Claiming the role as a producer, singer, songwriter and music engineer all at the age of just 21 years old, Kate Brunotts really ticks all the right boxes. Receiving support from Lefuturewave, who stated that her music ‘creates new universes, she’s a surefire creative and artistic force’, as well multiple Spotify editorial playlists including ‘Fresh Finds’, Kate is certainly turning heads within the industry. Back with indie infused contender ‘GEMINI’, the track is a self-produced single all about the experience that comes from the duality of both a physical and digital self.
Talking about the sensational new single, Kate explains, “GEMINI is about the facade of ourselves that we portray online and how that reputation unfortunately precedes our one in the physical world. I produced this track after being inspired by the eerie soundscapes of FKA Twigs and feeling a distinct separation between who I am personally and digitally.
I thought it was important for the bed of the sound to be made up of my own distorted vocal samples, with my true vocal singing on top of it. I started with the vocal samples and built up the beat from there.”
The first single off of Kate’s self-produced EP ‘all caps’, slated for arrival later this year, GEMINIcomes across as euphoric and the suitable song for the perfect backdrop to your favourite TV show. Entirely self produced with further mixing done by Devin Spear, the hypnotic track features vocal staples, drum samples, choir samples and even a flute as well. Showcasing that versatility is important to this songwriter, Kate likes to create innovative music without boundaries.
Iceberg Black – also known as "Ice” – has carved out a lane of his own in the industry, using self-produced beats, a prolific work rate, and a distinctively gritty sound, accentuated by production consisting of sparse melodies and booming 808s. He's received praise from outlets across the web, as the music videohas earned more than 275,000 views on YouTube since its release on October 13th.
With the hopes of broadening his audience even more, Ice has now signed with Babygrande Records and makes his label debut with the captivating music video for “Spaceships & Hoodbitches”-- his sensational self-produced track that has climbed to 2.5 million streams on Spotify alone off word of mouth. Ice and Babygrande have also announced that his upcoming album, “The Mothership,” will be released on October 22.
Conceived by renowned director Shomi Patwary, the video takes viewers on a futuristic journey through Iceberg Black’s hometown, as he flexes in dapper attire and fancy cars. The video feels otherworldly and perfectly complements the track, which feels and sounds well ahead of its time. Patwary pairs a captivating storyline with VFX and quick cuts to engage viewers throughout the video. It’s a mesmerizing on-screen performance from Iceberg Black and sets a high bar for his visuals going forward.
Santi Storm is a complete visionary in vibrant new single ‘Cyber Boy. Known for their candy coloured, cute aesthetic and highly energetic music, Santi plays the part of both Barbie and Ken. Building a strong fanbase of over 342,000 followers on TikTok alone, this social media creative has received praise from publications such as Paper Magazine.
Speaking about the iconic new single, Santi Storm shares, “The story of Cyber Boy is about falling in love with someone online and fantasising about meeting them. It's about wanting to jump through a computer screen into cyberspace and joining that person in a virtual reality fantasy world and flying off together in happiness. But it’s mainly about fantasising about this concept and that person who you only have an online relationship with. It's about dreaming of a fake world that you so wish to be in, with a person who you don't even know but you love.”
Having performed and travelled across the world as a Nightlife Drag Performer/lip sync artist for five years, Santi quickly realised that they wanted to be performing their own music as opposed than other people's songs. Inspired by virtual reality, video games and anime, you can hear Santi Storm’s vivid aesthetic throughout their ear-catching music. “Cyber Boy '' comes across as a song that refuses to be left on any shelf. Bathed in bubblegum, hyper pop sensibilities, the track may have Santi Storm thinking of their dream fantasy, but we think it could become a reality very soon. An artist that’s destined for greatness simply because they stand up for what they believe in, this LGBTQ+ icon uses music as a form of escapism. I wrote the song when at a time when I was unwell, I was fantasising about an idea of creating a story of being in a virtual reality world where I was the best version of myself. I wanted to write a song and a story that was about meeting perfect people in a perfect world online,” adds Santi Storm.
Los Angeles, CA - In early 2011, as Todd Rundgren was promoting an upcoming tour, he stopped by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon for live performances of two songs from his classic 1972 album Something/Anything, “I Saw The Light” and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You.” Backing Rundgren for both songs was Fallon’s long running house band, hip hop auteurs The Roots. The appearance marked the beginning of a furtive cross-cultural, cross-generational collaborative relationship born of mutual respect and admiration that would be repeated again in 2017 when Rundgren sat in with The Roots on a taping of the Fallon show. Now, these two musical giants reunite on a studio recording, a track that will appear on Rundgren’s upcoming Space Force album coming next year. The new single, “Godiva Girl,” is a delectable slice of neo-funk sweetness with a stellar, soulful groove, decorated with warm keyboards and smooth as silk background vocals. It’s the kind of rich musical confection that fans of both Rundgren and The Roots knew these two could cook up together, and it’s so been worth the wait.
