Back in the heyday of the emo scene days, we were all looked down on as cringe culture. Some people may look back on their scene hairstyles and clothing choices with the same reaction as our parents looking at photos of their 80s glam days. But something 80s glam and the emo scene had in common was music that spoke to us and connected with us on an emotional level. All of us Elder Emo’s continue to turn out in droves for our favorite bands, showing them love still to this day. When a co-headlining tour called the Creative Control Tour was announced with Pierce the Veil and The Used, fans came pouring out to sell out the Irvine Five Points Amphitheatre. Bringing with them Don Broco and Girlfriends, the big scene hairstyles, and brightly colors plaid clothing was coming back out.
Opening the night is a relatively new band called Girlfriends. This two piece partnership consists of vocalist Travis Mills and drummer Nick Gross. Girlfriends perfectly captures classic pop punk and the emo vibes, combining them to create a mixture of songs that are irresistible to bounce and dance to. Moving across the stage and playing to every person in the crowd, Travis Mills was there to win over the crowd and create a connection with the people who showed up early. All the while Nick Gross crafted the perfect beats that gave people those warm and fuzzy pop punk feels and started our transportation back to our high school days. Playing songs like “SHOUT,” “Jessica,” “Over My Dead Body,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” “I Thought About You as I was Taking a Shower,” “Where Were You,” “Tattoo,” and closing their set out with “California.” Though it was early in the day, to the fans that did show up, Girlfriends still gave a heartfelt performance as if they were the headliners that night.
Up next was a band that has been quickly growing as a personal favorite of mine. So much so, they were even in my top 5 most listened to bands on Spotify last year. And I only discovered them in the later half of 2022. That is the English rockers, Don Broco. Opening their set with “Pretty” if you weren’t ready to rock out, Don Broco was here to get the crowd moving. The energy that this band brings to the stage is top tier, and hard to avoid. Their music just has such a positive uplifting vibe to it, that you can’t help but jump and sing your heart out. Vocalist Rob Damiani is probably the most charismatic vocalist out there. With so much personality in his stage performance and clothing choices. He was dubbed the “Rizz Lord” by The Used’s Bert McCracken. Maintaining a strong back beat to keep the energy of the songs from dying down and layering beautiful harmonies on vocals was drummer Matt Donnelly. Bassist Tom Doyle pulls double duty himself letting his fingers glide across his bass as well as the keyboards through the set. Filling in on guitar was Veil of Maya’s Marc Okubo, as Don Broco’s guitarist could not make this tour due to personal reasons. Non the less, Marc’s all pink attire and stage personality fits right in with Don Broco, and you would be hard pressed not to think he was their normal guitarist. Sadly, a fan twisted an ankle during the set in the mosh pit, and Rob quickly halted to set to make sure this fan got the attention they needed before proceeding with their set. Proving how much this band cares about the safety of their fans. Don Broco played a high energy set consisting of songs like “Everybody,” “Come Out to LA,” “Gumshield,” “One True Prince,” “Bruce Willis,” and ending with “T-Shirt Song” that encourages fans to rip of their t-shirt and spin it high above their hide. Which fans happily obliged.
My main reason for attending this show was for The Used, and I could hardly wait for their set to begin. Though I have seen them many times, they never fail to draw heart wrenching emotions out of me when hearing their music live. Starting their set with “Take It Away,” vocalist Bert McCracken hit the stage wearing a Lightning McQueen backpack that just got the crowd screaming with excitement even more. No matter how emotional and heavy the lyrics to The Used songs may be, Bert’s display of a kids backpack, just helps remind us all how much fun the music is supposed to be as well. Halfway through the set, a fan through an Invader Zim backpack on stage, which Bert promptly put on. With the release of their newest album Toxic Positivity, The Used covered their stage with pink flowers to bring a brightness to the energy of their set. Bassist Jeph Howard’s scream and finger style playing help carry the legacy of The Used has been crafting for decades. Drummer Dan Whiteside was in top form this night behind the kit, while guitarist Joey Bradford shredded on his axe. During the song “Taste of Ink” singer Jon Feldman of Goldfinger came running out to assist on vocals, and Bert thanked him as he was the one who helped produce their first three albums. Even bringing back out Rob Damiani to help perform “Box Full of Sharp Objects.” Before going into “People Are Vomit,” Bert instructed the whole crowd to BOO the band, as opposed to cheering, just so they don’t get an inflated ego. The Used played a solid set of classic songs like “The Bird and the Worm,” “Fuck You,” “I Caught Fire,” “Blue and Yellow,” “I’m a Fake,” “Sound Effects and Overdramatics,” and ending with “Pretty Handsome Awkward.” As The Used blasted heart shaped confetti into the crowd to end their set, I was not ready to say goodbye to their music this night.
