by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR – 3 Q’s WITH GEORGE COLLINS

With each new release, George Collins continues to refine a songwriting voice that is thoughtful and deeply expressive.

His latest single “Houston” takes that craft in a striking new direction, trading autobiographical detail for metaphor, and finding emotional truth in the vastness of outer space. Originally written during a creative retreat in Spain and then later transformed into a piano and cello ballad under the guidance of Grammy nominated producer Jeff Franzel, “Houston” explores the slow drift that can occur between two people who once felt close.

To accompany the single, Collins has released a visually striking video created in collaboration with graphic artist Nancy Razk. It’s a striking blend of imagery and emotion, pairing stark lunar landscapes with the quiet desperation of a relationship losing oxygen.

In this interview, Collins reflects on the unusual origins of “Houston,” the creative partnerships that brought it to life, and the process of translating a song about distance and communication into a powerful visual.

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

Many of my songs have an autobiographical element, but fortunately my haunting new single, “Houston,” does not!

I co-wrote this song with two extremely talented songwriters, Kelsey Grant and Pete Bonne, on a retreat in Spain sponsored by The Songwriting Academy – we were fortunate to be mentored by multi-platinum songwriter Paul Statham.

We were given a brief to write a song about “space,” and after kicking around a number of possible themes we stumbled across the idea of using the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission as a metaphor to describe a relationship on the rocks.

It’s hard to believe that such a dark, harrowing song was written in a beautiful, bougainvillea-filled garden in a tiny white washed village in the hills above Malaga in sunny Spain!

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

Although “Houston,” was originally written on acoustic guitar, I thought it would make a lovely piano/cello ballad.

So I reached out to one of my mentors, Grammy-nominated composer and producer Jeff Franzel, who did an amazing job arranging the song for piano and cello and producing the track – that’s him on piano and well known classical musician Peter Sachon on cello.

In keeping with the metaphor of outer space and theme of a relationship on the rocks, I knew the video would need a dark vibe, so I reached out to a gifted graphic artist named Nancy Razk. (Follow her on Instagram here

She has made several excellent videos for me in the past, and she has a bit of a darker palette than some other graphic artists I have worked with, so I knew she would be perfect for “Houston.”

What was the process of making the video?

Nancy and I had an interactive and collaborative approach to making this video. I knew that I wanted to video to be Black & White, to have images of outer space and lunar landscapes, to show black holes emphasizing danger and canyons emphasizing separateness, to show a lonely man and lonely woman frustrated and on the verge of breaking up, and also to feature a pianist and a cellist to match the musical accompaniment.

Nancy miraculously found the video footage to illustrate these themes, and through an iterative process we placed the clips to match the lyrics, so the visual and the audio were perfectly lined up. Nancy did an expert job stitching everything together, based on my detailed comments to her extremely creative drafts – she was full of wonderful ideas, and it was a delight to work with her once again. Apart from being grateful to my co-writers and the world class musicians who performed on this track, I am extremely proud of how the video turned out and beautifully brings this dark, haunting song to life.

George Collins is a singer songwriter whose work carries thoughtful storytelling with finely crafted melodies. His musical catalogue has steadily grown to include pieces that explore connection, vulnerability and the quiet shifts that shape human relationships.

Collins continues to collaborate with respected producers and musicians who help bring his vision to life. His newest single, “Houston,” adds another compelling layer to his evolving artistic journey.

Keep up with everything George Collins on his Website

12.04.25

by Jane Lambert

A Midnight Confession from KiTe with “I See You Cryin'”

KiTe’s new single, “I See You Cryin’,” is the kind of song that slips into your evening without asking permission. It’s gentle, and there is no big dramatic punch or sweeping climax but instead just this steady, slow ache that settles in and doesn’t leave.

The production is the first thing that grabs you, mostly because it is sparse in a really intentional way, like he cleared out everything unnecessary so the emotion could hang in the air.

Soft chords, a pulse of a beat and KiTe’s voice sitting right in the middle of it is all just enough to hold the feeling in place without crowding it.

And his voice is understated, almost conversational at times. He is not trying to show off but is just telling the truth the way you do at 1 a.m. when you are too tired to perform for anyone.

What gives the song its atmosphere is how naturally it came together. KiTe said the melody just arrived. This effortlessness shows because the whole track has a dreamlike quality, inspired by a film about unrequited love that stuck with him emotionally. It makes sense – “I See You Cryin'” is almost like a half remembered story you are trying to piece back together.

The simplicity of the song works in its favor. It manages to capture that strange mix of wanting to comfort someone while quietly realizing that you have lost them already. It’s a lonely feeling.

There’s a touch of influence from artists like Keshi and DEAN, but KiTe is very much carving out his own lane. His sound is cleaner, a bit more airy and a lot more emotionally up close.

“I See You Crying'” is just honest. And it succeeds in this. If KiTe keeps leaning into this softer, more introspective side of his writing, he is going to build a catalogue of songs that stay with the listener.