Watch for the new Rundgren studio album Space Force, which features more collaborations from the likes of Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Sparks, hip hop artist Narcy and others, coming in 2022!
Sweet (Featuring Andy Scott, original guitarist/songwriter of “Fox On The Run”/ “Love Is Like Oxygen”) have released their new single “Everything (2021)”.
“Everything” originally appeared on Sweet’s 2002 album “Sweetlife”, however the band’s founding member and guitarist Andy Scott was inspired to re-record it after witnessing the new incarnation of his band rehearse the track live.
Andy explains, “During the rehearsals for Sweet’s forthcoming UK tour 2021, we were trying out various songs from our back catalogue that could be added to the set list. As soon as I heard Paul Manzi and Lee Small’s vocals on the song ‘Everything’, I knew that we needed to get it down and record it as our new single.”
Commenting on the brand new recording, “Everything 2021”, Andy Scott adds, “I think the new version is a far superior production. It’s much closer to how I envisaged it when I co-wrote the song back in the day.”
Watch the promotional video:
Sweet’s “Everything (2021)” was released as a single Friday 15th October and available on all the usual platforms iTunes/Amazon Music/Deezer/ Spotify etc
Andy Scott is the only surviving member of the ‘classic’ Sweet line-up following the death of former bassist and founding member Steve Priest in 2020 aged 72. Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker passed away in 1997 and 2002 respectively.
Prudential Music Group 20600 Eureka Rd Suite 900 Taylor, Mi 48180 Cell 248-707-0778 https://www.prudentialmusicgroup.com Prudential Music Group is headed up by young drummer Jason Hartless (Ted Nugent, Sponge, Joe Lynn Turner)
Featuring blues legend Eric Bibb, Robbie McIntosh (Talk Talk, Paul McCartney, John Mayer, The Pretenders), Martin Ditcham (Talk Talk, Chris Rea, The Waterboys), David Knopfler (Dire Straits), Laurence Pendrous (Mark Hollis, Anja Garbarek), Gary Alesbrook (Noel Gallagher, Kasabian, Super Furry Animals), Mike Smith (Blur)
New instrumental project, Held By Trees, will release their next single, “Mysterium” on 12th November, 2021. The record features an astounding cast of world-class musicians, including…
Eric Bibb (Guitar) Robbie McIntosh (Guitar – Talk Talk, Paul McCartney, John Mayer, The Pretenders) Martin Ditcham (Drums and Percussion – Talk Talk, Chris Rea, The Waterboys) David Knopfler (Guitar – Dire Straits) Laurence Pendrous (Piano – Mark Hollis, Anja Garbarek) Gary Alesbrook (Trumpet – Noel Gallagher, Kasabian, Super Furry Animals) Mike Smith (Keyboards – Blur)
Drawing together elements of post-rock and progressive rock, Held By Trees are also announcing their debut, self-titled album, due in Spring 2022. The full-length LP features more stellar musicians, such as Tim Renwick (Guitar – Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Eric Clapton), and Mike Smith (Keyboard and Sax – Blur, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn).
Described by project leader, composer/producer and multi-instrumentalist, David Joseph, as “somewhere between latter Talk Talk and Gilmour-era Pink Floyd”, Held By Trees has the unique claim of bringing together a total of seven Talk Talk/Mark Hollis veterans. These include engineers Phill Brown and Denis Blackham, bassist Simon Edwards, and flute/clarinet master, Andreas Panayi (as well as those mentioned above).
This project is a sleeve-note reader’s fantasy!
“Mysterium” evokes a vivid night-time pastoral atmosphere with ambient field recordings and undulating drones while a gentle rhythm guides delicate chord changes, graced with Robbie McIntosh’s melodic and emotional lead guitar. The piece spaciously breaks open into a swelling, aching crescendo before dying back away into silence.
Release Date: 12th November 2021 Label: Tweed Jacket Music Distributor: Nova
Following the announcement from Prog legends Caravan, of their new album It’s None Of Your Business the band have released their first single “If I was To Fly” accompanied by an animated video courtesy of Matt Entecott (https://www.matthewentecott.com )
WATCH / LISTEN TO “IF I WAS TO FLY” FROM CARAVAN HERE
Founding member Pye Hastings comments “Back in 1970 we played a 3 day festival in Rotterdam alongside bands including the Byrds, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Soft Machine, Pink Floyd plus many more but stuck right in the middle on the 3rd day was Mungo Jerry who played ‘In the Summertime’ - the crowd erupted and they were without doubt the hit of the day!
When I played ‘If I was to Fly’ to the band I said ‘Think, Jug Band’ and because I was so impressed by the power of that simple song at the festival, I wanted to doff my cap to that style of music. The guys in the band are such good musicians that they knew exactly what I was after, and the track was recorded in the first take.”
It’s None Of Your Business, Caravan’s first album since Paradise Filter (2013) is due to be released on CD 15th October (digitally on 8th October) and as a vinyl LP, on 5th November, on Madfish Music. The release features 10 brand new songs including instrumental tracks influenced, to a degree, by the events and restrictions placed on society over the past 18 months and was recorded between 24th June and 4th July 2021 at Rimshot Studio, Bredgar near Sittingbourne.
It’s None Of Your Business overflows with Caravan’s trademark warmth and humour and, also, a sensitivity reflecting the times in which we are living. Sitting among Caravan’s typically whimsical tales “Down From London” and “If I Was To Fly” sit the heartfelt and poignant “Spare A Thought” and “Every Precious Little Thing” which looks forward to a return to normality.
(Photo credit: Carl Glover)
Caravan are Pye Hastings (guitar, vocals). Geoffrey Richardson (viola, mandolin, guitar), Jan Schelhaas (keyboards) and Mark Walker (drums). Lee Pomeroy (ELO, Rick Wakeman, ARW and Take That) has guested as bass player, following the departure of Jim Leverton, while Jimmy Hastings has also guested on flute.
It’s None Of Your Business cover and artwork has been created by renowned illustrator Bob Venables (https://www.bobvenables.co.uk/)
It's None Of Your Business Track Listing: 01. Down From London (4.03) 02. Wishing You Were Here (3.55) 03. It’s None Of Your Business (9.40) 04. Ready Or Not (4.45) 05. Spare A Thought (4.06) 06. Every Precious Little Thing (4.25) 07. If I Was To Fly (3.23) 08. I’ll Reach Out For You (8.07) 09. There Is You (4.26) 10. Luna’s Tuna (3.14)
Produced, engineered and mastered by Julian Hastings with assistant engineer Mike Thorne.
It’s None Of Your Business is released on October 15, 2021 on CD & digitally (October 8th) with the LP on black vinyl released on November 5, 2021 through Madfish Music. PRE ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW HERE (https://CaravanBand.lnk.to/ItsNoneOfYourBusiness)
CARAVAN LIVE
Caravan will also be on tour, supporting the release of their new album, in the UK in October:
Wednesday 6th October - Basingstoke - The Haymarket Thursday 7th October - Islington - The Union Chapel Friday 8th October - Gloucester - Gloucester Guildhall Saturday 9th October - Brighton/Hove - The Old Market Thursday 14th October - Chester - The Live Rooms Friday 15th October - Leeds - The Brudenell Social Club Saturday 16th October - Bury - The Met Sunday 17th October - Wolverhampton - The Robin 2 (Bilston) Thursday 21st October - Bury St Edmunds - The Apex Friday 22nd October - Newcastle - The Cluny Saturday 23rd October - Glasgow - Òran Mór Wednesday 27th October - Bristol - The Fleece Thursday 28th October - Exeter - The Phoenix Friday 29th October - Dover - The Booking Hall
About Caravan Caravan are one of the doyens of the progressive rock and the ‘Canterbury scene’, formed in 1968 and blending rock, jazz, folk and classical influences into a warm and distinctive sound.
Founder member Pye Hastings (guitar/vocals) remains as Caravan’s guiding light and primary songwriter. Geoffrey Richardson (viola, mandolin, guitar) first played with Caravan between 1972 and 1981 and returned to the fold in 1995. Their previous 14 studio albums and numerous live recordings have seen them attract a large and faithful following and Caravan toured regularly until the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have a UK tour scheduled for October 2021 and have interest, from abroad, for overseas tours to Japan, Canada and South America.
The legends of the Canterbury scene band are being celebrated in a lavish 37-disc box set, entitled Who Do You Think We Are, released on Madfish on 20th August.
“An emotional journey, with the occasional use of voices to give greater impact to the music and the significance of the event.” - Velvet Thunder
Tony Kaye has released “Hope and Triumph” a patriotic anthem and the second track to be taken from his debut solo album “End Of Innocence” released on September 10th through Spirit Of Unicorn Music (distributed via Cherry Red Records).
The former YES keyboard legend was moved to commit his thoughts and feelings to a heartfelt personal musical interpretation following the terrible events of 9/11. “End Of Innocence” is a requiem for those who lost their lives and all those touched by those horrific events, a powerful and emotional suite, both beautiful and sinister, reflecting the dark forces at work that day.
This essentially orchestral suite is designed to be heard in its entirety. Following the collapse of the towers, Dani Torchia sings her lament “Sweetest Dreams” and the album looks at the “Aftermath” and the “Heroes” before focusing on the response, “The Battle.” “I wanted it, musically, to be about that day,” Kaye says, “but I felt compelled to extend it to deal with the repercussions of what happened. Musically, it was quite challenging to do the battle scene and then the ‘Hope and Triumph,’ a patriotic anthem and the consequences of war. ‘Ground Zero’ is the hope for the future, the rebuilding.”
“End Of Innocence” is available in CD Format on September 10, 2021 via Spirit Of Unicorn Music (distributed through Cherry Red Records) to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
“End Of Innocence” Track Listing:
1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Twilight Time 2. 911 Overture 3. NYC Blues 4. Battle Cry 5. 285 Fulton Street 6. Let’s Roll 7. Tug of War 8. Flight 11 9. Towers Fall 10. Sweetest Dreams 11. Aftermath 12. Heroes 13. The Battle 14. Hope and Triumph 15. Homecoming 16. Ground Zero
Produced by Tony Kaye All tracks composed by Tony Kaye except Sweetest Dreams by Dani Torchia.
Tony Kaye, Spirit of Unicorn Music and Cherry Red Records are donating 10% of all profits from End of Innocence to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ The charity supports veterans, defenders and first responders in times of hardship.
About Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye is best known as the original keyboard player with prog legends YES, his Hammond organ giving their ground breaking “The YES Album” it’s most distinctive sound within the YES catalogue. Following his departure from YES in 1971 Kaye was involved with a number of other bands including David Bowie, Badger and Badfinger before returning to YES for their greatest commercial success “90125” in 1983. Kaye remained with YES for several albums and tours before retiring from the music business in 1996. Following the re-awakening of his musical inspiration in 2001, Kaye accepted an invitation from current YES bassist Billy Sherwood to work on projects which led to the formation of CIRCA, in 2007, and has yielded four albums to date.
Drummer extraordinaire, composer and producer Carmine Appice has joined forces with multi-instrumentalist and rising studio star Fernando Perdomo to form The Appice Perdomo Project, whose debut album ENERGY OVERLOAD will be released September 24, 2021. The first single, “Rocket To The Sun,” dropped this week on August 31st.
“I had a ball writing and recording with Fernando,” says Carmine Appice. “What a great talent he is. He is awesome on every level; as are the songs on Energy Overload! Adds co-musician Fernando Perdomo: “Carmine and I were introduced to each other roughly one year ago by Tom Dowd’s daughter Dana. We instantly hit it off musically, sending files to each other and co-writing. Within the first six months, we had more than an albums worth of material written, arranged and recorded. We had a blast making the music on Energy Overload. It is our hope that the energy that was created for this record is contagious to those that listen to it.”
Carmine Appice is best known for co-founding Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and King Kobra. As a drummer and composer, he has worked extensively with Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart and Ted Nugent, and remains on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Drummers of All-Time list. Fernando Perdomo, the son of Cuban immigrants, quickly launched a successful career as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and session musician upon moving to Los Angeles in 2012. He was recently featured in the film ECHO IN THE CANYON, where he recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Brian Wilson, Jakob Dylan and many others.
Los Angeles, CA - In 1973 and throughout much of the early ‘70s, British blues rock powerhouse Humble Pie had as the centerpiece of their widely hailed and massively popular live show an epic, barnstorming blues rock cover of the 1966 R&B tune penned by Nick Ashford (of Ashford & Simpson), “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” In the hands (and voice) of vocalist Steve Marriott, the song would explode on the stage with a galloping drum beat and glorious backup vocals, breaking down in the middle for some extended guitar solos by the group’s two six-string slingers before Marriott would return to lead the crowd in a joyful call-and-response singing of the chorus like he was leading an old tent revival of spiritual ecstasy. So extraordinary was the band’s live version of the song, they never even attempted a studio version, however, an edited version of the band’s 1971 performance was released as a single and issue on 7”. Now, another even more fiery performance of the track, from the band’s 1973 concert at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom has been edited down and prepared for release on a limited edition 7” vinyl as well as on all digital music platforms.
This new 7” comes in your choice of either SILVER or PURPLE vinyl and includes a smokin’ hot studio version of another Humble Pie cover on the b-side, James Brown’s “Think!”
Los Angeles, CA - He is The God Of Hellfire, a music legend who is surely one of the most influential figures of theatrical rock, and even 5+ decades into his extraordinary career, Arthur Brown is still heating things up! Brown has just announced the release of a new 7” vinyl that contains a stunning new rendition of his signature hit “Fire,” which features a host of devilishly talented hellions including Stooges guitarist James Williamson, drum icon Carmine Appice, keyboard maestro Brian Auger, and producer Jürgen Engler. Like the man himself, “Fire” is a timeless treasure whose appeal has only increased over the years. Originally released in 1968 by the group that bore his name, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, “Fire” was a global phenomenon reaching the top spot on the singles charts in both the UK and Canada while hitting the #2 spot in the U.S. It’s considered one of the biggest crossover hits that brought psychedelic rock to mainstream audiences and launched Brown into the musical stratosphere.
Check out the new version of “Fire” featuring guests James Williamson, Carmine Appice & Brian Auger:https://orcd.co/arthur_brown_fire
Or watch a video for the track cut together from Arthur’s scenes in the 2017 horror film The Black Room:
This new limited-edition 7” pressing will be available in your choice of either fiery RED or YELLOW vinyl. Most exciting of all is that this release previews a thrilling full-length album from Brown that will feature even more amazing guest stars set for release in 2022!
Brown had this to share about the coming project, “It’s a great pleasure being involved in making this high quality, imaginative piece of terror and fun.”
On July 15, 2021, progressive rock project exo-X-xeno launches its anticipated second single filled with fluid proggy riffs and elevated harmonic vocals that break through the stratosphere, called “Reaching for Beyond.” This epic song release, along with a companion conceptual promo video, continues the band’s musical journey with a polychromatic tapestry of celestial rock sounds.
“Being part of the collaborative ‘exo-X-xeno’ project, along with Craig Maher, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen, is an ongoing musically uplifting and inspiring experience for me,” says Moraz.
About exo-X-xeno
The exo-X-xeno band, which launched at the beginning of 2021, pushes the prog rock boundaries of space and time with expansive, melodious vocals and sonic instrumental layering—all accomplished with a star-studded roster of musical greats.
Founded by composer, vocalist and guitarist Craig Maher, exo-X-xeno is a musical constellation consisting of bassist and backing vocalist Billy Sherwood (Yes, Toto and Conspiracy with Chris Squire), drummer Jay Schellen (Hurricane, Yes and Asia), and legendary keyboardist Patrick Moraz (Refugee, Yes and The Moody Blues). The group’s release of several singles this year will be fused into the final conceptual album (designed by Maher), entitled, Luminous Voyage.
The band’s first single, “Onward, Love,” successfully debuted on January 15, 2021 to an enthusiastic global prog rock audience.
About Craig Maher, Founder of exo-X-xeno
Craig Maher’s musical journey as a composer, guitarist, vocalist, and recording and visual artist is sprinkled with celestial eclecticism. Throughout his 30 years of playing, studying and composing guitar-based music, he released two records, Through the Garden of Temptation, and Propel (2009). He composed the music score for the film Brooklyn Lobster, with Danny Aiello and Jane Curtin (2005). Maher has performed in a plethora of venues spanning from the U.S. to Europe and is looking forward to touring with exo-X-xeno in the near future.
“Craig’s exceptional talent for composing, authoring, guitar playing and singing are at the highest level of an amazing creativity,” says Moraz.
What’s Ahead
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of another exo-X-xeno single entitled, “Vitruvian Man,” featuring the Maher/Schellan/Moraz lineup, to be accompanied by another video launch. The single “Reaching for Beyond” will be available for digital download on the official exo-X-xeno website and on Bandcamp on July 15, 2021, with limited CD printed versions released on Shine-ON Records.
On July 15, 2021, progressive rock project exo-X-xeno launches its anticipated second single filled with fluid proggy riffs and elevated harmonic vocals that break through the stratosphere, called “Reaching for Beyond.” This epic song release, along with a companion conceptual promo video, continues the band’s musical journey with a polychromatic tapestry of celestial rock sounds.
“Being part of the collaborative ‘exo-X-xeno’ project, along with Craig Maher, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen, is an ongoing musically uplifting and inspiring experience for me,” says Moraz.
About exo-X-xeno
The exo-X-xeno band, which launched at the beginning of 2021, pushes the prog rock boundaries of space and time with expansive, melodious vocals and sonic instrumental layering—all accomplished with a star-studded roster of musical greats.
Founded by composer, vocalist and guitarist Craig Maher, exo-X-xeno is a musical constellation consisting of bassist and backing vocalist Billy Sherwood (Yes, Toto and Conspiracy with Chris Squire), drummer Jay Schellen (Hurricane, Yes and Asia), and legendary keyboardist Patrick Moraz (Refugee, Yes and The Moody Blues). The group’s release of several singles this year will be fused into the final conceptual album (designed by Maher), entitled, Luminous Voyage.
The band’s first single, “Onward, Love,” successfully debuted on January 15, 2021 to an enthusiastic global prog rock audience.
About Craig Maher, Founder of exo-X-xeno
Craig Maher’s musical journey as a composer, guitarist, vocalist, and recording and visual artist is sprinkled with celestial eclecticism. Throughout his 30 years of playing, studying and composing guitar-based music, he released two records, Through the Garden of Temptation, and Propel (2009). He composed the music score for the film Brooklyn Lobster, with Danny Aiello and Jane Curtin (2005). Maher has performed in a plethora of venues spanning from the U.S. to Europe and is looking forward to touring with exo-X-xeno in the near future.
“Craig’s exceptional talent for composing, authoring, guitar playing and singing are at the highest level of an amazing creativity,” says Moraz.