Closing out the night on this stop of the Creative Control Tour was the tenured, but recently blowing up, Pierce the Veil. Though I have always heard of this band in passing, I was unfortunately not too familiar with them. The energy that Pierce the Veil brings to their set blew me away, and made me question why I was not listening to this band more before the show. Opening the night with “Death of an Executioner,” the band popped confetti into the crowd to wake up anyone who might be losing some energy. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Vic Fuentes has a captivating voice that just sounds familiar and reassuring, you can’t help yourself but sing with him. Lead guitarist Tony Perry has such driving guitar lines packed with fuzz and distortion that help heighten Fuentes vocals. But it was bassist Jaime Preciado that really captured my attention. I don’t think I’ve seen any musician with the chaotic energy of this man. From swinging his bass around his neck while spinning himself in circles, pretending to smash his guitar into the crowd, throwing it 20+ feet in the air and thankfully catching it, and running across the stage nonstop like a rabbit running for its life from an eagle. I don’t know when this man actually played his instrument, but I swear he somehow still found time to do so. Through all this chaos, Pierce the Veil made time to honor their fans by bringing one of them on stage to dedicate “Hold on Till May” to them, and Vic gifted their guitar to the fan. Pierce the Veil could not be stopped from bringing just a fun set to Irvine which included songs like “Bulls in the Bronx,” “Pass the Nirvana,” “Emergency Contact,” “The Boy Who Could Fly,” and “Circles.” During “Caraphernelia” surprise guest Caleb Shomo of Beartooth even ran out to help sing and hype the crowd up even more. During their last song “King for a Day” the crowd themselves could not be contained, and the biggest mosh pit of the night opened up. This was the fastest moving pit I have every seen as people were running 4 minute miles while moshing. If there was one word to describe Pierce the Veil’s set, it would just be fun.
As the last of Pierce the Veil’s confetti slowly fell to the ground, and the lights of the venue came back on, you could see that every person in the crowd was filled with boundless amounts of energy left in them, and the biggest smile on their faces. Live music does something to people, something good, something healing, and something spiritual. The music and energy that these four bands had brought to Irvine was something I feel every person in this crowd needed this night. The emo and scene phase may still be looked at with cringing eyes and wincing glances, but the music that Pierce the Veil, The Used, Don Broco, and Girlfriends played tonight all touched the hearts of every emo kid that showed up this night.
Oh, The Times We've had! We got closer to the 500 mark with just 10 more official Hunnypot Live events to go. #490's line-up was simply amazing and we were thrilled to have acclaimed music supervisor Andy Ross back as our co-host for the night. You could relive the stellar recording by clicking on the links above.
#WhereMusicLoversGoToPlay
An award-winning music supervisor, senior executive and creative producer with over 30 years of diversified experience in the music industry, including stints as artist manager, head of music, label chief, and publisher. Responsible for the curation of music in over 200 film, TV and advertising projects.
Andy Ross won a Guild of Music Supervisors Award for his music supervision on the three-time Academy Award winning jazz movie Whiplash.
Currently Creative Director and co-founder at Exit Strategy Productions where he oversees all aspects of creative music production and works on the development, creation and production of feature films and TV projects. Andy is also co-founder and owner of One Stop Jazz Collective, the world's largest independent Jazz sync agency that pitches and creates world class Grammy and Emmy winning Jazz music for the world of visual media.
