“Watching Cartoons” by La Luz: Airy, Dreamy Lyricism
Melodic, crisp, airy and dreamy all describe La Luz’s new track “Watching Cartoons.” “Watching Cartoons” has a retro sound that relaxes through mellow guitar, light percussion, and distinct vocal layering and melodic emphasis. The lyrics and vocal performance add to the calming, chill energy of the track, making “Watching Cartoons” something to engage with again […]
“One Love” by Dot Allison: Lush Folk Balladry, Crafted with Care
Pacing is an underrated skill when it comes to songwriting. There are plenty of people who can write sticky hooks or come up with memorable turns of phrase, but it’s much harder to understand the ebb and flow of a song, to know exactly how long it needs to be and how to space out […]
“Train to Cheyenne” by Erin Heist: A Great-Granddaughter’s Tribute
In the voice and lyrics of Erin Heist, “Train to Cheyenne” is a unique folk tune that tells the story of Heist’s great-grandmother Betty. The song off the album Another Rainy Day is about Betty’s move with her 3-year-old son to Wyoming to marry a cowboy she’s never met before. In this hopeful song, Heist […]
Radio Silence Inspires Steve Gunn’s “Fulton”
Imagine this: One night, you’re listening to 1010 WINS, the local AM news station in NYC (or whatever station you find yourself listening to from time to time), and the air goes dead. Everything stops for a moment, or at least the radio signal does. The long silence comes as a surprise, a gift. These […]
“Venus in Heat” by Jennah Barry: Love, with Complications
Love is a steady theme in music, dominating the subject of most songs you hear. It is a marvel that the same thing can be sung about over and over and listeners never tire of it. But because of artists like Jennah Barry, the subject of love doesn’t get worn out. “Sunday morning after Warm […]
“Shimmer” by Charlotte Champian: Lush and Jazzy
I feel like there is such a vacuum in current music for tracks that are both ambient in sound but refreshing and engaging in lyrics, and I believe that Charlotte Champian has a significant role in crossing that divide. Champian’s new track “Shimmer ” blends modern smooth jazz with a vocal style reminiscent of big […]
Wren Wilder on “Egyptian Cotton,” Regina Spektor, and Finding Your People
“If you’re the coolest person at the table, you’re sitting at the wrong table.” That was a piece of advice Wren Wilder got from a friend of hers, and it’s a sentiment that runs through the songwriter’s lovely “Egyptian Cotton.” Egos are a fragile thing, and it can be tempting to surround yourself with a […]
Anthonie Tonnon’s “Leave Love Out of This”: A Work of Multidisciplinary Conceptual Art
Anthonie Tonnon is a storyteller in every sense of the word. He has coined his work as a unique blend of music, art and advocacy, and shows that are creative works in themselves. His most recent song “Leave Love Out of This,” accompanied by its corresponding music video, perfectly demonstrates his multidisciplinary approach to storytelling. […]
Lead Life Focusing on the Little Things: Phoebe Silva’s “Simply Happy Kind”
Sometimes in life, we need to be reminded that it’s the small, simple things that really matter. Phoebe Silva delivers this timeless message in her uplifting new folk tune: “Simply Happy Kind.” Both performed and written by Silva who was born and raised in Southern California, “Simply Happy Kind” is brought together by a blend […]
“Drive” by Larissa Tandy: A Lush Retro Kiss-Off
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Larissa Tandy has concocted a masterful track that blends sounds reminiscent of 1960s beach music, grunge guitars, and modern Nashville country. From the soulful vocal performance, clever songwriting, and engaging instrumentation, “Drive” is a track that stands out. “Drive” makes its mark via the songwriting. Everything in the track centers around the narrative […]
