NYS Music 202​0

Tag: brooklyn

  • Rowdy Revel Out Of Prison, Ready to Get Back in The Rap Game

    Brooklyn rapper, Rowdy Rebel, has officially been released from prison, to the rejoice of fans and acquaintances alike.

    Chad Marshall, known professionally as Rowdy Rebel was released this past Tuesday after spending nearly four-years incarcerated at Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County. Upon his release, the “Beam Jawn” emcee was greeted by family, friends and associates. Soon-after, he was being gifted eye-popping jewelry and made his way to a private Jet, as well as a recording studio.

    Originally arrested back in 2014 alongside fellow rapper Bobby Shmurda and other GS9 hip-hop collective affiliates on murder, drug, and weapons charges. The two Brooklyn drill rappers then took a plea on conspiracy to possess weapons and were then sentenced to seven years in prison.

    Even while locked up, Rebel kept up his grind, keeping his focus on music. The “Computers” rapper made a guest appearance on Pop Smoke’s Billboard charting record “Make it Rain,” recording his verse via a collect call from prison.

    Videos surfaced all over social media documenting Rowdy Rebel’s first day of freedom, including a call to still incarcerated Bobby Shmurda. Who, on the other hand, hasn’t fared as well with the Board of Parole despite taking a plea deal so his compatriot would serve less time. Bobby Shumrda has allegedly racking up violations for possession of weapons and drugs while in prison and is serving the rest of his sentence, Bobby is scheduled to be released in December of 2021.

    Fans should keep their ears to the ground for new music coming from Rowdy Rebel as he has already been seen cooking it up in the studio, you can see him live on Instagram reveling in his newfound freedom and triumphant return to Brooklyn’s rap game.



  • SAINt JHN Releases The Timely ‘While The World Was Burning’

    SAINt JHN, an artist from Brooklyn (real name Carlos St John Phillips), released his third album While The World Was Burning as artists continue to use the pandemic as inspiration for their music. His successful hit “Roses (Imanbek Remix)” spent 34 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 and peaked at #4 this past summer. The rest of his discography includes two other albums or “collections” with Ghetto Lenny Love Songs released in 2019 and Collection One in 2018. His commercial success took off in 2019, writing “Brown Skin Girl” for Beyoncé’s album The Lion King: The Gift. While the World Was Burning is a glimpse at SAINt JHN’s endless potential as an artist who can capitalize on using unpredictable times as momentum towards his promising career.

    SAINt JHN

     “Sucks To Be You” is the introductory track that successfully sets the tone of While The World Was Burning by reintroducing the world to a different side of SAINt JHN. The repeated lyrics from the chorus, “I said you know who I am, this kid from Brooklyn,” describe an adverse journey from humble beginnings to a successful artist. His honesty about his upbringing coincides with growing apart from someone who supported his initial dreams of wanting to become an artist. SAINt JHN expresses a vulnerable side as an artist who can make an upbeat hit like “Roses” and explain who he is as a person on “Sucks To Be You.”

    https://youtu.be/pDsas5WHPXk
    SAINt JHN made his TV debut performing “Sucks to Be You” on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon

    SAINt JHN gathered a star-studded list of features on this album including 6LACK, Lil Uzi Vert, Future DaBaby, Kehlani, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Kanye, and JID. On “Ransom,” he teamed up with 6LACK and Kehlani to create a complementary vibe for each artist involved. Earlier in the year, he released a music video for “Ransom” featuring only his initial verse. By adding 6LACK And Kehlani, SAINt JHN proves his capability of knowing how to improve a song with the right features.  While “Ransom” and “Sucks To Be You” are both tracks that highlight melodies, “Freedom Is Priceless” delivers an up-tempo beat that showcases his lyricism as a rapper.

    “Pray 4 Me” is a cautionary tale about the possible repercussions of a rockstar lifestyle. SAINt JHN expresses his deepest fears of fame getting the best of him with lyrics like, “My life now, this highlight now/ Play my mama this if I die right now.” In comparison, Kanye’s featured verse feels superficial and so out of place the song would thrive even more without his verse. “Smack DVD” is the second collaboration between the duo and is available on the re-release version of While the World Was Burning. Kanye has a better verse on “Smack DVD” than on “Pray 4 Me,” but SAINt JHN outshines him on both tracks.