A “full-on rock n’ roll assault,” SØUNDHOOSE is an alternative, pop-punk inspired rock band, “cranking out rebellious anthems” that unapologetically declare their personal vendetta on mental warfare, breaking the stigma and ignorance around a topic that has been neglected but rages in us all. Composed of Jeremy Bauer (bass), Paul Burns (drums), and lead singer, “Mr. Bad Luck” himself, Brandon Smith, this dynamic, Los Angeles based trio is creating a safe community where fans can openly release their depression and anxiety and relinquish their seclusion to be united in music.
Edgy Alt Hip Hop meets Alternative with a sprinkle of Trombone. Los Angeles based artist Jake Knox takes the wheel and drives us into an unexplored region of the music industry. If you're unfamiliar, Jake Knox's first journey was with the multi platinum artist Bipolar Sunshine. They toured and wrote the song "Tears" which quickly spread and accumulated millions of streams. While on the road he met and partnered up with J.Patt from the EDM duo The Knocks and started production on his sophomore record "Breaking up with Dreams". The first two singles from the record; Better Parts, and Changes ft. Bipolar Sunshine, Chance Pena exploded onto the streaming world quickly gaining Spotify Editorial Placements, Apple Music Editorial Placements, and continues to rise through Discover Weekly.
After the initial success of the record, Jake now begins to roll out the singles from his third record “Jake is Dead”. The first single “Jake is Dead” was released Feb 3rd and almost immediately started gaining traction on Spotify's Discover weekly. After departing from his former label (Soundcloud) Jake begins his journey as an independent artist. The next few singles are expected to roll out as he takes the road for his 2023 tour.
Juliah, an emerging singer and songwriter, has the potential to become one of Brazil's future stars in the entertainment industry. Despite her youth, the artist has already embarked on a long journey and has been capturing the industry's attention with her impressive talent and abilities as a vocalist, producer, and audio engineer.
Her innovative approach and unwavering determination have resulted in critical acclaim for her debut EP titled "Nunchi," a lo-fi/hip-hop expression of her smooth and dreamy angelic voice - setting her apart from other artists in the industry. Each of her songs is an immersive journey into an alternative dimension, making Juliah a distinctive and noteworthy presence in the current music scene.
MUSZETTE has a sound all her own that is perhaps best described as a feeling rather than a genre. Her inspiring anthems have been amplified on networks like HBO, Disney, Netflix, and on shows/ads like Samsung, Queer Eye, Love Island, and commercials played during the Olympics and World Cup. The singer debuted one of her most recent singles "White Lies" on the 2023 SXSW first ever award winning virtual stage on Soundwaves.world in association w/ YOOM and Active Theory.
Empowerment is at the heartbeat of the MUSZETTE narrative, who has developed from her experience as a seasoned performer, songwriter and vocalist revealing her most unapologetic self yet. The moniker draws influence from the Greek goddesses (muses) who presided over song and the arts, adding potency to her uplifting messages of self-confidence.
While in high school I had my first experience with the metal community by discovering 80s Glam Metal. This was my introduction to the bigger world of metal music that was coming my way. But while I was getting into big hair, bright colors, and spandex, most of my friends discovered a metal community on the other side of the pond. Listening to European power metal and symphonic metal with bands like Kamelot, Apocalyptica, Sonata Arctica, and the biggest one of them all Nightwish. Riding in the car with my friends, I was indoctrinated into the fanbase of these amazing artists. Specifically hearing the beauty and power that comes from Nightwish’s original vocalist Tarja Turunen was mind blowing and eye opening to what a metal vocalist could sound like. Years later, I have not forgotten those car rides but felt I was missing out experiencing Tarja live. When Tarja announced the Living the Dream Tour and it had a stop in California, I knew I was ready to hear this beautiful voice I have been hearing ring in my ears since High School.
