![Australian folk pop darlings, Pierce Brothers have dropped their new single It’s Alright, a headfirst dive into high energy blues and roots, out today November 27. It’s Alright tells the story of overcoming hardship and solitude to truly appreciate what’s important, and to see the love that surrounds you if you search for it [Listen: IT’S ALRIGHT]. It’s Alright is also accompanied by an affecting music video about finding comfort in an unlikely place [WATCH: IT’S ALRIGHT]. The single preceeds the Pierce Brothers’ highly anticipated sophomore album, Into The Great Unknown set for release on March 5, 2021. Written years apart over two separate time periods, It’s Alright is truly the joining of both sides of the Pierce Brothers. The chorus, penned by Jack Pierce while treking through the mountains of Switzerland in 2018, sat in a drawer unused for the last album until brother Pat took the track and re-worked it, writing all new verses and giving the track a new blues-inspired life. Produced by Jan Skubizeski (John Butler, The Cat Empire), mixed by Phil Threfall (Illy, Ed Sheeran), and mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering (The Tesky Brothers, The Cat Empire), It’s Alright is the return to energetic folk roots that Pierce Brothers are known for, and will have fans of Nathaniel Rateliff and The Teskey Brothers champing at the bit to hear more. Filmed by Carl Allison (Tones and I) and Jesse Leaman (Leaman Films, Didirri), and shot in Melbourne’s outer eastern regions the day lockdown ended, the video for It’s Alright sees the story of two warring soldiers finding comfort in one another after stumbling upon a Wonderland-inspired teaparty. “We have worked a lot with Carl Allison in the past,“ explains Pat, “he and Jesse pitched us the idea and we just thought it sounded so interesting, weird and delightful. I was a little worried it’d come off too over the top, but I’m stoked at how it turned out, just a really nice story of two people finding comfort somewhere unexpected." Into The Great Unknown was recorded at Jan Skubizeski’s Red Moon Studios in Gisborne from April to June 2020, between the two Victorian lockdowns, with Jack and Pat spending most days recording in the studio and most evenings on site in the guest cottage working on new material. “We’d finish a long day recording a track, then have dinner together, share a bottle of red and either work on the track some more, or we’d retire to the cottage and write until we went to sleep,” explains Jack. “We spent hours discussing and exploring new sounds and experimenting with a secondary recording rig in the cottage, so we could test out new and exciting things before taking them to the studio the next day. This made for some beautifully experimental explorations throughout the album, opitimised by the stunning instrumental track Réflecteur. Pat used his time to mock up strings arrangements and horn ideas that we then took to some incredibly talented people to bring to life!” The strings and horns arrangements, put together by Ross Iwrin (The Cat Empire, Angus and Julia Stone, Passenger) lift the album to a new level, with Pat noting, “The string arrangements realised a whole avenue that we’d always wanted to explore, inspired a lot by Gang Of Youths’ brilliant 2017 album Go Farther In Lightness, and expanded the depth of the album in ways that we’d never tried." Into The Great Unknown is the first 100% independent body of work from Pierce Brothers since they burst onto the scene with 2014’s The Night Tree. “This album almost didn’t happen,” Jack recalls, “We have toured relentlessly for 5 years, and until now, we could only record on select days in between tours. We were at each other’s throats! With pressure to write, and fatigue from the road, it almost broke the band up. The COVID-19 crisis decimated the live music scene and the main aspect of our income, so funding this album independently was a challenge. The time that we had off from touring during lockdown, while difficult, made us laser focussed like never before on the writing process. It has provided us a new roster of tracks that we can’t wait to