NYS Music 202​1

Category: Pop

  • The Forms Release “Southern Ocean” – First Single After Ten Year Hiatus

    Queens-based band The Forms released their first new new song “Southern Ocean” on June 21. This single marks The Forms’ return to music after a ten year hiatus.

    The Forms

    The New York duo, made up of musicians Alex Tween and Matt Walsh, have two full-length albums to date, debuting Icarus in 2003 and critically acclaimed, self-titled, The Forms in 2007. 

    The last taste of new music from the group prior to ‘Southern Ocean’ was 2011 EP Derealization, that featured The National’s Matt Berninger and Shudder To Think’s Craig Wedren. Over the course of these releases, The Forms were invited to share the stage with a large collection of artists including St. Vincent, Nick Cave, The National, Dizzee Rascal, The Hold Steady, Kurt Vile, Jose Gonzales, Deerhunter and Bat For Lashes.

    It might have taken a decade for The Forms, but “Southern Ocean” is worth the wait. The song provides a first hint of what is to come from The Forms’ upcoming third album.

    The Forms Southern Ocean

    The Forms’ style is a great representation of early 2000’s alternative, reminiscent of bands like Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire. This idea is most prevalent in their cover of Billy Joel‘s “We Didn’t Start The Fire.” The grungy electronic pop is iconic for the decade, and their current sound seems to be a more “grown up” version of the same intensity.

    “Southern Ocean” is super upbeat and beachy, a similar vibe that electronic duo The Chainsmokers have. Fun-loving, yet reflective with lyrics like “Just another phase I’m in – Just another road I’m on – Doesn’t make a difference what I do.” This single definitely has potential to be on a pop-radio summer playlist.

    The single arrives with a visualizer made up of a series of stunning shots of the Southern Ocean, the waters that inspired the name of the new track. Previously considered a part of the Pacific Ocean, the swift current off the coast of Antarctica is now being considered “too distinct” by National Geographic cartographers and is worthy of its own name.

    “Southern Ocean” is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer and will be pressed on vinyl. 

  • Rising Star Ella Isaacson Keeps It Honest

    Born and raised in the New York City area, rising singer songwriter Ella Isaacson has been making waves with each new release.

    Photo accessed from Bong Mines Entertainment

    Isaacson was raised in the arts. As she started writing songs and discovering her passion for music around age 13, Isaacson made sure to infuse personal experiences and raw emotion into her lyrics. Isaacson does not shy away from addressing body image, mental health and other aspects of her inner monologue, making her music uniquely intimate.

    I’ve always been an over-thinker, it’s my curse and my blessing. I’m not sure if there’s a moment where my brain really rests, sometimes words and concepts just come to me as I go about my day. If one strikes a chord with what I’m currently going through in my life then the stream of consciousness starts to flow.

    Ella Isaacson

    Once Isaacson’s career began taking off, managers and industry figures tried getting her to change her image and appeal to the pop landscape. Isaacson instead took a trip to Sweden where she began centering her authentic self. She has continued to release songs with a personal flair and does not fit into a strict genre box.

    “Expectations”, one of Isaacson’s latest releases in collaboration with Gallant, saw viral success and has been featured in popular TikToks as well as Spotify and Apple editorial playlists like New Music Fridays, Young Wild & Free, Pop Edge, Pop Right Now, Mood Booster, and Fresh & Chill.

    Isaacson’s latest single “Maybelline” explores a love story with truthful transparency. In her own words, her artistic process generally focuses on showcasing relatability and emotional confidence.

    I can easily say falling in love for real for the first time, changed everything about my writing. It made me look at myself in a whole new way. I always need my music to say or question something real now. We all want to make the right choices, have the right job, the fairytale love, skyscraper high confidence, the right amount of success but reality exists in the grey and the nuance and I guess that’s something I hope people take away when they hear my music. That we all feel a little lost, a little behind, a little too rough around the edges when you get close.