    SAINt JHN mentions “Tryin to be the next Kanye” on “Quarantine Wifey,” but his originality is his biggest asset rather than emulating any other artist. Looking back on this year, While the World Was Burning will be a reminder of how music made the uncertain times a little more bearable.

  • Brooklyn Duo Fake Dad serve up new single “Breakfast in New York”

    In preparation for a new EP in 2021, Brooklyn group Fake Dad have released a new single to close out the year. Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford found inspiration for their single “Breakfast in New York,” from a very interesting and unusual source.

    Fake Dad

    The song is a mid-tempo electronic/R&B track, inspired by a knock off Jurassic Park ride in the middle country. “Fake Dad” used that exact backdrop for another music video, bringing a new inspiration to the duo. When de Varona and Ford wrote the song, they were fixated on the idea that the things we wish we could change is exactly what make our lives meaningful.

    The Brooklyn duo, Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, have made music in their tiny studio apartment since 2018. The duo had designated their roles within the band and have worked with a variety of up and coming artists. Andrea and Josh come from different musical backgrounds, but they do share a common goal. That goal is to create something that understands the listener. Both Andrea and Josh wanted to create music that comforted people, especially if the listener had a rough day in life.

    Fake Dad

    “Fake Dad” has received many plaudits from media outlets. The Wild Honey Pie wrote, “Fake Dad take listeners on a trip down memory lane — but it feels closer to a cautionary tale than a fond retelling.”

    EARMILK felt “Fake Dad” knew how to express their concepts with their single “Summer Hill.” EARMILK wrote “I tend to reject the saying, “Life is hard.” Not because it is not, but because it glosses over the very real hardships and struggles that so many of us face, tying it up with a bow in just three short words. I do not want to gloss over it. I want to dig deep and uncover what makes the simple act of existing so challenging for all of us. Fake Dad, comprised of Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, sonically and visually conceptualize all of these ideas.”

    “Fake Dad” looks to comfort and share their conceptual ideas with listeners, and their new single will surely do that. “Breakfast in New York” is out now on Spotify. To check out more of “Fake Dad” and their work, visit their Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, or Instagram page.

  • CLAVVS take a new approach with their latest single “Dance in Place”

    CLAVVS have released a new single, “Dance in Place,” coming off of rave reviews from the release of their latest EP No Saviors in 2019. Along with an extended version of their EP released in February, CLAVVS are looking to capitalize on these releases with their brand new single. The single is also accompanied by a music video and was shot in their neighborhood in Brooklyn.

    CLAVVS

    They made their own music video, looking to capture the strong presence of the sun and the vibrant colors of the autumn weather. Amber describes the video saying, “For the past few years I’ve been imagining visuals that capture my experience of moving through New York but with this fantastical element of suddenly connecting with strangers in some unexplainable moment of celebration.” Especially in the wake of the pandemic, Amber adds, “Having lived through Co-vid here, we both feel even more bound to this city and our neighbors. So, this video is a socially distant version of that daydream.”

    CLAVVS

    The single represents the criticism of capitalism and “grind” culture. Amber described the song as a call for radical self-acceptance and finding joy in a joyless culture. “I wrote this song in February, so it was super weird when we were all kind of forced to closely examine those things in March,” she said. “We couldn’t have guessed how on-the-nose this song would feel now.” It features great production work and a very catchy hook. “We aren’t taking ourselves very seriously anymore,” said Graham. “We just want to have fun with our band.”

    Going forward from their previous EP, the Brooklyn via Atlanta duo really wanted to challenge their sound. They have shifted from making disruptive pop songs to reflective music. The duo embraces their flaws to reinvent themselves. “The question became, how do we make CLAVVS songs that we can dance to and smile to?” Amber said. “We really wanted to challenge ourselves to make something we had never made before, something that, for a long time, didn’t feel at home to us. We didn’t know how to write happy songs that felt genuine.”

