New York city-based punk band, Baby Got Back Talk, has released a single and music video, “Season Premiere,” off of their upcoming full-album, Existential Shred, out on Sept. 9.
Photo: Kate Hoos
The band’s previously released single, “Model Minority,” debuted back in June, and paid homage to the My Chemical Romance hit “I’m Not Okay (I Promise).” Baby Got Back Talk consists of four members: vocalist/bassist G’Ra Asim, synth op/vocalist Rhiana Hernandez, lead guitarist/vocalist Jake Lazaroff, and drummer Wes Ruiz and has been bringing listeners great music since 2017.
Vocalist and bassist G’Ra Asim began working on the new single, “Season Premiere,” during his office hours as an English professor. Some of the lyrics, “I was searching for a guide/in the pages of poets/But I’m still not bonafide/as a sage or a stoic” describe the idea that we must accept we cannot always find the answers. One must feel free to pursue them on their own.
I’d spent so much time studying literature in the hopes that the bards of old held the wisdom I could use to orient my own journey. Students were looking to me to share that wisdom, yet I was keenly aware that I had so much left to figure out myself. The eureka moment we sometimes think we’re pursuing doesn’t necessarily deliver. The closest you can actually get is accepting that there’s no grand design to uncover, which means you’re free to make your own. ‘Season Premiere’ is the sound of four weary but still wide-eyed weirdos doing exactly that, and inviting the listener to do so in their own right.
– Vocalist and bassist G’Ra Asim
“Season Premiere” highlights Baby Got Back Talk’s pop-punk sound, similar to the rhythms and electric guitars of the early 2000s. In the music video, catch the band jamming out with a full set of drums, electric guitar, and more, in addition to them exploring the streets and landmarks of the city. Fans of the band can keep up with them across all platforms with the username @babygotbacktalk.
Buffalo-based recording artist Mindy Davey released her newest pop and hip-hop single, “Destiny,” earlier this summer which grew out of her story of addiction and eventual recovery. The artist and full-time mom hopes her music inspires people to find purpose and brings about more awareness.
Davey began playing music before the age of 10. Her love of the craft helped her through some of the toughest times, including her four-year battle with opiates and arrest for possession in 2012. The singer-songwriter found out she was pregnant with her daughter while in rehabilitation. This experience pushed her forward, led her back to music, and she now dedicates her time to helping others. In a few short months, Davey will celebrate 10 years of sobriety.
Mindy Davey and her daughter, who saved her life. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey
Davey began writing the energizing and inspirational track “Destiny” with producer and vocal coach Mama Jan. The duo worked on the piece with weekly video calls until the track was ready to be recorded and finalized in Atlanta, Georgia, at Jan Smith Studios. Jesse Owen Astin also contributed to production on the track.
Davey in 2012 after her arrest. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey
Davey graciously took the time to answer some questions about her music and her story, via email. Here are some of her thoughts.
Abigail Baughan: What advice do you give to those maybe going through tough times or struggling with addiction?
Mindy Davey: Honestly, the biggest thing for me was getting rid of anyone or anything that triggered me to use or brought me down in any way. When we’re going through tough times the last thing we want is toxic people or an environment to make things even worse. So finding that positive outlet, surrounding yourself with good people, and a good environment that will inspire, keep you grounded and bring you up is key to happiness and change within your life.
AB: How has music contributed to your healing process and the way you view the world?
MD: It was everything to my healing process. If I had any urge to use at all I’d pick my guitar up and write about it. I’d just sing and use music to really take away those urges. So music is truly everything to me and I firmly believe music can heal the world.
AB: What do you hope audiences take away from listening to the track?
MD: I really hope people feel happy and inspired in some way. I wrote it about everything that’s happened along the way from my addiction, recovery, my daughter, and just who I am as a person. I hope when people listen to it, it helps them find their own destiny and understand their own path and journey to what they’re meant to be.
Davey in the recording studio. Photo Courtesy of Mindy Davey
To listen to more of Mindy Davey’s music, and keep up with her story, follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She is currently working on her upcoming album, Destiny, out later this year, and planning a show at Lost Music Studios in Jamestown for September 17. Audiences can expect a performance of new music, covers, and celebration.
NYC-based pop artist Lexi Mariah returns with her upcoming single, “Queen of Broken Hearts,” coming to streaming services on August 3. Her energetic sound and carefully crafted storytelling combine into a catchy track worthy of high praise.
Produced by Kenny Cash and written by Mariah, “Queen of Broken Hearts” explores the ups and downs of relationships – how the people one trusts are not always who they seem. The track opens with an enticing guitar riff and vocal harmonies that pull you in and keep you hooked.