play live. Whilst it was an unwelcome break in our lives, it helped create the best album we’ve ever written!” Pierce Brothers will be playing their postponed shows throughout the summer with limited capacities due to the COVID-19 restrictions. IT’S ALRIGHT is out November 27 via DITTO INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN is out March 5 via DITTO Pre-orders INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN here https://ffm.to/pbitgu Listen: IT’S ALRIGHT Watch: IT’S ALRIGHT INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN Tracklist 1. white caps come 2. dentist 3. brother 4. it’s alright 5. la montagne 6. lights of london 7. réflecteur 8. trouble 9. waves of winter 10. petty 11. kanko 12. one PIERCE BROTHERS SUMMER 20/21TOUR Tickets available from www.piercebrothers.com/ FRI, 11 DEC 20 | THE GRAND, MORNINGTON | FINAL TICKETS SAT, 12 DEC 20 | THE GRAND, MORNINGTON | SOLD OUT FRI, 18 DEC 20 | SANDY POINT HALL, SANDY POINT | SOLD OUT SAT, 19 DEC 20 | WESTERNPORT HOTEL, SAN REMO | SOLD OUT SAT, 19 DEC 20 | WESTERNPORT HOTEL, SAN REMO | SOLD OUT TUE, 29 DEC 20 | THE PELICAN BAR, QUEENSCLIFF | FINAL TICKETS WED, 30 DEC 20 | THE PELICAN BAR, QUEENSCLIFF | SOLD OUT WED, 6 JAN 20 | SOOKIE LOUNGE, BELGRAVE | SOLD OUT THU, 7 JAN 20 | SOOKIE LOUNGE, BELGRAVE | SOLD OUT SUN, 10 JAN 20 | TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY | SOLD OUT THU, 14 JAN 20 | LA LA LA’S, WOLLONGONG | SOLD OUT FRI, 15 JAN 20 | CAMBRIDGE WAREHOUSE, NEWCASTLE | FINAL TICKETS SAT, 16 JAN 20 | TRANSIT BAR, CANBERRA | FINAL TICKETS SUN, 17 JAN 20 | BEER DELUXE, ALBURY | FINAL TICKETS 23 JAN | VOLTA ARTS & CULTURE, BALLARRAT | JUST ANNOUNCED 20 MAR | THE SHEDS, WONTHAGGI | JUST ANNOUNCED FRI, 2 APR 20 | BLUESFEST, BYRON BAY](https://controls.islaoceana.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PIERCE-BROTHERS-SHARE-NEW-SINGLE-AND-VIDEO-‘IT’S-ALRIGHT’-ANNOUNCE-SOPHMORE-ALBUM-‘INTO-THE-GREAT-UNKNOWN’-SET-FOR-RELEASE-MARCH-5.jpg "PIERCE BROTHERS SHARE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO ‘IT’S ALRIGHT’ + ANNOUNCE SOPHMORE ALBUM ‘INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN’ SET FOR RELEASE MARCH 5")
Australian folk pop darlings, Pierce Brothers have dropped their new single It’s Alright, a headfirst dive into high energy blues and roots, out today November 27. It’s Alright tells the story of overcoming hardship and solitude to truly appreciate what’s important, and to see the love that surrounds you if you search for it [Listen: IT’S ALRIGHT]. It’s Alright is also accompanied by an affecting music video about finding comfort in an unlikely place [WATCH: IT’S ALRIGHT]. The single preceeds the Pierce Brothers’ highly anticipated sophomore album, Into The Great Unknown set for release on March 5, 2021.
Written years apart over two separate time periods, It’s Alright is truly the joining of both sides of the Pierce Brothers. The chorus, penned by Jack Pierce while treking through the mountains of Switzerland in 2018, sat in a drawer unused for the last album until brother Pat took the track and re-worked it, writing all new verses and giving the track a new blues-inspired life. Produced by Jan Skubizeski (John Butler, The Cat Empire), mixed by Phil Threfall (Illy, Ed Sheeran), and mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering (The Tesky Brothers, The Cat Empire), It’s Alright is the return to energetic folk roots that Pierce Brothers are known for, and will have fans of Nathaniel Rateliff and The
Filmed by Carl Allison (Tones and I) and Jesse Leaman (Leaman Films, Didirri), and shot in Melbourne’s outer eastern regions the day lockdown ended, the video for It’s Alright sees the story of two warring soldiers finding comfort in one another after stumbling upon a Wonderland-inspired teaparty. “We have worked a lot with Carl Allison in the past,“ explains Pat, “he and Jesse pitched us the idea and we just thought it sounded so interesting, weird and delightful. I was a little worried it’d come off too over the top, but I’m stoked at how it turned out, just a really nice story of two people finding comfort somewhere unexpected.”
