New Music Releases: From Aiza and Nicolás Pozo to Orla Gartland and William Lee Golden
New Music Releases is a column that keeps abreast of all the news from the music industry that often flies under the radar. Keep up-to-date with the underground and independent scene and find your next favorite band or singer-songwriter right here.
Swami & the Bed of Nails announces debut album 'All Of This Awaits You'
Swami & the Bed of Nails featuring Swami John Reis (Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu) have announced the Friday, August 2 release of the band’s debut album, 'All Of This Awaits You'. Produced by John Reis and mixed by Ben Moore, 'All Of This Awaits You' was born out of the final Hot Snakes writing sessions in 2023.
Transforming into what Reis describes as “a growing tributary” after the passing of his longtime friend and bandmate Rick Froberg, the songs on the eventual nine-song album presented here come from this challenging time of reflection and redirection.
“We were all very excited about the initial recordings, and the songs set the bar high,” Reis recalls from those 2023 Hot Snakes writing sessions. “As I continued writing, I started to notice some songs would likely have an eventual home on a different record of some kind. This music branched off and I figured I’d revisit it sometime in the years to come with 2024 being an exciting year for Hot Snakes. Lots of good times planned ahead. When Rick [Froberg] suddenly passed, I was completely heartbroken and shellshocked.
"At the time I felt paralyzed and confused so I tried to un-paralyze myself by surrounding myself with friends, making something out of nothing, playing music which felt timely to me, and make plans. The best plan seemed to consist of me jumping back on guitar, doing some yelling and singing, getting in the van and visiting the many villages and selling my wares.”
Aiza teams up with C The Reason for new album ‘Winds of Change’
Toronto-based singer, songwriter, actor and producer Aiza, has announced the release of a new album ‘Winds of Change’ in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist producer, C The Reason. The album is now available via BMG Production Music and available for sync opportunities.
The soulful collaboration "effortlessly transports listeners back to the golden age of the 1960’s, evoking the timeless essence of the era. With lush strings, horn arrangements and stirring vocals, this new album captures the spirit of soul music at its most authentic and enchanting".
Aiza explains, “I’ve been collaborating with C The Reason for many years now but working together on a project with such strong roots in blues and jazz is definitely a first for us. The songwriting process was smooth and a lot of fun! We wanted to make sure that each song tells a unique story and I really enjoyed putting myself in these different characters’ shoes, from a broken-hearted and yearning lover in 'My Boo' to a woman unapologetically owning who she is in 'I Love Myself'."
Nicolás Pozo releases first new single in three years, 'Do It To Me'
Emerging Ecuadorian singer, songwriter, and producer Nicolás Pozo is back with his first new single in three years, 'Do It To Me', available to stream now on all digital platforms. The genre-bending, alt-pop track marks the beginning of a new era for the 24-year-old Brooklyn-based indie artist as he readies his upcoming third studio album due out this fall.
“I got a bit obsessed with the idea of making something infectious that had somewhat of a retro feel, but also contemporary,” says Pozo on the inspiration behind his first release in nearly three years. “In less pretentious terms, I wanted to give people something to dance to and enjoy post Covid.”
In addition to his forthcoming album, Pozo will appear in a supporting role in the upcoming Mary Aloe-produced feature film, 'Vera', directed by Sergio Vizuete. The indie film tells of a teenage piano prodigy who came through the foster care system and must overcome trauma and self-doubt in order to achieve her goals.
Orla Gartland releases single 'Little Chaos' alongside Anne-Sofie Lindgaard-directed video
Dublin-born singer, songwriter, and producer Orla Gartland makes her return with the punchy new single 'Little Chaos' and its accompanying video -- directed by emerging Danish director Anne-Sofie Lindgaard. -- out now via her own label New Friends/The Orchard. In the song, which Orla describes as "a love song, a giant surrendering", one see the rising London-based artist push past an initial reluctance and attempt to fully break her own walls down singing.
Orla explains: “I think a lot about how to move through the world alongside a partner and for a long time I wanted to show up in relationships as easy-going and palatable, never taking up too much space - now I can’t think of anything worse. I can be loud, funny, clumsy, loyal, intelligent, annoying, caring, angry; this song is about showing up as all of it, all at once. I think dropping the act and showing your true self feels like the most vulnerable thing you can do.”
Ryan Wright's single, 'Quarter Life Crisis', marks a new direction
Virginia-based singer/songwriter/producer Ryan Wright's latest single, 'Quarter Life Crisis' marks a new direction for Wright, as she ventures from clean indie guitars and crunchy production into a bubble grunge sound with punky production and an edge that cuts deep. Heavily influenced by female artists like Mitski, Momma, Veruca Salt, and Blondshell, the result is a crossover between the grunge production of the 90s and the very female led category of bubblegum pop.
Wright explains: "'Quarter Life Crisis' is the very essence of what it feels like to be in your early 20s to mid thirties. Although the age gap is vast, the feelings are mutual because in reality it’s not easy to become an independent adult. The song nurtures the very real feelings of the fear of becoming an adult and falling further and further away from youth. The song has a bit of longing that still clings to the urge to act young and dumb like you did as a teenager, but you’re stuck in your twenties feeling like your life is maturing way faster than you are. Quarter Life Crisis is the anthem for the trials and tribulations of aging.”
'Quarter Life Crisis' is off of her upcoming EP due this summer, where the theme of pessimism rings throughout all of the songs.
Sub*T releases their new single and video 'That Kind Of Night'
Brooklyn-based alt-rock band Sub*T has released their new single and video 'That Kind Of Night', the latest track to be shared from their new EP 'Spring Skin' out on June 20 on If This Then Records.
Grace Bennett and Jade Alcantara, the creative forces behind Sub*T said of the song's inspiration: "Something about this song just feels special, and that's why we picked it as a single. It's slow and introspective but still hits. There's a calmness that's also very strong. It's based on a really specific instance, but it's essentially about being inside of yourself and looking out at the world, wondering about your place, what kind of people you're missing out on, and who you want to connect with. Just one of those moments when you don't know why you are the way you are! Musically we really wanted it to build to that point of frustration and realization."
William Lee Golden and 'The Goldens' release music video for 'Southern Accents'
Oak Ridge Boy, Country and Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member William Lee Golden and his sons 'The Goldens' have released their latest music video for 'Southern Accents'.
Delivering a familiar sound to this legendary classic, Chris Golden takes the lead vocals in the traditional “Golden” style. The music video for 'Southern Accents' is directed by Jeff Panzer, and this track is available on the group's three-album set, 'Golden Classics', which pays tribute to the songs that have influenced their lives throughout the years.
“Although we are known for singing country music when my boys were growing up, music became the one true thing that bonded us as a family,” says William Lee Golden. “We always had the radio on in our home and especially on road trips. Back then, there were several stations throughout the country that played all musical formats. If it was good, they played it. So, when we would hit the road, music became a solid bond and helped create everlasting memories. As a result, we knew one of our favorites, 'Southern Accents', had to be included, and I think the video came out great!”
Islands drops their latest single 'The End'
Islands has announced the release of their latest single 'The End' and its accompanying music video directed by Justin Hantz. The track is the latest song to be released from the band's highly 10th album, 'What Occurs', out June 21.
'The End' "offers a profound reflection on life's final moments". Islands' frontman Nick Thorburn explains, "The final song on the final album from Islands pulls no punches. It’s The End. We’ve reached the last stop on the station, and it’s time to disembark into the void. With this song, I wanted to look back on the hinge point in our lives when we begin to realize that our existence will not be forever. And when we reach the end, how will we reflect on the life we led? Are we satisfied with the choices we made? Did we have a positive impact on the world or did we do more harm than good?"
'The End' is the follow-up to the album's lead single 'Drown A Fish', which was released last month along with its music video.