Discovering the new music underground around the globe
Rock/Review Kwolek - Some Evenings
Kwolek makes music in a closet in Boulder, CO. He writes, plays, and records everything, which takes forever. He is releasing a series of singles, each with its own short story, paired with a B-side rescued from the archives. He used to play various instruments and wear costumes in a band called Lima Research Society. His earliest memory is of music-induced frisson, and he has been on a quest to capture those chills ever since.
Rock/Review Chapell - Suddenly
Alan Chapell is an 80's and 90's-influenced singer/songwriter who prides himself on using small stories as a vehicle to paint broader messages about life. Storytelling drives both Chapell’s writing and his live show, drawing comparisons to Jonathan Richman and Elvis Costello. Streamed over 1.5 million times and counting, Chapell’s solo performances are gaining notoriety by the minute, having been invited to play with Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Lisa Loeb, 38 Special, Bighead Todd, Iron Butterfly, Flock of Seagulls, and Jackopearce.
Pop/Review Anthony Casuccio - Life Goes On
Anthony Casuccio is a 30-year music veteran. Anthony’s audio production work has been nominated for three Grammy awards, reached gold record status, and been placed in various TV shows and commercials. His production work has resulted in numerous songs landing on the top of Billboard’s dance charts. He has remastered various albums for icons such as Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, and Roy Orbison. As band leader, songwriter, producer, and engineer, he led his band A&L to success, topping various charts across the world.
Rock/Review Jack Tempchin - Waiting
Jack Tempchin, a San Diego native, first gained recognition when he was signed by Clive Davis to Arista Records in 1976 as part of the band The Funky Kings. Their track "Slow Dancing (Swayin’ To the Music)" became a Billboard Top 10 hit in 1977, recorded by Johnny Rivers. Tempchin’s compositions have since been performed or recorded by a multitude of artists, including Johnny Rivers, George Jones, Buck Owens, and many more.
Rock/Review Bearbonez - Don't Look Back
Bearbonez, the moniker for California-based songwriter and producer Kyle Hilmoe, has released his latest single, “Don’t Look Back.” Bearbonez was formed in 2015 when Kyle transitioned from playing drums in San Francisco bands to focusing on the guitar. Since then, he has released several EPs and an album titled "Floodlights.” His discography showcases a wide range of genres, from the heavy rock of his debut release to the synth rock of his 2020 EP, "Display of Love.”
Electronic/Review Carsten Schnell - Heiss!
Carsten Schnell surprised the critics with his debut album "Adjust" in 1992 with his unusual sound sculptures. Today he is considered one of the first artists at BSC Music. He had his own signature from the start and was compared to Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis. On the albums Acoustic Delusion and U!, Schnell expanded his approach beyond the confines of the electronic genre. With "Moments In The Past" he finally combined his symphonic roots with modern electronic music.
Pop/Review Joshua Pearlstein - Endorphins
Meet Joshua Pearlstein, the artist who is reimagining the pop genre. A prolific musician with a flair for the songwriting process, Joshua discovered his perfect pitch early in life and quickly started music lessons. Falling in love with the greats like Michael Jackson, Prince, Justin Timberlake, and Lady Gaga, he knew exactly where his songs needed to land creatively, relying on his instinct for melody and rhythm to guide the process.
Folk/Review Lucie Hill - Holding the Space
Cornwall-based singer-songwriter Lucie Hill (known to her fans in New Zealand as Little Lapin) offers listeners a peek into her heart space with heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies. Lucie Hill has been writing, recording, and performing music since 2010 and has received international critical acclaim for her debut album, ‘Remember the Highs', which was voted Best International Album of 2015 by Unsigned and Independent Music Magazine.
Rock/Review Sharon Lia Band - Love You Forever
Award-winning artist Sharon Lia’s unique style can be described as a mix of modern-day Heart, Pat Benetar, and Evanescence meets Adele. Sharon Lia Band, who has landed on the Grammy® Ballot multiple times, signed a distribution deal with Sony/Orchard, and their music has been featured in top TV markets across the country, including shows on FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, CW, and in their own backyard—WPHL Philadelphia, along with The Marilyn Russell show on WOGL FM, where Lia was highlighted in the "Remarkable Women” series.
Reggae/Review Mikhaelize - Elle était l'océan
Mikhaelize is a writer and poet working to harmonize environmental energies. He writes about a variety of themes, such as the multidimensionality of being and realities beyond the visible. For him, tending towards these dimensions through art—the sensitive vibration of words and sounds—constitutes the musical and emotional space whose source of inspiration draws directly from the currents of infinity.
