Wednesday 30 July 2014

SINGLE OF THE WEEK: "Forgive and Forget" by Zoya

This week's Single of the Week comes from the fantastic Zoya. Zoya is an upcoming Indian-American singer/songwriter. She recently released her EP "Letters To Toska" and is now working on her debut album "The Girl Who Used To Live In My Room"
She has received critical acclaim from the likes of Huffington Post and Bust Magazine. Her new single "Lunar Eclipse" from her debut album is due to be released mid-august but until then we have the brillaint "Forgive and Forget"!
Zoya's musical style is acoustic and soulful and her gentle yet powerful vocals add to the smooth quality of her tracks. If you love acoustic jazz then Zoya is definitely for you!
Listen to the track below!

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Wednesday 23 July 2014

NEWS: Kelis reveals new live album

Friday Fish Fry serves as the third single
from "Food"
Kelis released her critically acclaimed sixth studio album "Food" in April this year featuring "Jerk Ribs", "Rumble" and the brand new single "Friday Fish Fry" which is available to download on iTunes now!
To add to the new content she's released a live album containing her sold-out live performance at Somerset House on 14th July. The album contains a huge range of Kelis tracks from the classic "Milkshake" to the recent "Friday Fish Fry".
Below is the tracklist: 
Feeling Good
Breakfast
Millionaire 
Rumble
Cobbler
Trick Me
Got Your Money
Friday Fish Fry
Lil Star
Get Along With You / Good Stuff / Glow
Jerk Ribs
Milkshake
Bounce
Forever Be
4th of July
Acapella 


You can buy the album on CD here!

Will you be buying a copy of the live album? Comment below to share your thoughts! 

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Tuesday 22 July 2014

NEWS: Margaret unveils debut album cover and tracklisting

Polish singer Malgosia Jamroży aka Margaret has unveiled the cover and tracklisting for her debut album "Add The Blonde". Previously the singer released her debut EP "All I Need" which featured her debut single "Thank You Very Much". All of the tracks from the EP appear on the album. 

Below is the tracklist:
1. Wasted
2. Heartbeat
3. Broke But Happy
4. Too Little of Love
5. As Good As You 
6. Tell Me How Are Ya
7. Thank You Very Much
8. All I Need
9. L.O.L.
10. I Get Along
11. Click
12. Get Away
13. Dance For 2

You can check out the music video for her debut single "Thank You Very Much" below which contains 30 nude extras of different ages to make being naked in front of other people seem less dramatic or embarrassing. The track is also very catchy so definitely check it out!

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Monday 21 July 2014

NEWS: Clean Bandit unveil "Come Over" music video

Clean Bandit are known for their fantastic music videos and "Come Over" is no exception. Today the band released the video for the sixth single taken from their debut album "New Eyes". "Come Over" is a reggae inspired track and features the vocals of cellist Grace Chatto and reggae artist Stylo G.
The music video for the track makes use of stunning scenery and visuals as well as costumes to create a really interesting and entertaining video. The video has two moods, a mysterious cold atmosphere to match the verses which shows Chatto up on a mountain top wearing a big white fur coat and shots of hounds pulling a sleigh.
The dancey chorus shows Stylo G dancing on a hill top and in a pool. By the second chorus the different scenes are combined showing a majestic Chatto rocking out in a big fur coat surrounded by other dancers.
There are also shots of violist Milan Neil Amin-Smith playing the violin amongst children all wearing the awesome Clean Bandit merchandise which you can buy here!
Overall it's a great video and track and one of my personal favourites from the album. The remix EP is also available for pre-order now and will be released 10th August.
Check out the video below!

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INTERVIEW with Coma Coast

Last week Coma Coast were Single of the Week on the blog. The electronic duo met in Caracas in 2012 and have released their second EP out of three. Below is my interview where we discussed music, Spanish and their debut album!

l  Your singles “Fail Better” and “Last Song” are both Single of the Week on the blog. What can you tell us about those tracks?
     Both tracks are a natural progression from our first EP. Fail Better has a strong influence from Kraftwerk melodies (think Neon Lights for the dance floor) with a dark Italo-Disco synth. The chorus builds up to include a falsetto in the second part and piano harmonies which we love as we are big fans of rolling piano house tracks.  The lyrics are a tribute to all losers who thrive at trying.
     Last Song tries to capture the angst of being the last person on the dancefloor and knowing that it's light and daytime outside. Knowing that there's nobody home and trying to avoid the day after a great night out... It's a love song to the last person in the club... whether that be the DJ, the bouncer or the cleaner. Very romantic... Musically you can see some Italians Do It Better influences and some up to date 80s beats thanks to Rey's magic wand.

