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Daisy Jones Music Director, Ryan Hommel, Releases First Album in 8 Years

September 23, 2023September 28, 2023Albums, InterviewsDaisy Jones, Daisy Jones & The Six, emerging artists, Featured, folk, folk rock, guitar, Guitar player, guitarist, Music Director, new music, singer-songwriter, songwriter, upcoming artistsLeave a Comment

For the past two and a half years, Ryan Hommel worked alongside the cast of Daisy Jones & The Six as the guitar/bass coach and Music Director. Yes, that means he taught cast members like Sam Claflin and Riley Keough to play guitar and become a band in the hit series for Amazon Prime Video. Through the ups and downs of the pandemic and the steadfast dedication of the production team and cast, Daisy Jones & The Six came to life in 2023.

Ryan Hommel, a Massachusetts-based guitar player, songwriter, and singer, recently released his first album since 2015. Default To Open is the second full-length album from Ryan, dating back to 2016 when he recorded these songs. The lead singles from this album showcase his raw talent and knack for penning songs that resonate with a wide range of music fans. Gaining insight into the stories behind these songs makes the album all the more intriguing to hear them after eight years.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Ryan Hommel to learn more about this collection of songs. In the past eight years, Ryan welcomed a lot of changes. Of course, the pandemic delayed the filming of Daisy Jones & the Six, but the time spent with the cast solidified his journey as Music Director. After touring with Amos Lee’s band as a guitar and pedal steel player, Ryan welcomed a baby girl earlier this year. Going from uncertainty to fatherhood has led Ryan to new endeavors, beginning with the release of Default To Open.

Ryan Hommel Interview

POETRY DANS LA RUE: You seem to be all over recently with Daisy Jones & The Six, your music, and your family. What’s the backstory to where you are now?

Ryan Hommel: “I’m originally from Massachusetts. My wife and I met here and decided to move to L.A. together. We lived in L.A. for about four years, which included the time during the pandemic, then we moved back to Massachusetts when we found out we were expecting a baby. Now we have a five-month-old daughter.”

PDLR: So I saw your album, Default To Open, was recorded in Nashville. Can you talk about that time in your life?

Ryan Hommel: “We recorded the album almost entirely in Nashville at Blackbird Studio. I used to drive a lot from Massachusetts to Nashville. I wanted to absorb the world of country music that I didn’t grow up in. Being surrounded by that community, I became passionate about playing pedal steel and met many people in the music industry.”

Behind Default To Open

PDLR: You recently released “Bury Me” and “All the Time in the World” as the first two singles. Can you talk about why you led the album with those songs?

Ryan Hommel: “When I listened to the whole record, those songs popped out to me as singable. I love songs that you can immediately sing along to. It makes listeners feel the song is familiar and they’ve known it forever. I’m not saying these songs achieved that necessarily, but most of the record doesn’t come close to doing that. Some other songs are more exploratory, longer, and experimental in songwriting. “Bury Me” and “All the Time in the World” felt like a good way to introduce the record to new ears.”

PDLR: I’ve had more time with the singles, of course, than the other tracks, but I do agree. “Bury Me” has been in my head a lot. It is singable and maybe more melodic, which people can easily pick up on. I also picked out “Wide Open” from the other songs, which was a little longer. It was more in-depth, and I liked the direction it went.

Ryan Hommel: “That’s great to hear because “Wide Open” is the first song I ever wrote. Default To Open is made of songs like that. It was my first experience putting these songs together from different times. Default To Open has been finished for eight years, since 2016. It almost feels like a compilation album, putting pieces of my writing together but only from a decade ago and earlier. The most recently written song on the record is the last track, “Brent Song.” I wrote this as a friend of mine passed away eight years ago. So the album comprises pieces of my life from before until 2016.”

“From an archiving standpoint and gaining a new perspective with my daughter being born, it matters that these songs are out there.”

Ryan Hommel: “I’m glad you responded to “Wide Open.” It feels surreal to me that that song will be in the world. From an archiving standpoint and having a new perspective with my daughter being born, it matters that these songs are out there. It’s also cathartic and rewarding to know that my daughter will be able to find that.

Sitting on these songs and having more time to reflect gave me an extended perspective. I feel more lighthearted about the record and less attached to it as a whole, but it’s a point in time that paints one picture.

I’ve done a lot of touring and come across so many songwriters. I’ve had more time to absorb how artists perform, interact, and adapt. You can interact with your art in many ways, and people will find their meaning once it’s out there. Art and music breathe new life into other people, and they breathe new life back into it.”

PDLR: Do you have a specific song that was the most rewarding to write or that you hit exactly what you were trying to convey?

Ryan Hommel: “I think “Wide Open” came out exactly how that song should be presented. Even if I’m unsure what that means, I’ve never felt that after recording a song. “Wide Open,” “Bury Me,” and “All the Time in the World” were songs that I recorded by setting up a guitar and vocal with a drummer in another booth at Blackbird.

All of the vocals on this record are primarily live, with the main guitar layer and the drums. Filling in the blanks with bass, other guitar parts, pedal steel, and keyboard was rewarding. It was me supplementing the barebones tracks we had from the recordings. I felt proud of “Wide Open” from the initial performance and what it was after we finalized the production.

In the song “Same Side,” the album’s third single, I played everything from top to bottom. “Same Side” occurred at my friend Ryan Ordway’s studio in New Hampshire. I went in with this song and planned to record it in a day. I started with an acoustic guitar and a vocal and added drums, bass, some other guitars, and pedal steel. Going in with a blank canvas like that and sitting back and listening after a day is a satisfying feeling.”

Musical Influences

PDLR: Who were some of your musical influences growing up, or who inspires you in your music?

Ryan Hommel: “My dad introduced me to a lot of guitar-based music as a young teenager. He was trying to get me out of my Stevie Ray Vaughan fixation at that age. He bought me a Steely Dan, a Jeff Beck, and a Robben Ford record. The guitar playing was nothing like what I was listening to at the time. My dad tried to show me that while Stevie Ray was excellent, there was another world of guitar players.

Before that, the music in my house was Stevie Wonder, Aretha, and Elvis Presley. Those were my first music memories, along with Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, and Howlin’ Wolf. My favorite current band has been Dawes. They are my gold standard in writing, performing, playing, and overall class and evolution.”

Daisy Jones & The Six

PDLR: How did you come into your role with the Daisy Jones series, and what was it like working with the cast?

Ryan Hommel: “So when my wife and I moved to L.A. at the end of 2019, I got a call from Tony Berg. He is an incredible producer and one of my producer heroes (Andrew Bird, Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius). I met him the year before, and he kept telling me to move to L.A. When we decided to move, he called me and said he had a two-month gig to teach guitar and bass to a handful of actors. The actors would come together and make this fictional band known as Daisy Jones & The Six from the book by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

At the time, Blake Mills and Tony Berg were running Sound City Studios in L.A., where many iconic artists have recorded. The show signed Tony as the Music Consultant for Daisy Jones & The Six and Blake Mills as the Executive Music Producer. Blake Mills wrote or co-wrote and produced all of the music for the soundtrack (alongside collaborators Tony Berg, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Goldsmith, Marcus Mumford, and Chris Weisman, among others). A huge bonus was the proximity to and the use of Sound City. The reality of the songwriting process and location mimicked the book’s storyline. So, plugging this fictional band into that time period and space was so surreal.