About KiTe

KiTe is a Singapore born, Melbourne based R&B/Pop artist with a talent for turning small, intimate moments into spacious atmospheric songs. He started producing music at sixteen from a dining table setup, long before he left his engineering studies to pursue music full-time.

KiTe is influenced by artists like Keshi, ASTN, DEAN and Bryson Tiller. When he’s not releasing his own work, he is writing and producing for others – even pitching songs for K-pop groups. With each release, he sharpens a sound that feels both contemporary and quietly timeless.

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music

11.12.25

by Jane Lambert

George Collins’s Latest Single “Houston” Captures the Fragile Art of Holding On

Sometimes, the quietest songs say the most. George Collins’s new single “Houston” is one of those rare songs that sneaks up on you. It’s a slow, steady pulse of emotion. It’s a song about distance, but not just the kind that separates planets, but the kind that grows between two people who can’t quite find the same orbit anymore.

Written during a songwriting retreat in Spain, “Houston” takes its cue from an unexpected place – the Apollo 13 mission. Collins and his co-writers were challenged to write a song about “space,” and instead of leaning into the literal, they turned much more inwards.

The final track is one that uses the language of exploration and crisis – “Houston, we have a problem” – to reflect on something deeply human. Namely, how communication can break down when love starts to drift.

The opening lines “You don’t seem to notice, maybe you don’t really care, I’m lost and lonely, floating around you somewhere”, Collins sets the emotional tone with honesty. There is a kind of accpetance that makes the pain more poignant. He is not blaming, but describing what it feels like to lose a connection one quiet moment at a time.

The production which is arranged and produced by Grammy nominated composer Jeff Franzel, suits the theme perfectly.

Collins originally wrote the song on acoustic guitar, but here it’s transformed into a delicate piano and cello arrangement. The piano moves patiently beneath the vocals, while the cello drifts in subtly and full of texture. Each note echoes the theme of communication across distance.

Collins’s vocals are what truly carries the song. When he reaches the chorus “If we’re ever gonna cross a chasm this wide / We’re gonna have to pass through our dark side” is a quiet revelation. He does not need to raise his voice to make the point.

Overall though, “Houston” feels real. You can see the dim light of the room, two people not talking, and the sense of something beautiful slipping away. Collins turns that small, human moment into something much bigger. His writing shows craftsmanship for language and melody.

By the end, when Collins sings “And time is running out,” it’s recognition – the kind that comes when you finally see how fragile connection really is.

Listen to “Houston” on Spotify now.

Follow George Collins Band on the Website

11.07.25

by Jane Lambert

Theatre Meets Pop Perfection in Ian Ward’s “Ocean Eyes”

With “Ocean Eyes,” Ian Ward delivers a solid cinematic slice of pop. The track develops like a memory which is soft at first, reflective and tender, before swelling into a chorus that hits with grandeur. It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you and reveals its depth in layers.

Built on shimmering synths, echoing guitars and Ward’s commanding voice, “Ocean Eyes” captures the bittersweet space between heartbreak and healing.

Each lyric feels lived in as if he is narrating a scene from real life. When his falsetto breaks through in the chorus, it is fragile and soaring and is a rare balance of polish and authenticity that wants you to listen on repeat.

Ward has described the song as “the bridge between my Broadway theatricality and the pop stage,” and thats exactly how it feels. It’s intimate storytelling told on a wide screen. This is in the way that “Ocean Eyes explores the pull of memory which is the quiet moment when someone’s face suddenly drifts into focus long after you thought you had moved on.

“Theatre trained me to tell stories through other people’s words … my original music lets me tell my own.”

“Ocean Eyes” is a moment of emotional honesty captured in motion. It reminds us that love does not always end cleanly. Sometimes, it lingers soft and shimmering, like light reflecting on water.

About Ian Ward

Ian Ward is a Brooklyn based singer songwriter, actor and creative entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry.

He made his professional theatre debut at just eight years old and has since performed on Broadway, toured internationally, appeared on television and film and even earned a Golden Ticket on American Idol.

As a songwriter, Ward layers pop melodies with a rock edge and the depth of a Broadway vocalist. His debut EP One Shot displays his soulful voice and fearless storytelling, echoing his belief in taking chances and living boldly.

Ward is the founder of Mutual Street Entertainment and Hitmaker Collective, where he mentors emerging songwriters and helps artists to develop their creative vision. Having collaborated with icons like Idina Menzel, Pat Benatar, Kristen Bell, Sir Tim Rice and Ryan Murphy, Ward is creating and inspiring one song, one story and one unforgettable performance at a time.

Keep up with Ian Ward on his Website

11.03.25

by Jane Lambert

Ray Ray Star’s New Single “Feelin'” is an Electric Redemption Story

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When the first guitar hits in Ray Ray Star’s brand new single “Feelin’,” you can tell this isn’t just another rock song. There is fire behind each chord, and it’s all about emotional release with equal parts grit, groove and grace.

