Adagio Drag

In 2018 Javier Hinojosa and Isaac Mendiola began to weave themselves into the threads and fabrics of what is now Adagio Drag. Starting out as an acoustic duet they began writing original songs and preforming them at local pubs and bars in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2019 they released their first EP Sketches with Alexander Valdez on drums, Javier Hinojosa taking up the work load of playing, guitar, bass and keyboards and Isaac Mendiola writing all lyrics and recording vocals. Their next EP Never Be the Same was released in 2020. The EP embraced a weightier sound, giving rise to a more somber perspective, distinctly audible in the track "Paranoia." This transition enabled the band to explore fresh dimensions of songwriting and paved the way for innovative ideas in preparation for their upcoming album entitled Handcuffed to the Ferris Wheel, which was released in 2023. Having already produced two EPs and an album, Adagio Drag embarked on the creation of their upcoming single, "Pick A God And Pray," scheduled for a 2024 release.

"Pick a God and Pray" by Adagio Drag is a journey that blends hooks that stick, melodies that linger with a rhythm that just won’t quit. The lyrics deliver a message of hope that remain long after the music has stopped. With roots deeply embedded in the Rio Grande Valley, Adagio Drag brings a touch of smooth sounds and a hint of solid vibes just waiting in the wings to be on the airwaves.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/handcuffed-to-the-ferris-wheel/1699299894

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnNJZTEH1DeQ4MBywz5Trvg

Dennis van Aarssen. New studio album

 

 

'My voice is more mature, giving me more control.'

"Just Call It Love", the fourth studio album by Dennis van Aarssen and composer-pianist Jeff Franzel, represents the musical growth of the singer who once won The Voice of Holland as a crooner. Eleven captivating tracks, lyrically more mature with greater emotional depth, while the arrangements are deliberately kept small and intimate. Dennis's warm, resonant voice sounds fuller and more colorful than ever. Dennis: 'My voice is more mature, giving me more control. The songs are more fragile, so it's not about the power, but rather the nuances. It has become an intimate jazzy pop album.' For "Just Call It Love" a different concept has been chosen compared to the previous big band albums.

The song "She", one of the tracks on the album, went viral on TikTok; it surpassed the 2 million views within the first 48 hours. 

 

https://www.dennisvanaarssen.com/en

Merenco

 

 

Merenco teams up with German remixer Formwandla for a genre-blending hit: "Here and Now (Formwandla Remix)"

In an exciting fusion of country charm and dance-pop energy, country musician Merenco and renowned German remixer Formwandla are proud to announce the release of "Here and Now (Formwandla Remix)", hitting all streaming platforms on last April 12, 2024. This groundbreaking collaboration promises to captivate audiences with a unique blend of genres, maintaining the soulful essence of the original country track while infusing it with an electrifying dance-pop rhythm.

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kOvztcK6RI

 https://www.facebook.com/people/Formwandla/100065048075063/

 https://twitter.com/formwandla

Lauren Minear

Lauren Minear is a critically-acclaimed indie folk-pop singer-songwriter, licensed psychotherapist, and mother based in New York. Her heartfelt lyrics, soulful voice, and undeniable wit have captivated audiences at New York City music institutions such as The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, and Brooklyn Music Kitchen. Lauren’s debut album, Invisible Woman, explores themes of identity, love, and loss, magnified by her experience of being postpartum during the pandemic. The album embodies the basic desire for connection and purpose during a uniquely isolating time. After hearing the title track, Andrea Stople, multi-platinum songwriter, wrote, “[Lauren has] a gorgeous ability to write about difficult things... and really connect...”. 

Raised in Nashville, Lauren honed her craft under the mentorship of George Marinelli (long-time guitar player for Bonnie Raitt), folk legend Steve Earle, acclaimed country music songwriter Alice Randall, singer-songwriter Joe Croker, and folk artist, Tom Prasada-Rao. Deeply passionate about mental health, Lauren skillfully weaves her storytelling musical roots with contemporary sonic influences to give language to human experience in a way that is both healing and affirming to her listener. Lauren's much-anticipated second album, a colorful exploration of visibility and self-discovery, is expected late spring 2024. Lauren performs in and around NYC with her band. 

Her music can be found on all streaming platforms and at www.laurenminearmusic.com.

The Offliners

The balance between big global goals and very local, based on personal preference, is the theme of this song, and reflects a very human mindset that isn't always super-rational. The inspiration for the song comes from a chance meeting between strangers, each with their own focus areas in everyday life – coupled with a sincere interest and curiosity to familiarize themselves with and understand the other party.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/519294119615012

Jeffery Leander

Jeffery Leander has always been a vocalist. His early life was influenced by an eclectic selection of artists, such as Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston and No Doubt. This led to an appreciation for varying style and a focus on vocals that evoke power and emotion. As he grew, vocally and embraced the high pitched vocals that he naturally fell into, certain artists impacted his vocal quality further. Artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Sara Bareilles, Mika, Ed Sheeran, Pink and Bruno Mars encouraged his embrace of the tenor notes and reinforced his powerful voice. Jeffery spent much of his youth participating in county and state supported vocal groups and tested his skills annually at a multi region vocal contest. He even performed at Carnegie Hall with his choir. While he has always had his voice, Jeffery endeavored for many years, to find the factor inside that pushed him to take that next step. 