“The initial call was to have Daisy Jones & The Six be a fully functional band. If you put them on stage, they should be able to play this music flawlessly.”

I was set up across the street with Frankie Pine, the Music Supervisor, and a handful of other music coaches (drums, keyboard, vocal). We were working with the cast across the parking lot from Sound City. I was teaching Riley Keough (Daisy Jones), Will Harrison (Graham Dunne), and Josh Whitehouse (Eddie Roundtree) at the time, which was January 2020. Sam Claflin (Billy Dunne) came in around when everything shifted because of the pandemic.

They kept us remotely working on Zoom to keep the band learning. The cast members needed help learning their instruments and focusing on their characters’ roles, so most of that was done individually. Because I had been doing that, working with them collectively as a band made sense. So that’s how I fell into the role of Music Director for them as a band. Enter Suki Waterhouse (Karen Sirko) and Sebastian Chacon (Warren Rhodes), and we had Daisy Jones & The Six.”

“The initial call was to have them be a fully functional band even though they will be miming to recordings on the set. If you put them on a stage, they should be able to play this music flawlessly. That was a tall order, but everyone did their best and committed to the role.

Before we finally started shooting after the delay, we gathered the band at SIR in Hollywood for a private showcase. The showcase included everyone involved in making the show, like Taylor Jenkins Reid (book author), the Hello Sunshine media crew, Scott & Lauren Neustadter (creator), Reese Witherspoon (executive producer), Amazon, all the music crew, and more. It was particularly humbling to be a part of something that massive.

They absolutely achieved their goal, and they played the songs. They pretty much played the AURORA record front to back. Nabiyah Be (Simone) sang “A Song For You.” It was remarkable to see it pay off after keeping it going for so much longer than expected. They can all play and sing and have a natural chemistry that you can feel in the room.

My role transitioned into being on set with them whenever music was on camera. It was such a thrill to be there and coach them through those scenes. They were driven, motivated, and dedicated to learning to play music together, which certainly shows.”

PDLR: That’s incredible to hear your perspective. When reading a book, you envision how it will look. But then there was the uncertainty of not knowing if the show would happen or when. So when you hear it from you, it’s cool to see they came together as a band and learned it. You can see the realness in the show and the chemistry that you mention.

Looking Ahead For Ryan Hommel

PDLR: What’s next for you after the release of Default To Open?

Ryan Hommel: “The last record I put out was in 2015, and I began writing Default To Open around the same time. Of course, all these years have passed, and life has changed significantly. I’ve taken myself off the road to be with family and raise my daughter with my wife. I want to be present.

Releasing this record is putting me back in the game of how the industry works today. I’ve aided many people or worked on other records as a producer but haven’t put myself out there in a long time. I thank Greg Hall for running the backend of the album release and managing this campaign.

We hope that this album sets me up for future releases. I’ve already started working on the next record, which is more rooted in my life now, becoming a father and what family has come to mean. I enjoy getting the word out there and connecting with people in the music industry.

Ryan Hommel Ghost Hit Recording — Ghost Hit Recording Future Home of the 1 to 1 Sessions

After releasing this record, I’m starting a new live in-studio video series. It’s something similar to Daytrotter or Audiotree. This project would be about working with new artists that I usually wouldn’t have the chance to, but they are coming through town on tour or local to this area.

The idea is to bring them to Ghost Hit Recording studio in West Springfield, MA, where I often work. The studio was built into this church from 1800, and the live room is the sanctuary with the original pipe organ. It’s just a place where you feel especially compelled to make music. I’d love to bring in artists as a stop on their tour and cut some live footage, very minimally mic’ed. It’s going to be called the 1:1 Sessions. It’ll be a YouTube channel and a website.”

Be sure to check out Default To Open, available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with Ryan’s endeavors on social media and follow the 1:1 Sessions on Instagram and YouTube.

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Lucky Iris Talks New Candid EP ‘Maybe I’m Too Much’

August 10, 2023August 12, 2023Albums, Interviewsalt-pop, alternative pop, emerging artists, Featured, female singer, female vocals, hyper-pop, indie, indie pop, Leeds, Lucky Iris, new music, new music friday, pop, U.K., upcoming artistsLeave a Comment

The dynamic pop duo from Leeds, U.K., Lucky Iris, releases maybe i’m too much, the group’s most recent EP. Lucky Iris is Maeve Florsheim and Jasper Exley, forming their group just before the height of the pandemic in 2020. POETRY DANS LA RUE has followed Lucky Iris since the release of “Get Ready With Me,” an addicting pop track that can pair with any Reel or TikTok.

On maybe i’m too much, the group follows a reflective journey with candid lyrics juxtaposed by energetic pop music. Lucky Iris comes into their sound and pushes the limits, especially with tracks like “23” and “blowing kisses.” Recently, the group had their songs featured on BBCR1, Love Island, and BBC Introducing…which mark major career highs for the duo.

We catch up with Lucky Iris to gush over the release of maybe i’m too much and chat about all things behind the scenes.

Interview ft. Lucky Iris

POETRY DANS LA RUE: It’s so wild to reflect on when we first connected in 2020 for the release of “Get Ready With Me.” I love seeing how you guys have evolved in the past few years!

LUCKY IRIS: “We wrote those first tracks just before the pandemic. The lockdown was pretty quick here in the U.K., so it was a lot of calling between the two of us trying to release the songs. It was nice to have people like you pick up on it early. It reassured us that people were enjoying the music.”

‘maybe i’m too much’ EP

PDLR: So, your EP, maybe i’m too much, is out now! I remember listening to “23” when it came out. I noticed the production and was enamored by how it captivates the listener. Then I dove into the lyrics and the meaning of the track. I felt like this one set the bar!

LUCKY IRIS: “Since lockdown, the production has been self-taught by both of us, and we’ve been able to craft and produce our own music for the first time. We’ve had so much more time to sit with the tracks and sounds to make it feel how we want. I’m glad to hear you picked up on it.

When we first started and made “Get Ready With Me,” we wanted to make music that we wanted to listen to. The kind of music and the soundscapes have changed in a couple of years, but we still like that concept. We’ve grown into this sound, and this is the first time we’ve put our spin on all of it.”

PDLR: That’s awesome, and it shows on the tracks! Did you work with anyone else in the making of this EP?

LUCKY IRIS: “So it’s produced by just us, doing everything ourselves. We sent it off for the final production to be mixed by Richard Wilkinson, who has worked with Adele. Then it went to mastering in Denmark by Antony Ryan, who works with Oh Wonder.

We love writing songs, and we love producing, but it’s nice to have more ears to hear it in different spaces. It also helps to raise the sound quality and elevate the tracks. Our aspiration for this EP was to do what we’re doing but take it to the next level.”

