DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Rock/Review Smoke Spider - East Berlin
Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Smoke Spider is the sonic project of singer Göran Florström and multi-instrumentalist and producer Johan Granat. Smoke Spider’s first single, Love to See You Miserable, was released in February 2021. East Berlin is the ninth single in the line of great releases and the second of 2023. As always, produced by Johan Granat.
Hip-Hop/Review MUNGMUNG - Internet Friends
MUNGMUNG played Big Sound in 2022; featured on Triple J's Bars of Steel in December 2022; headlined Phoenix Central Park in March 2023; supported the likes of Kucka, Ngaiire, Taka Perry, Boy Soda, Billy Davis, and Gold Fang. Songs have been featured on the Sydney Morning Herald, FBi Radio, Triple J, BBC Radio, MTV, Complex AU, and NME.
Rock/Review Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends - My Face
In another life, Alien Friend played guitar and sang in the Swedish band Redmoon. This is his solo project. During 2021 and 2022, Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends released a string of singles and a double album. The latter, co-produced by the legendary David Myhr (from the Merrymakers), brings together elements of power pop, folk, and indie rock, but although many of the songs might be rooted in the musical soil of the sixties and seventies, there’s no nostalgia here.
World/Review Samir Bodhi - Memories of Empathy
A resident of Southern California, Indian-born musical visionary and tenured professor Samir Bodhi's multi-faceted life and career reflect the classic immigrant experience of thriving in the pursuit of his creative and academic dreams. His accolades include accompanying legends such as Hemant Kumar, Runa Laila, Bani Thakur, and Hoimonti Shukla and performing on Calcutta Television with famous artists in many prestigious venues in Calcutta, India.
Rock/Review LokkisKott - Deep Inside
LokkisKott is an Australian music artist from Goulburn, New South Wales. "Deep Inside" was the first single ever released, demonstrating the artist's creative and artistic expression. However, LokkisKott doesn't stop there. With interests in cinema, theatre, story writing, and authentically expressing the deep emotions of life experiences, these influence the music to resonate and have powerful energy.
Rock/Review Sanjay Michael - Rocking Into Midnight
Much like mainstay genres like metal and punk, rock music is always alive in the hearts and minds of those who believe in its sacred lineage and power to inspire. Singaporean rock singer-songwriter Sanjay Michael is one such artist, carrying the torch of rock n' roll and finding new ways to express its unrelenting, joyous energy to new audiences. Sanjay's fist-pumping signature sound revolves around electrified blues and rock influences.
Rock/Review Ethan Senger - Everything
Ethan Senger is a third-generation guitarist who first picked up the instrument when he was 7 years old and never really put it down again. Raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, he began singing and performing shows around that same age, and started writing and recording pop, rock, and singer-songwriter tunes in his late teens.
Rock/Review BreakTime - Specials
Founded in 2018 as a standard-issue Jersey cover band, BreakTime has developed into its own songwriting collective. A common occurrence emerged at their live shows as increasing numbers of new listeners—including those who primarily listen to hard rock, punk, shoegaze, and country—expressed their enjoyment for songs written in the classic vein.
Pop/Review Natalie Clark - Late Train
Scottish singer-songwriter Natalie Clark, who has reaped plaudits from Richard Branson and BBC Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw, launched her self-released debut EP, Eagles, in Scotland before heading stateside. Selected as a Mercedes-Benz KTLA "Artist to Watch", Natalie was featured in the Mercedes-Benz U.S. commercial campaign, which also included performances at the famous Roxy on Sunset and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
Rock/Review Cam Cole - Unleash
Starting out as a busker on every street corner that would allow him to play, Cam Cole's videos went viral on social media, earning him a loyal fanbase, millions of streams, a cameo in the Emmy-winning TV show "Ted Lasso," and subsequent tours and festival slots across the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, etc., selling out club shows in cities he had never been to before.
Rock/Review Mark Winters - I See You
Texas-based indie-rock musician Mark Winters is many things; a soulful songwriter, a witty poet, passionate musician, an entrepreneur, an optimist, a family man and a bonafide rocket scientist. His biggest influences are John Mayer, Tom Petty, and Jason Mraz.
Rock/Review Under Delusion - Burning Under Water
Under Delusion is a synth-rock band renowned for their unique blend of synths, guitars, and captivating vocals, led by an exceptional female voice. With an acute sense of storytelling, they craft soundscapes that transport listeners to extraordinary realms. Through their music, Under Delusion seeks to connect with audiences on a deep, personal level, awakening memories and emotions that endure long after the music fades.
Rock/Review BEECH LOVE - On Me
BEECH LOVE is a nineteen-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer from San Francisco, CA. Starting at just nine years old, Beech began his journey as a DJ and electronic music producer. Nearly a decade later, Beech decided to pick up the mic and make his voice the forefront of his music.
Pop/Review Hande Çetik - Sesini Dinlerim
Originating from the Aegean city of Izmir, Turkey, Hande Cetik's musical journey began with a deep-rooted connection to classical music from a young age. Graduating with distinction from the Stage Arts Opera department of the 9 Eylul Conservatory, Hande's passion led her to sing for audiences on both local and international stages.
Rock/Review Autorub - Women of the Right
Autorub is led by multi-instrumentalist Michael Corn. Corn, a former member of the short-lived post-grunge band 'Sammy' [Geffen], and the critically acclaimed 'Heydevils,' continues to compose relevant, catchy and just plain fun rock and roll. Corn also composed for popular TV shows like "Pawn Stars," "Wahlburgers" and "Duck Dynasty.”
Classical/Review Piano Prince - Nebula
Piano Prince, aka Coco Schwarz (they/them), is a genderbending piano artist that creates musical spheres that touch on identity, vulnerability, connections, and sensuality. When the Prince and their piano merge into one, they open up a world full of all our forgotten dreams and desires. The Piano Prince proposes an open, gender-neutral, and non-judgmental alternative to our exclusionary society and welcomes everybody to join their vibrant cosmos.
Folk/Review BreakTime - Love And Harmony
Founded in 2018 as a standard-issue Jersey cover band, BreakTime has developed into its own songwriting collective. A common occurrence emerged at their live shows as increasing numbers of new listeners—including those who primarily listen to hard rock, punk, shoegaze, and country—expressed their enjoyment for songs written in the classic vein.
Classical/Review Gene Pritsker - Only A Game
Composer Gene Pritsker has written over eight hundred compositions, including chamber operas, orchestral and chamber works, electro-acoustic music, and songs for hip-hop and rock ensembles. His compositions employ an eclectic spectrum of styles that are influenced by his studies of various musical cultures.
Rock/Review Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps - Fire and Ice
Tom Tikka, a former Sony/BMG songwriter best known for his work with Carmen Gray, began his solo career in 2020 and has since released two critically acclaimed albums "This Is My Happy Face" and "Better Man". The former included two #1 hit singles, "Doormat" & "With Eyes Closed", while the latter featured the #2 hits "Done With Blues" and "By 2022," which reached #14 on the charts.
Hip-Hop/Review Dax - The Abyss
Dax is a rising artist who is currently making something from absolutely nothing.