Influenced by artists such as Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift, Mariah explores her pop sound with engaging hooks and an upbeat and captivating chorus. The lyrics tell a story of a manipulative relationship, adding great depth to the underlying rhythm.
Lately I just feel like relationships and even friendships are a gamble and you truly never know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Sometimes people in your life will ‘play fair’ and sometimes they won’t. They might try to avoid showing their true colors at first, but the truth eventually will always come through.
– Lexi Mariah on “Queen of Broken Hearts”
Over the course of the nearly three-minute track, Mariah builds her message with engaging drums, sassy and ethereal vocals, and the perfect mix of the pop and indie genres. If you are looking for a song to blast in the car with the windows down this summer, “Queen of Broken Hearts” is the perfect addition to your next mix.
To anticipate the release of “Queen of Broken Hearts,” check out Mariah’s recent releases and take a look at her music video for her 2021 track, “Demons,” below. Fans of Mariah’s music can also find her on Instagram.
The Hudson Valley based band, monarch. release their EP, Sweet Little Things, on June 17, a stunning debut with five tracks sure to get you dancing. The project comes after the release of the single “Faces In Crowded Places,” in November 2021.
Comprised of Sarah Hartstein (vocals), Johnny Lu (drums), Nick Pappalardo (guitar), and Jesse Hartstein (bass), the band pulls inspiration from multiple genres and influential artists, like Fiona Apple and Amy Winehouse. The group began Sweet Little Things in the summer of 2021 and is currently touring throughout New York.
monarch. originally formed in 2017 and consisted of just Sarah Hartstein and Lu. As the duo started writing this most recent project, they knew they needed more, and the band’s debut EP represents that full evolution.
The EP is sonically cohesive without being repetitive, as monarch. explores a range of tempos, instruments, and melodies. Themes of love, passion, growing up, and letting go of hardships make up the EP, the lyrics honest and relatable for any listener.
With a strong start on vocals from Sarah Hartstein on “Morning Coffee,” the opening track on the EP grabs your attention and then keeps it with catchy lyrics and upbeat instrumentation. The introspective lyrics over a bubbly tune make it easy to get swept away in the music.
The title track slows things down, at first. Soulful, the track drives the group to explore their blues roots and encompasses the overall theme for the project. Guitarist Pappalardo shines with an engaging solo over an energetic drum track.
Overall, the EP showcases the immense growth of the band, expanding on their talents and experimentation in their first single, “Faces In Crowded Places.” Energy and spirit intertwine throughout the EP, making it a joy to listen to.
The last of the five tracks, “Naive,” reminds audiences we can easily get lost in harmful relationships. Heart-wrenching lyrics from Hartstein pull you in, and intense instrumentation builds up for a passionate ending to the debut EP.
monarch. shines on this project, and certainly warrants one dancing around screaming the lyrics on repeat. The band has shows across NY in the promotion of their newest project, with dates well into the summer.
Key Tracks: Morning Coffee, Sweet Little Things, Naive
Brooklyn-based artist mxmtoon performed two back-to-back shows at Webster Hall on June 7 and 8. A self-proclaimed “emo girl with a ukelele”, the 21-year-old expertly conducted a show that swung between positivity and embracing being sad.
A crowd full of teenagers loudly sang along to the pre-show playlist, which was filled with Pheobe Bridgers and Mitski tracks. As the lights died down, the crowd erupted in cheers. The artist (who also goes by Maia), sauntered onto the stage with a giant grin.
“You guys are LOUD…I could hear you singing along backstage” she exclaimed with a giggle.
As the audience laughed, the opening chords of “falling for u” rung out and the show began. Though Maia is a young artist, she commands the stage with authority. She fully lost herself in dance during several moments of the set, most notably during her third song “sad disco”.
The artist tactfully interspersed short stories as a way to prime the audience for shifts in energy. mxmtoon took the time to connect with her audience whilst explaining the meanings behind her songs, which ranged from experiencing depression to wanting to write a song featuring her mother and father.
A moment that particularly stood out was when the artist spotted a pride flag in the audience. Calling attention to the flag, Maia told the audience how she came to realize that she was bi. As she wrapped up her coming-out story, she fervently encouraged the crowd to embrace their authentic selves. The crowd instantly began cheering and jumping with happiness as the artist wished them a happy pride month, which was one of the many touching moments throughout her set.
mxmtoon released her new album, rising, on May 20. The album has several standout singles, such as “Mona Lisa“. rising has received praise from major outlets such as Alternative Press, Billboard, and Uproxx.
