Category: New York Singles

Aubrey Haddard Shares New Single “National Tragedy”

Hudson-Valley native and indie-pop singer-songwriter, Aubrey Haddard, shared her new single “National Tragedy” on June 23, along with a music video. “National Tragedy” is the latest of four singles released by Haddard over the course of the last year.

Inspired by singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi, Haddard forged her own path in music with a confident spirit and bold art style. She released her debut album Blue Part in July 2018 to wide critical acclaim. The success of Blue Part resulted in seven nominations and several wins at the 2018 Boston Music Awards, including Vocalist of the Year and Singer/Songwriter of the Year.

Following her debut, Haddard has made a name for herself at festivals across the country, including Firefly, Mountain Jam, and Waking Windows.

This year, Haddard has released one other single besides “National Tragedy,” called “Red Portuguese.” In 2020, she released “Thin Line” and “Sweeter Than Honey,” that show the beginning of her shift to a more smoother, retro style.

Like reliving a childhood memory of witnessing something scary on the television, it was remembering Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales’ passing that inspired the song. “National Tragedy” provides a soundtrack to Haddard’s memory of the unwavering presence of the news in her childhood home, to the confusion of watching her mother crying on the couch, and the sorrow played out on TV.

One of my earliest memories is my mother watching Princess Di’s funeral on our old screened-in porch, the feelings of uncertainty and sadness. Throughout my life, each time tragedy struck and the world stopped to watch, the reality would sink into me a little deeper, but in September ‘97, my inability to understand was the perfect escape. “National Tragedy” is part memory, part sweet escape and an all too familiar feeling.
Aubrey Haddard on “National Tragedy”

Haddard takes on a different, more somber style for this release. Usually a passionate rocker similar to Tedeschi, “National Tragedy” has a tinge of 70s easy-listening. The guitar riffs are repetitive and the drums are simple, which complement Haddard’s controlled, yet strong voice. The instrumental break in the middle of the song can be best compared to late-60s experimental art-rock like Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

According to Haddard, “National Tragedy” needed a music video to match the song’s “lighthearted, imaginative twist.” The result is an animated clip art utilizing ethereal scrapbook-like collages by collaborator Kaya Blaze Kelley.

Narrating her own experiences in life and love, she holds space for dialogues of hardships as well as times of joy. Her goal is to encourage others by singing her truth, and her relatable topics and catchy lyrics are a great way to connect to listeners.

Haddard will also be performing live at the Levitate Music Festival in Massachusetts on July 9, 2021.

“National Tragedy” is now available for streaming on Youtube, Bandcamp, Spotify and Soundcloud. For more information on Aubrey Haddard, check out her website.

June 27, 2021
Queer Pop and Melodic Chaos: Arthur Moon Releases Newest Single “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!”

Standing at only a mere 4 days old, “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!” the new single from Arthur Moon has already amassed thousands of streams and landed on playlists alongside huge artists like The Japanese House, Sufjan Stevens, and St. Vincent. Before the mark of their one year anniversary, they earned themselves an NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert.

It’s clear this band is praised for their excellence, and their new single hits the mark the very same.

The Brooklyn avant-pop group, led by composer and singer Lora-Faye Åshuvud with collaborators Cale Hawkins, Martin D. Fowler, Dave Palazola and Aviva Jaye, released the single while announcing their new album to be released in the fall under the same name: “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!“

And that’s just what the single is: a beautiful and haunting chaotic musical masterpiece. Boarding on the genres of indie and electropop with elements from jazz and a choral influence, Arthur Moon is able to seamlessly meld these opposing musical soundscapes in a captivating and genius way.

“Avant-pop group Arthur Moon are more than happy to deconstruct the conventions of typical pop music”
-Billboard Music

Not a single time during my first time listening through to the single did I know where the next note would land. Against dissonant to resolving vocals and piano vamping that explored multiple keys sometimes within the same measures, there was a sense of peace in the chaos. The droning electronic sounds complimented rather than clashed with the more organic instruments.

