the canary. It’s a metaphor for self-destruction, you want something so bad that you’re willing to ignore red flags.

We spoke with Jo Alexis about the video:

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

We didn’t actually choose it but trusted the animator to come up with something fabulous! I saw one of his videos on YouTube and looked him up. He does a combination of live action and animation and I thought it would be amazing for this song!

What was the inspiration behind this video?

Honestly, we gave Christian Bolorinos, our director/animator/producer complete creative freedom on this so all of the ideas were his and we showed up in costume and followed direction. He is SUCH a joy to work with and has an incredible sense of humor! I was delighted with the result and so was the wonder world. The video has acquired 136k views on Facebook and is also a favorite on my YouTube channel.

What was the process of making this video?

The process was so much fun! We rented a studio in Portland and showed up in steampunk outfits(during the pandemic so we wore masks except when shooting!). We shot the music video in Portland but our director, animator and script writer, Christian Bolorinos, was in Barcelona. So we FaceTimed with him during the shoot which actually worked out really well! He directed us from Spain and we just followed his directions. I rented boat props like a steering wheel and a nautical telescope and of course, ropes. We used a fan to make it look as if we were in a terrible storm. Here are some cool pics of our shoot with the band in steampunk costumes.

Connect with Happy For No Reason via:
Website / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify

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

10.10.22

by Jane Lambert

Happy For No Reason Share Their Jazzy Folk Rock Album ‘Take It Higher’

The Portland, OR-based band, Happy For No Reason, celebrate every single one of life’s precious moments as two of their members are literally happy to be alive. Comprising of Jo Alexis on vocals and percussion, Neil Goldstein on guitar, and Mark Pritchard on flute, the founding members of Happy For No Reason navigate the rich waters of jazzy folk with a pinch of rock, a dash of soul, and even a touch of Bossa Nova.

They just released their album, Take It Higher, a collection of 12 songs that ooze love and life. Each song makes you smile, gets you dancing with the beat, and swaying with their infectious melodies.

Their song “Hummingbird Heartbeat” was actually written by Jo Alexis about a major accident she had. While her vocals soar in every song, something about the delicacy and strength in her voice for “Hummingbird Heartbeat” puts the song on a higher plain. It’s about forced changed and the ability to adapt to the obstacles of life.

With a variety of inspirations that include Hubert Laws, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Ian Andersen, Eva Cassidy, Esperanza Spalding, Camille, Joe Strummer, Bonnie Raitt, Nancy King, Kurt Elling, Milton Nascimento, The Band, Pentangle and Neil’s aforementioned love of 60’s Brit pop and West Coast bands, Happy For No Reason are the very definition of cool intelligent music that fulfils dreams. Embrace their happiness and let them Take It Higher.

Connect with Happy For No Reason via:
Website / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify

09.22.22

by Jane Lambert

Star Goes Nova New “Moonlight Beat with Sonic Butterfly” Stuns Listeners

Star Goes Nova is the talented new face in the world of Electro Pop, Synth, and EDM. Showcasing a brilliant journey through a sonic starship, the artist spins moving epic stories with instrumental masterpieces. A trailblazer in the genre, Star Goes Nova dispenses cinematic masterpieces, creatively composed for the next generation of musical icons. With electrifying sounds, memorable beats, and pulsating bass lines, her music is reminiscent of Pink Floyd, Swedish House Mafia, and The Glitch Mob.

She just released “Moonlight Beat with Sonic Butterfly,” a cinematic and fantasy synth and EDM single. Sonic Butterfly is a 26 string acoustic, chromatic, long-string harp designed and played by Andrea Brook. The strings are at minimum 60ft long and often strung over 200 feet long, and span out over the audience, transforming indoor and outdoor theaters, buildings, and natural environments into a stunning immersive musical instrument.

The technical incorporation of the unique giant harp into Star Goes Nova’s “Moonlight Beat” was an epic feat in itself with Grammy winning producer John Baffa tracking 16 microphones, mathematically distanced to achieve authentic echo/delay reverberations down the length of 60 foot harp strings. Star Goes Nova expertly wove in gorgeous piano, electronica and powerful growling dubstep beats. The effect is an epic tale of an astronaut discovering an ancient castle on a distant moon.

Listen here: