NYS Music 2024

Category: New York Singles

  • NYC Indie Band Monotronic Releases Hot Single “Kids of Summer”

    NYC-based indie collective Monotronic has released a new single titled “Kids of Summer.” Accompanying this new single is a music video filmed throughout Manhattan in 2020. 

    Kids of Summer

    Guitarist Ramsey Elkholy founded the enigmatic group Monotronic in 2016. Rather than a consistent band, Monotronic acts as a collective of boundary-breaking artists. It features a rotating cast of musicians, including collaborators of Dweezil Zappa, the Spin Doctors, and more. 

    Elkoly sits at the creative helm of Monotronic’s musical stylings. Holding a doctorate in Anthropology, he draws influences from the world’s diverse musical stylings. With Monotronic, Elkholy has imbued electronic indie, with influences from Indian classical and traditional Indonesian music, among others. 

    Since their start, the band has made a name for themselves through their indie singles. On tracks like “Sun Song” and “Buy Yourself a Dream,” they have built a dreamy brand of catchy indie pop. Off the back of singles like these, Monotronic has played venues across NYC and the East Coast. On top of individual shows, they have also appeared at festivals like Disc Jam and Meeting of the Minds. 

    Now, Monotronic has released a reworked version of their 2020 single “Kids of Summer.” The single was originally released in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time of its release, “Kids of Summer” premiered at #1 on VEVO’s Incoming Indie playlist. 

    The track’s lyrics discuss the limitless freedom of youth, and the courage needed to approach it. Matching these lyrics are dreamy warbling synths that drive the song forward. As the song progresses, booming drums, distorted synths, and backing vocals all join the fray. The end result is an anthemic indie pop jam for the summer. 

    Now four years after its original release, Monotronic has re-released an updated version of the song. Featured on this new recording is Grammy-nominated drummer Omar Hakim. Prior to his work with Monotronic, Hakim has worked with legends in practically every genre. David Bowie, Daft Punk, and Miles Davis are only a few of his past collaborators. 

    Drummer Omar Hakim

    Monotronic has also released a music video to accompany this new release. The “Kids of Summer” music video is a love letter to New York City Summers. Filmed with a go-pro in Manhattan’s streets and parks, the video captures the liveliness of the city’s outdoors. The video features skateboarders and breakdancers backed by Manhattan cityscapes and psychedelic backgrounds. Through this video, Monotronic manages to capture both the energy of Manhattan and “Kids of Summer.” 

    This single releases in the leadup to Monotronic’s sophomore record Waiting For You. This album is the band’s first full length release since their self-titled debut in 2019. The record will feature “Kids of Summer” and “Sun Song” among other songs. Monotronic currently plans to release the album in early 2025. For more information on “Kids of Summer” and Waiting For You, visit Monotronic’s website here.

  • ‘Ova With’ The Wait As MVW Releases New Single With Lisha G Ahead of Album Launch

    Producer/Composer MVW is back with a new single featuring current Houston underground staple Lisha G. The new record, “Ova With,” is a silky flowing thumper that sees MVW brings his trademark piano driven melodies. Meanwhile, the burgeoning Lisha G’s penetrating vocals and southern twang to create a stimulating mix.

    "Ova With" song cover
    MVW’s new single “Ova With” features burgeoning Houston rapper Lisha G.

    Her intoxicating flow makes for a trippy listen on it own however, however, combined with MVW’s classically trained melodies create a refreshing song with two artists forging their own unique paths. Yet, aside from Lisha G’s inviting vocals, her appeal comes from the wholesome, small-town values that set the Houston rapper apart from other artists. Moreover, “Ova With” continues a rise that has also seen her collaborate with Famous Dex and gain even more traction following her performance in her On The Radar Freestyle. For his part, MVW continues to collaborate and feature bubbling female underground rap artists. He dropped songs with TiaCorine, aka Freaky T and rising star Anycia. 