The vocals evolved from melodic singing to speak-singing with a metallic overlay, creating chaos in the mix. But never did the chaos not resolve, paving the way for a beautiful jazz piano solo overtop the synth drone.

Rather than staying in the confines of one genre, Arthur Moon seems to reconceptualize boxing artists into one genre over another. They explore so many different soundscapes that at one point, I scrapped the idea of attempting to label them as alt or pop, instead praising their ability to operate outside of anything I’ve ever heard before.

“Dump the heteronormativity and get on Arthur Moon’s wavelength instead”
-Refinery 29

“Chaos! Chaos! Chaos!,” sung by lead Ashuvud who identifies as queer, was released for Pride Month. The music video captures two queer women dancing alone together in the purple light, expressing themselves and their love unequivocally. Their music shows the same queering of pop, electronic, and experimental music. Ashuvud is not afraid to defy traditionalism, bringing a unique approach to timbre, melody, and rhythm throughout all of her pieces.

The unpredictable nature of Arthur Moon’s music alludes to a rejection of heteronormativity within music and a huge step towards the acceptance of queer music which is so very crucially important, particularly in a month honoring our LBGTQIA ancestors. Following the accolades from monumental influences in the music industry, including Billboard and NPR Music, it’s clear Arthur Moon is on the verge of blowing up. If you want to secure bragging rights of knowing their name and following their music before they’re the household name they’re bound to become, stream their new song asap!

June 25, 2021
Jazz Artist Senri Oe releases Music Video for Upcoming Album “Letter To N.Y.”

Pop star turned jazz artist Senri Oe has announced the release of his new official music video for “Out of Chaos.” The song is the first track out of his forthcoming seventh studio jazz album, Letter To N.Y.

As a pop Japanese superstar for two decades during the 80s and 90s, Senri Oe did a complete turnabout on his career after deciding to focus on what was important in his life. It was his first love: jazz. Senri left Japan and his legion of pop fans and headed to New York to study at the School of Jazz at The New School. He proceeded to launch his recording career with his debut album Boys Mature Slow via PND Records in 2012.

Letter to N.Y. is very impressionistic in its portrayal of New York music and culture through the lens of the pandemic but heard together, the songs reveal a unique narrative story. It’s about the brokenness and collapse of the old way of life, yet with the hope that as we move into the new normal, restoration and renewal are also possible. The former world is over, so now we have to open a new door and take everything to a brave new level moving forward.
Senri Oe on Letter to N.Y.

Composed and produced by Senri completely during quarantine, the 11-track album, Letter to N.Y., is a special homage expressing Senri’s sincere love for New York City. The album captures the eclectic array of the Big Apple’s musical energies.

Senri, who first started on classical piano, and whose influences are both bebop and Miles Davis’ electronic jazz fusion of the 70s and 80s, was inspired by the same electric keyboard and organ sounds on Letter to N.Y. It follows Senri’s 2020 album Hmmm, and a trio session with drummer Ari Hoenig and bassist Matt Clohesy which hit the Top 40 on JazzWeek and reached number 24 on the Roots Radio Jazz’ Top 50 chart.

Senri’s other albums include the full big band with Spooky Hotel (2013), Collective Scribble (2015), and Answer July (2016), which featured jazz vocal greats Sheila Jordan, Theo Bleckmann, Becca Stevens, and Lauren Kinhan of the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble New York Voices.

Oe’s love for New York is simply contagious. It is not only apparent in his latest album, but also in messages he has given to his fans. Through musical synergies of jazz melodies, riffs, and rhythms, Oe further expresses his passion for the New York music scene with others. Both his story and his songs are inspiring for those with similar ambitions and drive.

