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London, UK’s Indie Rockers MURMAN Release “Billie Holiday” From Dazzle EP
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.
Montreal-Based Folk/Dark Pop Singer Songwriter Silka Weil Releases “Time”
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.
Trinidad-Born, Deux Rivieres, ON-Based Healer King Gabriel Quincy Collymore Uplifts In New “Spiritual Being” Single
Trinidad-born healer King Gabriel Quincy Collymore is uplifting in his newest track “Spiritual Being.”
Affirmations are a huge part of many people’s spiritual journey and Deux Rivieres, ON-based singer-songwriter King Gabriel Quincy Collymore dishes out the positivity on his newest single “Spiritual Being.”
Looking to help listeners elevate themselves, King Gabriel tunes into his spiritual healing background to sing out affirmations of being your own king or queen over a mid-tempo R&B groove that runs through the song.
King Gabriel has spent hours working with people with diverse backgrounds to help them enhance their performance and lead fulfilling lives. And this experience seeps through with an uplifting song that is rooted in a funk-inspired hook mixed with the pop-sensibilities of R&B.
He believes music can heal and transform people’s lives and often incorporates music into his sessions as a healer to help individuals connect with their inner selves and achieve greater peace and harmony.
After starting as a world-renowned healer and leader, King Gabriel rediscovered his childhood love for producing music in college while spending his time between the engineering building and the music building learning about classical composition.
King Gabriel has worked with Grammy nominated artists such as Rickie Byars of the Agape International Spiritual Center. His experience with renowned artists has given him opportunities to share his positive music with an uplifting message with audiences worldwide.
“Spiritual Being” is a showcase of King Gabriel’s unique blend of musical talent and spiritual insight that uplifts those seeking a deeper connection with themselves and the universe.
Watch This Video From 1968 Of The Rolling Stones Recording ‘Sympathy for the Devil’
This video delves into the story behind The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil, including the unique blend of musical styles that sets it apart. The video also explores the song’s lasting impact on the music industry and its continued popularity in live performances. Join us as we take a closer look at this classic song and its place in rock and roll history.
Motörhead’s Cover Of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” Gets An Official Video 25 Years Later
This is Motörhead’s little heard cover from 1998 of Metallica’s huge global hit, ‘Enter Sandman’ – a loving homage to arguably the most recognizable heavy metal song of all time.
Rick Astley Explains Why He Loves Music So Much
Rick Astley talks about music, still being a listener and a fan, and also recommends the best album for beginner drummers to start rocking out to, revealing how a drum machine changed his life.
My Next Read: “Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb” By Matthew Hild
Andy Gibb was one of the biggest pop stars of the disco era. His first three singles – “I Just Want To Be Your Everything,” “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water,” and “Shadow Dancing” – reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 during 1977-78, and he became a fixture on television specials, appearing alongside legends such as Bob Hope, George Burns, and Dean Martin. In 1981 he became the co-host of the iconic Solid Gold television series, and a year later he starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway. But despite his enormous success, he battled with insecurity, depression, and substance abuse, causing his career to flounder and leaving him bankrupt by 1987. By then, he seemed ready to start anew and launch a comeback, but he died suddenly in 1988, five days after his thirtieth birthday.
Despite the tragic brevity of his career and life, Andy Gibb still has a strong fan base around the world, but his story has never been told – until now. Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb draws upon extensive research, rare archival interviews with Andy Gibb and members of his family, and interviews conducted by the author with nearly fifty of Andy’s friends and associates to examine the life and career of this beloved pop idol.
Watch This Musician Play A Solo On A Record-Breaking 69-String Bass Guitar
Youtuber Davie504 broke a world record for playing the most strings possible on a single bass guitar. Playing a solo on a 69-string bass guitar would require a high level of skill and dexterity. The musician would need to have a strong understanding of music theory, as well as excellent technique and coordination to navigate such a vast number of strings.
Benedict Cumberbatch Reads Nick Cave’s Astonishing Letter About Grief
In 2018, a letter was sent to Nick Cave from someone named Cynthia. It read:
I have experienced the death of my father, my sister, and my first love in the past few years and feel that I have some communication with them, mostly through dreams. They are helping me. Are you and Susie feeling that your son Arthur is with you and communicating in some way?
Arthur was Nick Cave’s late son. He died in 2015 aged fifteen. This letter was Cave’s reply, read here by Benedict Cumberbatch at Letters Live at London’s Roundhouse in July 2021.