l  This EP is the second in a three-part series. What inspired you to release your EPs this way?
We can't wait to put an album next year but at the moment we're releasing 3 EPs on Parissi La Musique label. Music is consumed very quickly nowadays so you have to win people's hearts first and hope one day they are ready to commit to listening to a whole album.   

l  So far you’ve performed in Paris, Tokyo and London. Where else would you like to perform?
We're very lucky to have been booked to DJ at great parties and festivals. High up on the wish list for the future would be Berghain, Sonar and Airwaves Festival in Iceland. It's safe to say we wouldn't turn down a festival spot in the Med, something like Calvi on the Rocks in Corsica which has to be our favourite place on earth.

l  Which artists would you like to collaborate with in the future?
     Coma Coast is a collaborative project and we can't wait to invite guests to join us in our musical journey. Dream collaborations would be with The 2 Bears, Peaches and Angelo Badalamenti. Ideally all at the same time.

l  You two met in Caracas, Venezuela and have Spanish backgrounds. Would you ever consider recording any tracks in Spanish?
     I've been living in London for the past 12 years so I feel more comfortable singing in English. I always have done since I started making music as for me singing in a different language opened up a new way of expressing myself. One day we'll record a Spanish track, we'll just have to wait for our Latino blood to bubble to the surface.


l  You guys are working on your debut album to be released next year. What if anything, can you tell us about that?
     We have 20 tracks that we have been working on for the past 3 years and they keep evolving now that our sound is taking shape. Ideally we'll lock ourselves in a studio for a few weeks so we can put the finishing touches to them and invite musicians to collaborate. At the moment we are finishing our next EP to be released in the autumn so one step at the time. 

l  Lastly is there anything you’d like to say to your fans and supporters?
    Thanks for listening and we'll see you on the dance floor (we'll be the last ones standing, confessing our undying love for the cloakroom attendant) 

Huge thanks to Coma Coast for that and below you can check out their singles "Fail Better" and "Last Song" 



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SINGLE OF THE WEEK: "Dead Rabbit Hopes" by The Shoe

This week's Single of the Week comes from The Shoe formed by actress Jena Malone (Sucker Punch, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) and musician Lem Jay Ignacio.
The single "Dead Rabbit Hopes" is taken from their debut album "I'm Okay" which was released to digital retailers June 3rd. The song is quiet and acoustic and really relaxing to listen to like the rest of the album. Jena's delicate and relaxing vocals add to the greatness of the track.
Currently "The Shoe" are on tour playing at various locations around the world to promote the album.
You can listen to the single below!

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Saturday 19 July 2014

Sia Songwriting Quiz PART 2

Last week I uploaded the Sia songwriting quiz allowing you to test your knowledge on Sia's songwriting discography. Now it's time to test your knowledge even further with part 2! Take the quiz and check out my Sia songwriting playlist below!
1. Which of these artists has Sia not written songs for? 

2. Which of these film soundtracks did Sia not write a track for? 

3. Which of these Rihanna singles did Sia write? 

4. Which of these World Cup songs did Sia cowrite? 

5. Which of these Christina Aguilera albums did Sia not write a track for? 


ANSWERS
1. 5SOS
2. The Fault In Our Stars
3. Diamonds
4. Pitbull- We Are One (Ole Ola)
5. Stripped

PLAYLIST: Here is a playlist containing some tracks Sia has written for other artists!
1. Rihanna- "Diamonds"
2. Britney Spears- "Perfume"
3. Kylie Minogue- "Into The Blue"
4. Shakira- "Chasing Shadows"
5. Christina Aguilera- "You Lost Me"
6. Beyonce- "Pretty Hurts"
7. Jennifer Lopez- "Expertease (Ready Set Go)" 
8. Eminem- "Beautiful Pain"
9. Katy Perry- "Double Rainbow"
10. Birdy- "Strange Birds"
11. Ne-Yo- "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)"
12. Neon Hitch- "Get Over U"
13. Pitbull- "We Are One (Ole Ola)" 

What are your favourite Sia-written tracks? Comment below to share your thoughts! 










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Monday 14 July 2014

SINGLE OF THE WEEK: "Fail Better/Last Song" by Coma Coast

This week's fantastic Single of the Week comes from electronic duo Coma Coast. Coma Coast consists of London-based singer DJ Mariano Robles and Venezuelan producer DJ Rey Morales who met in Caracas in 2012.
They previously released their EP containing the tracks "1989" and "The Ritual" and are now releasing the follow-up containing the tracks "Fail Better" and "Last Song". The EP has already received critical acclaim from Mixmag, Spingle and So So Gay.
The two songs are retro disco tracks reminiscent of the sounds created by Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode. Both of the tracks are great and well worth a listen and are sure to make you feel nostalgic!
Listen to the tracks "Fail Better" and "Last Song" below!

