Nameless Friends think big. Big music. Big sound. Big ideas. Go big or go home. Which is part of the reason why the ferocious rock band from London, Ontario, wrote their new single “Need” about the biggest problem of the modern world: climate change and its relationship to economic inequality.
Fun times, right? But Nameless Friends is not a dour band. Far from it. This is also the band who put out a live album of Queen covers, recorded in front of a sold-out crowd at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern—because they’re the kind of band that can actually pull off a Queen cover set, with all the musical chops and sense of camp that requires.
The forthcoming new album by Nameless Friends is called Blasphemy, and in their own words, “it’s a high concept record about intense, personal subjects.” They’re likely the only commercial rock band in the world to write a song about reproductive and menstrual rights (“7 Years of Blood”). Their debut EP, 2018’s Mezzanine, was a song cycle about grief. The songs by this female-fronted, multicultural, queer-inclusive band have struck a powerful chord with audiences, including a recent hometown crowd of 15,000 people.
Despite their serious subject matter, “Joy, hope and love are also intense personal experiences,” says the singer, producer, guitar-maker and founding member known only to the outside world as Number One. “We’re trying to present those truths with as much courage as the hard stuff. We’re trying to make music about the justice we want to see in the world, that’s also really bloody fun to listen to.”
Blasphemy is out on May 19, 2023. It was mixed by Andrew McLeod (Sunnsetter) and mastered by Darcy Proper (first female engineer to win a Grammy). Nameless Friends are touring Ontario and Quebec in May and June, and head to Western Canada in fall 2023.
Canadian alt-pop/EDM prodigy Mikalyn continues to shift gears with her new single “Never Mine”, out now.
Well-known for her haunting, soulful vocal delivery on uptempo collaborations with EDM artists such as Machine Drivers, Öwnboss & Zerky and Röde, Mikalyn slows things down with “Never Mine” for a sultry, sorrowful track that sheds light on the modern dating world and the struggles that accompany it.
It’s another bold move away from her EDM roots, continuing a trend she started with her 2022 single “Ready to Love You.”
“This song is especially relevant to those who find themselves in situation-ships, sneaky-link or friends with benefits situations,” says Mikalyn of “Never Mine”, “and to those who lay in bed at night creating false scenarios that they are trying to wish into existence.”
Co-written and produced by her long-time friend and collaborator Chris Grey, Mikalyn says the song had two main inspirations. Having released a number of songs and EPs since 2017, Mikalyn is already a veteran of the music industry at just 20 years old. But like many at her age, the Guelph, Ontario resident has spent the last few years as a university student.
“It’s about real life as a university student,” Mikalyn says of the new song. “Where people come in and out of your life quite a bit, and there’s always the fantasy that it could be something more.”
She also points to the Netfilx show Twenty Somethings: Austin, during which two people, Abbey and Kamari, developed a “thing” while each insisted they didn’t want a relationship. As the show progressed, though, Abbey became upset when Kamari would shower attention onto other women.
“Chris and I watched the whole season over a week,” recalls Mikalyn, “and we stopped halfway through to write ‘Never Mine’ as their relationship reached its climax. It’s about the struggles of being a romantic with an active imagination, the acceptance that maybe having a bit of someone for a moment in time is enough.”
Accompanied by a swelling synth line, Mikalyn sings of that acceptance coming somewhat reluctantly.
“You’ve got a hold, I can’t explain it, we’re unsustainable, but where’s the harm in walking on the edge,” she laments. “It’s dangerous, you’re like a drug, I need another hit.”
It’s about imagining what a future could be like but knowing that it will never happen. However, when you spend time with them, no matter how short, you allow yourself to pretend that they are yours and that it will last longer than it will.
“We’re gonna ***k it all up, ignore the risk that I could fall,” continues Mikalyn, “we can pretend we’re in love, then just forget about it.”
Grey backs up Mikalyn’s forlorn, longing vocal delivery with richly layered beats and majestic background sonics, creating an expert chill-out track.
On “Never Mine”, Mikalyn comes across at the same time as both a young, fresh artist and a world-weary old soul. At times she can remind one of a young Beth Orton or Tracey Thorn. Her mature, confident and haunting voice belies her young age, but that’s been true of Mikalyn since she first started posting piano-and-vocal versions of songs by Norah Jones, Hozier and Amy Winehouse on YouTube as early as eight years ago.