R&B singer and producer, ASTN performed his first NY headline show at Baby’s All Right on Thursday, May 5th.
If you’ve ever opened up Tiktok, you’ve probably heard ASTN’s buttery voice. The 23-year-old’s cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” exploded on the platform in 2021. With over 100 million views, users enjoy his soothing voice in a wide variety of videos.
Though the artist only signed to Warner Records in January of this year, his stage presence reflects that of an artist with years of experience under their belt.
Performing to a giddy crowd on a warm Thursday night in Brooklyn, ASTN opened up his act with “Butterflies.” After a brief technical difficulty where the sound cut out during the intro, he excitedly ran onto the stage seemingly unphased.
As the show progressed, ASTN became even more confident on stage. The musician artfully mixed together slower tempo songs such as “You’re Almost There” with upbeat numbers like “LA DON’T LOOK GOOD ON U” and began playfully interacting with the crowd.
The artist’s exuberant audience came prepared with a variety of gifts. The artist received a necklace, flowers (artfully passed to him during the opening line of his song “Flowers”), and a painting.
A highlight of the night was ASTN’s cover of Frank Ocean’s “Self Control”. With the opening chords filling the room, the artist cheekily introduced the song as a cover the audience may know. The crowd instantly began crooning along and joined him in a sing-along of the well-loved outro of the song.
ASTN’s path towards superstardom seems inevitable. Though he is just starting his career, his confidence, charm, and devoted audience create the perfect formula for success.
Stream his latest EP You’re Almost Therehere and check out our photo recap of the Baby’s All Right show below.
New York City based band VRSTY (pronounced “Varsity”) have shared their newest music video for their song “Hush.”
VRSTY consists of Joey Varela [vocals], Javy Dorrejo [bass], Chris Cody [drums], and Paul Gregory [guitar].
The vocals of Joey Varela and sound from Javy Dorrejo [bass], Chris Cody [drums], and Paul Gregory [guitar] provide the bands one of a kind musical genre, a unique fusion of R&B with vocal elements of post-hardcore sound. The new video “Hush” does the band justice showing these different musical elements.
Welcome Home is the band’s debut album, which has accumulated six million streams in less than a year and yielded the head-turning singles “Shameless” and “Massive.”
“‘Hush’ is definitely one of my favorite songs on the entire record,” says Varela. “It’s also one of the most different songs simply because it’s more uplifting and fun rather than dark and moody —my usual mood! Writing this song was incredibly therapeutic for me yet also super scary. Because it was so different, I wasn’t sure if anybody was gonna like it. However when Welcome Home dropped, it ended up becoming a fan-favorite. I just hope it makes people feel the way it made me feel when I first wrote it.”
“Welcome Home is an incredibly personal album to me,” Varela shares. “I know everybody says that, and hey, maybe they’re not lying when they do. I sure as hell am not. It was definitely a task, at first, trying to figure out how to phrase or sing something without getting too personal. But somewhere along the way, I threw that idea out the window and decided to say exactly what I felt. You won’t find me trying to sound cool or using any fancy wordplay. It’s just me in my rawest form, saying exactly what I’ve felt or experienced over the years, which is what has made me who I am today. I think if anybody ever wants to get to know me, this record will give you everything you need to know. No secrets. Just me.”
The Backstreet Boys, one of the most famous boy bands of all time, have announced that they will be touring through the United States and Europe this year.
The band is set to hit three New York locations. They will be visiting Darien Lake on July 3rd, the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on July 16th, Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs on July 23rd, and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel on July 24th. They will also tour through two New Jersey destinations. The full schedule is available down below.
Photo Credits: Dennis Leupold
The Backstreet Boys will be touring their 10th studio album, DNA, which was released in 2019 via RCA Records. The album debuted at #1 and features the Top 10 hit “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.”
Tickets for the Backstreet Boys go on sale Friday, April 8th at 10 am local time on Ticketmaster.
DNA World Tour
4/8 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
4/9 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
4/15 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
4/16 – Las Vegas, NV – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
6/4 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
6/5 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheater
6/7 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
6/9 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
6/11 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
6/13 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
6/14 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
6/15 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
6/17 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
6/20 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
6/21 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
6/22 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
6/24 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
6/25 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
6/28 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
7/1 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
7/2 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
7/3 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
7/5 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
7/6 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
7/8 – Milwaukee, WI – SummerFest (American Family Insurance Amp)
7/10 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
7/12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
7/13 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
7/14 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion
7/16 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
7/17 – Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
7/19 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
7/20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
7/21 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
7/23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
7/24 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
7/26 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
7/28 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
7/29 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/30 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/2 – Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
8/4 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
8/6 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
8/7 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
8/9 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
8/12 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
8/19 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Arena
8/21 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
8/22 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
8/24 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
8/26 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
8/27 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
8/29 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
9/1 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
9/2 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
9/3 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
9/6 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
9/8 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
9/9 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
9/11 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Nigerian born and bred Adekunle Gold has just announced his “Catch Me If You Can – The Tour,” kicking off on Thursday, June 2nd at Big Night Live in Boston. This tour will also make a stop at Apollo Theater in Manhattan on Friday, June 3rd, 2022.