What’s Ahead
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of another exo-X-xeno single entitled, “Vitruvian Man,” featuring the Maher/Schellan/Moraz lineup, to be accompanied by another video launch. The single “Reaching for Beyond” will be available for digital download on the official exo-X-xeno website and on Bandcamp on July 15, 2021, with limited CD printed versions released on Shine-ON Records.
Make Believe Friends drops their latest video and single called “The Truth” on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Mindy Milburn and Laura Espinoza are joined by the talents and amazing skills of Matt Denis & Noel Jasso and produced by Greg Karas.
Make Believe Friends (aka Lunden Reign), is an all original alt-rock band based out of Los Angeles, California. Laura & Mindy have already released 6 singles to critical acclaim.
“‘The Truth’ is filled with lyrically packed intensity matched with a driving bass beat and offset by a wonderfully melodic chorus, delivered by Mindy in a variety of outfits, which is fun to watch.” - Warren Kurtz - Goldmine (Music Magazine)
Watch video here: (Premieres July 5, 8 p.m. Pacific)
About “The Truth” by Make Believe Friends (Lyrics by Mindy Milburn)
“The Truth” is about the moment you realize you are enough exactly how you are, and the empowerment that it brings to be able to speak your mind, question the world around you and confront difficult situations. And in return you want the same from others around you- for them to be honest, upfront, their true-selves.
I don't wanna have to play participate in this game, this charade but either way there's no escape I don't wanna have to choose or confuse win or lose I'm my muse and any offer I can refuse
The idea of being comfortable just being ourselves, unentangled from the pressures of modern society gives the opportunity to be as pure and free as the ocean air. It is The Truth.
About the production:
“The Truth” by Make Believe Friends was written by: (lyrics) Mindy Milburn; (music) Gabe Halcovich & Laura Espinoza, Produced by Greg Karas & Laura Espinoza.
“The Truth” lyrics:
I don't wanna have to rush anymore, take my time, work my style, make'em smile like never before I don't wanna have to fake double take, imitate make no mistake that I'm gonna even the score I don't wanna have to play participate in this game this charade but either way there's no escape I don't wanna have to choose or confuse win or lose I'm my muse and any offer I can refuse
Na na, na na na na Na na, na na na na
All I ever wanted to feel a touch a breeze something that's real all I ever wanted to see is the truth being handed back to me
I'm not gonna hold my tongue anymore when someone, Just for fun makes a mess that can't be undone. I'm not gonna turn away, make believe it's ok, I'll tell' em straight, call it out when a spade’s a spade. I don't want to turn my trust into lust I might bust a fake is fake, but I'm good at hiding disgust. I don't wanna make amends play pretend to no end you're not my friend and you don't care about me in the end.
Na na na na na na Na na na na na na
All I ever wanted to feel a touch a breeze something that's real all I ever wanted to see is the truth being handed back to me
Now I know better than ever before, In life you gotta break down doors Can't please' em all that's what lessons are for, Let the truth hurt 'em even more, than your words...
Show me the truth show me the truth? What is the truth, what is the truth? Show me the truth....
About Mindy Milburn: Mindy has a passion for all performing arts- starting out as a ballet dancer and actress, & eventually finding her voice and passion for songwriting and music. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, she has performed in numerous musical theater productions & indie films and was also a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team. Mindy made the move to southern California to follow her dream of becoming a recording artist and feels very blessed by the opportunities that have come her way. In addition to singing lead vocals for Make Believe Friends and Lunden Reign, Mindy also performs with a No Doubt and a Madonna tribute band.
About Laura Espinoza: Laura is a songwriter/guitarist, playwright, and TV producer. Laura recently won a NARAS (Grammy) songwriting contest. She has performed on stage with Luis Maldonado (Train), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons) & Prescott Niles (The Knack) and started her career with Matt Sorum (Guns n' Roses). She has recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, Abbey Road, UK and is the host of “The Rock Radio Show” on KBU-FM, Malibu. Laura is also the recipient of 3 Emmy Awards.
Make Believe Friends drops their latest video and single called “The Truth” on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Mindy Milburn and Laura Espinoza are joined by the talents and amazing skills of Matt Denis & Noel Jasso and produced by Greg Karas.
Make Believe Friends (aka Lunden Reign), is an all original alt-rock band based out of Los Angeles, California. Laura & Mindy have already released 6 singles to critical acclaim.
“‘The Truth’ is filled with lyrically packed intensity matched with a driving bass beat and offset by a wonderfully melodic chorus, delivered by Mindy in a variety of outfits, which is fun to watch.” - Warren Kurtz - Goldmine (Music Magazine)
Watch video here: (Premieres July 5, 8 p.m. Pacific)
About “The Truth” by Make Believe Friends (Lyrics by Mindy Milburn)
“The Truth” is about the moment you realize you are enough exactly how you are, and the empowerment that it brings to be able to speak your mind, question the world around you and confront difficult situations. And in return you want the same from others around you- for them to be honest, upfront, their true-selves.