Opening the night was a Swiss band called Chaoseum (stylized as Chaosevm). Blending the sound of Nu-metal and metalcore, along with gothic attire and corpse paint, Chaosevm was a unique exciting experience I was not ready for, but completely on board with. Vocalist CK Smile had an almost Heath Ledger Joker vibe to him with a painted on Glasgow Smile, and embodying the stage persona of Jonathan Davis with his gestures. Combining these two unlikely aspects created a stage character that was captivating to watch. Guitarist Valery Veings carried himself with a more stoic aspect to him but brought some of the most bouncing riffs of the night, causing the heads in the crowd to bang. Drummer Greg Turini was a chaotic ball of energy behind the drum kit as he came crashing down on his cymbals and snare. The fact that his drum kit didn’t explode from the sheer power he plays with, I consider a miracle. CHaosevm has a solid set consisting of songs like “Unreal,” “I, Sexy Zombie,” “Dance On My Grave,” “Smile Again,” “Until the End,” and ending with “My Wonderland.” As Chaosevm played through their set, you could hear the influence of the heyday of nu-metal and it’s great to see nu-metal making a comeback from bands all over the world.
Finally, it was time all of the operatic metal fans have been waiting for. Opening the night with “Eye of the Storm,” Tarja Turunen came bounding onto the stage with explosive energy. Before the first notes could be heard coming from her, she was already dancing and throwing devil horns out unto the crowd. As Tarja’s soprano voice range through the speakers, I was transported back to high school first hearing Nightwish through my buddies original iPod. Her voice sounded just as beautiful as I always knew it was, and the power she carries with it could be heard across the street from the venue. Moving through her set list with songs like “Demons in You,” “Falling Awake,” “Diva,” and “Naiad” Tarja kept the energy up rocking from edge to edge of the stage and pointing out people in the crowd making them feel so special. Tarja is not just a talented singer, but proficient on a keyboard as well. Slowing down the energy a bit, but keep the amazement in the crowd, a keyboard was brought out for Tarja to accompany herself on the songs “Oasis/You and I” and “Shadow Play.” Most people know of Tarja through her former band Nightwish, and she took a moment to thank everyone for continuing to support her throughout her career with the band, and then continuing while she goes solo. As the band launched into the Nightwish classic “Nemo” a mosh pit opened for Tarja, as the fans went crazy, and the energy never died back down from that moment. Finishing the set with a four song encore including “Innocence,” “Die Alive,” “Dead Promises,” and ultimately “Until My Last Breath.”
High School Matt was very pleasantly pleased to be hearing a voice he has been listening to for over 15 years. Time has been so gracious to Tarja as she is still beautiful and armed with a show stopping voice that still sounds amazing live as it does on record. I can’t thank my friends Alan Lee and Tobias Thorne enough for forcing me to listening to new amazing music growing up, or I don’t think I would have every had the chance to experience an amazing performer like Tarja.
Darkwave goth group Synical recently released their new music video "Homesick," and it's a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece that's sure to captivate fans of the genre. The video, released via Cleopatra Records, features a brooding melody that's perfectly complemented by the stunning visuals.
The video features the band performing amongst strange and unique visuals including a throwback look and feel to early 80's darkwave along with the torching of a helpless keyboard that never hurt anybody. The imagery is both eerie and captivating, with a visual style that piqued my interest from the very start.
Lyrically, I dig the vibe and after a few spins really honed in on the overall message of loss in life and our ability to overcome it (if we take responsibility and own it). It's something as humans we can all relate to in one way or another.
One of the standout features of Synical's music is their ability to weave together disparate elements into a cohesive whole. "Homesick" is no exception, with darkwave, post-punk, and gothic influences all blending seamlessly together. It's a testament to the band's skill as musicians and their dedication to creating a unique and compelling sound.
Overall, "Homesick" is an impressive release from Synical that's sure to please fans of the genre. With its haunting melody, stunning visuals, and masterful blend of musical styles, this is a video that's definitely worth checking out.
In addition, Synical's new album This Will All Happen Again will be out on July 21st and will be accompanied by nine more outstanding tracks. The band’s fifth studio album will feature performances from legendary artists such as Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Mary My Hope, Faster Pussycat, Murderdolls and more - and it promises to be their most ambitious album to date.
- Matthew Belter
Whenever I’m asked to check out a band, or a friend sends me music, I’m always hesitant to check it out. What if I don’t like it? What do I say if I don’t? What even is my music taste if we’re being completely honest? So, when I was given the task of checking out the new Sevendust music video for their single ‘Holy Water’, that same hesitation came back. What if I don’t like it? This is the first time I’ve come across Sevendust in general let alone heard some of their tracks, so as I sat down with that same question repeating itself in my head, I hit play…
It was right around the 0:12 second mark though where that question just went away entirely. Sevendust’s latest track ‘Holy Water’ is a lyrical powerhouse of introspection whose visuals tell the narrative perfectly: how easy the lines can become blurred between ally and enemy when dealing with mental health.
