Entertainment is a big part of why people go on social media in the first place. Look for opportunities to have fun with fans and followers — just be sure to stay true to your bands as an artist, and never go for the offensive.
London, UK’s Folk Pop Duo The Temporary Residents Bring “Unity” to the Universe
Breakout art-folk-pop duo The Temporary Residents embody sounds from every corner of multiple genres and decades, and in this — their new single “Unity” — they even pull from the outer galaxies as well.
“The sound of ‘Unity’ will take you on a journey through the multiple layers of the universe,” vocalist Yulia Hayden offers.
“Filled with stars, echoes and mysteries,” guitarist Patrick Hayden adds.
Their goal, they explain, was to round seriously powerful vocals up in a lyrical lasso before letting them sonically expand to the other side of the universe. “Like they’re calling out to reunite with the celestial family.”
There was very pointed inspiration for the track’s direction, namely Tears For Fears’ 1985 mainstay, “Shout.”
“During the production of this song, we knew we wanted to create the biggest sonic soundscape possible,” they share. “After hearing it on the radio in Jersey, ’Shout’ seemed like a good reference point.
“We were inspired.
“From there, we worked with our producer to make that similar kind of sound — expansive, larger than life, almost — but with a more contemporary feel to it.”
Released this spring, audiences are instantly receptive, with Dr Johns Surgery Records Radio pointing out its “dark but not emotional” vibe, adding that “the feeling in the vocal is excellent, the mix is spot on… Captivating, to say the least.”
Soundsol cuts quicker to the chase: “great track.”
“Unity” shows where The Temporary Residents are as of now, but as far as origin stories go, this is far more textured than ‘girl meets boy.’
While they met in London, England during work on a human rights awareness campaign, Patrick and Yulia are originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands and Kyrgyzstan, respectively.
Patrick — whose father was a well-established movie producer — was drawn to the creative field at a young age; having moved to London to pursue music, he previously studied Fine Art in Liverpool, specializing in painting and drawing.
Yulia was equally immersed in the arts from a young age, singing, dancing and performing on stage before moving to The Netherlands to take up acting. There she received a Dutch Award nomination for her role in the film, Katia’s Sister before moving to New York City to study at the T. Schreiber Studio & Theatre.
As they describe it, they share a “contempt for political correctness, but neither do (we) vote.” They’re confident they can illustrate the world’s injustices through music.
“We live in times where the truth remains elusive, and misinformation, disinformation, and lies are pushed at us from a multitude of sources,” they say. “We in our music seek to be honest and, at times, even expose falsehoods that are promoted widely.
“Our inspiration is rooted in traditional values, and we reject the postmodern ideology of struggle.”
“Unity” is available now.
Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spotify has engaged partners across the industry to discuss how we can support artists and the creative community who have been deeply impacted by the effects of the virus. Though streaming continues to play a key role in connecting creators with their fans, numerous other sources of revenue have been interrupted or stopped altogether by this crisis.
Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief
Spotify has launched the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project, which recommends verified organizations that offer financial relief to those in the music community most in need around the world. Currently, they’ve partnering with MusiCares, PRS Foundation, Help Musicians, Unison Benevolent Fund, and Centre National de la Musique, and are looking forward to adding more partners worldwide. Spotify is making a donation to these organizations and will match donations made via the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief page dollar-for-dollar up to a total Spotify contribution of $10 million.
UPDATE: Artist Fundraising Pick
Spotify has also now launched a new Spotify for Artists feature: the Artist Fundraising Pick. Just like artists can select any piece of music to highlight on their profile as an Artist’s Pick, they can now highlight a fundraising destination (in addition to their Artist’s Pick).
First and foremost, this feature enables artists who are interested in raising money to support themselves, their bands, or their crews, to get the word out to their fans on their Spotify artist profiles. We have a strong group of initial fundraising partners: Artists can choose to add a link to Cash App, GoFundMe, and PayPal.me.
They’ve also created the option for artists to fundraise for an initiative connected to helping those most impacted in the music industry. Artists can select any of the aforementioned verified organizations participating in the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project.
For all the information on this feature, see here.