“I think “23” will still resonate when I’m turning 53 because it’s the same retrospective idea of where you are at the time.”

PDLR: Can you provide more insight into the writing process of the EP and discuss what you were pulling from for the material?

LUCKY IRIS: “We were in a better headspace after lockdown and getting back into a normal routine. It was exploring the ways that we’ve grown. So with “23,” it was the idea of where we are now after these last couple of years. It feels like we blinked and woke up in 2023.

Now, I’m in my twenties, and I’m trying to be present, but you have all of these pressures. I realized that some of the things I want have changed since 2020. It comes with getting older in general; the ideas of what I want for my life are changing. The song is about that and how it’s not necessarily a good or bad thing.

I think “23” will still resonate when I’m 52, turning 53, because it’s the same retrospective idea of where you are at that time. You’re always reflecting.”

PDLR: I think the idea you explore on “23” is relatable to many different generations. People could be going through significant life changes and reflecting on where they are at any given time.

LUCKY IRIS: “Out of all the tracks, “23” is quite emotional because it perfectly captures the feeling of us coming out of lockdown and feeling a bit lost. Our entire EP is like this growth period, and “maybe i’m too much” is also a special track because it’s one of the first we wrote as a backdrop to the EP.

I think it started as quite a sad track about taking in all the impressions other people have of us. It has since grown as we’ve changed it into a rather joyful track. It’s about realizing those things don’t matter, and you shouldn’t give time to people who want to change you. The lyrics stayed the same, but the meaning was different. It’s saying, well, ‘maybe I’m too much, but maybe that doesn’t matter at all.’

“oh no (i guess i did it again)” worked similarly because it started as a trivial argument in a pub. It ended with this idea that I won’t allow people to tell me where I belong, and their opinion doesn’t matter. I didn’t necessarily write it expecting those feelings, but it’s very cathartic.”

“Having our songs be on the main radio station we listened to growing up was a huge pinch-me moment.”

PDLR: I’ve had “blowing kisses” in my head for the past few weeks; it’s definitely an earworm! I also saw that you recently had both of your latest singles on BBC Radio 1.

LUCKY IRIS: “We were so excited about that. It’s something we always dreamed about. Having our songs be on the main radio station we listened to growing up was a huge pinch-me moment. It was nice to have validation and achieve a longtime goal. After hearing “oh no (i guess i did it again)” and soaking it all in, they played “blowing kisses” the following week. To have that kind of reassurance meant a lot.”

PDLR: That’s exciting to have traction with the EP coming out!

“We like the juxtaposition of the lyrics being more melancholy and the feeling more energetic.”

PDLR: Any specific influences or something you were listening to while you were making maybe i’m too much?

LUCKY IRIS: “We listened to a lot of hyper-pop music because it brought us a lot of joy and put us in the mindset. We fell in love with more and more artists in that niche, and now we’ve kind of created our version of that. So, there may be some more surprises along the lines of that style to come. Some of the artists we had on rotation were Rina Sawayama, Tove Lo, Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, and Kim Petras. We like the juxtaposition of the lyrics being more melancholy and the feeling more energetic.”

Upcoming Events for Lucky Iris

PDLR: Do you have any special events or shows coming up?

LUCKY IRIS: “We’re doing an intimate record store show on August 11th when the EP comes out. We’ll play the EP in full live and celebrate with friends. Then we’ve got a tour booked TBA soon, touring most of the U.K. We are eager to get the music out there and perform it for everyone.”

Listen to the brand new EP, ‘maybe i’m too much,’ from Lucky Iris below, and follow them on social media to keep up with their latest news.

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Marcus Machado Talks Blue Diamonds, Vinyl, Prince, and More

June 28, 2023July 29, 2023Albums, Interviews, Vinylemerging artists, Featured, guitar, guitarist, new music, now spinning, Prince, soul step records, upcoming artists, vinyl, vinyl industry, vinyl recordsLeave a Comment

Talking with NYC guitarist M arcus Machado is like catching up with someone you’ve known for ten years. Marcus Machado partnered with Soul Step Records this May to release his most recent album, Blue Diamonds, on vinyl. He first partnered with Soul Step for his debut album, Aquarius Purple, in 2021. Both albums have been an enormous success for vinyl sales and in the realm of guitar, R&B, funk, hip-hop, and jazz fans. This year, Marcus has played Jazz Fest, featured his music in an E! special, and collaborated with many artists in the industry. We sat down with Marcus Machado to discuss everything from his Prince influence, his vinyl collection, and his new album, Blue Diamonds.

Interview with Marcus Machado

PDLR: I love your debut Aquarius Purple and your recent release, Blue Diamonds, especially on vinyl. Can you talk about the backstory of those albums?

Marcus Machado: “The story with Aquarius Purple is that the album was eight years in the making because back in 2008-2009, I was living in Amsterdam for a couple of years. I had so many songs recorded for Aquarius Purple. Then around 2017, a friend of mine reached out to me about doing a score for a short film. I never had that opportunity before, so I recorded some songs for the film and had the idea to turn them into a soundtrack album. That’s where the concept of Blue Diamonds originated.

I brought in a lot of different musicians for Blue Diamonds. There’s a strings section, bass players, and drummers, and we recorded it all in one room. Once I recorded those songs, Blue Diamonds was finished in 2017. It was initially going to be my debut album. I hesitated when the pandemic happened because it was linked to the short film and a soundtrack album. Blue Diamonds was produced more, like the Super Fly soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield. It has a real 70s type of vibe. I realized I wanted to finish Aquarius Purple since it was more guitar-driven and felt like a debut album.”

Marcus Machado on Blue Diamonds

PDLR: What inspired the name of the new album, Blue Diamonds?

Marcus Machado: “It was just the name of the short film Blue Diamonds. I wondered if it should be called something else or if I should call it, ‘The Soundtrack to Blue Diamonds,’ but it just fit the whole approach.”

PDLR: You collaborated with many people on Blue Diamonds, like Brian Owens and Jermaine Holmes, and mentioned other instrumentalists and collaborators. Can you talk about that experience?

Marcus Machado: “Jermaine Holmes was the background vocalist for D’Angelo and The Vanguard. Sandra St. Victor is like my second mom. She’s the legendary singer from The Family Stand. They had their hit song called “Ghetto Heaven.” She collaborated with Chaka Khan and worked with Prince on the Emancipation album. Sandra is the only person he credited in the album notes, “Beautiful lyric by Sandra. Speaking 2 the heart…reflections live 4ever in mirrors.” I also worked with Miguel Atwood Ferguson, an incredible conductor and orchestra player. He does all the work that you hear from Flying Lotus. There are so many incredible musicians on this album, James Biscuit Rouse (drummer), Lez Lemon (bassist), and songs featuring Brian Owens, Kennedy, Rojo Lavoe, and TFox.”

PDLR: So far, I’ve pulled out “I Can’t Lose” ft. Jermaine Holmes and “Stop” ft. Brian Owens as the songs that caught my ear. Did you have any favorite songs during the writing process?

