Welcome to the first in a series of ‘on the radar’ playlists that showcases the best talent from around the world.
Each playlist will consist of 10 tracks, there’s no set genre so anything goes, if I like it, it’ll be on the playlist.
I’ll provide details of the band/artist and information about the tracks on the playlist which will include links to their social media, please go and learn more about them if you like what you hear, show them some love.
Hannah Grace - Foxgloves
Hannah Grace is a one-woman band who writes, composes and performs her own music, she uses MPC beats and releases her songs through Landr's distribution platform.
Of ‘Foxgloves’, Hannah added “I wanted to write a song about being expected to smile even when things really don't permit it. A family photo after an argument, for example or being told “It could be worse” when you’re really not in the mood to hear it. I think it’s a feeling we have all felt at one time or another and I wanted to make my audience move, feel and share the mood and enjoy dancing to it. I think the music is fun while also having a slight twist of eeriness to it”
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Fonteray - Flash of Colour
Fonteray has been building momentum off the back of his first two releases which have seen support both locally and abroad from Rage (ABC), Dave Ruby Howe (Triple J unearthed), This Song Is Sick, and Indie Tapes. The Melbourne (Naarm) based act now shares a hypnotic remix of his latest single ‘Flash Of Colour’ by Michael Belsar. Serving as the eponymous debut for the fellow Naarm-based producer, Belsar’s remix takes the original’s indie-electronic roots and transforms them into a lush and vibrant deep house/ future garage belter.
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Alibi - Too Late
Hailing from Gilbert, Arizona, Alibi are a pop rock trio who blend guitar tones of Maroon 5 with Panic at the Disco style vocals to create an Arctic Monkeys-esque sound for the modern day. They have a 4 track EP available now titled, “I Think You Think Too Much’ and will be releasing a full length album soon.
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Estella Dawn - Vixen
Estella Dawn is a New Zealand born, US based songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer. As a working musician, she writes and records her vocals and piano as well as co-producing all aspects of her music.
‘Vixen’ is an anthem to feel comfortable in your own skin, regardless of your sexuality, your desires, your weight or your body shape. Of the track she adds “I think there's a lot of pressure on people to present themselves in a proper, gentle and socially acceptable way and because of this people often feel the need to hide their sexual diversity and desires. Sometimes only feeling safe to truly express themselves in closeted or underground environments, even when there's a risk of being "discovered" and shamed.”
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Finn Forster - Stay Right Till The End
After the highly acclaimed releases of recent singles ‘Lonely Nights’ and ‘Remnants’, Finn Forster returns with a statement in the form of his biggest sounding track to date. The Teesside artist is no stranger to media success with the title of BBC Introducing Track of the Week already under his belt (twice). Fresh from a variety of live dates including supporting UB40 and The Sherlocks while on their recent UK Tour’s. The Indie Pop Rock singer is back with Arena sounding single: ‘Stay Right Till The End’
‘Stay Right Till The End’ pairs together Electric, Bass and Acoustic guitars with pin point precision, almost effortlessly joined by upbeat drums that collectively creates an punchy arena sounding Indie Rock anthem that inevitably gets the blood flowing and the feet tapping. The cherry on the top comes from Finn’s vocals, tying everything together to ensure all the musicianship that’s gone into the track is taken up a level with smooth and undoubtedly memorable melodies.
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Primes - Redesign
Growing up in the same small town just outside of Glasgow, there’s only so many nights out in Falkirk you can have before you start to see familiar faces, especially when you play music. After meeting a few times randomly at local gigs they decided to have a jam together and have never looked back. Ollie, Sarah and Reece formed Primes in November 2017.
Since then they have remained as an independent band. They have formed a budding reputation throughout the Scottish live music scene which has seen them on festival line-ups such as Party At The Palace, Vibration Festival, Butefest, Rewind Festival, Gig In The Goil and King Tut’s Summer Nights. They have released 10 singles, received critical acclaim and media support from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, The Sun, The Scotsman and have also been play-listed by Spotify’s editorial team. Their last single release “Shangri-La” charted at number 29 on iTunes’ Rock Chart in November 2020.
They showcase a sound that can only be described as pop tinged alternative rock. Their sound pitches foot stomping rock grooves, anthem-like choruses, melodies with the earnest energy combined with layered harmonies to submit their own character. Growing up listening to Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, Linkin Park, Blink 182 and Placebo, they have taken influences from all of our favourite bands to perfect their sound. They have been referenced to the likes of Kings Of Leon, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Subways, The Killers and even Alkaline Trio.
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Sasha Daniel - Pollen (DOV Remix)
Sasha was born in Russia to musician parents and moved to Israel when she was six. In the army she served as a soloist in the Air-Force band and during her service got accepted to the Israeli version of American Idol - reaching the semi finals. After the show she worked as a professional actress and singer and later moved to New York to study acting.
In the States Sasha acted, wrote music, performed all over NY and outside of it, recorded an album ‘Compass’, was in an electronic duo named Sasha & The Bear with DOV and collaborated with different musicians and artists. After ten years in the States she moved back to TLV and started producing her own music. In 2020 Sasha released two singles and an EP ‘Too Much Information’. In 2021 Sasha released 2 singles: ‘Already Freed’ and ‘Pollen’.
DOV took her latest release ‘Pollen’ and turned it into a fun and sexy collaboration which always works like magic for these two artists.
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Stephen Marks - Chills
Stephen Marks is a Singer/Songwriter based in Charlotte with roots in Nashville. He plays genre to genre, looking for the best sound to express feelings and memories. ‘Chills’ is about bad decisions but experiencing the high that comes with it.
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The Fades featuring Les ‘Fruitbat’ Carter - People in General
The Fades have been back in the studio recording a brand new album. Using classic analogue equipment at Brixton Hill Studios in South West London to try and capture the live energy of the band as it happens. This is the first single from the new recordings....
The Fades have teamed up with Les 'Fruitbat' Carter from Carter USM/Abdoujaparov to play this scenario out on new track ‘People in General’. The song is a tale of two sides - The raging tirade against humankind and the subsequent realisation that you are part of that kind and that people aren't actually always all that bad.
Reflected in the song; raucous rock riffs and shouty vocals start off to then dissipate into a more reflective and calm outro. We all get a little bit pissed off sometimes and luckily.... hopefully, we can tolerate and understand that in each other. ‘People in General’ is the first single from the forthcoming new Fades album to be released mid 2022.
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Broken Waves - Come Alive
Adelaide indie-rock band, Broken Waves, release their new single ‘Come Alive’. This upbeat dance-rock song will have you head banging and singing along like you have known it for years. The track uses the imagery of a phoenix being reborn as a metaphor for overcoming mental illness, playing with alternating themes of both falling down and picking yourself up again.
Over the past year, the band have been advocating mental health awareness through their lyricism but are keen to make as much of a difference as they can. To celebrate the release of the single, Broken Waves are campaigning along with the Black Dog Institute, a mental health research organisation, by selling a limited line of ‘Come Alive’ merch.
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There you have it folks, 10 tracks from some super talented up and coming bands that deserve your attention. If you liked any of the tracks, please go and learn more about them via their social media channels and give them a like or a share.
Until next time, keep on rockin’……