My goodness, is it really the weekend already, you know what that means? yep, another 9 tracks from some staggeringly good unsigned acts from across the globe.
I was at a show last night, I know a REAL SHOW, with REAL MUSICIANS on stage playing music, enjoyed by a ton of REAL PEOPLE. It was a guy called CORY WONG who is the frontman of a magnificent band called Vulfpeck and he ROCKED the roof off the O2 Academy in Bristol.
Anyway, back to the playlist, we have delved deep this time to find some eclectic artists to bring you a playlist which ticks pretty much every box, to learn more about some of the acts included on the playlist, check out the featured artist bios and social links below the playlist.
See you on the other side.
Fearn
Fearn is Will Taylor, a West Sussex (UK) producer. The alias was taken from the Gaelic word Fearn: ‘Alder tree’ and was chosen because of the association of this tree with strength, compassion, and generosity.
Exploring nature and the great outdoors is a huge part of Fearn's writing-process, regularly finding inspiration from walks across the hills and valleys of West Sussex.
Fearn has previously worked mainly in a collaborative/band musical setting, however, Fearn is a ‘solo’ project; Will enjoys the freedom and creativity of collaborating with other chosen artists and including them in most tracks written.
Over recent years Fearn has created a network of musicians who bring their own individual style to his tracks. He is always searching for new artists to work with and spends a lot of time reaching out to artists on Instagram to broaden his network. For his first four singles, Fearn collaborated with three London-based musicians, Rob Quo, Iris Engelen and Alex Kate, and New Zealand-based Lee Stuart. Fearn enjoys finding different musicians to collaborate with, to share the creative process of song-writing. He prefers working with artists that are slightly different to my own sound, that he describes as 'Cinematic Folk'.
‘Lake Annecy’ is a collaboration with London-based Lorphe. The track is inspired by the feeling of being in love with someone, and feeling encompassed by it, like warm water. You feel a sense of closeness to the person, but you still want to get closer.
Some of Fearn’s biggest musical influences include Bon Iver, The Staves, Orlando Weeks and Efterklang. He’s a huge fan of how these artists use vocal stacks in their songs to create a sense of community and teamwork. This is also a core foundation of his song-writing process. When Fearn writes tracks, he always considers how they will be translated to a live setting. The ensemble aspect of these bands interests me and is something Fearn aspires to replicate sonically and visually.
In terms of favourite solo performers, Fearn cites Leonard Cohen, Fionn Regan, Lucy Rose, Poppy Ajudha, Charlotte Day Wilson and Lapsley.
Socials
Jordan Jones
Jordan Jones has been in multiple projects in the past ranging from styles including Blues, Singer-Songwriter, and Pop Rock. He’s always been a fan of Pop music and wanted to share his love for music with pop melodies paired with lyrical depth.
He draws influence from acts including 6black, Justin Bieber, Tate Mcrea, blackbear, The Weekend, Halsey, Pink Sweat$, Ed Sheeran, Jon Vinyl, Lucky Daye, H.E.R., Khalid, and dvsn.
Asked about live shows and festival appearances, Jordan said, “I have been lucky enough to tour across Canada multiple times. Notable festivals are The Open Sky Music Festival and The Beaumont Blues & Roots Festival. I've played sets at iconic venues like the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, The Starlight Room in Edmonton, and Massey Hall in Toronto. I have been interviewed and played on CJSR-FM in Edmonton.”
Asked about the single, Jordan added, “Coming off my debut single 'Break My Heart which was about my ten year relationship ending abruptly, my second single 'STUMBLE' is a high energy pop song about being in a new relationship, personal development, and open communication. I spent a couple of years on hard personal development so I could be the best version of myself and give that to someone who deserves all of me. Open and honest communication in a relationship is so important and I wanted to capture that in STUMBLE. I just want to spread love with my music and this song is about that....LOVE & CONNECTION.”
The single STUMBLE was recorded at Velveteen Music in Edmonton, Canada. Brad Simons was the Lead Producer with the help of Randor Lin and Brandon Unis. The track was mastered by Brad Smith with Velveteen Music.
