Chela's new single - "Heart O' Hearts" Set on capturing hearts, Australian-Filipino synth-pop goddess Chela returns with her new single 'Heart O’ Hearts'
Chela, catchy vocals, her carbon counterpart and range of synths...
Chela’s second release on Goldroom an R.A.C's LA label Minerva Music, Heart O’ Hearts is synth-pop at its glittering best. Opening with a driving drum-beat and an infectious tropical groove, Chela’s honest vocals build to the chorus, where she exclaims 'Beat hard with the best that you have before I dare to give you up.'' Chela explains that the track was inspired by inner conflict resolution, stating that it’s about the good vs. the evil, the positive voice in one ear reckoning with the negative on the other side. "It's a mantra for quieting down the dark side of yourself," she says.
Sean The Star Emperor shines in the single and video for "Sandstorm".
Mixing hiphop and dance-pop elements "Sandstrom" is the perfect party song to brighten up your night. The style of this particular track feels like Todrick Hall meets Lady Gaga, as it has a lot of attitude and great strong vocals at the chorus. The song also has a positive message to always keep trying even though sometimes life is giving you a hard time, and the best way to keep up is dancing to the sandstorm.
Sean The Star Emperor's energy takes all your attention to watch the video until the end, he is upbeat, fun a a great singer. From all the way from Space to Hunnypot Video Picks "Sandstorm" is Hunnypot approved!
-Renata Vontobel
Making. Underground. Raw. Shit. This is exactly what Murs & 9th Wonder set out to do on their most recent collaborative effort, The Iliad Is Dead & The Odyssey Is Over. Over the past 15 years, these two haven’t disappointed on their collaborations, so I was super stoked when this project dropped. It’s also important to note that 9th Wonder enlists the help of his in house production super-group, The Soul Council, throughout the project. Let’s jump into a few of my highlights of this project.
The pair kicks off their 7th collaborative album with their intro track, “The Hulk”. On most hip-hop projects, the producer is the leadoff hitter. They typically lay down a continuously building beat to introduce the lyricist, but Murs wastes zero time as he starts rapping out the gate only a split second after the beat dropped. With a multisyllabic technical flow, Murs covers a wide array of topics, reminding the listener that he’s a 20-year seasoned lyricist in the game, claims no one is fucking with Los Angeles’ tacos, and expresses his disapproval of the current presidential administration.
Heading into the second track, “Cancun 08”, 9th Wonder regains control with a layered vibey intro that I was actually expecting on the intro track. He tee’s off Murs as he delivers a laid back swaggy braggadocio flow where he delivers undeviating battle bars. Pookie Blow and $ilk Money assist in delivering the 2nd and 3rd verses of the song. I’ll definitely be digging on SoundCloud to find more from Pookie Blow, as the female Los Angeles native definitely dropped the hardest verse on the track.
Another standout track is “My Hero” which might be my favorite jam from the whole album. Assisted by Heather Victoria, Murs taps into his conscious roots to tell a dark story of a young woman named Alexis. He tells us about her journey from abandoned foster child to abused prostitute, peeling back the curtain on modern day cases of human trafficking in the United States. 9th Wonder also delivers a near peak performance with clean production that draws the listener’s attention in paving the way for Murs’ vocals. If you’re looking for a prime example of effective storytelling in hip hop, this is the one.
Some other notable moments - Murs enlists Rapsody and Reuben Vincent to help on “High Noon”. The major standpoint on this track is the first verse where Murs and Rapsody split the verse and switch off, bar for bar, and line for line. Reuben Vincent ties the verses together with potentially the best chorus on the album. “Night Shift” also takes us back to some of the OG Murs projects where he loops together well-crafted verses with a repetitive chorus over a smooth and not overly complicated 9th Wonder beat. 9th Wonder & Murs slow it down a little bit on the love affair, “Give Me A Reason”, just to ramp it back up with the screwface inducing “Super Cojo Bros,” assisted by GQ & Cojo. The song placement here and throughout the entire project is articulate and thoughtful.
If you’re a fan of lyrical and meaningful hip hop, I highly recommend you give this album a listen. But before you jump into the full length version, I suggest you hop on over to MursTV on Youtube and watch the mini movie which serves as a continuous music video for the following tracks – “The Hulk”, “My Hero”, “Fuck Them”, and “Cancun 08” (Video Link Below). Once you catch this vibe, I’m sure you’ll jump right into the full-length audio project.
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Artist: MURS LP: The Illiad is Dead and the Odyssey is Over, Release Date: August 9th, 2019, Label: Murs316
INDICA is an LA-based hip-hop artist. Not too long ago, he released his anticipated EP, entitled, “RETROMODERN”, through the Tommy Boy label system to rave reviews.