When you wake up in the morning, you can hear the voice of birds, and when you open the window, the sound of the wind is soothing. They all turn into music in this room where I live now.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was at a loss in a tremendously dark tunnel. But after I learned how to live day by day, mindfully, I started to find the birth of soul-shaking events which I have never experienced each day.
Music is at every corner of the street. Honesty, a sense of humor, and the no-pretense kindness fill everywhere.
I am in love with New York more than ever.
Senri Oe’s Letter To N.Y.

Senri Oe’s official music video for “Out of Chaos” is featured on Letter To N.Y. and releases via PND/Sony Masterworks on July 21. Watch “Out of Chaos” now below

June 24, 2021
Hasty Page Fortifies Its Musical Repetoire With Latest Single, “The Wire”

Alternative/indie rock super trio, Hasty Page, will release their latest single “The Wire” on Friday, June 25. The song is the Hasty Page’s first single of 2021 and fans’ first glimpse into the band’s upcoming EP. With a fresh song to fuel the summer, the trio continues to add to their arsenal of punchy, creative, and inspirational music releases.

Formed in 2015 in Glens Falls, NY, Hasty Page has previously released one EP and two albums. Alt alternative/indie rock trip has built up a solid standing among popular groups with similar genres. They have opened for bands such as Smash Mouth, Colony House, Moriah Formica, and Madison Vandenburg. Hasty Page’s audience is no small feat as well, performing shows for upwards of 40,000 people at Schenectady Summer night, 20,000 at the Albany Tulip Festival, and 10,000 at the Times Union Center.

The boys of Hasty Page – Josh Morris, Zane Agnew, and James Paolano –spent the past year recording the five tracks for their upcoming EP. The EP was recorded at Left Hand Studios in upstate New York, produced by Hasty Page themselves, and finally mixed and mastered by Scoops Dardaris (Prince Daddy, The Clay People, Girl Blue). Notably, Hasty Page has not only spent the past year recording new music, but they have also recently signed a sync licensing deal with Spirit Production Music.

“The Wire” is a fan favorite and highly anticipated, while the rest of the EP are new songs written over the past few years. The song’s instrumental track seamlessly fuses gritty yet clean guitar tracks and melodies, polished by bright, eclectic riffs and modulation. The vocals are warm yet powerful, espousing heartfelt momentum in a lyrical journey on the verge of bursting with pure emotion. Hasty Page has delivered a song to remember.

The music video for “The Wire” will drops one week after the single’s release on June 25, followed by the release of the full EP late summer of 2021. Until then, stream some of Hasty Page‘s earlier album releases on Spotify, YouTube, and below.

June 24, 2021
Kentö Embraces Himself in his New Single “Silhoutte”

Kentö, NY-based multilingual singer, songwriter and producer, has released his new single “Silhouette.” Kentö has been creating his own music for the past 8 years, developing songs that tell stories about his own life experiences.

Born in Northern Maine to a half Japanese/half French Dad and a Brazilian/French Canadian Mom, Kentö’s upbringing and travel have shaped him into the artist he is today. While living between Maine, Brazil and Canada, Kentö predominantly spent his childhood and teenage years in Japan, where he learned about music from all over the world at a young age.

After working on a punk/pop project for four years in Japan, Kentö realized he wanted to branch out and discover a more timeless sound that felt more authentic to him, rather than what managers and labels decided on his behalf. In 2012 Kentö decided to take a chance, move to LA, call his own shots and start diving into a more diverse range of music. While doing so, he met artist/producer Frankmusik, and recorded/released his debut EP Complicated. From there Kentö was born, and his electro-edged pop music started grabbing the attention of media.

I am LGBTQI+ and I’m on the autism spectrum, and I think these are all my superpowers. I think pop music tends to have trends that all sound like one thing, and then someone comes along and shakes things up with a timeless sound. That’s the kind of music I want to make. I have overcome a lot in my life, my parents passed when I was young, I’ve battled Cancer, and navigating the world not only as an LGBTQI+ person, but also one on the spectrum has really given me a lot of perspective on the world, life, and music. The amount of joy I feel being able to even be writing this right now that I have is immense. I’m so proud of myself, and I want to just share my music and positivity to the world.
-Kentö

In 2019 Kentö was selected to join Them [Condé Nast], as one of the first of 30 LGBTQI+ ambassadors for the launch of their new publication and initiative. Being a strong voice for others to receive inspiration from has always been a shining light throughout any project he takes on.