Into The Great Unknown was recorded at Jan Skubizeski’s Red Moon Studios in Gisborne from April to June 2020, between the two Victorian lockdowns, with Jack and Pat spending most days recording in the studio and most evenings on site in the guest cottage working on new material. “We’d finish a long day recording a track, then have dinner together, share a bottle of red and either work on the track some more, or we’d retire to the cottage and write until we went to sleep,” explains Jack. “We spent hours discussing and exploring new sounds and experimenting with a secondary recording rig in the cottage, so we could test out new and exciting things before taking them to the studio the next day. This made for some beautifully experimental explorations throughout the album, opitimised by the stunning instrumental track Réflecteur. Pat used his time to mock up strings arrangements and horn ideas that we then took to some incredibly talented people to bring to life!” The strings and horns arrangements, put together by Ross Iwrin (The Cat Empire, Angus and Julia Stone, Passenger) lift the album to a new level, with Pat noting, “The string arrangements realised a whole avenue that we’d always wanted to explore, inspired a lot by Gang Of Youths’ brilliant 2017 album Go Farther In Lightness, and expanded the depth of the album in ways that we’d never tried.”
Into The Great Unknown is the first 100% independent body of work from Pierce Brothers since they burst onto the scene with 2014’s The Night Tree. “This album almost didn’t happen,” Jack recalls, “We have toured relentlessly for 5 years, and until now, we could only record on select days in between tours. We were at each other’s throats! With pressure to write, and fatigue from the road, it almost broke the band up. The COVID-19 crisis decimated the live music scene and the main aspect of our income, so funding this album independently was a challenge. The time that we had off from touring during lockdown, while difficult, made us laser focussed like never before on the writing process. It has provided us a new roster of tracks that we can’t wait to play live. Whilst it was an unwelcome break in our lives, it helped create the best album we’ve ever written!”
Pierce Brothers will be playing their postponed shows throughout the summer with limited capacities due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
IT’S ALRIGHT is out November 27 via DITTO
INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN is out March 5 via DITTO
Pre-orders INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN here https://ffm.to/pbitgu
Listen: IT’S ALRIGHT
Watch: IT’S ALRIGHT
INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN Tracklist
1. white caps come
2. dentist
3. brother
4. it’s alright
5. la montagne
6. lights of london
7. réflecteur
8. trouble
9. waves of winter
10. petty
11. kanko
12. one
PIERCE BROTHERS SUMMER 20/21TOUR
Tickets available from www.piercebrothers.com/
FRI, 11 DEC 20 | THE GRAND, MORNINGTON | FINAL TICKETS
SAT, 12 DEC 20 | THE GRAND, MORNINGTON | SOLD OUT
FRI, 18 DEC 20 | SANDY POINT HALL, SANDY POINT | SOLD OUT
SAT, 19 DEC 20 | WESTERNPORT HOTEL, SAN REMO | SOLD OUT
SAT, 19 DEC 20 | WESTERNPORT HOTEL, SAN REMO | SOLD OUT
TUE, 29 DEC 20 | THE PELICAN BAR, QUEENSCLIFF | FINAL TICKETS
WED, 30 DEC 20 | THE PELICAN BAR, QUEENSCLIFF | SOLD OUT
WED, 6 JAN 20 | SOOKIE LOUNGE, BELGRAVE | SOLD OUT
THU, 7 JAN 20 | SOOKIE LOUNGE, BELGRAVE | SOLD OUT
SUN, 10 JAN 20 | TORQUAY HOTEL, TORQUAY | SOLD OUT
THU, 14 JAN 20 | LA LA LA’S, WOLLONGONG | SOLD OUT
FRI, 15 JAN 20 | CAMBRIDGE WAREHOUSE, NEWCASTLE | FINAL TICKETS
SAT, 16 JAN 20 | TRANSIT BAR, CANBERRA | FINAL TICKETS
SUN, 17 JAN 20 | BEER DELUXE, ALBURY | FINAL TICKETS
23 JAN | VOLTA ARTS & CULTURE, BALLARRAT | JUST ANNOUNCED
20 MAR | THE SHEDS, WONTHAGGI | JUST ANNOUNCED
FRI, 2 APR 20 | BLUESFEST, BYRON BAY
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Tricky has today announced the first step in a new fundraising effort to raise money and awareness surrounding mental health in his hometown of Bristol, by launching for sale a deluxe notebook set from his webshop, with all profits from the release being donated to Bristol Mind.