‘RETROMODERN’ takes listeners on a joyous ride through a futuristic soundscape littered with club-friendly singles and feel-good vibrations.
The 7-track project contains relatable storylines, auto-tuned vocals, and new-age swag. Also, the EP possesses boomin’ instrumentations flavored with alternative hip-hop, neo-funk, and electro-pop elements. ‘RETROMODERN’ was produced and engineered by Andrew Luce, known for his viral remixes of Jeremih‘s “Birthday Sex” and Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Nite” singles.
Throughout the EP, INDICA keeps listeners engaged with his sun-kissed California vibe which oozes out of every line. Also, a tad bit nostalgic texture sinks in when he displays his post-modern-day signature flow. With tempo and instrumental changes from track to track, “RETROMODERN” brings an array of grooves which feels totally relaxed. Also, the EP entertains from beginning to end with its fun narratives, feel-good vibe, and party atmosphere. The bubbly entertainer’s music fuses the popular genres of R&B, hip-hop, electro-pop, funk, and soul music.
Do your life a favor...plug in your earbuds & headphones or turn up your stereo and feel the vibe of INDICA's new album, RETROMODERN. Focus tracks are "Intoxicated", "Retromodern" and "Time Machine". Hunnypot is proud to be Indica's official sync representative controlling both Masters & Publishing, ask us about LICENSING!
ShitKid strikes again with another super nostalgic video for the song "Grown-ups are KiDS!".
The Swedish duo brings us back to the 90's in this video. The simple, "homemade" style, video complements the very straightforward message of the song, the girls from ShitKid also bring a lot of girl power and rebel attitude to their music. "Grown-ups are KiDS!" is the perfect athem for teenagers that feel misunderstood by the adults in their lives.
ShitKid's Norwegian fans can look forward to see them live in their next tour starting on November.
-Renata Vontobel
Today, there are so many genres and subcategories of Rock ‘n Roll it’s impossible to keep them all straight anymore. Just recently I stumbled upon a new offering by a band that simply stopped me in my tracks. The New Roses, who hail from Wiesbaden, Germany are one of the best American Rock n Roll bands around today. Yes, you read that right. Their 4th release titled “Nothing but Wild” just dropped this week and it is a collection of 15 songs that have its roots planted deeply in classic heavy rock.
Sometimes when you listen to a record, it takes a while for the band to hit its stride. This album begins with the song “Soundtrack of my Life” and within the first 20 seconds I found myself nodding rhythmically and reaching for the volume button. Not a good thing to do while driving, I’ll admit, but this record grabbed me by the throat immediately and just would not let go. Timmy Rough (vocals, guitar), Norman Bites (guitar), Hardy (bass), and Urban Berz (drums), unleashed one kick-ass rock song to open this record. Right away you can pick up on their diverse influences. AC/DC, Black Crows, Aerosmith, Junkyard, and even Country music all seem to make contributions to their powerful sound. I was now curious how deep into the album they could continue this delivery.
“Can’t Stop Rock ‘n Roll”, “Nothing but Wild” and “Down by the River” (see video below) continue to chug along at that perfect rock tempo, and Rough’s vocals are soaring. His vocal harmonies along with Bites’ deep fat hooks, this record is uncontrollable. Continuing, “Running out of Hearts”, “Unknown Territory” and “As the Crow Flies” reinforce Hardy and Berz’ clean and big bottom end on this record.
Just when you thought you’ve figured them out, they throw “Give and Take” at you. This one chugs along smoothly while throwing a Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy vibe at you. Unreal. “The Only Thing” is next with its Bryan Adams vibe, “Meet Me Halfway” and “The Bullet” which are fun mixes of country and the classic 80’s big hair ballad.
If not impressed yet, have a listen to perhaps the best song on the album “Glory Road”. This song should be on the tip of everyone’s tongue as it is the perfect song for a road trip. In fact, the record is easily a perfect choice for a nice summer road trip. Again, the harmonies are so refreshing sitting on top of these fun clean hooks, this album proved that it’s one which will be always within reach.
The record is full of chock-full harmonies all served with searing guitars, high energy, and a no-frills execution. Heavy, catchy, thoughtful Hard Rock executed with thought and precision that should have plenty of rock fans headbanging, fist pumping and singing along…. What’s next for The New Roses? Let’s get this infectious brand of music to the States! Cross the pond boys I’ll be waiting!