June 22, 2021
The Lesson GK Share New Flow Heavy Single Ft. DJ Premier

The Lesson GK shared the upbeat new single “Boogie” featuring DJ Premier. The first glimpse of what is bound to be the underground hit of the summer.

The Lesson GK, a diverse multi-instrumental collective residing in New York City featuring Lenny “The Ox” Reece, J. Hoard, and more, have announced their long awaited debut full-length album Another World, to be released on June 25 via Jammcard Records. This will be the inaugural official release from Jammcard Records, a brand new arm of Jammcard, the Music Professionals Network.

DJ Premier, producer and half of the duo Gang Starr, said of the collaboration, “I love their whole movement! You can tell that the soul is in every player and musician that plays along with them. And J.Hoard, just his singing, his style, his flambioency, everything is just fully packaged and it’s a must see if you’ve never seen or heard them.”

As for Another World, fans have been asking for an album to take home for ages, but the band didn’t want to rush it. Now, the time finally felt right to take production from the stage to the studio, in a way that was most authentic for the group.

“Usually people write a song, compose it, record, then figure out how to get it live but we do it live first,” explained Lenny of their process. “We tricked ourselves into making an album. We all care so much about what happens – we’re all best friends – this is our passion project. Sometimes caring so much can be a hindrance, so we started with making a beat tape to set low stakes, but we tricked ourselves into making a tape that came ultimately together into an album.”

The care, the heart, the community can be fully heard on The Lesson GK’s new music. It’s the perfect sound for summer and an anthem for modern times.

Listen to “Boogie” (Ft. Dj Premier) and follow The Lesson Gk on Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4enaE0l5O4

June 18, 2021
Air Bertr& takes an Ambient Journey with latest single “City Walk”

Air Bertr&, the new project from Let’s be Leonard‘s Karl Bertrand, has an ambient first single with “City Walk,” clocking in at a meditative 25 minutes and 48 seconds. Karl uses various instrumentation on the track, and was joined by fellow LBL bandmate Connor Dunn, playing saxophone on “City Walk.”

Hailing from Saratoga Springs, Bertrand began getting into ambient music in 2018, finding the music eased his mind as he wrestled with insomnia and anxiety. He cites favorite ambient artists as Chihei Hatakeyama, Midori Takada, Brian Eno, Harold Budd, and Laraaji.

In the past couple years, Karl has hosted a radio show ‘Fly Air Bertr&’ on 91.1FM Skidmore College, where he mixes ambient music from various artists with ASMR recordings and lecturers from a variety of different philosophical and spiritual backgrounds.

Fly Air Bertr& radio show on WSPN 91.1 Skidmore College Radio

Released on May 28, “City Walk” is the result of years of writing and recording, plus time in 2020 to focus on this project while awaiting the return of live music.

My connection with ambient music has often felt very spiritual to me. That might come out the most on the radio program.
Karl Bertrand

Bertr& has performed at local events, including at yoga studios where he live DJs the class. He has also composed a piece for a local ballet studio, an interesting way for the music to come alive in a live setting, especially in comparison to the live rock performances.

Karl Bertrand performing live at a yoga class.

“City Walk” was first recorded on a handheld cassette recorder as Bertrand took a walk from Manhattan’s Upper East Side to Midtown. He later recorded an improvisation on electric piano to the field recording and finished the piece by inviting Connor Dunn to improvise over everything on his saxophone.