If you do one thing today, please visit his Spotify page and give him a follow, this way, you’ll be the first to learn about any new music coming through.
Socials
S.A.A.R.A
Born in North London, multi instrumentalist, composer, performer and sound artist; S.A.A.R.A, began her career in music as a bass player. Over years, she honed her songwriting, production and performance skills through her involvement in a diverse range of projects including City Lights (garage rock), Ezra Bang and Hot Machine (“guerrilla funk”), Ash Walker (trip-hop), and most recently, Westerman (alt-pop).
Following her critically acclaimed second single ‘Forest’, genre defying EDM artist/composer S.A.A.R.A releases third single ‘Deliverance’, a rousing, Afrofuturist dedication to not giving up on finding what you are searching for in life and love.
Blending electronic beats, synths and lush woodwind, S.A.A.R.A continues to challenge the boundary lines between experimental pop, afrobeat, EDM and new-wave. With a vocal delivery reminiscent of Blondie’s Debbie Harry and an instrumental arrangement that pays homage to Fela Kuti and Charles Mingus, ‘Deliverance’, feels contemporary and nostalgic in equal measure.
Release on 24th March 2022, this offering from London based bass player and producer cements her unwavering stance to challenge the hegemony of the music industry.
Socials
Homiejohn
Marking his second release of the new year, 16-year-old artist HomieJohn is ready to show the world even more versatility with Old News hitting all music platforms on March 4th.
Switching it up from his current discography of sounds, young vocalist HomieJohn is gathering momentum in his growth. Taking inspiration from artists like Memoria XI, Charlie Puth, Juice WRLD, and more, there’s tons of directions for the track to go.
His latest release Back In The Day, shows off his vocal presence on a hip-hop/pop infused instrumental produced by AkaNathan. Taking an introspective look on his life and yearning for previous moments, John shows vulnerability to his audience in high and lows.
When asked what are some his currents goals, John said, “As an artist, I strive on making a positive impact on my generation and hopefully those to come, be able to do music full-time, … and collaborate with some of my dream artists”.
With his current collection of singles and content out in the world, it’s safe to say John is on his way towards making that impact he’s looking for. Combining a foundation of quality music with the constant potential to reach new heights, he’s truly the dictator of his own future. Other worthy song to check out are ‘Lose ft. Gabe the Jewel’, ‘Wish’, ‘With That’ and ‘WOCKHARDT’.
Keep up to date with his musical happenings at the following sites.
Socials
Groan Room
The Manchester band Groan Room are back behind their fuzz pedals to deliver ‘Greasy Thumbs’, an indie rock tune with slacker tendencies. It was recorded and produced by Gary Hadfield at Blueprint Studios, Salford in December 2021.
The song opens with an affirming “BONG!” punched out by a furious guitar. It goes on to emulate the moans and squeals of the band’s early releases, and echoes their characteristic loud/quiet contrasts. Fuzzy guitars swell under pounding drums, as the song gradually culminates in a cathartic climax.
On the release the band say, “Greasy Thumbs is an unusually happy song for us, which made it a bit of a bugger to write. It contemplates the simplicity of a happy relationship and of companionship.”
‘Greasy Thumbs’ is the first of three new singles lined up ahead of a busy Spring/Summer with dates around the North-West.
Socials
OneNamedPeter
OneNamedPeter is a British singer/songwriter.
“Peter” because that’s his name. “One” because he writes, performs and produces all his music solo.
He also makes music videos and designs all his music artwork.
He lives near Brighton in Sussex, England, and is inspired by the classic singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, David Bowie and Kate Bush, and more modern masters like Frank Ocean.
Hurts, his fifth album, is a collection of 10 intensely personal but universal songs about the slings and arrows of heartbreak. It follows - and takes a 180- degree turn from - the album Stupidly Happy. “I went straight from ecstasy to agony!” says Peter.