Marcus Machado: “It’s funny that you mention “I Can’t Lose” because that was the first song I started for this project. The film has a part with a funeral scene, and they wanted something bluesy but soulful. Immediately those chords and that melody started coming to me, and “I Can’t Lose” was written to music. I wrote it in about ten minutes. I sent it to Jermaine, and he came up with its whole concept. He made it like an anthem. Whatever it is that you’re going through, you can’t lose.

One of my favorite songs is “Pass Me By” ft. TFox, which just came out. I love “Thinking” ft. Miguel Atwood Ferguson. “Dig” is another favorite because I was able to be in the studio and experiment with different guitars, which I wasn’t able to do with Aquarius Purple. At the end of “Dig,” the engineer accidentally hit a button on the console, and the track immediately slowed down. I wanted to keep it in because it was interesting at the end, even though it was an accident. This album has a wide range of experimentation I hadn’t done on the previous record.”

Marcus Chats About Vinyl & Soul Step Records

PDLR: Did you collect vinyl when you were younger, and do you have a current collection?

Marcus Machado: “I’ve always been a big vinyl collector, vinyl head, and being young, my mom had a crazy collection. She influenced me in all the different genres. In our house, it was Earth, Wind & Fire, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, and John Denver. As I got older and into my favorite music, collecting and listening to vinyl was natural. I’m an 80s baby, seeing music evolve from cassette, CD, to digital. I loved going to the store and purchasing music.

A lot of my collection is in Amsterdam. When I was there, I was able to go to London and Germany, and some of the records they have there, we can’t get here. Even my grandmother has a crazy vinyl collection. My collection is spread out, and it’s something that has always been in the family.”

“Sometimes your music can get lost if you don’t have the right people, but it’s a perfect match once you find the right ones.”

PDLR: When and how did you team up with Soul Step for your first release?

Marcus Machado: “Naturally, when it came time to make my records, I knew it would go on vinyl. When I put out new music, I want to be strategic and not have it become old in a week. I want to try to change the narrative and put out good music but put it out on vinyl.

Once I had my music recorded, before partnering with Soul Step, I wanted to find a good company that understands what I do and my overall vision. At Soul Step, with Melvin and everyone involved, it’s a perfect match. They cater to the artist and understand the vision. They know the way to put it out and make it unique. Melvin reached out to me, and I told him I already had two albums, but I wanted to get them on vinyl. We decided on Aquarius Purple, and I felt good about these projects. He introduced me to the whole world of Wax Mage (exclusive vinyl variants) and their psychedelic artwork, which is up my alley. Sometimes your music can get lost if you don’t have the right people, but it’s a perfect match once you find the right ones.

When Aquarius Purple came out, I worried people wouldn’t buy vinyl because of the pandemic. It actually worked as a domino effect because people were taking the time to sit down and listen to records. When we launched the vinyl, the Wax Mage sold out in about 50 seconds, which surprised me because it was my debut album and my first vinyl release.”

PDLR: I like the concept of releasing an album on vinyl first, like you recently did for Blue Diamonds. I think it’s interesting to forego listening to the digital album and instead purchase the record on vinyl like you would when you were younger. You’re going to get a better experience than on Spotify.

Marcus Machado: “If you’re a fan of a certain artist, getting their new record on vinyl is such a surprise. You have to listen to all the songs to find your favorites without skipping through. With streaming, it’s fast consuming and skipping through the songs. If I would release Blue Diamonds on digital tomorrow, I know most people will skip through without listening to it all the way through. I feel it’s better to listen to the whole thing, and then you can start dissecting the details and pick out your favorite songs. So, whenever I put out my music, it will always be the vinyl first. It’s the whole experience, seeing the cover, holding the album, etc. The more music I put out, the more intricate I want to get with the vinyl aspect.”

Marcus Machado on Prince Influence

PDLR: Today is Prince Day, 6/7/2023, so I wanted to ask you if you have a favorite moment, song, or memory of Prince, something that impacted you when you were younger.

Marcus Machado: “Yeah, of course! My major influences are Jimi, and then it’s Prince, then everybody else. Prince is by far a massive influence on everything that I do. I have two standout memories of Prince. As a kid, my mom had Purple Rain, Dirty Mind, and Sign “☮︎” the Times. My favorite Prince eras are Dirty Mind and Sign “☮︎” the Times. My mom would play that record like every day.

When I was younger, around 1992, I was maybe ten years old, and I got asked to play at his club Glam Slam. They wanted me to open up for Alexander O’Neal and said Prince would attend. I don’t know how my mom set this up, but there’s a contract somewhere for Glam Slam that says “Prince” and has me opening for Alexander O’Neal. I couldn’t believe it. It didn’t actually end up happening due to a schedule conflict, but I was so close.

The second memory was in 2014. Rolling Stone named me the next upcoming guitarist, the “Next Young Gun.” So in the interview, they asked me some of my favorite artists, and this was 2014; of course, Prince was #1 on the list. When the article came out, somehow, he got wind of it. One day in 2015, or the beginning of 2016, I got a notification from HIM on Twitter. The tweet said, “Meet Marcus,” and it had the link to my interview. I didn’t believe it then and thought Prince wasn’t on Twitter or social media. So I shrugged it off, thinking it was someone with a fake account. I took a screenshot and saved it.

Then in 2016, I felt like more of his people were coming around, and I thought maybe I’d get to meet him by the end of the year. I wanted to play him the song “Her” from Aquarius Purple because he inspired that song. Then, unfortunately, he passed, so I never had the chance to meet or see him in concert.

About two months after he passed, we got a random call to do a popup show in Minneapolis. It was me and Jamie Lidell, an incredible artist from the UK. During the show, I noticed someone in the audience who looked familiar; she had long hair on one side with it shaved on the other. I met her after and realized it was guitarist Donna Grantis from 3RDEYEGIRL, one of Prince’s last groups he played with. She set it up for me to go to Paisley Park to see what it looked like back then, the way Prince left it.”

Hot Events & News

PDLR: You recently played Jazz Fest in NOLA with Jon Batiste. What was that like?

Marcus Machado: “Jazz Fest was really special this year. It was the first time they had the festival since the pandemic. During the day, I rehearsed with Jon Batiste and then played at least two shows a night that week. It’s always fun being in NOLA and hearing all the great music.”

PDLR: Do you have any upcoming shows or festivals?

Marcus Machado: “Yeah! This summer is going to be busy with shows. I’m going to Europe in July, so I’m looking forward to that.”

PDLR: Anything else you are looking forward to in 2023?

Marcus Machado: “There are a lot of things coming soon that I’m excited about. One is a series called Black Pop. It’s a 4-part series that aired on E! June 19th & 20th. I had the honor of doing the music score for the series. Black Pop is about black culture, where they talk about everything from music, sports, film, and television. It’s executive produced by Stephen Curry.”

“The next album will be something else to contrast the first two. I try not to make the same type of music with each album. Making three different Aquarius Purple albums would be easy, but I want each album to stand for itself and evolve.”