The fundraising effort is a close-to-home initiative supporting the brilliant work the local mental health charity conducts, from advocacy and mental health awareness training, to free helplines and counselling. More about Bristol Mind’s work can be found at bristolmind.org.uk
The team from Bristol Mind commented:
“Bristol Mind are very grateful for Tricky’s contribution in raising awareness and helping to fund our services. The more people can talk openly about mental health, the easier it will be for people to seek and get the support they need.”
The set features an A5 notebook and accompanying pen, plus lyrics booklet drawing a line from Tricky’s recent acclaimed album ‘Fall To Pieces’ to the new initiative. Ten editions of the set will be sent at random to customers containing original hand-written lyrics sheets from the album recording process. It is available today from shop.trickysite.com
Listen to Tricky’s “Thinking Of”
Watch Tricky’s Video for “Fall Please”
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![UK DANCE MUSIC VETERAN TALL PAUL PROVIDES ANTHEMIC REMIX OF RIBB[ ]N & JEM COOKE’S ‘HEART SPACE’](https://controls.islaoceana.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UK-DANCE-MUSIC-VETERAN-TALL-PAUL.jpg "UK DANCE MUSIC VETERAN TALL PAUL")
Following the release of his debut EP ‘Glass Sky’ on the world renowned FFRR, RIBB[ ]N’s ‘Heart Space’ featuring vocals from Jem Cooke, receives a euphoric rework from UK dance music legend Tall Paul.
Since its release, ‘Glass Sky’ EP has received over 700K combined streams to date and been championed across national radio. With support coming from both Radio 1 on Pete Tong & Danny Howard and more, the release has also been heavily pushed by DSP’s, receiving additions to playlists such as Dance Anthems & Future Dance Hits on Apple and House Music Data Transmission & Electro Party on Spotify.
“These are the vibes we need, these are the sort of sounds we need, epic, elevating us., he’s a proper talent ..like a mini Eric Prydz meets Madeon, epic progressive stuff.”
Danny Howard
” Only 16 years old and he’s turning heads already”
Pete Tong
A veteran of the UK house & trance scene, Tall Paul transforms ‘Heart Space’ into an anthemic house-trance pop crossover. Tall Paul is one of the stalwarts of the UK music scene, at the forefront of London’s renowned pirate radio he soon became part of the hierarchy in the global DJ tribe.
A remix that is sure to catapult the further ascension of ‘Heart Space’ & RIBB[ ]N, the young producer is sure set for stardom.
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‘Busted Up’ finds The Southern River Band operating in top gear, manifesting their reputation as one of the premiere live bands in the country into 2.57mins of pure rock ‘n’ roll flex.
After supporting Cold Chisel in front of over 20,000 new fans, along with show stealing performances at Sugarloaf Rock Festival, Illuminate Night Festival, and Highway To Hell, not to mention a national tour with The Darkness, the boys from Thornlie are making all the right noises, so as The Age put it so eloquently in their album of the week review, “get on it!”
The Southern River Band will launch ‘Busted Up’ across WA throughout November and December.
November 14th: Bridgetown Blues Festival
November 21st: Whalebone Brewing Co. Exmouth
November 28th Freo.Social. Fremantle
December 19th – Esperance Turf Club
December 30th – The River Margaret River
Today, sees Melbourne-based singer/songwriter Lakyn deliver another genre-defying single ‘Long Distance’. For close to a decade, Lakyn has been carving out his own lane and his latest release highlights an artist in their creative prime.
Recorded on a writing trip in London, ‘Long Distance’ was produced by Ed Holloway (Lewis Capaldi, Dean Lewis) and co-written by Nick Atkinson (Lewis, Gabrielle Aplin). It’s a shimmering, emotionally dense record influenced by everything from R&B vocals to vintage rock guitars. It effortlessly sits alongside recent releases ‘Choir Boy’ and ‘Superhuman’, as well as his breakthrough 2018 EP ‘& Pains’, extending his experimentation with both organic and electronic sounds.