As a bonus treat, here’s a breakdown of the album, track by track….
Track 1 - Hurts, the title track of OneNamedPeter’s fifth album, employs a heart-shattering cello and a sobbing guitar, as Peter declares: It’s not enough to just survive/ This pain tells me that I’m alive. He says: “I guess I was thinking about all the people that ever hurt me, and those who I’ve hurt, and coming to the conclusion that, looking back, it was all worthwhile. The song concludes: It’s the best pain I’ve ever had…
Track 2 - Relationships break up all the time, and both parties lick their wounds and go their separate ways. Only sometimes they can’t. Peter explains: “This happened to me. A nasty break-up, but for practical reasons, we had to keep sharing the same space. It felt like living with a ghost of the person I’d known before. Ghost paints that picture with chugging chords, spectral steel guitar and the deadly lyrics: You sucked all the joy from our home and our bed/ Now I’m sharing my house with the living dead.
Track 3 - Love can be a battlefield, and it’s no fun being on the losing side! Love And War casts the singer’s lover as a conquering, colonising conquistador, and makes a heartfelt plea for peace. Peter sings: You sailed across the world to find me/ Set your snares to trap and bind me/ Sank a deep dark shaft to mine me /Drag me under/ Steal my thunder/ Rape and plunder…
Track 4 - Throw Me To The Fire considers the concept of sin… and puts a match to it. Peter says: My family was vaguely catholic, and I had to go to church now and then as a child. I never believed a word of it, but the idea of hellfire must have made its mark, because here I am, embracing it! The song insists: There is no shame in this desire/ so throw me baby, throw me to the fire…
Track 5 - Missing You is a howl of pain for a departed lover. “I was definitely thinking of Nothing Compares 2 U when I wrote this,” says Peter, “but also of a couple of times in my life when I felt like Sinead or Prince… or the narrator of this song, who is found lying on the pillow that still bears the imprint of his missing lover’s head.
Track 6 - Some people carry their hurts stoically, cowboy-style. But even cowboys have days when it’s all too much. Peter puts on his stetson here and croons: Well, its high high noon at the last chance saloon/ and I sure hope happiness will come along soon/ Cos I've served my time and I've paid my dues/ But I got these doggone, double-barrel, cotton-picking Cowboy Blues…
Track 7 - Shakespeare asked: What’s in a name? Sometimes, a name – every letter and every syllable of it – is everything. Writing On The Wall finds its protagonist writing his lover’s name in the sand, in the snow, on a steamed-up window, on “my pillow with my fingertips”. Until he finally realises that… the writing is on the wall for this doomed relationship.
Track 8 - This one is for anyone who has ever waited by the window, waited by the phone, waited up all night …. for someone who never had any intention of coming and has forgotten you existed! The chorus puts it bluntly: You wrote to me but never sent it/ You said I Do but never meant it/ You took the truth and then you bent it/ You never gave your heart… You Only Lent It
Track 9 - Sweet Lie skewers the notion of everlasting romantic love… but does so in the form of a sweet, smooth, soulful love song of the very type that perpetuates the myth. Thus, the music is all moons, June and stirring strings, but the lyrics declare: You say you couldn’t love me more / Excuse me but I think I heard that one before / We both know love’s a four-letter word / But tell me again, it’s the sweetest lie I ever heard…
Track 10 - If you have me round for tea/ You better set a place for three/ You may want a tete a tete/ What you’ll get/ is a tete a tete a tete… So begins Imaginary Friend, in which the narrator boasts of a companion who will never let him down, since he doesn’t actually exist. It all ends in tragedy, of course!
Socials
SO there you have it folks, another 9 awesome tracks for you to get your ears around. If you liked any of them, please hit them up on the socials and tell them, mention that you heard them on the musomusofm on the radar playlist and they might even buy me a cookie if our paths ever cross!
Please take a moment to spread the word on social media, it’s on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, just head to musomusouk on either platform and give it a LIKE, SHARE, THUMBS UP or whatever you can!
Until next time…..