    “Dance in Place” has strongly built on the success of their recent EP. The new song is out now on Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp and various other platforms. Their new single is also accompanied by a music video, which is out now on YouTube.


  • “Heartbeat” from Middle Part sets a Reflective Tone for Upcoming EP

    The new single “Heartbeat,” just released by Brooklyn-based Middle Part is upbeat and catchy, with a dreamy sounding synth. Middle Part says the song is centered around that chaotic feeling somebody in their 20’s can feel when they’re learning to navigate life or what is “the point of it all.”

    “Heartbeat” is the new single from his upcoming EP,  Wish I Was Alive. His new EP was inspired by his personal experiences, his shortcomings, his struggle with depression, dissociation and overall loss. 

    Middle Part

    “Middle Part” was born when singer Andrew Selkōw needed time to self-reflect, and moved to the deepest parts of Northern Alaska after experiencing a major meltdown. Selkōw had turned a new lead and even in the Alaskan wilderness, expressed his strong passion for music and literature. “Art is important, Andrew says, no matter how you decide to approach it. There’s no age or formula so just create. It’s the most healing form of therapy I’ve ever experienced.”

    His last single was added to Spotify’s popular Fresh Finds and Indie Fresh Finds and received many plaudits from many outlets such as American Songwriter, Earmilk, Culture Collide and much more. “& Cry” has both a 90’s and modern approach, with either influence not drowning the other one out.

    The song’s message insists on emotional release through the pitfalls of that said emotion. Selkōw explains, “I think it’s supposed to be a very romantic plot but it has this dark side of not being entirely there if that makes sense.

    You want all these things, you think it’s great, but you’re mentally unfit to take it on. You don’t understand why, so just cry, it’s okay…I’m here.” The song is out now on Spotify and Youtube. You can also find out more about Middle Part on Instagram and Twitter.

  • Brooklyn Singer-Songwriter CF Watkins releases latest single “Babygirl”

    CF Watkins, an Americana pop artist from Brooklyn, released her single “Babygirl” on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The latest single from Watkins’ upcoming sophomore project Babygirl is set to release on Oct. 16 with Whatever’s Clever Records. Watkins has already released two other singles this year called “The Tell” and “Frances” that will also appear on the 11 track LP.

    Cf Watkins

    Babygirl will include a combination of Americana/country-leaning and folk/pop songs. Watkins uses other life experiences including homesickness, family, longing, friendship, and her favorite Dostoevsky short story “White Nights” as song inspirations. While the pandemic did not affect the music production of Babygirl, it gave Watkins more mental space to promote the album. “Writing and recording the music is definitely the most rewarding and fun part of the experience- but putting it out can be very daunting,” Watkins explained. “Once the pandemic started, I was able to finally just take the leap and commit to putting it out.”

    Watkins collaborated with producer Max Hart to create an ode to her best girlfriends with “Babygirl.” Max Hart has produced multi-instrumental work with artists such as The War on Drugs, Katy Perry, and Melissa Etheridge. Instead of writing “Babygirl” as a typical love song, Watkins’ new album highlights her personal growth as a woman through relatable, powerful, and vulnerable songs. Watkins describes herself as an empath who draws on her own life experiences, loved one’s experiences, and even characters in books. “I suppose I would identify as an empath, so I feel things that happen to others in a way that sticks with me and moves me- even if they are fictional characters,” Watkins said. “Sometimes being that way is exhausting, but it helps in never running out of song material.”

     “When I thought of the purest love I know, these relationships were the first to come to mind. In romance, I’ve always been very confused- but love was so clear, magic, and eternal with my best friends, those I called babygirl – who have danced with me in the early morning rain, laughing through the confusion. This is an album meant for other women to hear — with songs that are vulnerable and powerful.”

    CF Watkins
    Cf Watkins

    Watkins’s Americana-pop style of music comes from her North Carolina roots. Watkins started performing at 14 and has shared the stage with artists like Langhorne Slim, Future Birds, Chatham County Line, Wilder Maker, Lowland Hum, and Alpenglow. Fans can watch the video for another featured song on the Babygirl album called “The Tell,” down below. Watkins describes the opening track as a mission statement about balancing vulnerability and power.