I don't wanna have to play participate in this game, this charade but either way there's no escape I don't wanna have to choose or confuse win or lose I'm my muse and any offer I can refuse
The idea of being comfortable just being ourselves, unentangled from the pressures of modern society gives the opportunity to be as pure and free as the ocean air. It is The Truth.
About the production:
“The Truth” by Make Believe Friends was written by: (lyrics) Mindy Milburn; (music) Gabe Halcovich & Laura Espinoza, Produced by Greg Karas & Laura Espinoza.
“The Truth” lyrics:
I don't wanna have to rush anymore, take my time, work my style, make'em smile like never before I don't wanna have to fake double take, imitate make no mistake that I'm gonna even the score I don't wanna have to play participate in this game this charade but either way there's no escape I don't wanna have to choose or confuse win or lose I'm my muse and any offer I can refuse
Na na, na na na na Na na, na na na na
All I ever wanted to feel a touch a breeze something that's real all I ever wanted to see is the truth being handed back to me
I'm not gonna hold my tongue anymore when someone, Just for fun makes a mess that can't be undone. I'm not gonna turn away, make believe it's ok, I'll tell' em straight, call it out when a spade’s a spade. I don't want to turn my trust into lust I might bust a fake is fake, but I'm good at hiding disgust. I don't wanna make amends play pretend to no end you're not my friend and you don't care about me in the end.
Na na na na na na Na na na na na na
All I ever wanted to feel a touch a breeze something that's real all I ever wanted to see is the truth being handed back to me
Now I know better than ever before, In life you gotta break down doors Can't please' em all that's what lessons are for, Let the truth hurt 'em even more, than your words...
Show me the truth show me the truth? What is the truth, what is the truth? Show me the truth....
About Mindy Milburn: Mindy has a passion for all performing arts- starting out as a ballet dancer and actress, & eventually finding her voice and passion for songwriting and music. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, she has performed in numerous musical theater productions & indie films and was also a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team. Mindy made the move to southern California to follow her dream of becoming a recording artist and feels very blessed by the opportunities that have come her way. In addition to singing lead vocals for Make Believe Friends and Lunden Reign, Mindy also performs with a No Doubt and a Madonna tribute band.
About Laura Espinoza: Laura is a songwriter/guitarist, playwright, and TV producer. Laura recently won a NARAS (Grammy) songwriting contest. She has performed on stage with Luis Maldonado (Train), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons) & Prescott Niles (The Knack) and started her career with Matt Sorum (Guns n' Roses). She has recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, Abbey Road, UK and is the host of “The Rock Radio Show” on KBU-FM, Malibu. Laura is also the recipient of 3 Emmy Awards.
Taken from the forthcoming new album Departure Tapes released on Kscope on July 2, 2021
With his new album Departure Tapes released July 2nd on Kscope, UK based Italian composer, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Giancarlo Erra has revealed the 3rd single and video for “Previous Tape”. He comments, “Whatever music I write, whether for a soundtrack or for a rock band, for me, songwriting and melody are always something that must be there (I grew up listening to Beatles so I can't escape that!). At the same time I'm not a big fan of solos, but I'm obsessed with vocals, even if synthesised. I own a couple of synths dedicated almost exclusively to that.
So on 'Previous Tape', I used a Seaboard (keyboard/synth) because it allows me to play instruments and sounds without quantised pitch, like a vocal (or a theremin), while at the same time with a dynamically controlled expression of other parameters, exactly like I would while I sing."
The new studio album Departure Tapes, the follow up to 2019’s Ends I-VII, consists of 6 contemplative recordings, written while travelling between the UK and Italy and reflect the extremely difficult year Giancarlo experienced due to the death of his estranged father. Erra comments “In 2019 my first solo album was just being released, and I already had the view that I wanted to be more experimental with the second one, but no precise idea how at that point. Then my father suddenly got ill with cancer, and everything changed. I found myself taking care of this man, someone who I have been distanced from for so long. During this time both of us came to terms with many things. I wanted to get closure, but a positive one, for him and for me.
Creatively it was an interesting period for me – writing this album without realising I was actually writing it, as it is so intrinsically linked to one of the hardest and yet more healing parts of my life. The end result is the most experimental, and at the times, the darkest material I have ever written, without compromise or set plan. It contains all the elements of my music in a very unconscious free flowing way.”
Departure Tapes sees Erra using a wide mix of analogue synths and digital plugins though he is keen to highlight the unsung hero of many of his albums, “The 1979 monophonic Korg MS10, deserves a mention because this synth has a wicked filter, a squelching and screaming one that can really do some unique stuff once you use it with the modular part of the synth. In Departure Tapes and in possibly all of my albums, any bass synth part is performed on the MS10, and I believe is the one sound I use it for most of the times. Once you manually tune down the synth and then you tune and move the filter at resonant peak around the notes you need, this thing is able to make not just walls shaking bass sounds, but also ones that contain enough upper medium frequencies to cut through the mix: I would be lost without this little gem.”