‘Long Distance’ was born from a conversation with a friend in a London cab. Following a sleepless flight from Australia to his first overseas writing trip, Lakyn found himself ruminating about, as he puts it, the “disconnection of human contact” thanks to the ever-advancing state of technology. During the following writing session, that conversation would meld into ‘Long Distance’.
Alongside his new single, Lakyn has announced the release of his upcoming clothing and skate brand, Daytona 4.23fm, due out early 2021. Drawing upon the 80’s Miami Vice aesthetic, the collection was inspired by the yearning to escape from the reality of 2020 and recreate that carefree holiday feeling.
Lakyn has been tinkering with his sonic aesthetic, landing on a sound that’s uniquely his own. Over his career, he’s received accolades from the likes of triple j, The Music, Pilerats and Happy and has garnered an impressive 16 million streams. In the live arena, he’s supported the likes of Vera Blue, Eves Karydas, and LAUV, while also playing his own sold-out headline shows.
For further info on Lakyn you can check out:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC | SOUNDCLOUD
The Black Seeds make a triumphant return to their sonic roots with their new single, ‘Raised With Love.’ Packed full of the sunshine reggae vibes that have made them a household name in their homeland of New Zealand, and a favourite for festival-goers around the world, the single is the first off their new album due for release later next year.
Recorded during Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand, the new single is a bass heavy reminder to be grateful for the simple things we have, inspired by looking over old rediscovered family photos.
“I was feeling especially grateful for how I was raised with lots of love and music in the house. ‘Raised With Love’ is a thank you to all the parents out there doing their best to make life a thing of beauty for their children”, says Black Seeds frontman Barnaby Weir.
With over 65 million streams on Spotify since 2015, The Black Seeds have taken their boundary-crossing reggae fusion to the world over the past two decades. At home the multi-platinum-selling band are revered stalwarts of the touring and festival circuit, while abroad they’ve spearheaded New Zealand’s internationally renowned roots movement alongside the likes of Fat Freddy’s Drop and Katchafire.
‘Raised With Love’ echoes the truly optimistic and hopeful sound loved by Black Seeds fans around the world and is sure to be on high rotation this summer!
The Black Seeds Live are:
Barnaby Weir (Vocals/Guitar)
Daniel Weetman (Vocals/Percussion)
Jarney Murphy (Drums)
Nigel Patterson (Keyboard)
Ned Ngatae (Guitar)
Francis Harawira (Bass)
Barrett Hocking (Trumpet)
Matthew Benton (Saxophone)
Official Website | Facebook | Instagram
Adelaide’s SEABASS return with energetic new single ‘BURN’ from forthcoming debut EP, ALWAYS KIDDING
With their new single ‘Burn’, Adelaide indie-rock group SEABASS charge into the final months of 2020 impassioned and ready to start a new chapter.
Having spent their first year as a band quickly generating momentum surrounding their energetic and dynamic sound, the four-piece have wasted no time in pouring their diverse sonic influences and electrifying performance vibes into studio sessions, creating their debut EP, Always Kidding.
From the EP (due February 2021), ‘Burn’ marks another strong step forward for SEABASS. Powered by strong instrumentation and soaring vocals, the band’s brand of indie rock is an exciting one being championed out of South Australia.
The urgency that drives ‘Burn’ is an organic element that filtered its way through sessions for SEABASS. The track, written and inspired last year following the horrific bushfire season much of Australia experienced, as well as the devastating incidents of Indigenous deaths in custody (in particular, the murder of Kumanjayi Walker), ‘Burn’ matches feelings of hopelessness with rousing sonic progressions that offer a spark for people to keep on going. To push through.