Programs from Spotify Creator Tools
For those continuing to create at home, music talent marketplace SoundBetter is waiving its revenue share, cloud-based audio recording platform Soundtrap will offer extended free trials for educators, and Anchor will waive fees on its Listener Support feature.
Canada’s Independent Artists On Stingray Music
Stingray Music, a supporter and sponsor of CIMA’s Music Export Canada program, has partnered with CIMA to launch a dedicated channel through their official streaming service. This channel will exclusively feature “Canada’s Independent Artists”.
Through a call out to our members, CIMA compiled over 150 songs by companies and their artists who participated in their export missions over the past few years.
You can listen to the playlist below by signing up for Stingray Music’s streaming platform. The playlist will be available digitally through Stingray’s online web players. Starting listening now by clicking on the link below!
“To Be Safe, Loved & Home (2020)” Craig Cardiff’s viral video with fans and friends battles the pandemic blues
If there was ever a sentiment befitting of the times, it’s JUNO and CFMA-nominated singer/songwriter Craig Cardiff’s cozied, homespun video version of song “To Be Safe, Loved & Home” The video has become a much appreciated moment of lightness and positivity having been viewed over 150,000 times on Facebook and YouTube in the past few days.
Recognizing the songs’ relevance to the situation today, even though it was written and originally released several years ago, Craig asked his fans to share videos of themselves acting out the signs he has got fans at his concerts to do at every show, body positions that evoke human symbols of chorus lyrics to be “Safe”, “Loved” and “Home”. Over 50 people sent in videos of themselves, and for each submission Craig’s label True North Records is contributing $50 to the Unison Benevolent Fund, an organization that provides financial support to musicians and music industry people facing economic hardship.
It’s unsurprising Cardiff would rise to today’s uncertain times in such an thoughtful, inviting way; for almost a decade, the Waterloo, Ontario-based artist dubbed by Gordon Lightfoot as a “songwriter who needs to be heard” has passed around a notebook titled ‘Book of Truths’ during shows, encouraging the audience to write and share something — a story, a confession, a hope or a secret — they might be too afraid to say out loud.
As a result, Cardiff often finds himself responding by writing songs that offer glimmers of hope for people to hold onto; “To Be Safe, Loved & Home” — especially during COVID-19 — lands no differently.
Re-released especially for 2020, “To Be Safe, Loved & Home” is the latest to be added to Cardiff’s growing library where he has been streamed more than 100 million times, and heard on NBC’s award-winning television series This Is Us.
He has played with and opened for artists such as Justin Nozuka, Glen Phillips, Lucy Kaplansky, Dan Bern, Natalia Zukerman, Andy Stochansky, Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, Gordon Downie, Hawksley Workman, Sarah Slean, Skydiggers, 54-40, and more.
Nominations for a JUNO Award (Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo) and Canadian Folk Music Award (Contemporary Singer of the Year) round off a growing list of workshops and talks at schools, camps, festivals, and churches throughout North America and Hong Kong, as well as TED x University of Western Ontario, TED x Kanata and TED x KitchenerED.
Craig Cardiff is signed to True North Records, and represented by APA Agency, and Tom Sarig and his Esther Creative Group in New York City.
“To Be Safe, Loved & Home (2020) is available on all major music platforms.
The Barenaked Ladies’ “Pinch Me” From Their Homes
“We are isolating, but we are not isolated.” Check out Barenaked Ladies perform their hit “Pinch Me” from the comfort of their own living rooms.
What happened when two regular guys partied with Van Halen for a weekend?
The Hangover will be EPIC.
Travel back to a simpler time — a time when hair metal ruled the Earth; a time before legal release forms; the time when “Lost Weekend,” today’s pick for A Short Film a Day Keeps Anxiety Away, took place.
This documentary by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb tells the story of two 20-year-olds from Phoenixville, PA who won a contest to party with rock band Van Halen, then in their debaucherous prime.
But, of course, it’s not all glitz and glamour — there’s a dark twist.
1-minute tip for artists: Poll Your Audience
Here’s the big secret. People on social media love to give their opinions.
👕 Jesse Cook