    Ella Isaacson

    Isaacson now lives in Los Angeles but continues to take inspiration from her free spirited New York upbringing. You can learn more about her on her website and connect on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Her music is available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

  • Pip Reimagines Sinatra with Gen Z Flare

    Westchester bred singer songwriter Thomas Pipolo (Pip) has collaborated with Dr. Dre’s production partner Sam Sneed on his newest single, “Sinatra Swag”.

    Sinatra Swag

    With this release, Pip and Sneed set out to reimagine the sound of Frank Sinatra for a Gen Z audience. The summery single features trap beats while also showcasing old school influences.

    “Sinatra Swag” was inspired by the desire to feel and explore a little bit of that old school magic, persona and sound that I feel has been missing in our culture. This song infuses an old classic sound with a modern pop feel — plus it was pretty easy to write about Frank Sinatra as an Italian American musician who is from the shadows of New York City like myself.

    Pip

    Before he officially became Pip, 25 year old Pipolo played Division I baseball in college. He left the sport following injuries and mental health struggles and began playing guitar and piano at age 18 to relax and unwind.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbM9_yGnMoo

    “Sinatra Swag” is not Pip’s first single. Along with his other tracks “2:22”, “Human Interaction” and “Dancin’ in the Rain”, Pip often shares his music on TikTok. Along with playing samples or acoustic versions of his own songs to his nearly 80,000 followers, Pip posts TikToks covering some of his favorite artists. He recently covered “Peaches” by Justin Bieber (someone he cites as a musical influence), “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys and “Daughters” by John Mayer.

    Pip, photo accessed through @pipmusic_ Instagram

    In creating his original music, including “Sinatra Swag”, Pip wants to blend diverse genre influences with authentic lyrics. Adorned in his signature baseball cap and sometimes simply strumming his acoustic guitar, Pip aims to create a timeless sound enjoyable for all generations.

    “Sinatra Swag” is available to stream now. Connect with Pip on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube!

    While sipping on Loverboy in The Hamptons, Pip instantly thought the name would be a great title for a summer song.

    Being a songwriter, I am always looking for unique titles and ideas to write about. The song captures the vibe of what it’s like to be outside by the pool, sipping on something cool and celebrating life with your friends in The Hamptons.

    Pip

    Pip perfectly captures the essence of The Hamptons magic with his flirty lyrics, smooth beats, Gatsby references and can-pop sounds. “This song will make you want to pop open a cool drink on a hot day and celebrate summer.” ‘Loverboy’ is penned by Pip and the GOOOD MOOOD collective, including 2AM, Gramz, Jake Eckhaus, Ali Soomro & EMME.

  • 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.

    Aubrey Haddard

    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.

    Aubrey Haddard

    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.

  • 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. 

    arthur moon

    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! 

  • Happy Birthday, Carly Simon!

    Prolific singer-songwriter Carly Simon celebrates a very happy 76th birthday today, June 25. The quintessential 70s songwriter now lives in Martha’s Vineyard, but has many ties to the state of New York throughout her career.

    happy birthday carly simon

    Born in the Bronx in 1943, Simon was raised surrounded by music. Her father, Richard, was the founder of publishing company Simon & Schuster and an avid classical pianist. Her mother, Andrea, was a singer and civil rights activist.

    Music and arts talent definitely runs through the Simon family. Carly Simon has two sisters and a brother. Both sisters, Joanna and Lucy, spent time in the music industry. Joanna had a brief stint as an opera singer in the New York City Opera, while Lucy had her own folk-rock career and became a Tony Award-winning Broadway score writer. Her brother, Peter, is a photojournalist.

    Simon entered the music scene in the mid-1960s as a duo act with her older sister Lucy Simon. The pair released three albums, including popular songs “It Rains in My Heart” and “Wynkin’, Blynkin’, and Nod,” and toured until Lucy took a break from the music scene in 1967.