I definitely felt inspired by the big city energy and the thoughts of all of the old session players and jazz cats that had walked those same streets. I think Connor’s playing really captured that feeling. He did it all in one take after barely hearing the backing track. When he was finished he said “I’m done.” That was that. It’s just how I imagined the old-city jazz cats would have done it.
I’ve always loved walking alone in the city with headphones in. It’s one of my favorite things about traveling. I think the energy of the whole track feels just perfect for how I feel when I’m doing that activity. There’s so much life there but it’s also just so serene at the same time.

Bertrand shares one experience from the field recordings in New York City:

One of the coolest parts of making music is the unexpected moments. One of those moments is buried in the end of the field recording on this track. I’m almost finished walking through the park and getting closer to midtown. The environment grows more dense with commotion and voices of New Yorkers and tourists. One guy walks past and says “Which way’s up?” as I pass him (referring to which way is uptown I’d assume.) Maybe ten seconds later a little kid playfully exclaims “It’s this way!” It seems like a little miracle of sorts to record such an unexpected li’l moment like that.

Listen to “City Walk” on Spotify or Bandcamp and follow Karl Bertrand on Instagram and Facebook.

June 16, 2021
Bad Business Club Releases “Flip Me Over” off Upcoming Album

Bad Business Club is prepping for a groovy Summer by releasing a new single, “Flip Me Over.” It’s the first single from their upcoming album, Naked Neighbor, out August 13, 2021. The Brooklyn collective’s daytime disco stomper marks the beginning of a new pulsating direction for the band.

Single Artwork by Blake Wilton

“Flip Me Over” aims to be a theme song for moments like those. Written in Puerto Rico during a week-long writing session shortly before COVID-19, the band gathered to write disco music inspired by the smooth daytime dance sounds of poolside and leisure.

Listen Here on Youtube

With their instruments in hand, they talked about their ups, downs, successes, and mistakes all while living in New York City. What came out of the week-long writing escape turned out to be a lot more than a set of smooth grooves.

Away from the band’s home base in Brooklyn, Bad Business Club started collaborating on the theme of leaving old baggage behind. “Flip Me Over” revels in nighttime excitement and morning confusion, but ending with a sense of no regrets, and pride in our experiences – all wrapped around a dreamy synth to intensify the almost beach-like psychedelic vibe.

Produced by Morgan Wiley of Midnight Magic, with remixes to follow by Woofly and Tsutro, this daytime disco stomper marks the beginning of a new direction for Bad Business Club.

The band is set to debut a full year’s worth work in this summer’s Naked Neighbor album, due out in August.

Bad Business Club is a Nu-Disco collective with some old-school Yacht Rock touches, producing a “style that will take some back to the late 70’s, with harmonies larger than life.”

The group is primarily influenced by classic Giorgio Moroder-style Disco, and Modern Daytime disco al la Poolside and Holy Ghost!, while combining the harmonic influences of Yacht Rock. Their smooth sound transports listeners to another place, to summer breezes and early morning champagne.

Listen to their Spotify playlist here

They’ve been also known to collaborate with electronic artists such as Midnight Magic, Woolfy, and James Curd to help get the dance floor by the pool. They are also the hosts of the Imbibe the Vibe podcast, where they combine classic cocktails with a different music genre every month.

June 11, 2021
Pop Artist Lexi Mariah Announces Her First Single of 2021, “Playlist”

NYC-based pop artist Lexi Mariah is returning to the musical spotlight with her first release of 2021 titled “Playlist.” Her previous singles “Waterfall” and “SOURPATCH” received high praise and now the singer makes her mark on summer with her latest single.

The exhilarating yet emotional track debuted on listening platforms on June 11, following a week of anticipation since the young talent announced it on social media. “Playlist” is written by Lexi Mariah herself, along with co-writers and producers Josh Frank, Joe Frank, and Ricky Frank. In an interview with NYS Music, Mariah opened up about the inspiration behind her music and what it represents: positivity for her fans. Clearly, the singer has carried that sentiment into this year.

The new song is the addition that your favorite playlist needs. It will have you on your feet and dancing throughout summer 2021. The track embodies the perfect mix of both lighthearted and emotional lyrics. A melodious guitar line and resonant synth complement Mariah’s ethereal vocals. Additionally, a lively, electronic vibe within the chorus transforms the sound.

