by Jane Lambert

The Flip Phones Strike Gold with Whimsical Indie-Pop Gem “It’s a Sign”

With their effervescent new single, “It’s a Sign,” The Flip Phones have created an indie-pop delight brimming with charm, quirk, and an unexpected dose of introspection.

Inspired by Los Angeles’ iconic Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign – a whimsical podiatry advertisement once used by locals to divine their daily fortunes – the track explores the thin line between taking charge of our lives and surrendering to fate and superstition.

Listen in here:

The duo, Lindsey and Ryan, blend instrumental talent with an unpretentious energy to create a sound that feels as timeless as it is refreshing.

Lindsey’s background as a classically trained pianist and flutist shines through in the lush textures of melodica and electric piano that weave throughout the song. Her lyrical storytelling brims with vibrant imagery and clever wit, while Ryan’s self-taught guitar stylings, steeped in influences like The Beatles and Blur, add a jangly, upbeat undercurrent that grounds the song’s playful tone.

This isn’t the first time Lindsey and Ryan have made musical magic together. Their earlier collaboration in North of Canada laid the foundation for the unique synergy that defines The Flip Phones.

Since forming their new project in 2013, they’ve honed their craft, releasing the well-received EP Better in the Dark in 2022 and building a reputation for vibrant live shows at festivals and celebrated mid-Atlantic venues like Jammin Java and Songbyrd.

Produced by Dave Mallen at Innovation Station Music, “It’s a Sign” radiates the energy of their live performances, while also showcasing a shift toward a more playful sound palette.

Influences from the B-52s and Gorillaz are clear, with the melodica lending a whimsical edge, yet the track retains the narrative depth and layered arrangements that have become their signature.

As the lead single for their upcoming EP Spinning Adrift (set to drop in spring 2025), “It’s a Sign” is both an irresistible and thought-provoking anthem for those caught between luck and intention. With its buoyant melodies and clever interplay between Lindsey and Ryan’s vocals, this is indie-pop at its finest.

Connect with The Flip Phones:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Soundcloud / YouTube Music

12.18.24

by Jane Lambert

Animals In Denial Deliver Pulsing Industrial Rock with Single “Operator”

Animals in Denial’s new single “Operator” is an exploration into heartbreak, wrapped up in a gritty industrial-electronic sound.

The story behind “Operator” is as compelling as the song itself. The beat has been living in the artist Christian Imes’s head since they were 14, back when they were cruising the streets of Canton, NC, and obsessing over The Matrix.

At the time, they didn’t even have a synth – just a guitar and a lot of ideas. Years later, using a lite copy of Ableton Live and some old-school drum samples, the track finally started to take shape. It came together fast at first with the initial demo finished in just 30 minutes, but the final version was elevated thanks to a collaboration with industrial icon Steven Seibold (Hate Dept, Pigface).

Seibold’s fingerprints are all over the production. From tweaking the vocal delivery on the third verse to suggesting subtle backing harmonies in the chorus, he brought a fresh perspective to the track.

Listen here:

The pair even recorded the vocals in Seibold’s home studio, which was a full-circle moment for the artist, who’s been a longtime fan of Seibold’s work. The result is sleek and dynamic, with just the right amount of edge.

Musically, “Operator” is a study in restraint. An earlier version included guitar parts, but the final mix strips them away to let the synths and beats carry the weight. That choice gives the track a sharp, metallic vibe that feels perfectly in line with its themes of emotional distance and digital disconnect. The song pulses with a hypnotic rhythm, pulling you in as layers of sound build and shift. It’s dark, atmospheric, and relentlessly captivating.

But the heart of “Operator” are the lyrics, which draw from a relationship that left its mark. The “operator” in the song is a nod to late-night phone calls and AIM chats with an ex who once felt like a lifeline, but who eventually became a source of pain. It’s brutally honest and deeply relatable especially for anyone who’s navigated the murky waters of young love.

Whether drawn to its cyberpunk aesthetic, its honest lyrics, or its sheer force, this is definitely a song that grabs your attention.

Keep up to date with all things Animal In Denial on the Website.

12.11.24

by Jane Lambert

Video Voyaguer: 3 Q’s with The IT City

This holiday season, The It City bring a fresh take on festive nostalgia with their heartwarming music video for “Christmas At Home”.

Known for their blend of modern sounds and timeless appeal, the band re-imagines their original orchestral holiday anthem in an intimate, acoustic trio format.