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New Music Emerging Now: Spring Fever

May 23, 2023August 3, 2023Albums, Playlists, Songsalt, Babe Rainbow, emerging artists, Featured, Groover, indie, Joy Oladokun, music discovery, new music, playlist, pop, rock, singer-songwriter, The Japanese Houses, The National, upcoming artists, vinylLeave a Comment

If you want to catch up on the best new music releases this spring, look no further than our New Music Emerging Now: Spring Fever playlists. As always, this past season has unlimited music to discover from your favorite indie, pop, singer-songwriter, and alternative artists. Strong album releases came this month from Ed Sheeran, The National, and Joy Oladokun. Hot new spring singles included drops from Babe Rainbow, The Japanese House, Anderson Hao, and Diving at Dawn. Take a deep dive into our New Music Spring playlists below as the holiday weekend kicks off into summer.

// NEW MUSIC EMERGING NOW SPOTIFY // NEW MUSIC EMERGING NOW APPLE MUSIC //

New Music Emerging Now // Spring Albums & EPs

Ed Sheeran--Subtract // Singer-songwriter

Ed Sheeran shares an emotional diary of personal turmoil in relationships and professional life on -Subtract. The preliminary concept of Subtract was always acoustic and stripped down, but recent events in his private life tragically lined up with the theme. Sheeran sought instrumentals from Aaron Dessner of The National to channel some of Subtract’s more profound, intimate moments. Sheeran processes the loss of best friend Jamal Edwards and touches on grief, depression, and uncertainty. He pens his deepest, darkest songs with “Salt Water,” “Sycamore,” and “Borderline.” “Life Goes On” relates to grieving the loss of his friend while the world spins on with the daily grind.

In contrast, “Dusty” is the perfect parent-child track about listening to records and being carefree in a moment of childhood innocence. The song is squeezed between heavier tracks, bringing sunshine as Sheeran recounts a shared morning ritual with his oldest daughter. Subtract lulls to a close with a Celtic-inspired tune, “The Hills of Aberfeldy,” written with Foy Vance, to give a solemn and yearning end to a primarily heartbreaking album.

Joy Oladokun-Proof of Life // Singer-songwriter/Folk

Joy Oladokun delivers Proof of Life, a stepping-out for the upcoming artist. The album sends an uplifting message to those going through “Changes,” trying to remain hopeful and working on self-improvement. Standout tracks that convey the message of the album include “Taking Things For Granted,” “Somebody Like Me,” and “Trying.” On these tracks, Oladokun longs for acceptance and understanding while challenging herself to be unbothered by opinions.

The range of artists on this album flaunts Oladokun’s genre-crossing flair. The Nashville-local singer is opening for Noah Kahan on his headlining tour, who is featured on “We’re All Gonna Die.” Other emotive collaborations on Proof of Life feature Mt. Joy, Chris Stapleton, Manchester Orchestra, and Maxo Kream. “Sweet Symphony” ft. Chris Stapleton accentuates the soulfulness of the two artists’ voices. Proof of Life is soul-searching, eloquent, and introspective, often sounding like pages of a musical diary.

The National-First Two Pages of Frankenstein // Alternative

Excerpt by Kate Freeman–@what.kate.listens.to

The National’s most recent LP almost didn’t happen. Twins Aaron and Bryce Dessner crafted their signature undulating instrumental pieces, while lead singer Matt Berninger struggled to pen lyrics due to depression and writer’s block. Thankfully, two things helped spark Berninger’s return to form: his wife and lyric collaborator Carin Besser using the phrase “your mind is not your friend;” and picking up a copy of Frankenstein from the bookshelf. The lonely, desolate setting of the book’s opening felt relatable at the time. It was an appropriate starting point for the characteristically melancholy band’s ninth album.

First Two Pages of Frankenstein sees The National shed their earlier angular guitar sounds and harshness in favor of more delicate tracks, perfect for their vulnerable yet wry lyrics. The album is arguably their heaviest emotionally, but to counteract this, it is also their shortest in over ten years. In the standout lead single, “Tropic Morning News,” Berninger proclaims, “There’s nothing stopping me now from saying all of the painful parts out loud.”

The album features three collabs that are any indie fan’s dream – Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift. The most notable, “The Alcott” with Swift, earns her a writing credit and gives fans another heart-wrenching duet following “Coney Island” from evermore.

Frankenstein is relatable yet elusive, with glimpses of joy between waves of sorrow. Perhaps the exception is closer “Send For Me,” where Berninger stops looking inward and offers sincere kindness—a hopeful close to the album and the beginning of a new chapter for our favorite sad dad band.

New Music Emerging Now // Spring Discoveries

Anderson Hao “GET a GRIP” // Acoustic/Pop

Anderson Hao is gearing up to release her debut EP featuring recent singles “GET a GRIP” (ft. Lance Redeker) and “SECOND RATE.” The artist’s soft vocals and poignant lyrics are similar to the style of beabadoobee, Gracie Abrams, or Olivia Rodrigo. Hao’s simplistic tone on “GET a GRIP” instantly lures listeners with, “You’ve got your guard up, I’ve got this nagging feeling, so I hide my neck for two weeks.” The track weaves in subtle elements as Lance’s voice accentuates but never overpowers Anderson’s. It culminates to a sonic height with the duality of vocals and instrumentation at the end. Anderson’s knack for candid and straightforward songwriting radiates in every song she has released. Be on the lookout for her EP, What a Hard Winter, on May 31st.

Babe Rainbow “Super Ego” // Psych-pop

Australian band Babe Rainbow recently took the stage at Shaky Knees Fest in Atlanta with their newest single, “Super Ego.” The four-piece band is known for their signature throwback sounds, which dominate “Super Ego” as the stellar production drifts listeners into a daze. “Super Ego” brings all the psychedelic vibes similar to a 60’s chill jam. One line even brings to mind Steve Miller Band’s iconic “Fly Like An Eagle” as the vocals soar over “and we were looking back through your computer.” Stay tuned for their upcoming EP, Fresh As A Head of Lettuce, set for release on June 16th.

Christian James, Laith, & Annalee Beck “Useless” // Alternative

Raleigh artist Christian James drops a collab track with Annalee Beck and local NC producer Laith. The upbeat style and carefree production are juxtaposed with the melancholy lyrics of being “Useless.” “Useless” embodies waves of ocean tides in the introduction, seemingly washing away spring and kicking off summer. “Nothing sounds right / I was slow dancing on the white rug, spillin’ wine / I love the fact that I am useless,” Christian repeats each word perfectly on the beat.

Diving at Dawn “Playing Your Records” // Alternative

Diving at Dawn, the solo project of Pete Hobbs from The Boy Least Likely To, goes on a sentimental flashback of experiencing music on vinyl for the first time. Hobbs paints a vivid image of exploring his father’s record collection as a kid and creating a core memory of spinning vinyl. This track is a must-hear for any record collector who loves the crackle of an old LP. “Playing Your Records” has similar vocals to Beck on “Stratosphere” and a melange of music Hobbs grew up listening to (Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Wings). Some songs were meant to be pressed on vinyl, and this one emulates that exact notion.