“Never Mine” is the first single off an upcoming EP set to be released in late October, 2023. Mikalyn says the collection will follow the trials and tribulations that she has found in her complex relationships (both friendship and romantic), while coming into herself and out of a long-term relationship over the last few years.
Expect more tracks from the EP to drop in late May, early July, late August, and September.
On April 5th 1968, James Brown gave a free concert at The Boston Garden which became a thing of legend. Only 24 hours earlier civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King had been assassinated resulting in widespread violence across the United States. The mayor of Boston was persuaded to let the concert go ahead and it was broadcast live across the city by WGBH-TV. Featuring inspiring speeches and legendary performances, James Brown’s concert is said to have contributed majorly to maintaining calm and peace throughout the city that night.
Seen here for the first time fully remastered and restored.
Setlist
00:00 Intro
01:57 If I Ruled The World
05:40 James Brown Speech
12:55 Tom Atkins Speech
17:45 Kevin White Speech
20:59 That’s Life
24:22 Kansas City
28:45 Soul Man (Bobby Byrd)
31:08 You’ve Got To Change Your Mind (feat. Bobby Byrd)
35:51 I’m In Love (Bobby Byrd)
38:22 Sweet Soul Music (Bobby Byrd)
40:23 Mustang Sally (Bobby Byrd)
43:36 Medley: It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World / Lost Someone / Bewildered
57:30 Tell Mama (Marva Whitney)
59:36 Check Yourself (Marva Whitney)
01:05:02 Chain Of Fools (Marva Whitney)
01:07:38 I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Marva Whitney)
01:10:24 Maceo Parker Comedy Routine
01:20:20 Get It Together
01:27:30 There Was A Time
01:38:40 I Got The Feelin’
01:42:40 Try Me
01:45:35 Medley: Cold Sweat / Ride The Pony / Cold Sweat
01:57:20 Maybe The Last Time
02:01:32 I Got You (I Feel Good)
02:02:04 Please, Please, Please
02:04:34 I Can’t Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)
On the heels of making his late night television debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Toosii announces the June 2 release of his debut album, NAUJOUR, via with South Coast Music Group/Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada. Today, as the album pre-order / pre-save launched, he shared a stunning new version of “Favorite Song” with multi-Platinum global superstar Khalid. The voices of the two artists blend beautifully and Khalid adds a poignant verse, pledging his steadfast support to someone aching for love and peace. Listen to “Favorite Song”(with Khalid) [Remix]HERE. Pre-order / pre-save NAUJOURHERE.
Toosii said, “I’m excited to have Khalid join me on this track. He has such a dope and unique voice and I think it really takes an already amazing song to the next level. I’ve been wanting to collab with him on the right track for a while and I think we picked the perfect one. Hope y’all enjoy!”
The RIAA Gold-certified “Favorite Song” is Toosii’s first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, where it currently ranks at No. 13*. In an early round-up of contenders for “Song of the Summer 2023,” Billboard observed, “Toosii has a bonafide solo hit on his hands… the woozy R&B hook of ‘Favorite Song’ is definitely worthy of a breakthrough moment.”
The track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Streaming Songs chart, entered the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs tally and is currently in the top 10 at rhythm radio. Combined global streams of the song have surpassed 112 million while the audio has been featured in over three million global TikTok creations, earning more than 28 million combined views. View the official video HERE. Watch Toosii performing “Favorite Song” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” HERE.
Born Nau’Jour Lazier Grainger in Syracuse, NY, Toosii tells jarringly honest tales of street life and lost love, detailing his journey from a lost kid surrounded by tragedy to a national sensation full of promise. Now based in Raleigh, NC, the 23-year-old was hailed by Complex as “One of music’s brightest stars” and Teen Voguesaid, “if you’re not in his orbit yet, you need to tap in.” Ebony noted, “[Toosii] shows a vulnerability in his music which he embraces wholeheartedly.” VIBE observed, “[Toosii] has never shied away from his feelings, and promotes how strong it makes a man to embrace them… [Toosii] has an innate ability to capture his personal experiences in a way that makes them sound like specific situations everyone has endured.”
Khalid, who has been called a “pop prodigy” by Rolling Stone has been streamed globally over 30 billion times across all partners. In 2017, he released his GRAMMY® nominated debut album, American Teen. His sophomore album, Free Spirit, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was declared a New York Times “Critic’s Pick,” TIME named Khalid one of the “Most Influential People of 2019.” He has collaborated with some of music’s biggest stars including his No. 1 singles “Love Lies” (with Normani), “Eastside” (with Halsey and Benny Blanco) as well as hits with artists Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, Marshmello and more. Khalid will be touring North America with Ed Sheeran this summer.