The result is a cozy stripped-down rendition that perfectly captures the warmth, longing and joy that defines the holiday season.

In this exclusive interview, we take a deeper dive into the inspiration behind the song, the creative vision for the music video, and the magic of bringing their holiday vision to life with the help of the talented Sean Power of Music City Content Kings.

Watch here:

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

“Christmas At Home” is a forlorn little love letter to the holidays. We wanted to evoke the warm feelings of nostalgia that sneak in this time of year.

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

We love the old Christmas specials and all of the unique and interesting performances from them. It was also an exciting musical opportunity to reimagine the original arrangement, replete with full orchestration, as a simplified acoustic trio!

3. What was the process of making the video?

The inimitable Sean Power of Music City Content Kings has a cozy studio here in Nashville. He does incredible work and had the cameras all set up and the stockings hung by the sound baffles with care. It’s always a delight to work with him whenever we can!

About The It City

The It City is a dynamic Nashville-based band known for its eclectic fusion of sounds that blend pop, rock, and soul with the timeless spirit of the city’s musical heritage.

Formed by a group of talented musicians including DJ Phillips (guitar, vocals), Derrek Phillips (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Rich Brinsfield (bass, backing vocals), and Reed Pittman (keyboards, vocals) the band has quickly become a standout act in the vibrant Nashville music scene.

With a string of successful releases and collaborations, The It City has received attention both locally and internationally, sharing the stage with music legends such as Elton John, Lana Del Rey, Sting, and Maren Morris.

The band’s sound is characterized by rich harmonies, infectious melodies, and a deep-rooted commitment to musicianship, evident in their diverse musical influences and creative approach to songwriting.

Their holiday single Christmas At Home is the latest in a series of releases that explore their familiar sounds while staying true to the heart of what makes their music so universally appealing.

Connect with The IT City here:

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

11.15.24

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s with JASON SINAY

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Jason Sinay is a name that carries weight in the music world, not just for his collaborations with icons like Keith Richards, Neil Young, and Lucinda Williams, but for his long-standing role as a member of Heartbreaker Mike Campbell’s band, the Dirty Knobs.

Now, stepping into the spotlight with his solo career, Sinay is carving a new path defined by raw masterful and original songwriting, and a deep connection to his musical roots.

At the heart of this next chapter is “High Plains Drifter,” the lead single from his upcoming double album, “The Mountain“ due to be released at the beginning of 2025.

Inspired by Clint Eastwood’s iconic Western of the same name, the song blends cosmic country-rock with introspective storytelling, painting a vivid picture of self-reckoning. Its jangly guitars and atmospheric grooves capture the timeless spirit of the Old West while reflecting Sinay’s personal journey of confronting inner demons and embracing the complexity of human nature.

In this exclusive interview, Sinay opens up about the inspiration behind the official music video to “High Plains Drifter”:

1. Tell us the story of this song. Why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

“High Plains Drifter” centers on an ominous character — “Born to be a liar/ Born to be a liar/ Like me” — who turns out to be the man in the mirror.

The song is about coming to terms with my own sense of good and evil within myself. I never wanted to look at evil in my life. I always was like, That doesn’t exist. That can’t be true. People aren’t that bad.

And then I realized, Well, sometimes, I’m not that bad.

The song is named after Clint Eastwood’s 1973 Western High Plains Drifter — one of my favorite films ever made!

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

We approached legendary music video director Woody Ford, who brings fun and compelling imagery to his work. We all are fans of the silent Western/Comedy films of the early 1900’s and thought those masterpiece’s could be a great resource to tell the story of the onimous characters of the old West, outlined in the song. I am thrilled with the results.

3. What was the process of making this video?

Woody and his team spent over 40 hours viewing classic silent films, most over 100 years old, that he could repurpose to bring the storyline to life. I was blown away with the wealth of great footage they uncovered.

It was amazing how Woody used the lyrics, throughout the video, and kept the integrity of these classic films by making the video in the style of a silent film. He did use some modern AI technology, to incorporate me as one of the characters in the video … see if you can locate my cameo?

Keep up to date with Jason Sinay on his Website.

Stream music on Spotify and YouTube.

10.29.24

by Jane Lambert

Stephen Jaymes’s New Single “The Evidence Against Her” Speaks to the Psyche of Today

Stephen Jaymes continues to impress with his mysterious new single, “The Evidence Against Her“, a thought provoking exploration of inner turmoil and spiritual conflict.