Dylan Kelley “Wherever You Are” // Country

Breakup songs have existed for ages but always seem vindictive, overly emotional, or often cliché. Dylan Kelley’s new single “Wherever You Are” is an ode to an ex, wishing them well in whatever journey they pursue after the relationship ends. Dylan’s storytelling on this track is spot on and sends the message softly but clearly in the most endearing way. Country music fans will want to put “Wherever You Are” on repeat and, for once, look back fondly on an old flame.

The Japanese House “Sad to Breathe” & “Sunshine Baby” // Pop

The Japanese House, solo artist Amber Bain of Dirty Hit, returns with sensational singles “Sad to Breathe” and “Sunshine Baby.” The debut single, “Boyhood,” from her upcoming album, In the End It Always Does, marked her first release since 2020. “Sad to Breathe” is an acoustic, more stripped-back style single that accentuates her pure vocals. The lyrics cut deep on processing the end of a relationship, “I go to bed, and I’m cryin, ’cause it’s sad to breathe the air when you’re not there.” George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, adds his magic to the production with the signature chimes of piano similar to The Birthday Party or The Man Who Married a Robot.

“Sunshine Baby” captures the bittersweet qualities of a relationship when you don’t want a good thing to end. “Putting off the end, ’cause in the end it always does,” is contrasted by “sitting in the backseat, driving with my sunshine baby.” Amber’s voice and diction on this track embody her feelings. Matty Healy’s backing vocals and a smooth sax solo brighten up the song like a warm spring day. In the End It Always Does is set for release on June 30th.

Lost Hearts “Night to Remember” // Rock

Lost Hearts brings pop-rock back to the forefront of the country-dominated city of Nashville. “Night to Remember” is a classic, catchy, live anthem. The lyrics on this single give listeners a glimpse of the mid-2000s. The simple concept of pining for someone that you can’t have rings out in a universal and memorable chorus. Lost Hearts have what it takes to command a stage and be the next big addition to rock tours around the US.

As May nears a close, we are still playing catch-up with new music this spring. Discover everything you see here and more on our New Music Emerging Now // Spring Fever playlists.

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Alluring February Albums You Don’t Want to Miss

February 15, 2023July 29, 2023Albums, Vinylemerging artists, Featured, new music, now spinning, playlist, upcoming artists, vinylLeave a Comment

February albums bring on the heartbreak, angst, and vulnerability of 2023. SYML and Raye kicked off the month with The Day My Father Died and My 21st Century Blues, respectively. The long-awaited return of Paramore arrives with This Is Why. On-the-rise Dublin band Inhaler drops Cuts & Bruises, and Gorillaz raise the bar with Cracker Island at the end of the month. Listen to these February albums and more on our February Heartbreakers playlist.

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Raye–My 21st Century Blues // Stream & Shop February Albums

Raye’s debut album, My 21st Century Blues, is a fusion of the British singer-songwriter’s work after her departure from Polydor Records. Raye kicked off this album with her first Number 1 single, “Escapism,” with 070 Shake. As an independent artist, Raye tackles her most personal inner struggles. Song titles like “Body Dysmorphia” and “Environmental Anxiety” speak for themselves as the album weaves through a diary-like journey. Raye intertwines genres of pop, R&B, gospel, funk, and soul on this candid composition of 15 tracks. Apart from “Escapism,” our favorites include “Oscar Winning Tears” and “The Thrill Is Gone.”

SYML–The Day My Father Died // Stream & Shop February Albums

Singer-songwriter SYML (sim-ul) captivates fans with his sophomore album, The Day My Father Died. The album takes a sensitive topic to the forefront as the solo artist discusses the loss of his father. Several songs, including the title track, are surprisingly upbeat as the songsmith faces grief and pays homage to his father. Songs like “Sweet Home” and “Corduroy” call out feelings of Sufjan Stevens and Bon Iver as they weep across the arrangement.

Highlights of the album include a Fleetwood Mac meets James Bay style track, “Laughing at the Storm,” and heart-pouring “Baby Don’t Lie.” The Day My Father Died is produced by Phil Ek, known for his work with Fleet Foxes, Vance Joy, and Band of Horses. If you are a fan of any artists above, you’ll quickly fall in love with this staggering record.

Paramore–This Is Why // Stream & Shop February Albums

Your favorite early 2000s bands are back and delivering albums for fans to relive their black nail polish and Warped Tour days. The glorious concept about Paramore’s timing with This Is Why is that, along with their fanbase, the band has matured and blessed us with emo songs for adults in their twenties and thirties. If you weren’t sold on the sound from “This Is Why,” try “Running Out of Time” or “You First” for a guaranteed serotonin-boosting flashback. This Is Why chews over topics from depression and isolation to anxiety and uncertainty. Paramore combines post-punk, subtleties from Hayley’s solo work, and riveting lyrics at the right level to make the album shine.

Inhaler–Cuts & Bruises // Stream & Shop February Albums

Dublin band Inhaler releases their sophomore album, Cuts & Bruises, our favorite album from this list. Leading with three anthemic singles, Cuts & Bruises has countless alternative rock fans joining in on the listening party. The band’s third single, “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart,” is making headway worldwide on emerging artist playlists and top music magazines. Inspired by seeing different bands at festivals and touring America, Inhaler emulates Kings of Leon, Sam Fender, and The Strokes. Cuts & Bruises undoubtedly brings Inhaler to the forefront of the alt-rock scene.

Gorillaz–Cracker Island // Stream & Shop February Albums

Gorillaz gear up for the festival season with their eighth studio album, Cracker Island. After hearing five released tracks from the star-studded record, fans revel in an innovative genre-shifting album. Noteworthy highs include “Silent Running,” a dreamlike electro-earworm, and “New Gold,” a smooth hip-hop-infused dance bop. Artists featured on Cracker Island include Thundercat, Stevie Nicks, Beck, Tame Impala and Bootie Brown, Adeleye Omotayo, and Bad Bunny. Cracker Island rounds out a spectacular second month of 2023 new music releases.

For more alluring February albums, including new releases from Pierce the Veil, Kelela, and Shania Twain, check out our February Heartbreakers playlists.

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Ranking Our Top Albums of 2022

December 13, 2022July 29, 2023Albums2022 album rankings, AOTY, best new artists, emerging artists, Featured, new music, playlist, singer-songwriter, Top Albums of 2022, upcoming artists, vinylLeave a Comment

POETRY DANS LA RUE explored 50 of this year’s hottest albums (see AOTY Contenders Playlist) and narrowed them down to 15 Top Albums of 2022. Don’t pay TOO much attention to the order because this year was massive for music releases! One commonality between these albums is the impeccable songwriting from these artists across the board.

Did any of these albums make your list? Check out our Top 15 Albums of 2022 and Honorable Mentions in the full breakdown below.

