Hallie on “Do It,” Brisbane, and Exploring New Crushes
Australian artist Hallie’s new single “Do It” has the potential to be a Top 10 not just Down Under but in the U.S., UK and elsewhere. For starters, Hallie’s voice combines the intimacy of Tate McRae with the emotion of Y2K’s best belters. Plus the guitar work on “Do It” is a power-pop delight. “I […]
Tiffany Kintzer on “Rose Quartz” and Opening Her Heart
You could teach a songwriting course at UCLA based solely on Tiffany Kintzer’s new single “Rose Quartz.” Co-written with Samantha Margret, it’s a perfectly crafted song with a stunningly lovely pre-chorus and radio-ready chorus. And she accomplishes all this in just a little over two minutes – a feat that would make even Taylor Swift […]
Most Memorable Song Midyear: talker’s “irl”
Photo by Trini Sin Two Story Melody has kindly granted me permission to do a story on the best indie pop song I’ve heard this year. And the winner is…talker’s “IRL” from her new EP In Awe Of Insignificance. talker is the indie rock project of Los Angeles-based Celeste Tauchar. In Awe’s eight songs run […]
Charles on TV: Where Marvin Gaye Meets Gorillaz
Photo by Gus Aronson If you love the music of Marvin Gaye, Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, Smokey Robinson and other melodic masters, don’t miss Charles On TV’s latest music. He’s like all those artists rolled into one. Like those iconic predecessors, COT also writes great lyrics. You can get halfway into one of his hook-laden […]
Lizzerd Kween Unmasks to Share a Healing “Lullaby”
Photo by Niles Gregory Gibbs L.A. indie artist Lizzerd Kween (aka Kianna Znika) has the talent, authenticity and self-awareness of Taylor Swift when I first heard her in 2006 in Nashville. Lizzerd Kween’s acoustic version of her new single “Kianna’s Lullaby” is immediately engaging and honest. Like Taylor, she’s a master at “unmasking” – stepping […]
Late July Has a “Remarkable” Flair for Music and Cinema
Nicole Simone uses her birth name for acting and performs music as Late July. Her resumé in both worlds is as impressive as her flaming red hair. Yet she’s very unassuming, not haughty, about her many talents. Maybe that’s because she grew up in Canada, where people seldom boast. Late July/Nicole now splits time between […]
“Nothing to See” by Miya Folick: Exploring Love’s Inexplicable Actions
Miya Folick’s career was gaining momentum just as Covid hit, so it’s wonderful to hear her fabulous voice again. Her new single “Nothing To See” is one of this year’s best, blending a lovely melody with a lyric that says a lot about inexplicable impulses and actions, both during and after a relationship. You told […]
Lainey Dionne on “2009,” Winning Awards, and European Boyfriends
You don’t hear many nostalgic songs about the good ol’ days of 2009 – mainly because America was suffering the pain of the Great Recession that year. But for high schooler Lainey Dionne, it was a magical time. When the most stressful Monday was hanging out on the couch With our Game Boys and screen […]
Danie on “Summer,” Singing like Patsy, and Her New Brunswick Roots
Many of the singers on TV shows like The Voice are desperately trying to sound like Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey, attempting trills and tremeloes to impress the judges. But in real life, we sometimes stumble on iconic voices that are absolutely stunning and original, no frills required. Singers like k.d. lang and Christine (from […]
Skylet Gunner on “Real Wild Child,” Nancy Sinatra and the Seductive California Desert
Some artists have a “brand.” Others rely on brilliance. Skylet Gunner has both, in abundance. Her new video “Real Wild Child” is a cover of a 1986 Iggy Pop song, but it would have fit nicely in mid-Sixties’ biker movies where soon-to-be-superstars like Al Kooper and Stephen Stills cut loose on the soundtrack. Skylet’s vocal […]