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Wednesday 9 July 2014

NEWS: Yelle announce new album "Completement Fou"

Last week Yelle premiered their brand new single "Bouquet Final", the lead single from their third studio album. Today they revealed the album is to be called "Completement Fou" (Completely Mad in English) and it is to be released 30th September! The album has been produced by Dr Luke.
Below is the tracklist:
1. Complètement Fou
2. Ba$$in
3. Coca Sans Bulles
4. Les Soupirs Et Les Refrains
5. Nuit De Baise I
6. Toho
7. Moteur Action
8. Florence En Italie
9. Un Jour Viendra
10. Nuit De Baise II
11. Jeune Fille Garnement
12. Dire Qu'on Va Tous Mourir
13. Bouquet Final



How excited are you for Yelle's return to music? Comment below to share your thoughts! 
You can listen to the first single "Bouquet Final" below! 

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Sia songwriting quiz

As well as being a well-established singer, Sia also writes songs for many artists. She has contributing her lyrics to several mainstream pop acts and stated "I don't need to promote this album [1000 Forms Of Fear] at all because I make enough money to live nicely from all my pop songwriting" 
How well do you know Sia's writing discography? Take the quiz below to find out!

1. True or False: Sia wrote the track "Timber" by Ke$ha and Pitbull. 

2. How many songs did Sia write for Shakira's tenth studio album Shakira

3. True or False: Sia wrote the song "Sexercise" on Kylie Minogue's twelfth studio album "Kiss Me Once" 

4. Which track on Jennifer Lopez's eighth album "A.K.A" did Sia write? 

5. True or False: Sia wrote all the tracks on Christina Aguilera's sixth studio album "Bionic"

6. True or False: Sia wrote Rihanna's track "Diamonds"

7. Which track on Katy Perry's fourth studio album "PRISM" did Sia write?

8. True or False: Sia wrote the track "Partition" for Beyonce's fifth studio album "BEYONCE"

9. How many tracks did Sia write on Birdy's second studio album "Fire Within"?

10. True or False: Sia wrote the track "Perfume" for Britney Spear's eighth studio album "Britney Jean"

ANSWERS
1. False
2. One- "Chasing Shadows" featured on the deluxe edition of the album
3. True
4. "Expertease (Ready Set Go)"
5. False, she wrote the tracks "You Lost Me", "All I Need", "I Am" and "Stronger Than Ever"
6. True
7. "Double Rainbow"
8. False, she wrote "Pretty Hurts"
9. One- "Strange Birds"
10. True, she also wrote "Passenger" and "Brightest Morning Star"

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Monday 7 July 2014

SINGLE OF THE WEEK: Break Free (ft. Zedd)- Ariana Grande

This week's Single of the Week comes from Ariana Grande and Zedd with "Break Free".
"Break Free" is the second single from Grande's second studio album "My Everything" due to be released next month. The track is an electronic dance hit contrasting from the R&B and hip-hop sound Grande has shown through her other singles.
Grande achieved success with her previous chart-topping single "Problem" featuring Australian rapper Iggy Azalea which served as the lead single from the album. Previously Grande found success with her debut studio album "Yours Truly" and the single "The Way" featuring Mac Miller. She is also due to appear on a track with Nicki Minaj and Jessie J called "Bang Bang".
Zedd produced Lady Gaga's third studio album "ARTPOP" as well as releasing his own material and working with other artists.

You can listen to the single below!

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Friday 4 July 2014

NEWS: Kesha to release new single next month

Late 2012 Kesha released her second studio album "Warrior" spawning the singles "Die Young", "C'Mon" and "Crazy Kids (ft. will.i.am)" and now she's back!

Since dropping the '$' from her name and replacing it with a normal 's' Kesha has revealed details about her brand new single and revamped her website showing the look of the era for her third studio album due to be released early 2015! The new single is due to be released next month but a title is yet to be confirmed.

As for now Kesha's new era is proving to be brighter and more dazzling than ever with a whole host of colours and flowers! Can't wait to see what she reveals next!

How excited are you for Kesha's comeback? Comment below to share your thoughts.

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Thursday 3 July 2014

NEWS: Clean Bandit unveil lyric video for "Come Over"

British electronic group Clean Bandit took the charts by storm this year with their number one single "Rather Be" and the hit single "Extraordinary" and now they're set to release the sixth overall single from their debut album "New Eyes" which was released digitally 2nd June.

This single takes the form of reggae-inspired "Come Over" which features vocals from Stylo G. The single is well worth a listen and totally different to the previous singles released from the album.
You can listen to the single below!