Adekunle Gold is a Nigerian singer-songwriter based between Lagos, Nigeria, and Los Angeles. He gained recognition from his very first release, ‘Sade’ a love song which sampled instrumentals from One Direction’s ‘Story of My Life.’ Just two weeks after its release, Adekunle was contacted by one of Africa’s biggest acts, Olamide, to join his music imprint for two years.
Adekunle Gold is one of the most innovative artists to come out of Africa. He is one of the most recognizable and exciting pioneers of the vibrant Afropop genre, currently dominating this genre across the globe. His music consistent of mixing and influences of Afrobeat with Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B.
Since releasing his first single “Sade,” a love song which sampled instrumentals from One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” Adekunle has gone on to release four albums – Gold, About 30, AfroPop Vol. 1. His newest album, Catch Me If You Can, includes collaborations with an array of world-class talent including Ty Dolla $ign, Stefflon Don, Fatoumata Diawara and Fousheé. Altogether, featuring his one-of-a-kind combination of addictive melodies and razor sharp lyricism.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN TOUR DATES:
Thu Jun 02 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live
Fri Jun 03 – New York, NY – Apollo Theater
Sun Jun 05 – Montreal, QUE – Corona Theatre
Mon Jun 06 – Philadelphia, PA – The Theatre of Living Arts
Wed Jun 08 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
Thu Jun 09 – Cleveland, OH – The Cambridge Room at House of Blues
Fri Jun 10 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
Sun Jun 12 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Tue Jun 14 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
Thu Jun 16 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Fri Jun 17 – Dallas, TX – Echo Lounge & Music Hall
Sun Jun 19 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Tue Jun 21 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
Thu Jun 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Fri Jul 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Regent Theater
Sat Jul 02 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Mon Jul 04 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
Tue Jul 05 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Fri Jul 08 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
Ticket sale starts Friday, April 8th at 10am on Catch.ag
Peter Stone’s debut EP, “Unlabeled“, delivers an eminently listenable and creatively integral album. It’s a work whose influences are clear—R&B vocals, 80’s synthesizers, pop beats—but who’s originality and creative vision are even more evident.
Stone’s work features a knack for melodies that are sonically complex and rich with texture but that are, nonetheless, earworms that stick with you as you listen. Even though he recorded the album in 2020 during lockdown in his native Italy “when he couldn’t have any contact with anyone [which] was a really tough time” his ability to guarantee head-bobbing tunes belies the conditions under which the EP was recorded.
Although his ability to do so appears effortless the quality of the music suggests it likely wasn’t. Rather it was the product of a detailed process of intentional musical choices from his myriad influences. On “Cold,” the album’s likely hit, his mix of R&B crooning and 80’s synthesizers combine to make what is ultimately a pop song of the highest order.
Stone doesn’t have an aversion to pop music. Even if we admits that it’s not one of the guiding inspirations of his musical process.
“Pop is one of the genres I’m up to put myself in even though [I’m not] mainly inspired by it when it comes to the writing and the production of my songs,” acknowledged Stone.
Even if it isn’t his main inspiration there’s no denying that it’s the outcome. On “Lead Me”, the first song on Peter Stone’s debut EP, he sings “She’s dancing on the floor/She’s moving on the floor” over pulsating synths and basses.
His obvious talent for creating uniquely creative, yet accessible music is on delves into new spaces with “Save Me” and “Trust.” The first is an emotional piano ballad, with Stone playing the keys, that while still feeling slightly like a young artist’s imitation of what they think an emotional song should sound like; has lyrics that effectively portray a person that’s fractured and realizing that they have to put themselves back together.
On “Trust” Stone exhibits a mature understanding of song composition that is reflexive of a clear creative vision, executed with purpose. The song is a three-parter but to say more would spoil the mix of delight and intrigue one feels at its transitions. All of which are unlike both each other and the rest of the songs on Unlabeled offering a glimpse into Stone’s multidimensionality as an artist.
His multitude of influences might have created a genre blending debut but ultimately all that matters is that once you listen to Peter Stone’s debut EP…you’ll want to listen to it again.