With just four days until the May 19th release of CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP, the reigning empress of modern-day R&B, Summer Walker reveals the hotly anticipated project’s tracklist. For the big reveal, Summer has partnered with Spotify’s RapCaviar playlist for the official announcement post. Plus, she enlists Sukihana of Love & Hip Hop and “Pound Town” rapper Sexyy Red for a hilarious, sitcom-style promo video in which the three bask in the perks of their newfound fame and fortune, including a first try of caviar, or as you might be soon saying, “cavinar.” CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP is the sequel to Summer’s 2019 four-track release, CLEAR. Watch HERE.
Just moments ago, Summer also unveiled a 60-second exclusive sneak peek of the EP’s song “Pull Up” on TikTok. Actor Myles Truitt, known for his roles in BMF, Netflix’s Stranger Things and The New Edition Story, features in the preview clip. Plus, fans who have already pre-ordered CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP can expect an additional surprise: a digital download link to the full “Pull Up” track will arrive in their inboxes today. Several heavyweights also lend their talents to CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP, including Childish Gambino (“New Type”) and production work from Solange, Steve Lacy and John Kirby (“Aguyu’s Revelation”). Find the full CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP tracklist below.
As she readies the new material, Summer Walker keeps winning. “Karma,” a 2018 release that went viral last year thanks to a sped-up version and dance from TikTok influencer @whereisreese, is No. 2 on urban radio. The millions of streams it’s generated pushed “Karma” to platinum status, and members of LVRN presented an official plaque to Summer at the Strength of a Woman festival this weekend. The “Karma” success sparked a full revamp of her 2018 masterpiece Last Day of Summer as an entire sped-up album, Last Day of Summer (Sped Up). The project is the first sped-up album from a major recording artist and is a result of the singer listening to her devoted fanbase, who found pleasure in revisiting the classic album in a reimagined way.
Likewise, Summer has strengthened her connection with her loyal fans through high-profile and electric festival performances in recent weeks. This past weekend, the multi-platinum hitmaker rocked the stage in her native Atlanta at Mary J Blige’s Strength of a Woman festival, alongside R&B superstars including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Muni Long and Lucky Daye. Before that, she joined the all-star lineup at Lovers and Friends in Las Vegas, the Pharrell-led Something in the Water and the legendary Dreamville Festival in North Carolina. Thanks to these appearances, Summer brought her music and artistry to her ever-increasing fanbase and cemented her reign as one of the most in-demand live acts in the industry today.
GRAMMY-winning international pop sensation and critically acclaimed songwriter Kim Petras has announced the release of her highly anticipated debut album Feed The Beast, out June 23. CLICK HEREto pre-save.
This morning it was also revealed on TODAY that Kim is gracing the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, one of the most recognizable and influential symbols of pop culture that champions body confidence and self-expression and continues to spark discussion about what defines beauty on a global scale. CLICK HERE to see the cover, where Kim is featured wearing a swimsuit by Natalia Fedner and earrings by Alexis Bittar (photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles.) To mark this iconic moment, Kim will be performing at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, FL on Friday, May 19 at 8 p.m, presented by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.
Kim will also be appearing on the cover of OUT’s May/June Pride Issue, celebrating the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kim recently released her buzzy single “Alone” featuring diamond-selling hip-hop icon Nicki Minaj, already racking up millions of streams – watch the steamy video featuring Kim and Nicki now.
Next up, Kim will play Governor’s Ball on June 9th in NYC, and on June 23, she will be celebrating the release of her album Feed The Beast on NBC’s TODAY, performing live on the TODAY Plaza as part of the Citi Concert Series.
After recently sitting front row at the Chanel Cruise 2023/2024 Show and attending the Met Gala as a guest of Marc Jacobs to pay homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel era, Kim is continuing a milestone year that began with her and Sam Smith’s LGBTQ history-making GRAMMY win for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their massive pop hit “Unholy”– which just surpassed one billion streams and was performed by Kim and Sam on the GRAMMY Awards, Saturday Night Live, and the BRIT Awards. Kim also performed her single “brrr” on Late Night With Seth Meyers where she chatted with Seth before being honored with the Chartbreaker Award at Billboard’s Women In Music event.
This year, Kim is slated to perform at festivals around the world, including Osheaga in Montreal, Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas, and The Town in São Paulo, Brazil.
