Tag: synth pop

Magic Dance gets us into the Halloween spirit with new EP “From Death To Life!”

Magic Dance, the solo project of singer/songwriter Jon Siejka, is releasing a new album this December titled Remnants. However, the band decide to couple the release of the album with a new EP From Death To Life!

Siejka does not stop there and pleases fans with also a new music video for the first single “Zombie Breath Surprise.” Siejka had fun writing and recording the song, as he wanted to create an AOR celebration in the spirit of Halloween.

Formed in Long Island, NY, Magic Dance was started by Jon Siejka in 2012. Siejka is a self-taught musician and producer. Siejka wanted a platform express his synth-wave music, which was influenced by iconic-synth 80’s pop and movie soundtrack music. His sound has evolved over time, and has now become a heavier, guitar-oriented style, reminiscent of classic AOR music. The songs also have strong elements of mid 80’s music.

The line-up for the EP consisted of Jon Siejka on the vocals, guitars, and synths. Kevin Krug, Gabor Domjan, Luke Anderson, Emanuele Moretti were on the bass as Kevin Mcadams was on the drums. Gdaily was credited for the saxophone, and Tim Mackey provided guitar solos on “Zombie Breath Surprise” and “No Light (Hand Of Death)”. Ziy Shalev also had a guitar solo, for the track “Oh No”. For more information, you can find Magic Dance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Their new EP, “From Death To Life!”, is out now!

Key Tracks: Zombie Breath Surprise, No Light (Hand Of Death), Oh No

October 21, 2020
“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” 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.

October 15, 2020
Riley and Julians combine as The Beforetimes to present “Time Machine”

Kurt Riley and Orange Julians come together as the The Beforetimes as they released their debut single, “Time Machine” on September 18. The track was written and produced in equal by both Kurt Riley and Orange Julians. Having met as children, both artists grew up to write rock operas, and now have reunited for this joint project. The Beforetimes have also uploaded a music video for their new single.

Kurt Riley has released records produced by Beyoncé/FKA Twigs/Run the Jewels collaborator BOOTS and Grammy Award-winning engineer Will Russell. Riley has also appeared at the CFCU Summer Concert Series, Music Is Art Buffalo, and at the Ithaca Festival. Under the moniker Orange Julians, Julian DeLice had worked on plenty of solo material and has written, produced and directed a stage play called “The Renegade Opera” (benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation). Julian DeLice’s music was named “Vermont’s freshest synth-pop” by 7 Days Newspaper, and DeFelice is now recording his fourth LP.

The song was remotely produced across over 2,000 miles and the first release as the “The Beforetimes” begin a side project that will be featured alongside their solo work. For more information on “The Beforethetimes”, their new single, and their respective individual profiles, visit the Apple Music, Spotify, links and both of Kurt and Julien’s websites.

October 7, 2020
Harry Nichols’ First Release Since 2014 Doesn’t Disappoint

Alternative Ithaca musician Harry Nichols released a new solo EP, A Spoonful of Sugar, on September 4. Nichols has been influenced by various styles–beachy, punk-pop, folk, indie, and rock, to name a few–but this EP has its roots in electro-pop.

Harry Nichols started writing music at fourteen. He has been releasing music as an independent artist since 2010, and has several albums and EPs out on Bandcamp, which draw inspiration from Blink 182, The Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan. He has made a name for himself in Ithaca’s concert scene, and has been playing live for years. Many of his concer t videos are on the Finger Lakes Music Press YouTube channel.

Since his last nerd-life inspired record This Isn’t the Album you’re Looking For…, Nichols focused on contributing to his bands Noon Fifteen and Julia Felice and the Whiskey Crisis. He released a few demos and solo EPs since, but this September, Nichols finally releases his latest solo EP. Nichols considers this easy listening track, A Spoonful of Sugar, his first major release in six years.

ASoS was written and recorded entirely during the COVID-19 quarantine. The track is much poppier than Nichols’ other work, and the razor sharp melodies match the emotions behind the lyrics. Nichols takes pop punk and soul and blends them into synth and digital drums, as those were the tools he could work with by himself during quarantine.

Although the lyrics are a reflection on the loneliness of social distancing, the music is upbeat and energetic. Nichols lets the listener momentarily escape from the current sadness and stress and live in this poppy world he makes with A Spoonful of Sugar. ASoS is available for purchase on Bandcamp now.

September 8, 2020