    New Album

    All in all, this is the beginning of what presumes to be a busy few months for for MVW as the Staten Island native is set to release a joint-project this October with frequent collaborator Valee. Earlier this year MVW dropped “Goofy” featuring deceased legend Gangsta Boo. Meanwhile, the fall release will be their second collaborative album, as their debut effort Valeedation offered a welcome into MVW and Valee’s world of pianos, violins, horns and effortless delivery.

    The new project will be MVW’s 4th hip hop album following his decision to complement his career as a composer by expanding into the fluid world of hip hop music. MVW kicked things off in 2021 with the Lex Luger assisted CLASSIC$, followed by Connections in 2022 and Valeedation with Valee in 2023.

  • Brooklyn Band Certain Death Release New Single “Paranoid”

    All American rock band Certain Death released their new flashy single “Paranoid.” The Brooklyn band’s first single of 2024 came out just this past Monday on Aug. 12.

    Paranoid has that amp heavy sound of classic 70’s hair metal. The single features lead singer Henry Black’s vocals and an organic sounding performance with little production. “This song really speaks to the shared experience of overindulgence and paranoia in nightlife that is both repulsive and irresistible,” Black said in a press release. Certain Death was born during the pandemic as a way for Black to confront his difficult feelings in a time of solitude.

    Certain Death has a lot more music to come this fall. Next month they will release another single and they plan to release an LP titled Strange Garden in October.

    It was just last year that the band came into the scene with two singles “When She Ain’t Around” and their very first song “Certain Death.” It was also last year that two new members joined the group- Matt White on Guitar and Jared Schapker on bass. Long-time member CJ Young performs all the heavy rock drums. 

    Not only does the band bring us back to the 70’s with their sound, but they emulate rock heroes with their style and album art. 

    You can listen to “Paranoid” on all streaming services. To keep up with Certain Death you can follow them on Instagram @certaindeathnyc.

  • Spaghetti Eastern Music Releases Single From Forthcoming Film Drone Girl’s Soundtrack

    Spaghetti Eastern Music, the solo project of genre-leaping Hudson Valley/NYC guitarist Sal Cataldi, is returning with a new EP, Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions, featuring selections from the soundtrack of Drone Girl, a new short by filmmaker/choreographer Charles Dennis. Ahead of the full EP arriving on August 15, Cataldi has also released a single titled “Drone Girl Theme (Take 2).”

    With Spaghetti Eastern Music, Cataldi traverses three distinct musical styles: acid jazz-fueled electric guitar instrumentals, lush ambient soundscapes, and bare-bones acoustic vocal ballads straight out of the Nick Drake school. Spaghetti Eastern’s debut project — 2016’s Sketches of Spam — made waves with positive reviews. Followed by several acclaimed EPs and singles. Moreover, Cataldi’s work has garnered airplay on leading outlets locally and abroad, including SiriusXM, WFUV’s “Mixed Bag,” WFMU, WKCR-New York, Radio Woodstock, and many others.

    For Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions, his latest project, Cataldi collaborated with two notable Woodstock-based musicians: veteran bassist Jeff Keithline and percussionist Mark Peritz. Together, they crafted a multi-layered soundscape with strong melodic themes—one that perfectly complements Drone Girl’s dreamy imagery.

    Additionally. the film features African-American dancer/performer Stacey Smith in a duet dance with a flying drone aircraft and follows her as she escapes her Brooklyn basement apartment, grabs a backpack with her drone, and drives upstate to an open field with a view of the Catskill Mountains. After arriving, Smith dons a chest harness with a Go-Pro camera that records her viewpoint of moving with the drone. She dances through the field as the drone tracks her and she tracks the drone while a third camera captures a wider view of their relationship. The 12-minute film represents the tender expression of the relationship between a human and a drone.