    When I think about my last album, I feel I was writing songs about weakness,” Watkins says. “With this album, I made a conscious effort to write songs about the power of choosing yourself.”

    Cf Watkins

    Click here to listen to “Babygirl” single and click here to pre-order Babygirl album.

  • Brooklyn Duo Bottler Capture Natural Beauty with “Soft Winds”

    Brooklyn’s electronic music duo Bottler released “Soft Winds,” their first single off their newest EP Grow, set to release on October 9. The collaboration with Samurai Velvet captures the mesmerizing beauty of the tropics’ ambiance with lyrics about reclaiming power in relationships.

    Bottler
    Photo by Rick Perez

    After working on different projects for years, lifelong friends Pat Butler and Phil Shore founded Bottler in 2017. Their strong emotional bond has allowed them to make musical discoveries together and explore their creative chemistry. The two break the boundaries of conventional music and represent true creative freedom. They don’t limit themselves to a single genre or form, and experiment with indie, dance, and electropop with acoustic, digital, and analog instrumentation. Their unique style is inspired by the vibrant Brooklyn music scene. Bottler’s artistic inspiration combines the past, present, and future of music.

    This blending of style is truly present in “Soft Winds,” which captures the feeling and sounds of nature’s beauty. Bottler says that “the song materialized in a day” on a trip to the tropics. “The goal was to capture the feeling of being in awe at the beauty of nature around us.” “Soft Winds” transports you to a place of tranquility with its blend of the electronic and the natural.

    bottler

    The track shows all the wonder of Bottler’s personality blended together with vocals from Samurai Velvet’s Saige Smith. As good friends with Bottler, Samurai Velvet “were moved and eager to collaborate” after hearing the track. Smith’s voice and lyrics stand out in the track, as she sings about reclaiming personal power after infidelity. The message of inner strength matches perfectly with the everyday quality of Bottler’s instrumentals. Surrounded by nothing but nature’s beauty, Smith sings, “I have the power to make myself free.”

    Grow follows Bottler’s previous EP, Clementine, and describes Bottler’s personal and creative growth. Bottler recorded the EP in their home studio with their analog synths, guitars, pianos, samples, and drum machines. The homemade quality contributes to the individual message of the album for Butler and Shore. Grow is Bottler’s debut with French electronic label InFiné, who quickly discovered them after the release of Clementine.

    “Soft Winds” is available to stream now. Stay tuned for Grow‘s release on October 9.

  • The Upstart Crows Release Catchy Single “Stuck”

    Brooklyn based alt rock band, The Upstart Crows, today debut their catchy single and accompanying music video for “Stuck.”

    Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and indoor
    Lead Vocalist/guitarist Jon Adams.

    Lead Vocalist/guitarist, Jon Adams, says the new single displays the “frustrations with feeling stuck in life.”

    “Stuck is a catchy ballad reflecting on the frustrations of feeling stuck in life, waiting for change to come, and not being sure if it will ever come.”

    Jon Adams

    Some major influences for writing the tune were Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, and Caroline Rose’s first album, America Religious.

    Adams formed the band along with band mate and drummer, Forest DeCoste, in the basements on Keene, NH. The two made their way to Brooklyn where they went on to release their first self-titled album. The two recently parted ways, although both are on good terms. Adams says that he was in the process of looking for new band mates when the global pandemic happened, so in the meantime, he’s playing solo.

    “Recently Forest decided he wasn’t interested in playing in the band anymore so he quit the band. We are still on very good terms, and we even still play DND every week. I was in the process of finding new band mates and moving the project in a new direction but Covid put the kibosh on that for now. So currently it is just me.”

    Jon Adams

    In regards to live shows and concerts starting back up, Adams says that we still have a long way to go, but he’s hopeful for the future.

    “It looks like live music, for now, is live streams. But I bet we will figure out a creative solution to have live music again. I hear some people are doing shows at drive-in movie theaters now. “

    Jon Adams

    Be sure to check out The Upstart Crows past sounds and tune in to watch and listen to Stuck.