I have some playlists that I’ve made over the years that are now hard for me to listen to because the songs give me such vivid flashbacks of times I shared with people who are no longer in my life. On days where I’m able to bring myself to listen to them, all of the memories, good and bad, come rushing back. I always wonder if those songs make the other person think of me, too. When writing “Playlist”, I wanted it to be a track that my listeners could dance to, but also one that would tug on their heartstrings a bit, since it’s a concept that I feel so many people will be able to relate to.
Lexi Mariah on “Playlist”

Mariah’s new release follows her previous single, “Waterfall,” which dropped at the end of 2020. With “Playlist,” she seamlessly unites her traditionally heartfelt lyrics with a bright and lively supporting track. The singer-songwriter has, unsurprisingly, unearthed yet another layer of her music and sound.

Stay updated on Lexi Mariah’s upcoming projects with us here, and on her Instagram and Twitter. Check out “Playlist” along with Mariah’s previous single “Waterfall” and more on her Spotify and Youtube now.

June 8, 2021
Superbloom Serve Brooklyn Grunge With Live EP & Album

Brooklyn’s alternative rock band Superbloom has dropped Live at Studio G, a 3 song live EP made up of tracks off their upcoming studio LP ‘Pollen’ out June 1st. The EP includes the live version of a new single, in fact, the title track, off the upcoming LP Pollen.

Superbloom: Live at Studio G was recorded at Studio G in Brooklyn, engineered by Jack Counce, and mixed & mastered by Brian DiMeglio. The EP contains three songs off the new album Pollen including the title track itself, “Mary on a Chain,” and “Whatever.”

Superbloom’s recent singles “Muzzle,” “Whatever” and “Mary on a Chain,” needed a good follow-up considering those landed on Spotify’s All New Rock, Alternative Noise playlists and more. They definitely lived up to the hype with both Pollen the single and the album.

Recording at Studio G was a dream. We’re huge fans of live studio recordings like Audiotree, KEXP and Live at Studio 4 and we sort of threw ourselves at the idea with our own resources. The studio itself is unreal and Jack is a longtime friend of the band. We spent the day hanging out, messing with tones, playing through the songs and eating pizza. Can’t imagine a better day for a band.

Their debut album, Pollen is a 12-track love-letter to heavy alternative music. A mixture of old and new make up every song, if you’re looking for something fresh that somehow still sparks nostalgia Pollen has got it. Perfect for road trips or hangs by the water.

With all the vibes of Seattle moved to the east coast this Brooklyn based band brought grunge into 2021 in a great way. If you have any sort of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, or Pearl Jam shaped hole in your heart Superbloom is the sound to fix that. Most of the album is face paced but if you want to slow it down Muzzle or Twig are the songs for you.

The album was mastered by Will Yip (whose credits include projects with The Menzingers, Turnstile, Quicksand, Mannequin Pussy, Code Orange), mixed by Joe Reinhart (Beach Bunny, Remo Drive, Joyce Manor, Hop Along), artwork by Patrick Turk Collage Art, and produced by Superbloom.

While the album’s feedback-laced instrumentation is hard-hitting at every turn, the band’s sonic signature is embedded in the vocal performance that fills each track with complex layering, earworm melodies and lush harmonies that deliver discoveries of nuanced detail with each listen. The sounds span from infectiously bouncy hard rock, instantly nostalgic acoustic songs, sing-along choruses, and undeniable hooks.

Pollen released on all streaming services on June 1, and is available for digital and pre-orders for the 180 gram blue with white marble vinyl, on June 14.

Stream Superbloom Live at Studio G here. Digital Pre-order of Pollen available now on Bandcamp, Vinyl Pre-Order here, and for UK and EU orders, visit Thirty Something Records. Stream “Pollen” on Consequence, Spotify, and Apple Music.

June 3, 2021