    spaghetti western music woodstock

    How It All Came Together

    To work with the short film’s vision, Cataldi utilized a vintage Fender Stratocaster, an Ebow sustainer, a string emulator, reverb, fuzz tone, a harmonizer, phasing, and two delay pedals to conjure complex loops—which he slowed down, sped up, and reversed—to complement Dennis’ narrative. As a result Cataldi’s sounds are accented by Jeff Keithline’s creative and propulsive bass plucking and bowing and Peritz’s deep tribal beats. Moreover, the tracks were recorded live with no overdubs. “Spaghetti Eastern Music’s score for Drone Girl really drives the film and enhances its otherworldly atmosphere,” said Dennis. “Sal, Jeff, and Mark are a magical trio of improvisers who bring a flavor that is both deeply funky and transcendent to the film.”

    Dennis, an interdisciplinary artist who creates dance, performance art, and filmworks, is no novice in the art world. Additionally, he worked extensively with theater director Robert Wilson in the 1970s, and in the 1980s, co-founded Performance Space 122 (P.S. 122) and regularly presented solo and group works there for over 25 years. Dennis has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and Franklin Furnace. In 2023, he received a fellowship from Arts Mid-Hudson for his performance work, “Recycle Me,” which also featured an original score by Spaghetti Eastern Music.

    Spaghetti Eastern’s new EP, Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions, will be available on August 15 via Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and other online shops and streaming services. The lead-off track, “Drone Girl Theme (Take 2),” is currently available everywhere.

    Cataldi, Keithline and Peritz will be performing Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions alongside other music at the Opus 40 sculpture park in Saugerties on August 18. For more information, visit here.

  • NYC Band Shower Curtain Release “wish u well” Ahead of Debut Album

    Four-piece alt-rock and shoegaze band, Shower Curtain, has released “wish u well,” the lead single of their upcoming debut album, words from a wishing well, set to release on October 18.

    Photo credit: Nicole Miller @neptunne

    Shower Curtain, a band made up of Brazilian-American vocalist Victoria Winter, Cody Hudgins (Crate) on bass, Ethan Williams (Punchlove) on guitar and Sean Terrell (Fasting) on drums, has been making waves in the NYC alt-rock and shoegaze scenes. Initially debuting in 2020 with a self-titled EP, the band has been building up to a full-length debut, out in October. In the time since their debut EP, Shower Curtain has kept busy, releasing Something Instead, a follow-up EP in 2021, and “meus passos” and “edgar,” two singles last year. Last year’s singles represented a significant milestone in the band’s journey, signaling an artistic evolution from bedroom pop to sludgy rock after a two-year hiatus. As a result, the band has now come into their own. Moreover, Shower Curtain has found a home within Brooklyn’s emerging slowcore and shoegaze scene.

    words from a wishing well album cover

    About The Single

    Their newest offering and first taste off of the upcoming debut record, “wish u well,” offers a connecting thread into words from a wishing well, combining the pop tendencies of early Shower Curtain music with heavier production. One of the last songs written for words from a wishing well, Winter and Williams crafted “wish u well” across a pair of whirlwind sessions in the final days of tracking. “‘wish u well’ is about the feeling of having the rug swept from underneath you,” said Winter.

    In a lot of ways, I think this song is a lot of what my teenage self wished the project could create. That vision has long changed, and I am definitely aware of this song not having the more shoegaze and heavier grunge elements that represent the project’s new phase and is more similar to the old phase of Shower Curtain. Yet, I still think its production is unmatched and next level between Ethan and I.

    – Victoria Winter

    Additionally, a music video, directed by Trevor Scholl and starring Brenna Gonzalez, has been released and features Gonzalez picking up emotional baggage to the point of exhaustion. “It’s an ode to the mentally healing aspect of going for a walk and how stepping out invites the unexplainable. I wanted to capture the sense of exploration found in fantasy films while capturing places we frequent and not relying on overtly “magical” props. ‘wish u well’ is a wistful and bittersweet song. I ultimately wanted to extend these emotions with a daydream in a video,” said Scholl about the making of the video.