“Although the song itself is uplifting and a call to mobilise against stupidity and inaction, there are undertones of desperation and hopelessness that ride with the need to push through. This song literally fell out of me at 8am one morning into a demo session on my computer. We tidied the track up here and there but ultimately this is how it first sounded that one emotional desperate morning. 2019 was a big year for injustice…we should have known what was around the corner. Luckily, my band had each other and music.” Annie Siegmann, SEABASS
The band worked with talented creatives to produce the visuals for ‘Burn’. Linking up with Adelaide photographer Sam Graves and Lily Drummond Films, SEABASS were able to have their ideas realised, even though they all admit venturing into videography and this side of the creative process was foreign territory.
“Lily Drummond did an amazing job of weaving together a whole bunch of disparate ideas into something watchable. We have big ideas for future vids, so bloody watch out alright!” Flik Freeman, SEABASS
Since their inception in 2019, SEABASS have become one of Adelaide’s exciting new exports. Members Siegmann, Freeman, Ryan Martin John and Kyrie Anderson came together as SEABASS after landing a gig supporting the iconic Pussy Riot in Adelaide; the experience spurring on the engaging music we hear from the band today.
The band, who share strong musical chops already (three are jazz trained, while Ryan comes to the fold as a seasoned sound engineer too), explore music that can fill a listener with euphoria as it can incite calls to action. In a similar vein to The Jezabels and WAAX, SEABASS bringing an unbridled sense of emotion to their songwriting, backed by some fine-tuned indie-rock sounds.
Having cut their teeth in Adelaide as headliners and supports for artists including Ecca Vandal, Grinspoon and The Superjesus over the last 12 months, SEABASS are ready to tackle 2021 and unleash the Always Kidding EP on those who’ve been there since the beginning, and newcomers alike.
PRAISE FOR SEABASS
“Minimalist in nature, but enormous on the vocal and guitar parts, SEABASS are experts in the art of delivery, capitalising on the accessibility of their music, where it counts the most.”
Happy
“This is the first I’ve heard of SEABASS and quite frankly, gimme more!”
Triple J, Declan Byrne (‘Brains’, 2020)
‘Burn’ is out now!
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Triple J Unearthed
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Completely self-made, the Chicago born, Ohio-bred and Atlanta based singer, songwriter, and rapper 3LetterzNuk flexes both his production and lyrical prowess in his most substantial release to date. Weaving rhymes with confidence and swagger over a smooth R&B foundation across 14 clever cuts, the ‘I’m Back‘ mixtape is available on Friday, November 27th 2020 on all platforms via ZENtertainment/
In preparation for the mixtape, 3LetterzNuk dropped three singles to keep listeners on their toes leading up to the project’s ultimate release. “Like Me“, “Reset“, and “Side To Side” provided ample insight into the breadth of styles to be featured across the entirety of ‘I’m Back‘. Now unveiled in its entirety, the full body of work shines the spotlight on the full capacity of what 3LetterzNuk is capable of.
STREAM: 3LetterzNuk – “Sliding Thru”
Through the duration of the mixtape’s remaining 11 songs we see the young rapper cohesively connect the spectrum of rap, hip hop, R&B and pop of tonalities. Spanning themes of love, fame, prestige and fast lifestyles, his choice of words exude raw energy that fans of both popular and urban genres are sure to connect with. As his first fully developed body of work, I’m Back embodies a seized opportunity for 3LetterzNuk to showcase his range and abilities as a multidisciplinary musician across 14 tracks.
“What I’ve set out to convey in creating the mixtape is that I’m back on the scene and I still have points to make”
3LetterzNuk
After working tirelessly in honing his craft, 3letterzNuk garnered some of his first major support from global superstar FloRida in 2015, who signed his first record deal to IMG and onboarded him as an opening act for his globe trotting world tour. 2017 marked the start of new ventures upon signing with ZENtertainment/Sony Music, leading to landmark collaborations with pop mega talent such as Aaron Carter, where he was featured on Aaron’s 2018 comeback single “Fool’s Gold“, boasting well over 9 million streams worldwide. The same year saw a named collaboration with Marco Foster “I Wonder“, independently amassing over 1.6 million streams to date, and given the rising artists trajectory and track record it’s safe to assume the I’m Back mixtape has what it takes to make even more of an impact.