In this brand new single, Jaymes goes deep into the murky and mysterious waters of Jungian psychology, exploring the relationship between a man and his anima – the feminine aspect of his psyche who seems to have turned against him.

The track has an eerie ambience with its stormy instrumentals which build tension, and the inclusion of a chorus without words adds to this overall atmosphere. The listener is drawn into the depths of both dread, impending doom, and beauty.

Listen in here:

While Jaymes is building a name for himself with his unique blend of punk and new wave, you also find some folk influences all of which work together to create something entirely unique.

The other thing about Jaymes’s songs is that the lyrics actually mean something. Something beyond the usual theme of the day, something that goes deeper and speaks to the psyche of the modern day. The uncertainty, the turmoil, the darker side of things if you like.

“The Evidence Against Her” takes a long and hard look at the importance of maintaining a sense of harmony with one’s spiritual muse, or could you say “higher self”, in the midst of so much adversity. These factors combine to make his music something memorable.

“The evidence against her, laps at the window and doors, Every day there’s more of it, It’s pooling up through the floors, And suddenly I’m drifting, On a sea so vast, No wind and no sail, No way to make love last. But I refuse to dive in. Though it says it will save my soul. I know the evidence against her. Hides a deadly undertow. Is it better to be rescued. Or to drown in sight of land. When to see you captured. Is the fate that she had planned?”

The accompanying music video takes these themes further, portraying Jaymes as a figure adrift at sea who is grappling with his internal struggles. A striking visual presence, complete with curly mohawk, reinforces the song’s message.

The Evidence Against Her not only marks a significant addition to Jaymes’s growing discography but also serves as a sort of thematic companion to his earlier single “Chief Inspector“. Both songs delve into Jungian concepts, reflecting on the battles between the self and the unconscious.

But this song is also an eerie reminder that, whether we are aware of it or not, we are all able to explore how we have reached this new world we are in.

Listen to “The Evidence Against Her” on Spotify now!

Keep up to date with Stephen Jaymes:

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

10.24.24

by Jane Lambert

Eyes of the Stars Debuts Gary Pickus’s Vibrant Call for Unity with “The World Will Unite”

In a time when the world seems more divided than ever, Gary Pickus’s project, Eyes of the Stars, debuts a radiant anthem of hope and unity with his latest single “The World Will Unite.”

The track is an infectious blend of reggae, pop, and R&B, and it carries with it a unified message – to remind listeners that, despite all of our differences, music has the power to bring us together.

“The World Will Unite” has a bright, optimistic energy and a toe-tapping rhythm. Pickus’s long-held belief that joy and music are the antidotes to division is shown well here. It’s a melody that sticks in your head and a message that sticks in your heart.

Listen here:

Pickus’s vocals are smooth and passionate with the call for global togetherness. The chorus – soaring and anthemic – paints a picture of a future where differences can be celebrated, and where humanity can find common ground in love, joy, and faith.

“The World Will Unite” also shines in its production. Pickus incorporates reggae’s laid-back rhythms, pop’s bright melodies, and the smooth, soulful textures of R&B. It’s the kind of song that transcends borders, much like the message it conveys.

“The inability to walk in another person’s shoes is a disability,” Pickus declares, challenging listeners to step into someone else’s world.

What sets “The World Will Unite” apart though is its balance between being a fun, energetic track and something deeply meaningful. It’s music that feels good, but is also inspiring.

And in a time when the world feels so fractured, that’s exactly the kind of song we all need.

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Gary Pickus stands out as a versatile and seasoned music professional with a career spanning multiple decades, marked by notable achievements across composing, arranging, producing, musical directing, and performing.

His work has reached global audiences through his gold record, contributions to 20 albums, as well as the creation of 2 network TV themes.

He has also developed a 4-CD children’s educational series and performed thousands of live shows on keyboards, with hundreds of his compositions placed in various media.

Pickus’ extensive career has taken him through key musical hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, and his international projects reflect a deep understanding of world music influences. His commitment to creating music that serves a higher purpose is encapsulated in his mantra, “There is nothing more entertaining than saving lives,” which emphasizes the power of music to bring about positive change.

Throughout his career, he has worked alongside legendary figures like Alan and Robin Thicke, Dionne Warwick, Diane Warren, and Dasha, collaborating with many other industry creatives who have gained recognition supporting major stars.

Connect with Gary Pickus and Eyes of the Stars on the Website

Listen to “The World Will Unite” on Spotify!