    Keep up with Shower Curtain on their Instagram and stream “wish u well” on all platforms. See below for some upcoming shows from the band.

    Upcoming Shows

    August 10 – Philly Style – Philadelphia, PA

    September 23 – Baby’s All Right – Brooklyn, NY

  • Sound Frontier Releases Bluesey New Single “Cat Callin’”

    Blues/Rock power trio Sound Frontier continue to push boundaries with their new single, “Cat Callin’”, featuring Sapphire Monet. Showcasing their signature blend of blues energy and rock finesse, Sound Frontier continues to pay homage to their roots, drawing inspiration from legends like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Clark Jr., and Eric Gales.

    Sound Frontier Releases Bluesey New Single "Cat Callin'"

    Based in New York City, Sound Frontier offers a classic blues-rock sound. With Ali Bishop on guitar, Ivan Hardy on bass, and Desmond “Chunkz” Morrison on drums, the band has pushed boundaries with each release, and “Cat Callin’” is no exception.

    Sound Frontier’s single seamlessly combines the intensity of hard rock with the intimacy and emotion of blues. Ali Bishop described his love for “Cat Callin’,” saying, “It’s a song that combines our love for blues and rock with Sapphire’s incredible vocals, resulting in a track that’s both gritty and soulful.”

    Sound Frontier Releases Bluesey New Single "Cat Callin'"

    Classic rock/blues instrumentation receives a new twist on “Cat Callin’,” with energetic and powerful instrumentals. “Cat Callin’” can serve as a women’s empowerment anthem, with tough yet beutiful vocal performances and dynamic instrumentals.

    Soulful guitar riffs, resonant bass lines, and powerful drumming are hallmarks of Sound Frontier’s sound, and are evident in their newest single, with the group well known for their energetic performances and engaging stage presence.

    The official music video for “Cat Callin’” is available below, and updates are available on the band’s Instagram.

  • Boy Jr. to Release New single “Still Be Friends”

    Rochester-based alt-pop artist Boy Jr. will release a new single titled “Still Be Friends” on August 7th. This single comes in the leadup to Boy Jr.’s third LP I Love Getting Dumped releasing in late 2024. 

    Boy Jr.

    Boy Jr. is the musical project of Ariel Allen-Lubman from Rochester. Lubman has used their professional musical training to make a versatile, genre-crossing brand of DIY pop. Through a mix of bedroom pop, indie, and hyperpop, Boy Jr. creates a sound that is equally experimental and catchy. 

    Boy Jr. emerged onto the music scene with their 2020 debut Starter Pack. Lo-Fi rock tracks like “Just Wanna Go To Bed” drive the album. On these tracks, Boy Jr. took Strokes-esque indie rock and infused it with youthful oddball energy. The album also features Allen-Lubman’s takes on some classic tracks. Standout covers include a distorted electronic version of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and a downtempo minimalist take on the Strokes’ “Last Nite.” 

    Their second album Pay Attention to Mee marked a drastic change in sound. On this record, Boy Jr. leaned more heavily into pop and electronic elements. Bubbly synths and a groovy bass line propel standout track “Meet Me In The Middle.” Despite these new pop flourishes, the record still retains some of the distorted edge of Boy Jr.’s debut. As their first two records show, Boy Jr. defies genre, and makes music that could only be defined as … well Boy Jr.  

    Just prior to their new release, Boy Jr. released their album’s lead single “Bullying Myself.” The track continues Boy Jr’s trend of musical experimentation, blending a funky bassline with hyperpop synths throughout. These elements help back up Allen-Lubman’s vocals discussing being too hard on yourself. They sing on the pre chorus “I’ve been bullying myself. Think I need a little help. I’ve become my own worst enemy.”

    “This is a song to listen to when you are fed up with how mean you’ve been treating yourself. I find myself repeating a lot of the same unkind thoughts when I’m going through something, but if anyone ever said these things to me or a friend, I’d be pissed! So instead of letting it rot on the inside, I’m airing it out and releasing it outside.”