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 8.8 out of 10
Artist: The New Roses LP: Nothing But Wild, Release Date: Aug 2nd, 2019, Label: Napalm Records
We booked everyone at Hunnypot Live #422 by texting "Number Neighbors" until they agreed. Then we used the FaceApp to make everyone look over 15. It worked. Hot Tub Johnnie dove in with a playlist panacea for all of Pangaea. Michael Pelleg took us on a wild ride of his music business education and jobs that got him to ABC TV Music. Nyles Lannon ripped and curled our toes with dangling jangling set. Duke Evers, boy was he evers hard rocking. Pacific Radio brought the party down upbeat tunes. Steve Dukeheart was a multimedia rhythm machine and Hot Tub returned to the decks to keep everyone boot scootin. (8/5/2019)
Michael Pelleg. Certified Hairy Person. Follower of the Church of Bob Ross. Aspiring stock photo ankle model. Music Coordinator with the ABC Studios music team.
In his 3 years with ABC, he’s worked on such shows as Black-ish, American Housewife, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Criminal Minds, and Daredevil, among many others. Before his time at ABC, he took a rather meandering journey through several different jobs within the music industry, working at a talent agency, artist management company, record label, and concert promoter before landing in the Film/TV music space where he’d always wanted to be. If it weren’t for Lisa Simpson (RIP Bleeding Gums Murphy), he never would have started playing the saxophone as a kid, starting him on his path toward a career in music.
Nyles Lannon (formerly N. Lannon) returns in March 2019 with The Clouds and the Sea, his first release since 2015’s Falling Inside. The EP is a sparkling collection of introspective psych-pop and starts an exciting new chapter in Lannon’s musical evolution. Drawing on his work as guitarist in shoegaze band Film School, the songs are bathed in a layer of dreamy atmosphere but maintain a focused clarity and melodic flare that has become Lannon’s staple.
The first single from the EP, the hook-laden pop song “Love Again” was featured in the NBC show New Amsterdam and aired on January 15th.
Moving away from the singer/songwriter bedroom style of his previous releases to a more band-focused, open rock sound, the The Clouds and the Sea is a taste of what is to come with Lannon’s music: a melding of 80’s New Wave, acoustic pop and modern chillwave, channelling The Police and Fleetwood Mac but layered with synths and washy guitar. Lannon’s heart-felt lyrics pair nicely with the sounds of his seasoned band, a group he has had in place since touring for his last album, and it shows right from the start - with the Motown-style drumming of Jon Langmead, driving bass by Michael Rivo, high harmonies/synths by Nichole Kreglow and bold lead guitar by Chad Bredehoft all shining on the title track.
The production has been a family affair. Lannon recorded the EP at his home studio in San Rafael, CA, with the help of his bandmates and his 10 year old son, Skye, often manning the controls. His friend Count (Tycho, DJ Shadow) mixed and mastered, and his pals Alex Kemp (Poolside/Rhye, ESX) and Halou chimed in with remixes. Rogue Wave drummer Pat Spurgeon, who Lannon met while touring as the band’s keyboard player, provided a drum track for the cover of Missing Persons’ “Destination Unknown”. Friend/poet Julie Butler provided lyrics for the title track, and friend/photographer Laura Plageman the cover. The Clouds and the Sea is coming out on the same label that released Lannon’s three other solo albums starting with Chemical Friends in 2004 - Badman Recording Co. Lastly, movie director and friend Jonathan Caouette (maker of the cult-favorite Tarnation) is producing a series of videos.
Feeling the love and camaraderie of making music together is important to Lannon. “Music has been such an important part of my life these last few years, it’s my solace. I’m so grateful to have creative friends around me contributing,” Lannon reveals.
His work with director Jonathan Caouette has evolved into a continuous collaboration. Caouette’s psychedelic-collage approach has influenced Lannon’s writing, and vice versa. Videos and songs have multiple versions and remixes. The first video “Hiding” premiered on IndieWire, to be followed by many more.
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Born from an unbridled urge to play pure, loud, energetic rock and roll, Seattle’s Duke Evers comprised of Josh Starkel, guitar/vox and Kyle Veazey, drums have crafted an infectious indie pop album that begs the listener to dance. Their forthcoming record, Dreams and Desires That Are Common to Youth, showcases the innate chemistry at the center of the duo’s world.
Following the success of their debut EP, 2014’s Handfull of Pennies, and their first full-length album Velvet Hips the band flirted with label life, uncovering different sides of themselves with each incarnation, before realizing their truest form was in their roots as an unrestrained duo.
There 2nd full-length album releases May 3, 2019, Dreams and Desires That Are Common to Youth is 9 tracks of pure energy. Produced by Casey Bates (Portugal. The man, INXS, MxPx), the new record is a compelling landscape of lush tones, electrified rhythms, and honest songwriting that feels both fresh and familiar. With its release, Duke Evers deliver one of the most exciting records to come out of Seattle this year, proving that intuition and independence are a force to be reckoned with.
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“You know those bands that the moment you get to the first chorus of their first song you realize, holy f*ck, they are gonna be HUGE. Introducing, Pacific Radio. With a penchant for big freaking hooks, thundering bass lines and singalong choruses, they remind me of The Killers, Weezer, the Airborne Toxic Event, Eagles of Death Metal and early Foo Fighters all poured into one flaming mojito.”