Pop/Review Sandy King - No Words
As a Denver, Colorado, native, music has always been a part of Sandy King's life. A self-taught musician, she started playing piano at 7 and guitar at 13. She wrote her first song at 15 and performed in various rock, pop, and variety bands in Colorado for over 30 years. Her first CD was a collaborative effort with her sister, Kathy, a lyricist and vocalist. The “Play” CD was completely her sole creation of both lyrics and music, along with the songs on the next EP release.
Rock/Review Asgard Raven - Chasing Your Dreams
Asgard Raven is an indie-rock artist from the south of England, UK. Producing songs born from experiences during deployments in the Army, Joe (singer and songwriter) has taken the next step towards bringing them to life and releasing them to the public. Drawing on many influences, including punk, rock, blues, and indie music, he produces a unique landscape of sound reminiscent of early 90s brit pop and rock records.
Electronic/Review Mélanger le Miel - Changing States
Mélanger le Miel is a 21-year-old producer, pianist, and DJ from Geneva, Switzerland. Having spent much of his time studying in the UK and Australia, ‘Sebastian’ produces Jungle and Electronica, influenced by the sounds of Four Tet, 4AM Kru, and Adam Pits. As a member of the 6-piece jazz/funk group ‘Flavour’, the Melbourne-based collective offers a platform to express more jazz-fused electro music. Now, through an independent scope, the founder of artist-connect platform and record label Mélange brings a piano-based electronic tapestry fuelled by synth melodies, melancholy vocals, and dance music.
Pop/Review Kelsie Kimberlin - Twinkle
Kelsie Kimberlin is an American-Ukrainian musician and singer. Her work is not only accessible and entertaining but also steeped in important social themes and dual meanings, underscoring her deep understanding of the power of creative music to evoke change. From an early age, Kelsie immersed herself in music, singing in choirs, participating in Yoko Ono’s Peace Project, and spending much of her childhood in music studios working on an endless stream of original songs.
Jazz/Review Ultrablue - Herbie
Ultrablue, NY pianist John Smatla's mostly instrumental project, has been called "smooth jazz with a New York attitude." Piano-centric and more musically challenging than many in the genre, Ultrablue fuses jazz elements with r&b, pop, and world music flavors. Ultrablue features a variety of mostly-NY-based all-star instrumentalists. Players include Randy Brecker, guitarists Chieli Minucci of Special EFX, Brazilian legends Romero LuBambo and Dave Stryker, drummers Omar Hakim and Joel Rosenblatt (Spyro Gyra), bassists John Benitez, John Pattituci, and Hubert Eaves, and percussionist Mino Cinelu.
Rock/Review RISE - Here I Am
RISE is a dynamic four-piece band hailing from Liverpool, England. Known for their high-energy performances and distinctive sound, RISE is making waves in the rock music scene. The band features: Sam Kinley (aka stayMellow) on bass and vocals Paul Kinley on keyboards and backing vocals Alex Mahoney on drums Brian Petch on guitar RISE creates a powerful blend of high-tempo rock, driven by melodic vocal hooks and a seamless mix of synths and guitars.
Hip-Hop/Review YDV - WHERE I STAY
YDV entered the music game to create an impact, not to follow the traditional rules set before him. Taking inspiration from the greats, YDV sets his intention to take you on a cinematic journey through his music and accompanying visuals that bend hip-hop, pop, rap, and EDM all into one another. More than anything, YDV's music comments on the duality of everything that exists in front of us—how any one moment can be seen through multiple different lenses all at once.
Metal/Review Noiz Ritual - Embrace The Noiz
Νoiz Ritual is a 4+1 piece band that was formed in 2022 by John Varvas (4lt) on vocals, Nick Christolis (Four Sides of Strange, ex-Ghost Season, ex-Potergeist) on guitars, Mantalena Krikelli (Vegan Mosquitoes, Heavenblack, ex-Lost Arcadia) on drums, and Ilias Xirogiannis (Imperfection) on bass. The band was brought together by a shared longing for the 90s grunge music scene and the alternative rock and nu-metal of the 2000s.
Folk/Review The Melancholic Folk Collective - Virtual Travelogue (An Acoustic Odyssey)
The Melancholic Folk Collective is a project headed by Tom Vernel, consisting of this album by Vernel and Dani Romo. The second album is simpler, with fewer personnel and a more acoustic version of the sound they are trying to create. All songs were written and arranged by Tom Vernel, with production by Dani Romo. Tom did all the vocal work, and Dani did all the guitar and bass work.
Pop/Review Ava Valianti - January
Ava Valianti is a singer-songwriter from Massachusetts whose talent and passion for music have catapulted her onto the global stage. With a distinctive voice and indie pop flair, Ava’s music resonates with audiences worldwide, sparking comparisons with artists such as Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Renee Rap, and Gracie Abrams. Following the success of her first two singles, ‘bubble wrap’ and ‘Middle Ground’, Ava continues to make waves in the music industry with her much anticipated third single, ‘January’, released on May 24th.