    – Boy Jr.

    Instrumental flourishes build on these lyrics making the track a true alt-pop anthem. Whether it’s the group vocals during the chorus, or distorted staccato guitar solo immediately after, each new element aids in the song’s atmosphere. With other artists, the disparate musical elements might sound out of place, but for Boy Jr., they feel surprisingly natural. One standout part of the track is the electronic breakdown towards the end, with the track growing more and more distorted. This pop experimentation recalls some of the greatest albums of the decade, like Charli XCX’s How I’m Feeling Now. 

    Boy Jr.

    Boy Jr. has returned following the June 26th release of “Bullying Myself,” with their second single, titled “Still Be Friends.” This track is much more toned down than its predecessor, building off a repeated electronic loop. This loop, while relaxed, is still engaging, with snappy percussion and a groovy electronic bassline driving the track forward. Boy Jr. continues their lyrical explorations on this track, discussing the aftermath of a relationship. 

    Unlike many songs discussing the topic, Boy Jr. acknowledges that they were the bad guy in the situation. They sing “I crushed all your trust, pulverized your hopes into dust, but I hope we can still be friends.” The track grows increasingly satirical, with the narrator’s wrongdoings getting more and more severe. The reasons for the breakup turn into crashing a car into an ex’s house and stealing their money, making the plea to be friends more ridiculous. In all this track is really catchy, and uses its satirical lyrics to strip down the complicated topic of breaking up with someone.

    These tracks come in the leadup to Boy Jr.’s new album I Love Getting Dumped, which will release in late 2024. For more information on Boy Jr. and their releases, visit their Bandcamp here. 

  • Danielia Cotton Releases Charley Pride Tribute Cover “So Afraid of Losing You Again”

    New York City-based roots singer/songwriter Danielia Cotton has released “So Afraid of Losing You Again,” the third single off of her upcoming Charley Pride tribute album: Charley’s Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music.

    Cotton’s passion for the late Pride’s music largely came from early life inspirations, which will be fully shared with the world when the album releases on August 29.

    Danielia Cotton

    Danielia Cotton began her musical journey in Hopewell, NJ, influenced by classic rock icons like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Her passion for music was ignited at age 12 when her mother gifted her a guitar. Cotton made history as the first in her family’s three generations to attend college, graduating from Bennington College before launching her career in New York City’s vibrant music scene. With experience opening for iconic artists such as Gregg Allman, Bon Jovi, Robert Randolph, and Aimee Mann, Cotton has shown time and time again that her artistry translates to success and respect from the industry.

    Cotton is set to release her Charley Pride tribute EP, Charley’s Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music, on August 29th. Known for her soul-stirring voice described as “soulful enough to fill a revival tent” by The New York Times, Cotton draws inspiration from Charley Pride’s timeless songs that resonate with everyday life. This project holds a profound personal connection, inspired by a conversation with her 103-year-old grandmother about her late grandfather’s secret admiration for Charley Pride during a time when it was uncommon for Black people to openly listen to country music. In fact, Cotton considers this album to be not only a tribute to Pride but also to her family, especially her grandparents.

    The newest single from the EP, “So Afraid of Losing You Again,” perfectly encapsulates the magic of Pride’s 1969 original while also showing off Cotton’s powerhouse vocal range. It’s difficult not to get goosebumps when hearing Cotton belt out “I’d love to wake up in your arms tomorrow” in the song’s main chorus. In the verses, she wonderfully emulates Pride’s smooth and flowing melodies with her own personal touches. Overall, Cotton perfectly toes a fine line between simply redoing Pride’s original and altering it too much to where it comes off as a remix, which will hopefully translate into her upcoming full-length later this month.

    Stream “So Afraid of Losing You Again” on all streaming platforms. For more information on Cotton and her upcoming shows and music, visit her website here.