In 2023, Jeffery began his career as a full time vocalist and produced his first fully polished track, “You Rescued Me.” The song has garnered sincere and appreciated praise from many, reassuring him that this is the correct path. He has created multiple songs after “You Rescued Me,” and he anticipates 2024 to be exciting as he works toward adding a full roster of songs to his repertoire. Jeffery is an eye on the target kind of person. When he sets his goals, he really pours his entirety into completing them. He is absolutely an artist to keep your eye on.

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jeffery-leander/1702073533

https://www.youtube.com/@JefferyLeander

Rare Breed

Rare Breed released the third single from their upcoming debut album on 29.3.24!

Rare Breed is a brand new rock band from Finland. The band consists of musicians marinated in many soups, who strive to create unique, uncompromising content in the cultural field. Rare Breed released their debut album in the spring of 2024, and singles will be released throughout the winter. Lighter Dark, Lighter Heart is the third of these. 

The band talks about their single:

It’s always darkest before the dawn. “Lighter Dark, Lighter Heart” is the third single from the upcoming Rare Breed debut album. The song’s lyrics reflect on the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitable passage of time. It's easy to get lost in nostalgia and forget to live in the moment. Even if life feels meaningless, even then, there’s always hope and the possibility of better days. Just don’t lose your own way in the process.

Listen to the song and watch the lyric video:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/HjKIQ4NPLx4

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/408DjUzJnqDBaKLjPP3uoR?si=78fd0cf56e6b4890

Darryl Scotti

Driven by his passion for songwriting and recording, Darryl formed his band ‘Big Yard’ in 2002 to tour in the Northern California CCM market while winning the NACAS Song of the Year title for ‘Take out the Trash’. He was then signed to Fair Oaks Records in 2005 and released his first solo CD ‘The Will & The Way’ produced by Bob KIlptarick featuring guest appearances with legendary Christian Artists Randy Stonehill and virtuoso guitarist Phil Keaggy. Today, Darryl lives with his wife, Yvonne in Cave Creek, AZ enjoying an Arizona lifestyle while actively writing and producing new music. 

With his sights set on developing new upcoming artists while supporting and collaborating with other songwriters and producers for BigYard Nation, the future is bright. “God’s not done with me yet”, so he says. The new 6 song EP release '54th St. on BigYard Records produced by Alex Chacon and mixed by Aaron Howard features co-writes with Bill Dutcher and Arizona blues legend, Chuck Hall. You can join and follow Darryl & BigYard on FB, IG, YouTube and TikTok @BigYardNation.

https://musicbybigyard.com/

Mick Clarke

 

British blues guitarist Mick Clarke began his career with KILLING FLOOR, part of the British blues boom of the late 1960s and contemporaries of Free, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. The band backed Texas blues guitar star Freddie King and toured with legends Howlin' Wolf and Otis Spann. The album "Killing Floor" was later listed as one of Classic Rock Magazine's twenty top British blues albums of the time. In the 70s Mick's band SALT built a strong following in the UK, playing at the Reading Festival 1977 and opening for Muddy Waters in London.

THE MICK CLARKE BAND was formed in the early 80s and has toured in the UK, Europe, USA and India, where Mick was the winner of the "best international act" from artistaloud.com. Mick has appeared on numerous festivals with artists including Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher, and the Southern California Blues Society called him "One of the finest blues players to come out of England".

In recent years Mick has released regular new recordings from his own studio, Rockfold, in Surrey.  Many tracks have had critical acclaim and The album 'Telegram' was No. 1 on the Roots Music Report UK album chart for 6 weeks.

Website: www.mickclarke.com

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Clarke_(musician)

Elise Lunden

As a melodic and versatile, yet carefully lyrical, singer-songwriter, Elise Lunden combines folk pop with classical influences in order to speak straight to the heart. With her strong and tender soprano voice, as well as her characteristic vibrato, she brings themes of love, loss and hope into a sonic landscape of tranquility where these humane emotions can be felt again as if for the first time. Born in Stockholm in 1991, Elise spent over a decade discovering her singing and compositional voice. But before that, Elise and her twin sister Nina would spend their early days singing in harmonies by the piano and exploring different musical styles. When Elise went on to write her own music, the twins would more often spend time in music sessions surrounding Elise’s latest musical work. 