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INTERVIEW with Eliza Shaddad

Eliza Shaddad is a brand new up and coming artist who has already collaborated with the likes of Clean Bandit and supported Rudimental and Alt-J on tour. Her new EP "Waters" is out now and is well worth a listen. Below is my interview with Eliza Shaddad where we discussed Clean Bandit, covers and charity work.

Your EP “Waters” is out now. What can you tell us about that? 
ʻWatersʼ is composed of four songs which I wrote over the last year, four songs about love and loss and essentially being haunted by both. Itʼs a larger and more complex sound than most people will have heard out of me before, and whilst it has its start point in folk it progresses to an almost rockier sound in places on this EP. I recorded it in a converted barn at the end of a peninsula in Devon which the amazing producer Chris Bond, and it was released on Beatnik Creative Records
on the 16th of June.


The EP has received critical acclaim and promotion from iTunes. How did that feel? 
Itʼs been wonderful seeing some of the reactions to the music. Having kept the songs to myself for a long time it feels great to have them out in the world finally, and for the feedback to be good, and for platforms as large as iTunes to be promoting it...thatʼs the icing on the cake.


Recently you featured on Clean Banditʼs debut album “New Eyes”. How did you cross paths and what was it like working with them? 
I was busking a couple of years ago in Shoreditch and caught the ear of Jack Patterson who was cycling past. He came back and said hi, and the rest is history:) Right place right time basically; and itʼs been pretty mad being involved with them - writing Birch together (which appears on the album ʻNew Eyesʼ was an absolute pleasure, and filming the video for UK Shanty with Lily Cole was pretty crazy. Theyʼre hard working and a lot of fun to gig with:)


You also founded an organization called “Girls Girls Girls”. What can you tell us about that? 
My friend and fellow musician Samantha Lindo actually founded Girls Girls Girls after watching Beyonce and her killer all-female band at Glastonbury. I became involved shortly after, and we decided to create a little collective of female artists and work together to put on events to promote women within the creative industries, and to raise awareness, money and to stand in solidarity with females around the world who have been affected by Female Genital Cutting.  We work with London-based charity, Orchid Project, and we all come together at special arts nights to empower
each other as performers and support this important cause.


You recently did a darker acoustic cover of Kieszaʼs track “Hideaway”. What other tracks would you like to cover in the future? 
There are thousands of songs Iʼd love to cover, from Dolly Parton to Bob Dylan to Radiohead. My label-mate Turtle (Jon Cooper) and I are currently working on a series of three covers, of which Kieszaʼs ʻHideawayʼ is the first. I shanʼt ruin the surprise of the two that are coming - keep your eyes and ears open:)


Previously youʼve supported the likes of Rudimental and Alt-J on their tours. Who would 
you like to support you on your tours in the future? 
It was with Clean Bandit that I supported Rudimental and Alt-J, and both were incredible experiences. Alt-J in particular as it was at Shepherdʼs Bush Empire; one of my favourite London venues. In future, with my band Iʼd love to support artists such as The National, Daughter, Ben Howard.


What can we expect in the future from Eliza Shaddad?
More music, more gigs, a tour coming up at the end of the summer, and some more exciting collaborations along the way.


Lastly is there anything youʼd like to say to your fans and supporters? 
As always; THANK YOU!

[END]

A huge thanks to Eliza and best of luck! You can check out her single "Waters" as well as a cover of Kiesza's "Hideaway below!



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Tuesday 1 July 2014

ARTIST OF THE MONTH JULY 2014: Sia

Well it's that time yet again! Previously we've seen Shakira, Kelis, Lana Del Rey and Jennifer Lopez take the spotlight for a month but now it's the turn of Sia Furler!

Sia's highly anticipated sixth studio album "1000 Forms of Fear" comes out next week containing the hit single "Chandelier" as well as "Eye of the Needle", "Big Girls Cry" and "Elastic Heart". And even better, you can stream the album via iTunes! The project focuses on creating visual art through the continuous use of the blonde bob wig seen on different people so Sia can avoid public appearances and have some anonymity. The project sounds great and the tracks are really promising!

Watch out for Sia related content this month however get us started here is my Sia playlist below!
1. Chandelier
2. Stop Trying
3. Elastic Heart (ft. The Weeknd & Diplo)
4. You've Changed
5. She Wolf (Falling to Pieces) [ft. David Guetta]
6. Bring Night
7. Big Girls Cry
8. The Girl You Lost To Cocaine
9. Button
10. Eye of the Needle
11. Sweet Potato
12. Fear
13. Butterflies
14. Healing is Difficult
15. Kill and Run

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