  • Scotia Rose Debuts With Two Charming Singles

    New York City’s own Scotia Rose have made their debut with two singles, “Run” and “Queens and Kings.” Beginning with an intensely suspenseful drumline, “Run” offers a unique blend of hard rock and country pop. “Queens and Kings” is a heartwarming ode from Scotia Rose’s front man to his bandmates, admiring their work ethic and dedication.

    Comprised of musicians from NYC’s cover band circuit, Scotia Rose was formed after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Led by Jeff Weiss, the band includes musicians from different genres, with Jason Laney on keyboards and backup vocals, blues/rocker Marcela de Campos on guitar, Antoinette Ady on violin, and Andrew Koss on bass.

    Frontman Jeff Weiss wrote “Run” as his previous band, U.S. Americans, were getting ready to play their final show. He said of the experience, “I wasn’t quite ready to throw in the towel…The only answer I could find was to keep pushing, keep fighting, keep running. Run away from that ending toward a new beginning.”

    Weiss credits “Run” for giving him the courage to start over. “Once I finished it, I knew it was time to close one door and open another.” The bittersweet feeling of moving on shines through in the accompanying music video, with footage that evokes feelings of hope and loss. The director of the music video, Kevin Banker, made the video with full creative liberty. Weiss said, “I didn’t tell [Banker] what the song was about. I prefer not to and let the listener find their own meaning. Kevin said he felt feelings of loss and he wasn’t wrong.”

    The second single, “Queens and Kings”, offers a release of optimism, with a melodic chorus and bright piano. Scotia Rose took the music video as an opportunity to showcase their stage presence and dynamic. The video features footage of the band hanging out in Carl Schurz Park and playing at The Cutting Room, shot by Hugo Salazar.

    Scotia Rose marked the beginning of a promising career with their debut. The band is set to play more shows in New York and Connecticut. Tickets are available at the following link, and the music video for “Queens and Kings” is available below.

  • Brooklyn Funk Essentials Re-Release Two Classic Tracks

    Brooklyn Funk Essentials celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Cool And Steady And Easy, by re-imagining two singles, “Blow Your Brains Out”, and “Brooklyn Recycles.”

    A cult acid-jazz ensemble, Brooklyn Funk Essentials have established a global following. The re-released singles offer a new take on their classic singles.

    Their 1994 debut album, Cool And Steady And Easy, was an underground hit.”Take the L Train” and “Big Apple Boogaloo” became DJ favorites. Upon its release, Cool And Steady And Easy received Billboard’s  Best Alternative R&B Album of the Year. Prolific producer Arthur Baker (of Afrika Bambaataa and New Order) worked with Lati Kronlund in producing the record.

    Baker and Kronlund met in the 1990s after Baker became captivated by a single Kronlund wrote and produced, “Where Love Lives” by Alison Limerick. As fate would have it, Alison Limerick became the lead vocalist for Brooklyn Funk Essentials in 2016.

    The new rendition of “Blow Your Brains Out” features Limerick’s new vocals, as well as production and instrumentals from Lati Kronlund. Candid dialogue captured in the studio opens the original version of the track: “This f**ker’s nine minutes long?!” “Yeah, just long enough to blow your brains out!”. The daunting time flies by with engaging instrumentation and sonically compelling production.

    “Brooklyn Recycles” was initially a Maceo feature, but is now wholly rewritten by BFE’s original trombone player Joshua Roseman. Bassy Bob Brockmann played the trumpet, with Paul Shapiro on saxophone, and Everton Sylvester contributed inimitable spoken word.

    Next followed 2nd album In The Buzzbag in 1998, Make Them Like It in 2000, Watcha Playin’ in 2008, Funk Ain’t Ova in 2015, Stay Good in 2019, and most recently Intuition in 2023. The re-released singles, which came out July 27th, are available on all streaming platforms now. A live performance from a few years ago is also available below.