“j-hope IN THE BOX” and “SUGA: Road to D-DAY” give moviegoers around the world a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and work of the global music superstars in an immersive experience that can only be felt in movie theaters, thanks to large screens, three-dimensional sound.
“j-hope IN THE BOX” and “SUGA: Road to D-DAY,” will be shown in movie theaters across approximately 100+ countries/territories worldwide. Visit www.btssolodocumentaries.com for the most up-to-date information about participating theaters.
Coinciding with BTS’ 10th anniversary, “j-hope IN THE BOX” and “SUGA: Road to D-DAY,” will be released in theaters worldwide beginning June 17*.
* Screening details for South Korea and Japan will be announced at a later date.
j-hope (Jeong, Hoseok) is a South Korean rapper, dancer, songwriter, music producer and member of 21st century pop icons, BTS. Known as the ‘lead dancer’ of the group, j-hope boasts his performance skills that are nearly perfect. His originality in music as an artist also comes from the fact that he learned music through dance. j-hope has been participating in making music such as “Intro : Boy Meets Evil’ and “MAMA” in WINGS, and his solo works. j-hope’s first mixtape Hope World (March 2018) expressed his honest emotions and personal narratives, suggesting his vision as an artist. Globally-famed “Chicken Noodle Soup (feat. Becky G)” released in 2019 showcased his own musical personality with exhilarating energy and performance. j-hope also validated his capability as a creative director by leading all aspects—from music to concept and visual elements—of his solo album, Jack In The Box (July 2022), which addresses his passion and agony he goes through as an artist. In 2022, j-hope made history as the first South Korean act to headline a main stage at Lollapalooza.
“j-hope IN THE BOX” follows the international music sensation every step of the way as he works to release his first-ever solo album Jack In The Box. Over the course of the documentary, viewers will be given a close look at the creative process of the artist during the album’s preparation process, as well as front row seats to j-hope’s epic 2022 Lollapalooza performance and the Jack In The Box listening party.
SUGA (Min, Yunki) is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, music producer and member of 21st century pop icons, BTS. SUGA is globally known for his record producing ability with his own solid musical philosophy, constantly pushing the boundaries through his works on BTS albums, solo projects and collaborations with other artists. Since BTS’ 2014 Skool Luv Affair, BTS’ albums include tracks produced by SUGA. Through his mixtapes under Agust D, SUGA also suggested his vision as an artist. He participated as a featured artist in music by international musicians such as Juice WRLD, Max, and So-ra Lee, and he also produced music for globally influential artists including Halsey, PSY, Epik High, ØMI and more. Furthermore, SUGA participated in producing the remix version of Coldplay x BTS’ “My Universe,” an Original Soundtrack for HYBE’s original story 7FATES: CHAKHO called “Stay Live (Prod. SUGA of BTS),” a mobile game OST “Our Island (Prod. SUGA of BTS) [Original Soundtrack],” and Samsung Electronics Galaxy’s official ringtone “Over The Horizon.”
After collaborating with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Coldplay, Steve Aoki, The Chainsmokers, and Halsey, in “SUGA: Road to D-DAY” the world-renowned performer headed out on a musical journey, traveling the world in search of inspiration for his recently released solo album D-DAY. Throughout the documentary, moviegoers will see the star at his most vulnerable, as he discusses his writer’s block with other musicians, and delves deep into his most traumatic memories to pen lyrics for several of his latest songs. “SUGA: Road to D-DAY” also includes live clips of songs from his album, D-DAY.
BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a GRAMMY-nominated South Korean boyband that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and the way they interact with their fans, the band has established themselves as 21st century pop icons breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, the band has mobilized millions of fans across the world (named ARMY), collected six No.1 Billboard Hot 100 singles since 2020, and performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world. They were also named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2020. BTS are 5-time GRAMMY nominees (63rd to 65th GRAMMY Awards) and have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards (Artist of the Year 2021) and MTV Video Music Awards.
Bursting on the fringe of indie rock comes London, UK’s MURMAN and their latest EP, Dazzle . And just as it says, the collection of tracks will do exactly that – dazzle you.
The MURMAN four piece boasts David Murdoch, Domenico Corapi, Felix Paillette, and Arion Petrovski. And together, the singer/songwriters take a swig from synth rock giants Joy Division and The Cure, mixed in a cocktail of Foster the People. The result is a contemporary throwback to when the melodies and the lyrics worked in tandem to catch and hold the listener. And MURMAN throw just enough nods to pop culture that the soundscape is a 360° experience.