STREAM: 3LetterzNuk – “Side to Side”
Taking pride in his favorite aspects of his artistic process, 3LetterzNuk has an affinity to harmonies, melody and illustrative depictions of the scenes in his mind of which he manifests through his songwriting, production, and ultimately, his performances. Drawing early inspiration from classic R&B and soul, artists such as The Jacksons, Jaheim, Anthony Hamilton, Neyo, Kem and Brian McKnight would later become monumental in his career. Taking what was once innate, raw talent, an early career comprised of countless self-taught hours, days, weeks, and years spent honing his craft through syllables, octaves, metaphors, beats, and carefully curated samples – 3LetterzNuk is back with truly refined poise.
Compiled and composed during quarantine, 3LetterzNuk has used his time wisely to set the stage for a sizable come-up in 2021. With the breadth of new sounds on the ‘I’m Back’ mixtape showcasing his developed artistic range as a writer, producer and rapper, fans both new and old can rest assured knowing that this is more than just a come back, it’s only the beginning.
As dawn breaks on a new era for 3LetterzNUK’s career, the 14-cut ‘I’m Back’ EP is available now on your streaming platform of choice via ZENtertainment/Sony Music.
LISTEN
Pontcha ku Lua – the captivating EP debut from Jori Collignon’s newly established ‘COLLIGNON’ project – is out now via esteemed Dutch imprint, Reflektor Records.
A unique and creative blend of acoustic world instruments and forward-thinking electronic elements, Jori balances a diverse array of global music traditions and futuristic soundscapes across the impressive three-part EP, to deliver a vivacious and spirited instrumental record that dazzles from the off.
“Travelling plays a big role in my music,” says the multifaceted Dutch artist from his studio in Portugal. “When I’m at home, or working in the studio, I continue to travel through music. It brings me perspective, it teaches me about the connection between people, the value of diversity in culture…and perhaps on a deeper level the interdependence of humanity and environment.”
With strong influences taken from traditional Western African music, the title track is a high-energy, feel good record, underpinned by the rhythm and melody of five carefully tuned conga drums, played by band mate and chief collaborator Gino Bombrini. Senor Nelson Costa – a celebrated musician from Guinea Bissau – plays guitar, while techno-head Sjam Sjamsoedin crushes a mbira with his modular synthesizer.
Drawing on the sounds of North Africa and Latin America across the remainder of the player (with I Left My Wallet in Essaouira and Noetic), it’s clear that Jori’s inspiration is truly international. A pioneering electronic musician with a penchant for global stimuli, each track positively shimmers with originality and vitality, as he creatively combines motifs and styles in new and interesting ways.
Purposefully shunning lyrics and vocals, Jori Collignon wants the music – and the moods he creates – to speak for itself. “There are so many voices everywhere, so much talk,” he explains. “For now, what I want to say is best expressed just by sound and instruments.”
Such a dynamic approach also extends to his new live show – a loud and loose affair using driven up guitar-amps and live improvisation to push sound and composition to new levels. Accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Gino Bombrini (former bandmate from SKIP&DIE), their performances are, unsurprisingly, both engaging and passionate.
COLLIGNON – Pontcha ku Lua EP is out now via Reflektor Records.
COLLIGNON – Pontcha ku Lua EP tracklist:
- Pontcha ku Lua
- I Left My Wallet In Essaouira
- Noetic
About COLLIGNON:
A life spent on the road has provided endless inspiration for Jori Collignon. But after 15 years criss-crossing the globe with former bands SKIP&DIE, Nobody Beats The Drum, and C-Mon & Kypski, the Dutch producer has settled into a house in Palmela, Portugal, complete with guesthouse, garden, and studio, turning it into a place of inspiration, activity and creativity where many artists pass through, leaving their stories and ideas. And it’s here that Collignon has deepened and expanded his sound, pouring his extensive musical and travel experiences into the rich, diverse, and colourful productions. Jori likes to describe COLLIGNON as his new band: “I’m on the wheel of this bus, but as interaction between musicians often is the thing that makes music come alive, I use this alias to collaborate with different artists from a variety of backgrounds”.
The response has been awesome. Each released single has gotten a “this is the one” from a different demographic. Like Me appeals to the trap rap fans, the dancers like Reset, and the r&b lovers love Side to Side.