Written and composed entirely by Ray Ray Star, “Feelin’” digs deep into the heart of addiction and recovery. But it’s not just about the fight to stay clean. It’s about the moment after the storm has passed, that fragile process of learning how to feel again when you’ve been numb for years.

Listen in here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1v0BupMwh1G2mG0Fh2exIh

The lyrics are introspective and piercing, but it’s the music that tells the story with the bite of the guitar, and the push and pull between darkness and light.

Ray Ray plays all the guitars himself on this track, bringing a distinctive tone that blends emotional texture with sheer power. “Feelin'” also features a stellar supporting lineup with Nick Weber of Pigeon Park delivering unforgettable vocals that channel pain and redemption in equal measure. On drums, Ricardo Viana of The Veer Union (Rockstar Records / Universal) drives is all forwards with precision and ifre, while Ryan Jones of The Thick Of It holds down the low end with an unwavering strength. Together, they all work to create a sound where rock refuses to play it safe.

Ray Ray states:

“My single Feelin’ is about the very last time I used and the thoughts that were going through my mind at that time. There was so much trauma and I was doing everything in my power to not feel anything but along the way I lost the ability to feel anything. I was desperate for a feeling of any sort. Addiction took everything from me and turned me into a shadow of my formal self.

Desperate to quit and an addiction that wouldn’t let me. The absolute insanity of it all. Bringing me to places I never thought I would ever go. Hanging with people I hated being around. Doing things I never thought I would. Overdoses, heart failure, etc. I wanted to escape life with drugs but then drugs wouldn’t let me go.

Its a miracle I am still here to tell the story and that is why I volunteer work with people that want the help. I want to inspire others that not only is there a way out but, when clean, you can achieve anything! That is my motivation. To sore as high as I can and inspire others to do the same. We are all someone’s brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, etc.”

It is the blend of truth and power that makes Ray Ray Star’s music really stand ground in today’s rock landscape. And his music is the reflection of a man who has lived the story he is telling. Sixteen years sober, Ray Ray Star doesn’t romanticize recovery or pain. He just tells it like it it – the grit, the struggle, the flicker of light you cling to when everything else fades.

About Ray Ray Star

Ray Ray Star is a guitarist, songwriter, record producer and executive producer. With a career that spans international touring, high profile production work and years spent behind the scenes shaping sound and story, he’s an artist who’s seen every side of the music industry, and come out the other side with something real to say.

Sixteen years clean and sober, Ray Ray has turned his recovery into art, creating songs that dig deep into the human condition. Themes of addiction and the search for truth.

He has toured internationally, co-produced NBC’s Real Music Live and built a reputation for blending rock ’n’ roll swaRay gger with deeply personal storytelling. Sixteen years clean and sober, Ray Ray channels his recovery journey into his music.

From his early days writing songs amidst the personal struggle to his latest releases like “One Step Away” and “Feelin’,” Ray Ray Star continues to turn survival into art, proving that even in brokenness, there is power, hope and the courage to feel again.

Keep up with Ray Ray Star on his Website

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music

10.29.25

by Jane Lambert

KiTe Turns Reflection into Art on “Shadows”

The Singapore born, Melbourne based artist delivers a tender and cinematic RnB moment that explores what lingers when love fades.

On “Shadows,” KiTe proves that restraint can be its own kind of power. The Singapore born, Melbourne based R&B and pop artist strips things back to the essentials with a gentle beat, hazy guitar textures and a voice that sounds like it’s caught somewhere between a dream and a memory.

This is a track that you will want to play on repeat just to catch the details you missed the first time.

“Shadows” unfolds slowly, like light seeping through half-drawn blinds. KiTe’s vocals are smooth and his phrasing carries an emotion that is intriguing. When he murmurs lines about love’s lingering ghosts, you can almost see the late night streets, the flicker of neon and the empty spaces that once felt full.

Listen here:

“Shadows” sits in that sweet spot between R&B sensuality and minimalist pop. The production feels handcrafted with each layer adding on to the next, and a slow burning atmosphere building. What makes this track stand out is how KiTe leans into vulnerability, and turns solitude into something more cinematic in structure.

KiTe is emerging as a promising new voice in modern R&B. And he is an artist who understands that connection is not build on perfection per se, but on presence. This is music for the moments in between, for the long drives, quiet nights and the spaces where reflection becomes its own kind of comfort.

About KiTe

Singapore born and Melbourne based, KiTe is a rising R&B / Pop artist who beings smooth and soulful melodies together with early 2000’s inspired emotion.

Influenced by Keshi, ASTN, DEAN, Junny, and Bryson Tiller, his music balances contemporary production with timeless sentiment.

A former engineering student turned now full time musician, KiTe began producing at sixteen from a simple dining table setup. His journey from Mando Pop singing contests, where he earned a Top 5 finish, to performing live and writing for other artists including K-pop groups, has shaped his signature sound.

Stream KiTe’s music on Spotify and Apple Music