    Music video for “Stuck”

  • Rave Organizers Continue Defending their Illegal Events

    Over the past month, illegal raves have continued to spark anger throughout Brooklyn as rave organizers claim they’re not doing anything wrong.

    Rave Organizers
    The event on Aug. 15 lead to testers and tracers being dispatched.

    According to Gothamist, Brooklyn had a reported 200 positive cases from the last two weeks. In response, test and trace teams were dispatched to the Sunset Park area.

    Regardless of the positive cases, rave organizers continued to hold two parties in the same area on Aug. 8. Being illegal, the Sheriff’s Office broke the two raves up the early morning after.

    One rave took place on 47th street in a warehouse with 200 people. There was alcohol, even though the event didn’t have a liquor license. Police arrested and charged multiple people.

    In a statement made to reporters the following Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said no one should be putting others’ lives at risk.

    “I want to be abundantly clear: you cannot organize a large gathering that’s going to put people’s lives in danger or you will suffer the consequences,” said de Blasio.

    The other rave happened only a few blocks away and also had alcohol without a liquor license. Police busted the event shortly after the 47th Street rave at 2 a.m.

    According to sources, the events had different organizers, but they coordinated the timing together.

    Nocturnal Radio Live hosted the 47th Street rave, but it wasn’t their first. On July 4, multiple raves throughout the city popped up, including one thrown by them.

    Although the events were highly illegal, the group had no problem promoting them on their social media pages.

    Rave Organizers
    Nocturnal Radio Live posted this on their Instagram page, but took it down along with their whole page.

    From a Chainsmokers concert in July to a secret rave under Kosciuszco Bridge a few weeks ago, rave organizers don’t seem to want to back down from hosting these events.

    Ulitsky and Simms, the head of Nocturnal Radio, said they provided “unity.”

    “Everything we’ve done and plan to do in the future is out of unity, not about separation and depression,” said Simms.

    Ulitsky added, “As far as people attending, we’re getting a lot of positive feedback. As long as that’s happening, we don’t feel like we’re doing anything wrong.”

  • Brooklyn’s Monograms Release Album Summing Up Quarantine

    Brooklyn’s “nuke wave” dark synthpop band Monograms has come out with new single “Lines” to go along with their newest album, Only a Ceiling Can Stay Inside Forever.

    Monograms

    Monograms started a Brooklyn bedroom recording experiment that evolved into a full band. The band features frontman Ian Jacobs (multiple instruments), Ali Yildiz (drums), Michelle Feliciano (synth), and Devan Davies-Wood (bass). The dark and moody tone to their music sets Monograms apart from other mainstream pop. Their sound manages to remain ambient and musically interesting without becoming chaotic or unharmonious. The combination of Jacobs’ songwriting talent–his artful and poignant lyrics, clear beats, and angular riffs–allows him to truly make each song its own unique world with a notable landscape.

    The newest LP, Only a Ceiling Can Stay Inside Forever, was recorded in Jacobs’ home studio during these past months of the COVID-19 quarantine. The album is a culmination of his feelings towards the social justice issues which plague America today. “Everyone I know just feels really frustrated about the situation,” says Jacobs. “The politics, the sacrifices everyone is making, and the reality has been a very twilight zone-like kind of time for the entire world and the country.”

    Jacobs expressed that in the midst of uncertainty and fear, he “just needed to do something creative to bob and weave with all these things, so [he] just started writing some words down and recording some ideas and experimenting.” Even though the songs were different, “after a few weeks, it all started to spiral into what felt like a cohesive thought” for Jacobs. 

    “Lines,” featuring Kat E., is a perfect representation of Monograms’ dark and brooding synth. Jacobs colors the song with what feels like melodic distortion that reminds the listener of the fear and uncertainty that has troubled all during these past few months. “Lines” is thoughtful and modern and showcases Monograms’ truly unique sound. 

    Only a Ceiling Can Stay Inside Forever is available on all streaming platforms, and can be purchased on Bandcamp. 50% of all Bandcamp sales will be donated to Know Your Rights Camp, an organization whose “mission is to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.”