    “Older Sister,” a song released in her 1974 album Hotcakes, is about Lucy and their sibling relationship.

    happy birthday carly simon
    The Simon Sisters Credit: Peter Simon

    Simon’s self-titled debut album was shared in 1971 and found immediate success. From Carly Simon, she won her first Grammy Award for “Best New Artist” and a Top-10 Single from the song “That’s the Way I Always Heard it Should Be.”

    Even Art Garfunkel and George Harrison showed up so support Carly Simon!

    Simon married folk-rocker James Taylor in 1972, shortly after her solo career began. The pair moved into a New York City apartment on the Upper West Side and had two children.

    Taylor and Simon often performed duets during their marriage and released multiple tracks together. “Devoted to You” and “Mockingbird” were two popular duets of theirs on Simon’s albums Boys in the Trees and Hotcakes, respectively. The pair got divorced in 1981.

    Carly and James singing “You Can Close Your Eyes”

    Simon reached peak success in 1973 with her breakthrough album No Secrets. Standout single “You’re so Vain” is on this release, which propelled Simon into the #1 spot on American, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand charts. “You’re so Vain” is #92 on Billboard’s “Greatest Songs of All Time” and even includes lyrics connected to her New York roots, mentioning upstate staple Saratoga Race Course.

    Well I hear you went up to Saratoga… And your horse naturally won

    “You’re so Vain” – Carly Simon
    “No Secrets” Album Advertisement

    With all of its popularity, “You’re so Vain” had peak media interest. The public buzzed with rumors about who the exposé-like song was about. Simon revealed one inspiration for the hit was actor and notorious womanizer Warren Beatty, but won’t tell who the others are. To Simon, her songs are all too true to life to share all the details – so much for No Secrets!

    I wanted to be discreet to a certain level…I ended up not being terribly discreet.

    Carly Simon on USA Today

    Besides being a 70’s pop-folk icon, Simon is responsible for many television and film scores, including 2003’s Piglet’s Big Movie, 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, as well as Working Girl in 1988, which she won a Grammy, Golden Globe, and an Oscar Award for.

    Singer-songwriter Carly Simon photographed in June 1971. Credit: Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

    Simon’s voice has matured beautifully over the decades, always having a soulful and deep register, but now holding a jazzy, raspier tone. Her most recent album, 2015’s Songs from the Trees, is a “musical memoir” of sorts. The album shares remasters of fifteen songs, including “You’re so Vain,” “Boys in the Trees” and “Mockingbird.”

    More recently, Simon shared on Billboard Magazine that she is preparing to release a remastered version of her iconic 1995 concert at Grand Central Station. She also had a digital performance at the Rock ‘n’ Relief Concert, supporting Coronavirus pandemic recovery this past March.

    Happy birthday and here’s to another fruitful year of music, Carly Simon! “Nobody Does It Better” than you.

  • Billy Joel to play Highmark Stadium this August

    Billy Joel will head to Western New York in August for a performance at the home of the Buffalo Bills, Highmark Stadium. The Piano Man’s show has been rescheduled for August 14, 2021 after being canceled last year due to COVID-19.

    Highmark Stadium will be open at full capacity thanks to the state reaching 70% partial vaccination threshold in mid-June. Any unvaccinated fans will be required to wear masks. These follow the same masking policies as there are for Bills games.

    All original ticket purchases will be honored. For those looking to see Billy Joel at Highmark Stadium, tickets are on sale at 10am Friday morning.

  • 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.

    Kentö

    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. 

     

  • Happy Birthday, Cyndi Lauper!

    Today, talented singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT+ activist, and pioneer in music Cynthia (Cyndi) Ann Stephanie Lauper celebrates her 69th birthday. From her residence in New York’s Upper West Side to childhood in Ozone Park, Cyndi Lauper is a true New Yorker through and through.

    Cyndi lauper birthday

    The perpetually campy orange haired princess of pop like her image in “Girls Just Want to Have Fun“, Lauper is underrated as a master across genres. With one of the greatest rock voices of her generation, she described her struggle even to emerge as the pop artist she was labeled as.