The band members came together through a GumTree ad and continue to make waves on London’s music scene. From Murdoch’s Zorro-esque mask and tassel-adorned shirt, MURMAN’s attention to detail starts in the chords and works its way to their showmanship. To date, the group consistently sells out shows in some of the most legendary venues of the capital.
And it isn’t simply the fans that are stepping up and taking notice. MURMAN have collaborated with notable industry figures like The Cure’s David M. Allen, and Josh Hayward of The Horrors. Garmo Mandica served as production maestro for Dazzle.
For MURMAN, the creation of Dazzle “proved to be an all-encompassing experience,” they say. The album was recorded over two days in an East London studio, with the group (alongside Hayward) focussed on “capturing the raw emotion and energy of each track”. As the journey weaves through the four-song strong EP, it’s that attention to detail that shines. The album is a raw, and authentic invitation to the music and beauty of MURMAN.
Dazzle includes the cut “Billie Holiday”; a love song testimony. MURMAN dares the listener to challenge their intense love of the American jazz/swing pioneer; a quest the listener learns they’ll soon lose, while simultaneously falling in love with the song itself. The track “commences with a mellower, introspective tone before escalating to a dramatic, operatic finale,” MURMAN explains. As it jukes and jives around rock, and synth elements, crushing crescendos and playful lyrics, “Billie Holiday” has quickly become a fan-favourite piece.
The album also includes “Falling Down”, “Baptism”, and “I Want to Dance Like Patrick Swayze”; each record another dazzling inclusion. Each solidifying MURMAN’s commitment to rock and roll and classic English indie-punk.
Dazzle will leave you questioning whether the music sprung from the floorboards of a ship from an era past, or if it’s simply been here in the harbour all along. The answer is – it’s here now. And MURMAN is helming it. Prepared to be dazzled.
Indie folk meets dark pop as singer-songwriter Silka Weil takes us on another personal journey with her new single ‘Time’. Out now, Time’ is the third single from her new self-titled EP. With success and international radio play from her debut single ‘Capsized’ which was well-received by critics and listeners alike, and her second single, ‘Unsatisfied’ continuing Weil’s unique folk-pop style. Weil’s third single, ‘Time’, completes the trio of folk-pop delights expected from the talented Canadian singer-songwriter.
Featuring 90s nostalgia and ethereal instrumentation, Weil winds effortlessly through the song with an eclectic mix of sounds that takes us to the darker side of pop. Stepping away from bubblegum and bounce, Weil presents a low-fi, melodic pop affair that nods to artists like PJ Harvey and Mazzy Star.
Montreal-based Weil states that her style of music draws inspiration from 90s vintage pop and contemporary artists with a nod to late ’90s singer-songwriters such as Alanis Morissette, PJ Harvey, and Dido.
‘Time’ is a low-fi pop-rock classic featuring gentle sparkling vocals from Weil. Acoustics and overdriven electrics add to that 90s sound dropping to drums, bass, and a haunting organ during verses. To add an extra layer, Weil uses her voice like an instrument during the chorus, harmonizing with the guitars running down the scale and delivering lyrics about an ode to past and new relationships, with themes that dance around happier times and hopeful futures.
Weil explains, “This single explores a healthier relationship than what I’d been used to in my past. There’s a theme of thawing and renewal; “And if I’ve frozen/Can I still bloom.” Rekindling a sense of peace that we return to rather than acquire.”
Weil goes on to say, “It’s a love story that takes into account a messy past and personal history. Putting your heart on the line and moving forward.”
“You, I could give you all my time
You, you could have me
We could try
You, I could give you all my time
All my time.”
The story in the video details an early relationship of missed opportunities and connections in a digital age through awkward communication and trepidation of the beginnings of a new and promising relationship.
With ‘Capsized’ and ‘Unsatisfied’ and now ‘Time’ affirming her sound, Weil goes further into the roots of her music.
“‘Time’ is the single on my first EP. A collection of songs that survived from my youth. The ones that I couldn’t leave behind. I go through a journey of uncertainty that parallels the challenges of transitioning from being a teenager to becoming a young adult. With all its messy trial and error. In bringing these songs to the studio, I felt I was able to make sense of my past and reclaim parts of myself that may have felt uncomfortable to share.”
‘Time’ will appeal to fans of the 90s music folk-pop scene and newbies exploring that late end of the 21st century sound. ‘Time’ by Silka Weil is available now.