~Keith Creighton (Pop Dose)
Pacific Radio is a sonic collision of energetic garage rock with L.A. heartbreak. It's origins can be traced back to when Joe Robinson (singer/ guitar) and Joe Stiteler (bass) left L.A. punk band The Ringers in search of a more dynamic sound and space. The duo grew to a quartet with the addition of Kyle Biane (Guitar) and Hyke Shirinian (Drums). Stiteler, Biane and Shirinian created the perfect backdrop for Robinson’s catchy melodies.
After the release of their debut EP, 2017 saw the band hit the road with their wildly charismatic live show. From their home base in L.A. to Austin to Seattle to Napa’s Bottlerock Music Festival, the band began winning over fans from festivals to dive bars.
Between tour dates, the band retreated to the studio with Grammy nominated engineer and producer, Eric Weaver, putting the finishing touches on their upcoming full length album “Pretty, but Killing Me”. They diligently transformed their songs from wild rock show crowd-pleasers into a meticulously crafted record inspired by their heroes.
"Pacific Radio is a band that listeners will fall in love with from their Pop Rock to Punk Rock tempos and upbeat sound. Even with a theme around heartache and love each song has its own sound and style.” ~Alexis Coleman (Side Stage Magazine)
"...even though I hadn’t heard a single song from this band, their performance had me dancing like a maniac before the first song even finished" ~Kylie Banks (The Music Court)
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Steve Dukeheart’s music is a throwback in the best sense of the word. It invokes the work of craftsmen like John Sebastian, Gerry Rafferty, and Marshall Crenshaw; writers who, at their best, created melodies that could steal your heart.
-Jon Langmead, Pop Matters
He was once a professional Sound Man. That changed in 2013 when Steve Dukeheart retired his Maglite, and set about making music. He had spent a decade of nights on busses and vans, in hotel rooms, and parking lots. Jotting lines down in a notebook considering it all: “I can’t explain why I’m so serious...why I think it’s so dangerous to lose control”. Lines that would become the anthemic chorus from his debut “I’m Serious”. The record is a nimble seven song set, ranging from the Genesis inspired title track, to the Paul Simon-esque “Blue Eyed Boy”.
The work doesn’t end at the song. A Steve Dukeheart live show consists of a five piece band marrying his music with a narrative video projection. Driving visual material from his #gimmeaminute instagram project, the live show is as much for the eyes as it is for the ears.
The video for the just released single ,“Breaking Out”, by the 4-piece London band Lupa is breathtaking! Livvy M’s voice and interpretation expresses perfectly the message of the song, feeling like you are breaking out but there is still hope when you have someone to go through the tough moments with you.
Their distinctive electronic rock sound is a combination of EDM and Rock Music, best described by them as “the angry rock obsessed lovechild of Paramore and Chase and Status”. Their explosive live performance could be seen at their sold-out UK tour last year marked by their soaring synths, monstrous bass lines and the anthemic choruses represented by the domination of the stages they play. - Renata Vontobel
Lupa is a 100% Hunnypot approved!
*****All Lupa Songs Are Available For Synchronization Use Via Hunnypot Publishing. Contact John or Jeff For 1-Stop Clearance*****
Here at Hunnypot, we love to share amazing talent and entertainment! Pacific Radio is a sought after LA-based band that will be showcasing at The Mint on August 5th, 2019. They are an indie rock band, very energetic and featuring singalong choruses. We are pleased to feature them as our video pick! Check out their new music video "Katie" which is pretty relatable and interesting to watch, telling us the story of Katie experience and showing the band members in their elements, playing and singing in their trendy looks. We hope to see you on Monday, August 5th Hunnypot Live at The Mint for the return of Pacific Radio.
courtship. arrived on the scene in late 2016, when both Eli Hirsh and Micah Gordon left former rock band Bloodboy; the vampire sounding band to start a whole new project from scrap. Both rockstars left to mainly focus on writing and production. For years they have supported the local L.A indie scene performing in various bands like Dreamers and more.
They began taking out singles in 2016 steadily growing a new fan base, and they have not been letting their followers down. courtship. recently released a new track taking their fans on a trip down memory lane that only old timers might remember. The music video for “Guy Stuff” takes you back to that baby boomer era with a greatly adapted music video that is a great representation of the 50’s with dancing and badass choreography-- with a bleak ending that feminists might probably enjoy. The song is getting much love and appreciation from playlists all around including Spotify, which the song was added to their new music Friday playlist. It is also getting love from a bevy of people on Youtube with comments like “This is a GEM. And I don’t know why it’s not more popular” and my favorite comment “Spooky ending”.