    Cyndi lauper birthday
    Cyndi Lauper in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun/ credit: MEDIAPUNCH

    Despite misogynistic barriers that initially barred her from entry into the industry, Lauper’s album She’s So Unusual was the first debut album by a female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the Billboard Top 100s, earning her a Best New Artist Grammy award in 1985. 

    Iconoclast who revolutionized the role of women in rock and roll

    Songwriters Hall of Fame

    Lauper’s discography spans across genres, movie soundtracks like The Goonies, and even Broadway numbers like Kinky Boots, earning her Grammys, Emmys, Tonys, MTV Video Music Awards, Billboard Awards, and American Music Awards. She’s one of the few singers to have earned 3 out of the 4 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

    Throughout her entire career, Lauper has consistently taken on serious topics including racism, homophobia, spousal abuse and AIDS. Her sincere advocacy for gay and transgender rights even earned her an invitation as a special guest to attend President Barack Obama’s second-term inauguration. As the co-founder of True Colorshttp://Nysmusic.com/tag/LGBTQ United, Lauper sought to eliminate youth homelessness among LGBTQ+ young people and even uses her iconic song True Colors to raise awareness for issues among the gay community. A true humanitarian, she was even presented the High Note Global Prize in 2019 by United Nations Human Rights. 

    As we all wish Cyndi Lauper a happy birthday, let us not forget all her contributions to the music industry and human rights alike!

  • Happy Birthday, Lana Del Rey!

    Today, June 21, marks the 37th birthday of Grammy-nominated singer Lana Del Rey.

    While she may often sing about the beaches of California and of stories inspired by Old Hollywood, Del Rey has many connections to the Empire State.

    lana del rey birthday
    Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images

    Born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant in Manhattan in 1985, Del Rey moved to Lake Placid at an early age where she remained until high school. After her graduation from boarding school in Connecticut, a young Lizzy Grant lived on Long Island for a year where she waitressed and began writing music after her uncle taught her basic guitar chords.

    Before the official birth of Lana Del Rey, Grant enrolled at Fordham University in the Bronx, graduating in 2008. During her college years, Grant recorded several EPs under the various aliases of May Jailer, Sparkle Jump Rope Queen and Lizzy Grant and the Phenomena and played small club shows around Brooklyn.

    In advance of her first full album, Grant settled on the stage name of Lana Del Rey. “Lana” came from film starlet Lana Turner while “Del Rey” drew inspiration from a vintage Ford sedan and her general fondness of the Spanish language (translating to “of the king”).

    “Lana Del Rey reminded us of the glamour of the seaside. It sounded gorgeous coming off the tip of the tongue.”

    Lana Del Rey

    Born To Die was released in 2012 and shot Del Rey to national stardom. She subsequently released the Paradise EP which featured even more Americana-driven tracks and songwriting discussing glamour, drugs, life on the road, fame and relationships. Her voice can travel from breathy falsetto to deep and rich, all in one verse.

    Next came Ultraviolence (2014), a darker, edgier and more rock-driven featuring psychedelic flares and collaboration with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Del Rey’s fourth studio album, Honeymoon (2015), reverted back to the orchestral, baroque pop sound of Born To Die and Paradise with a more polished finesse.

    Del Rey’s most recent projects, Lust For Life (2017), Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019) and Chemtrails Over The Country Club (2021), cement her status as one of the strongest modern songwriters. Now a resident of California, the ’60s and ’70s Laurel Canyon folk-rock influences are obvious in Del Rey’s music, which often feels incredibly nostalgic.

    lana del rey birthday
    Lust For Life featured collaborations with The Weeknd (above), A$AP Rocky and more. Photo accessed from factmag.com

    Norman Fucking Rockwell! arguably stands out as Del Rey’s magnum opus. The album received multiple Grammy nominations, including one for Album of the Year, and featured her most seamless collaboration yet with acclaimed pop producer Jack Antonoff.

    Del Rey plans to release her newest album, Blue Banisters, on July 4. While she may now be on the “West Coast,” we will never forget her New York roots. Happy birthday, Lana Del Rey!