// 15 Top Albums of 2022 //

// 10 Top Albums of 2022 //

// 10 // Beatopia by beabadoobee

Rounding out our top 10 Albums of 2022 is Beatopia, the sophomore album by London alternative singer-songwriter beabadoobee. Beatopia is a lighter, more serene album from her debut Fake It Flowers. Bea holds fast to her ’90s-Esque female pop rock style on the hit single “Talk” yet goes more coffeehouse acoustic for “The Perfect Pair.” Matty Healy also makes some guest appearances with songwriting credits on this album. “Pictures of Us” echoes a sonic background similar to the likes of The Cure; Matty pens one of his signature metaphors “She reminded me that God starts with a capital, but I don’t think I could do it all,” as Bea’s voice murmurs unwavering as the track comes to a height.

// 9 // MUNA by MUNA

Indie pop threesome MUNA is at an all-time high with the band’s third studio album. MUNA is soft and vulnerable yet airy and captivating. Opening track “Silk Chiffon” ft. Phoebe Bridgers became somewhat of a feminine anthem of 2022. Other songwriting peaks include the inner dialogue ballad “Kind of Girl,” synth-pop tune “Runner’s High,” and the sultry track “No Idea.”

// 8 // Surrender by Maggie Rogers

Maggie Rogers shakes things up on her second studio album, Surrender. The singer-songwriter brings a delightful contrast from her debut album and pushes her vocal limits with “Horses” and “Overdrive.” Surrender is the pivot in an artist’s career where you see them feel entirely in charge of their artistic decisions, breaking out of the box and letting loose.

//7 // Sonder by Dermot Kennedy

Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy reaches massive heights with his sophomore album Sonder. Kennedy, who started his career while busking the streets of Dublin, brings the contrast of intimacy and mainstream pop on the 11-track LP. Longtime fans of Dermot bask in deeper emotional tracks like “Innocence and Sadness” and “Dreamer,” while newcomers may enjoy more pop-like tunes such as “Kiss Me” and “Something to Someone.”

// 6 // Multitude by Stromae

Belgian worldwide pop star Stromae FINALLY returned in 2022 with his third album, Multitude. After a long hiatus from the music industry, Stromae released “Santé,” a lead single with a TikTok trending dance to go with it. Stromae, inverse for “Maestro,” is a talented singer-songwriter and an all-around theatrical artist and producer. Stromae has a knack for taking a song such as “Enfers” and concealing a more profound message with the contrast of upbeat music. His music videos and stage performances take performative art to the next level. Multitude saw much success in North America this year at Coachella, and his headline shows.

// 5 Top Albums of 2022 //

// 5 // Midnights by Taylor Swift

After pouring out her most intimate diary entries on sister albums folklore and evermore, T. Swift is back with a stadium anthem-worthy album. Midnights is precisely the right direction Taylor needed to take for her return to the stage. Pop ballads like “Bejeweled,” “Karma,” and “Anti-Hero” bring back the reputation vibes that fans may have been missing. For the *always in your feels fans* there are a few tracks to get you down (see “You’re On Your Own Kid” and “Bigger Than the Whole Sky”). Taylor’s clever to-the-beat songwriting rings high on “Maroon,” “The burgundy on my T-shirt when you splashed your wine into me / And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet, it was (maroon).”

// 4 // Leap by James Bay

James Bay’s third studio album, Leap, combines elements from his critically acclaimed debut album Chaos and the Calm and the more synth-pop sophomore album Electric Light. The British singer-songwriter tells stories of love, growth, and personal reflection with a voice full of emotion. Bay’s songwriting shines on the beautifully penned wedding song “One Life.” Other standout songs include “Nowhere Left to Go,” “Right Now,” “Brilliant Still,” and “Give Me the Reason.”

// 3 // Harry’s House by Harry Styles

Everyone lived in Harry’s House in 2022, including half of New York, Dallas, and L.A., for about fifteen nights a piece. Harry crafted the soundtrack of the year by debuting “As It Was” shortly before his Coachella headline set in April. Harry’s House hits hard with dance-pop on “Cinema,” empathy on “Matilda,” and funky soul on “Music for a Sushi Restaurant.” Harry is on top of the pop star world, and this album further solidified his spot for global stardom.

// 2 // Being Funny In A Foreign Language by The 1975

The 1975 stuns longtime and newbie fans in their 5th studio album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language. The Manchester band of 20 years has written their most cohesive CONCISE album, consolidating their musical artwork into eleven flawless and heartfelt tracks. The stripped-back production works wonders on audiences of all ages, especially on songs like “All I Need to Hear” and “When We Are Together.” Lyrically, 90% of the album takes a step back on some of Matty Healy’s most poetic monologues, making it easier to digest and sing along. If you’re looking for an overly indulgent and experimental track, that would be the lead single “Part of the Band.”

// 1 // Stick Season by Noah Kahan

Stick Season by Noah Kahan delivers lyrically, emotionally, and vocally track after track. Noah’s songwriting is at an all-time high as he paints pictures of melancholic dark winter nights in New England. This album will make listeners feel as though they are experiencing synesthesia in how Kahan weaves through the film-like images of his past and present. Top tracks include “Stick Season,” “All My Love,” “Come Over,” “Growing Sideways,” and “Everywhere, Everything.” Noah’s Stick Season tour is growing by the hour. He has upgraded several venues to accommodate more fans BEFORE the tickets even go on sale. “It’s the season of the sticks!”

// Honorable Mentions // Top Albums of 2022

Älskar by Nina Nesbitt, Autofiction by Suede, The Hum Goes On Forever by The Wonder Years, Lavender Days by Caamp, Tell Me That It’s Over by Wallows, and Bronco by Orville Peck

// AOTY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST // AOTY APPLE MUSIC PLAYLIST //

Now Spinning: Modern Nomad ‘There It Is, There You Are’

September 26, 2022July 29, 2023Albums, Vinylcolored vinyl, emerging artists, Featured, new music, now spinning, soul step records, upcoming artists, vinylLeave a Comment

Indie pop record There It Is, There You Are by Modern Nomad sounds flawless on white vinyl from Soul Step Records. Soul Step denotes the 2021 album as “psychedelic indie pop for fans of Tame Impala, Mac Demarco, and Toro Y Moi.” Furthermore, There It Is, There You Are is a surprising nod to The Beach Boys and The Beatles. This week, we chat with Tom McLean, a solo artist under the moniker Modern Nomad, about his most recent album.

Pick up the white vinyl from Soul Step Records HERE!

Q&A with Modern Nomad //

PDLR: Soul Step Records mentions similarities to Tame Impala, Mac Demarco, and Toro Y Moi, as well as influences from The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

Do you have other influences or anecdotes to share about what inspired There It Is, There You Are?

Modern Nomad: “Harry Nilsson is one of my biggest influences; he is at the top of my list! As for the overall inspiration, I wrote and recorded this record at a time when I entered a long-term relationship. I spent two months with my partner, hanging out and getting to know each other basically every day. It went from that to long distance. Navigating the newness of distance inspired a lot of these songs. Specifically, the song “Feel This Way Forever” has a lot of lyrics about our relationship.”