Honestly, the youth inspired the sound. I tapped in with a lot of what the younger people were listening to and consuming. At the time, I had been listening to a lot of Drake, Justin Bieber, Tory Lanez, and Dababy, and I was inspired by them.
I recorded about 45 songs and we chose the best 14. 5 of the singles on the mixtape were written 3-4 years ago and I was never able to release them prior to this project. So we took those 5 old songs and 9 new songs, and put them together on the mixtape.
I mixed and mastered in Cincinnati, OH with artist / producer / engineer Scott Simms.
The travel from home to Cincinnati to get songs mixed and mastered, and to get videos made was the most challenging. It’s a lot to manage and I probably went back and forth over twenty times to get things completed. The most rewarding was that I wrote every song by myself, in my living room, and I’m super proud of that. From coming out of a depression, back to the height of where people expected me to be was a huge accomplishment. And of course the fan reaction and the love shown is amazing.
For Tik Tok, etc. When I come across a person who thinks my music is dope, I work on coming up with ways to attract them to other areas of my likeness.
nal mixes, I used ProTools 10. For the masters we used Mixcraft.
Because it wasn’t a conceptual project, I named it “I’m Back,” because the more I started to write and create, the more like myself I began to feel again.
I’m not really into just one artist, per se. I’m listening to a lot of Meg Thee Stallion, Lil Baby, Young Thug, K Camp, and my dog Rich Homie Quan has new music on the way, that I was able to hear, that I think is pretty awesome.
I love to watch basketball. I love to socialize, but with Covid I have not been able to do as much of that as I normally do. I think my favorite thing to do is travel and experience different environments and cultures. I love to constantly learn by watching documentaries, and researching / reading things for hours. I love to spend my time with my dog, Panama Jack. I like to stay productive. I’m still working on getting into acting. I’m looking to venture out soon as a business owner.
2013 was the year Kordoroy got his start in the music world, just like many artists he began on SoundCloud and he released music under his former stage name “Immerze” – but it was in 2018 that he released his self-titled debut album “Kordoroy Floyd” that garnered attention with his slightly different sound, his lyrical ability and his songwriting.
Title: Show Some Love ft. sonofsteve
Label: Skink
Dutch duo Showtek brings a message of hope to the current tumultuous global landscape with their new track “Show Some Love” ft. sonofsteve, out now on their label Skink. Opening with a classic progressive buildup, Showtek quickly proves their ability to step outside of the genre by incorporating a deep, funky bassline and organic instrumental melodies to the track’s soulful vocals. With lyrics like “if there is just one word that will always win, no matter where you’re from, the color of your skin,” the duo uses their music to spread a message of inclusivity, positivity, and love that has always been at the heart of dance music culture – and the world needs it now more than ever. True to Showtek‘s dynamic style, “Show Some Love” is an emotional vocal dance track that also resonates on the dance floor. Read on for the inspiration behind the new single:
“With this song we’re continuing to spread a positive message through our music, that hopefully brings people together in a time of divide. This year has been turbulent for everybody. Not only because of the pandemic, but also because of the systemic racism that has finally been brought to light. We felt it was time to spread some love and give the people something positive to listen to. We want our fans to know that we love them no matter what skin color, religion, sexuality or gender. We believe in a world where everybody is treated equally and where you can live together in our differences, that’s what makes us all beautiful.“
Brothers Wouter and Sjoerd Janssen – better known together as Showtek – have made a name for themselves in the international dance scene with their high-energy, beat-driven style that has produced many a festival anthem. Their initial success in the hardstyle realm with tracks like “FTS” made them a household name, and they have continued to develop and evolve their style into the dynamic, genre-crossing sound we know and love today. Their hits such as “Believer” with Major Lazer (which is certified Gold), “Booyah” or “Bad” with David Guetta, their single “We Like To Party,” and their cover of Moby‘s “Natural Blues” have become dance classics heard around the world. The brothers lead their label Skink, which has releases from the likes of Henry Fong, Gammer, Sidney Samson, MAKJ, and more. Showtek has proven again that they are nowhere near being finished their musical journey, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