Since Elise’s sudden passing in 2019, Nina has continued to engage in her sister’s music as an ongoing project. This way, Elise’s empathic, emotional and elegant artistry is able to stay in bloom. The first released EP, Exchanging Silent Sounds, is based on home recordings Elise made for notebook keeping between 2012-2016. Using vocal isolation techniques, Elise’s voice has been extracted and new arrangement added in collaboration with Swedish music producer Daniel Bengtson, as well as some of Sweden’s most prominent musicians. Since its release in 2022, the music has caught the attention of local radio stations in several countries, including the UK and the US.

https://www.eliselundenmusic.com/

Feenstra And Simpson

Feenstra And Simpson is a British pop roots-rock duo comprising award-winning songwriter/lyricist/promoter and author Pete Feenstra and former Wilko Johnson championed Feelgood Band main man, multi instrumentalist and former indie recording artist John Simpson.So far the duo have recorded 7 singles, 4 of which have entered Mike Read’s Heritage Chart and the Netherlands Hit Tracks Top 100John and Pete met in their respective roles as a musician and promoter/nascent songwriter.As Pete explains: “John quit the Wilko Johnson championed Feelgood Band after a 10 year stint. He told me he was going back to recording at his home studio. Many years before he achieved power plays on Capital radio etc.

He also mentioned he could do with some lyrics, so the die was cast.”John adds: “We started off as a pop rock roots project inspired by The Beatles with what later turned out to be Eagles, Squeeze, Tom Petty & Travelin' Wilburys influences, but we also got sidetracked by the well received homage to Wilko Johnson called "I Don't Get It".“A little Wilburys …..nice song.” Will Birch (Producer)“If some famous boy-band or successful The Voice contender was looking for material far above and beyond the usual drivel, they might find it here."Alan Clayson Reviewer (author / musician) “Reminds me of Squeeze in their melodic heyday.”Dave Lewis – (Musicologist /author)“The tunefulness of acts like Tom Petty & The Travelin Wilburys. Velvety guitar layers, & the nuances of love” (Neil Mach Ed Raw Ramp mag).

The duo’s last single ‘Blue Plaque’ attracted media attention because of its original subject matter about the historical marker of the achievements of people in the past with buildings of the present.

Vid: https://youtu.be/k2CISYSjVhM 

“Lovely song and a great subject as well. I love the lyrics and I like everything about it” Peter Antony /Heritage Radio & Radio CarolineThe duo’s new single is called ‘No Pace To Hide’ a love song set in a classic American diner, which sparked the ideas for another Stuart Ridgard video.

Vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1sZXWQC_9Q 

Pete Feenstra: petefeenstrablues@gmail.com 

John Simpson: Johnsimpsonmusic@btinternet.com   

Twitter:  @JohnSimpsonMus / @feenstrablues

Facebook: Feenstra & Simpson / @johnsimpsonmusic 

Instagram: @johnsimpsonmusic / @feenstrablues

www.petefeenstramusic.com

Dirtroadmusicband

Americana, Bluegrass, American Folk music is an unknown music movement for many people. The musicians of the Dirtroadmusic band want to change this.

With a mix of Bluegrass traditionals, original songs, and here and there a well-packed evergreen. “We take the audience along the “dirt roads” of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina with traditional American roots music, including the genres “Americana and mountain music”.

The Dirtroadmusic band consists of three seasoned musicians-singer-songwriters. Singer and guitarist is the American John Leahy who grew up with this music. The band also consists of Pascal Oetiker who plays banjo, mandolin and blues harp and double bassist Cor Claessen. All three men are also the backing vocalists in the band. The gentlemen recorded an album with Rens van der Meer, at Thrills Studio in Loenen aan de Vecht (Rens is a multi-instrumentalist and his Honky Tonk style piano playing can be clearly heard in our recording of "Santa Fe"). This is the first of 6 singles that will be released over the course of the year. This will be followed by an EP of another 6 songs. So it will take a while, can't you wait? Then keep an eye on our Facebook page. We announce weekly where the next live performance will be. And by the way, we can be booked for private and business engagements.

https://www.facebook.com/dirtroadmusicband

https://www.instagram.com/dirtroadmusicband/

https://www.youtube.com/@Dirtroadmusicband/videos

No Name Faces

No Name Faces are one of the most exciting modern metal bands from Sweden at the moment. Self built and self funded, they have already built a solid fan base all over the world with almost 10k subs on YouTube and 15 million streams on Spotify, over a relatively short period of time. Growing every day. NNF has been described as metal in a pop costume, heavily influenced by film music. 

A strong desire to constantly explore and learn from other genres, to add new ingredients into their own music. Morgan who started the band and writes the majority of the music has a clear idea of how it needs to be done: - "I always write music that I love and would listen to myself, without compromising. A wide range of styles and moods but with a solid thread running through. Highly relatable lyrics that can be a helping hand in difficult times, such as Scars, Speak etc. It has become the NNF identity, and we are sticking to it."

https://nonamefacesofficial.com/