PDLR: “Baby, I Love You,” “Electrify,” and “I Want You to Stay” have an evident influence from The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

What specific elements in your music draw inspiration from these iconic bands?

Modern Nomad: “I love the harmonies in The Beatles and The Beach Boys’ music. Harmony is something that I spend a lot of time on, so I’ll obsess over stacking vocals. The balance of simplicity and complexity is an element I admire in The Beatles’ music. They’ll have weird chord changes that don’t seem to fit, yet they work out smoothly. I will undeniably be searching for a McCartney-quality melody my entire life.”

PDLR: Can you discuss the songwriting process for There It Is, There You Are?

Modern Nomad: “I write, record, and produce everything myself, so the process changes from song to song. Several songs, like “All in My Dreams,” were recorded and worked on for over a year, whereas I finished “Get a Little Closer” in one night. Usually, I’ll start with an idea for a chord progression and part of a melody; then, I produce a track around it. Once I arrange and map out the idea, then I’ll finish writing the verses, choruses, and bridges. Writing like this also allows me to revisit songs if something else I did in a newer song inspires me. I love having that freedom.”

PDLR: How would you describe the album’s sound to someone who has never heard your music?

Modern Nomad: “Maybe something like if The Beatles in 1967 had access to Ableton, 80’s synths, and were listening to the Spotify playlist ‘Modern Psychedelia’ a lot.”

Our Favorite Tracks //

“Reflection” -A captivating intro track to the 10-song LP. “Reflection” oozes psychedelic indie rock à la Tame Impala.

“Get a Little Closer” -On this second track, Modern Nomad brings a sultry, mellow vibe that sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Get a Little Closer” is our favorite tune, based solely on the smooth instrumentals.

“Baby, I Love You” -This track draws clear inspiration from The Beatles and The Beach Boys. We go back and forth between connections of the two iconic bands in “Baby, I Love You.” Catchy, cute, timeless, and undoubtedly nostalgic.

“Electrify” -Infectious and quite literally electrifying. It’s as if The Beatles and Tame Impala came together right now over this song.

“Feel This Way Forever” -A psychedelic, dreamy track with jazzy undertones. “Feel This Way Forever” has a perfect fade-out on vinyl into the album’s last two tracks.

*Soul Step Records upfronts the cost of vinyl production for new artists. For more information on Soul Step Records and their mission, visit their website or follow them on Instagram below.

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Now Spinning: Marcus Machado Aquarius Purple

September 15, 2022July 29, 2023Albums, Vinylalbum, album review, colored vinyl, emerging artists, Featured, funk, R&B, repress, soul step records, upcoming artists, vinylLeave a Comment

We are head over heels for this Purple Ink Spot repress of Marcus Machado’s 2021 debut album, Aquarius Purple, from Soul Step Records. Described as “guitar-driven rhythm and funk for fans of Raphael Saadiq and Jimi Hendrix,” something kept calling me to spin this album.

Aquarius Purple is a Guitar & B type record with funky instrumental tracks such as “Aq Intro” and “Table Dance.” Marcus Machado’s style, rooted in soul, rhythm, and dream-like instrumentals, sends you into a temporary reverie. Throughout the galactic-sounding journey of the album, music fans may also liken Machado to Thundercat or Black Pumas. “Let’s Play” is a soul-heavy instrumental track contrasted by “Her,” a funky dance-beat bop. Collaborative sounds from Jermaine Holmes, Daru Jones, JSWISS, Ahrel Lumzy, and TFOX make Aquarius Purple an eccentric album with striking layers.

Pick up the Purple Ink Spot variant from Soul Step Records HERE!

// Aquarius Purple: Favorite Tracks //

“Let’s Play”

“Tomorrow Never Knows”

“Her”

“Running”

*Soul Step Records pays the upfront costs of vinyl production for new artists. For more information on Soul Step Records, their mission, store, and contact info, visit their website or follow them on Instagram below.

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‘No. 6 Collaborations Project’ by Ed Sheeran: An Album for the World

July 12, 2019August 3, 2023AlbumsLeave a Comment

Today is the day for Ed Sheeran fans! His new album, No. 6 Collaborations Project, has fans tuned in and celebrating worldwide. If you aren’t familiar with Ed’s album history, this is the second collaborations album he has added to his repertoire. Ed merges all genres and takes many risks with the variety of tracks on this album. I guarantee that there is something for everyone.

Here are some of the stand-out tracks of No. 6 Collaborations Project that cover genres from country to rap. Let’s “Dive” right into it!

Stand-Out Tracks of No. 6 Collaborations Project

B eautiful People (feat. Khalid)

The theme of the first five singles from the album seems to be that Ed is not conforming to the usual lifestyle of a pop star. Sheerios are not at all surprised by this concept. “Beautiful People” further confirms this humble approach with lyrics like, “I’m not fazed by all the lights and flashing cameras, ’cause with my arms around you, there’s no need to care.” Awwww! Above all, the two artists seem to blend so well and have similar styles. The song will leave you wanting more from Ed and Khalid.

Cross Me (feat. Chance the Rapper & PnB Rock)

“Cross Me” is a bop! I played it in the car on repeat for about two days straight. The PnB Rock hook is super catchy and makes you want to get up and dance right away. The song is a captivating take on feeling protective over your partner. It is a straight-up ‘don’t mess with my girl’ anthem.

Best Part of Me (feat. YEBBA)

“Best Part of Me” is by far the tearjerker of this album. It sounds even more heartfelt on vinyl. For the fans that fell in love with “Kiss Me,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Perfect,” this one is for you. When he starts off the song by whispering “1, 2, 3,” I am instantly reminded of this “Kiss Me” performance from 2012. Somehow he always finds new words to express the sentiments of everlasting love. If you’re looking for a wedding duet in 2019 or 2020, claim it now! Likewise, the video is a classic black-and-white live recording at Abbey Road Studios. Swoon!

Way To Break My Heart (feat. Skrillex)

Sometimes song titles speak to you before you listen to them. This track did just that. The slower intro may catch you by surprise, and you will be waiting for the Skrillex beats to drop. Don’t worry; they do! This track jumped out to me the most, apart from the previously released singles. If you listen carefully, the instrumental played with the first and second verses sounds like John Waite’s “Missing You.” Although that comparison might be a bit of a stretch, I love it!

BLOW (with Chris Stapleton & Bruno Mars)

A very unexpected introduction for an Ed Sheeran song! The three artists all seem to have branched out with this one and gone a little more rock ‘n’ roll for “BLOW.” Chris Stapleton’s style seems to have a lot of influence on this track. It is a little more risqué than your average Ed Sheeran radio hit, but fans are here for it. The music video is yet another surprising take on the song as it features a female rock band in place of the male singers. All in all, it’s a jam and the perfect way to end the album.

Overall, every song lives up to his stadium sell-out standards, but it’s only day one. So, enjoy No. 6 Collaborations Project, Sheerio friends. I’ve got a lot more listening and dancing to do!