Max Richter, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and the more electronic / ambient recordings of Brian Eno may offer a reference point by which to enter Erra’s world, but the depth within his recordings is truly original.
Departure Tapes track listing 1. Dawn Tape [06:15] 2. Previous Tape [01:48] 3. 169th Tape [02:51] 4. Unwound Tape [08:24] 5. Departure Tape [16:51] WATCH VIDEO 6. A Blues For My Father [07:31] WATCH VIDEO
Departure Tapeswill be released on the following formats and is available to pre-order HERE (https://GiancarloErra.lnk.to/DepartureTapes) • A gatefold LP on oxblood coloured 180g vinyl • 2-disc CD/DVD with the DVD-A/V including high resolution stereo & 5.1 mix: DVD-V: stereo 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround and DVD-A: 5.1 Surround 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes • Digitally (with digital pre-orders receiving the single “Departure Tape” as an instant download from 22nd April)
Giancarlo will be hosting an album listening party on Tuesday 6th July at 1:30 PM EST (6:30pm BST) on his YouTube channel. He will be listening to the album live and answering your questions.
2 viewers will be in with a chance of winning a free signed copy of Departure Tapes in any format.
Taken from the forthcoming new album Departure Tapes released on Kscope on July 2, 2021
With his new album Departure Tapes released July 2nd on Kscope, UK based Italian composer, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Giancarlo Erra has revealed the 3rd single and video for “Previous Tape”. He comments, “Whatever music I write, whether for a soundtrack or for a rock band, for me, songwriting and melody are always something that must be there (I grew up listening to Beatles so I can't escape that!). At the same time I'm not a big fan of solos, but I'm obsessed with vocals, even if synthesised. I own a couple of synths dedicated almost exclusively to that.
So on 'Previous Tape', I used a Seaboard (keyboard/synth) because it allows me to play instruments and sounds without quantised pitch, like a vocal (or a theremin), while at the same time with a dynamically controlled expression of other parameters, exactly like I would while I sing."
The new studio album Departure Tapes, the follow up to 2019’s Ends I-VII, consists of 6 contemplative recordings, written while travelling between the UK and Italy and reflect the extremely difficult year Giancarlo experienced due to the death of his estranged father. Erra comments “In 2019 my first solo album was just being released, and I already had the view that I wanted to be more experimental with the second one, but no precise idea how at that point. Then my father suddenly got ill with cancer, and everything changed. I found myself taking care of this man, someone who I have been distanced from for so long. During this time both of us came to terms with many things. I wanted to get closure, but a positive one, for him and for me.
Creatively it was an interesting period for me – writing this album without realising I was actually writing it, as it is so intrinsically linked to one of the hardest and yet more healing parts of my life. The end result is the most experimental, and at the times, the darkest material I have ever written, without compromise or set plan. It contains all the elements of my music in a very unconscious free flowing way.”
Departure Tapes sees Erra using a wide mix of analogue synths and digital plugins though he is keen to highlight the unsung hero of many of his albums, “The 1979 monophonic Korg MS10, deserves a mention because this synth has a wicked filter, a squelching and screaming one that can really do some unique stuff once you use it with the modular part of the synth. In Departure Tapes and in possibly all of my albums, any bass synth part is performed on the MS10, and I believe is the one sound I use it for most of the times. Once you manually tune down the synth and then you tune and move the filter at resonant peak around the notes you need, this thing is able to make not just walls shaking bass sounds, but also ones that contain enough upper medium frequencies to cut through the mix: I would be lost without this little gem.”
Max Richter, Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and the more electronic / ambient recordings of Brian Eno may offer a reference point by which to enter Erra’s world, but the depth within his recordings is truly original.
Departure Tapes track listing 1. Dawn Tape [06:15] 2. Previous Tape [01:48] 3. 169th Tape [02:51] 4. Unwound Tape [08:24] 5. Departure Tape [16:51] WATCH VIDEO 6. A Blues For My Father [07:31] WATCH VIDEO
Departure Tapeswill be released on the following formats and is available to pre-order HERE (https://GiancarloErra.lnk.to/DepartureTapes) • A gatefold LP on oxblood coloured 180g vinyl • 2-disc CD/DVD with the DVD-A/V including high resolution stereo & 5.1 mix: DVD-V: stereo 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 96/24 5.1 Surround and DVD-A: 5.1 Surround 24/48 LPCM lossless mixes • Digitally (with digital pre-orders receiving the single “Departure Tape” as an instant download from 22nd April)
Giancarlo will be hosting an album listening party on Tuesday 6th July at 1:30 PM EST (6:30pm BST) on his YouTube channel. He will be listening to the album live and answering your questions.
2 viewers will be in with a chance of winning a free signed copy of Departure Tapes in any format.