When dealing with a concept like this, I was really curious about what direction they would go in for the music video; something straight forward, or something more in line with the “short film” approach. With brilliantly penned lyrics like, “I feel a darkness inside, It's buried deep but alive, Why do I love it so much?” and, “You fed the flames of the fire, To watch it burn me alive, The reasons I'll never know,” I expected it to be the latter. Instead, it’s an amazingly “simple” setup of handheld shots with each member isolated in black that’s only interrupted by a single key light that’s constantly changing from a cold blue to a warm orange; a simple trick that turned ‘Holy Water’ into one of my favorite music videos of 2023 so far.
I mention the lighting specifically cause when we look at something like color theory in film, each color is used to convey a certain feeling/emotion to the viewer (i.e., Blue = Cold, Isolation, Melancholy vs. Orange = Warmth, Balance, Vibrance). It’s such a small concept, but it perfectly depicts the conflict Lejon Witherspoon writes about and does so in way that doesn’t take away or distract you from the music – but rather elevates it to an amazing result.
So do yourself a favor, go check out the video for ‘Holy Water’ and be sure to check out their new album Truth Killer dropping on July 28th!
The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto was transformed into a boiling cauldron of energy as the Summer Storm Tour featuring Nita Strauss unleashed a relentless display of musical prowess. The evening kicked off with local band Sticks N' Stones, a local group hailing from Brampton, Ontario, known for their high-octane performances. Having seen them previously opening for John 5, they have honed their craft over the past year, evolving into a tighter and more aggressive force to be reckoned with. Despite the stage being cramped with three drum kits and an abundance of gear, they managed to deliver a powerful and captivating set, capturing the audience from the start. The venue’s stage was tucked into a narrow corner and the stage itself sat just a couple feet off the ground. Fans were able to get up close and personal with the band from the start. Nita Strauss had a large group of VIP Ticketholders who got a autograph session and a hour long Q&A before the show, as well as front row spots.
Next up was Lions at the Gate, a band that boasts an impressive lineup consisting of former Ill Nino members alongside bassist Stephen Brewer and drummer Fern Lemus. Formed in 2022, they have wasted no time in making a name for themselves with their distinct sound. Lead vocalist Cristian Machado brought his commanding presence to the stage, while guitarists Ahrue Ilustre and Diego Verduzco displayed their seasoned prowess. Lions at the Gate showcased their musical style through a nine-song setlist, including tracks like "Not even human," "Vultures," and "Digital Sea," which draw from their collective experience while forging a new sonic path.
However, it was Nita Strauss, the guitar virtuoso known for her work with Alice Cooper, who stole the spotlight as the headliner of the night. With her upcoming album "Call of the Void" set to release on July 7th, Nita has quickly risen as one of the top guitarists in the metal industry. Her dynamic and intricate playing, coupled with her unwavering stage presence, has solidified her position as an iconic figure in the genre. Nita Strauss has carved her own path, infusing her edgy repertoire of instrumentals with her unique flair, capturing audiences worldwide. Joined on this tour by vocalist Kasey Karlsen, their collaboration brought a fresh dimension to the performance, with Karlsen's searing vocals perfectly complementing Nita's raging guitar work.
Throughout the night, Nita Strauss treated the audience to a mesmerizing setlist that showcased her diverse range as a musician. From the blistering opening of "Summer Storm" to the melodic intensity of "Mariana Trench" and the fierce energy of "The Quest," each song was a testament to her mastery of the instrument. The setlist also included tracks from her upcoming album, such as "Lion Among Wolves" and "Victorious," providing a glimpse into the new sonic territory she is exploring. As the night progressed, the introduction of Kasey Karlsen on vocals infused the performance with an electrifying energy, elevating songs like "The Wolf You Feed," originally sung by Alissa White-Gluz on the album, to new heights.
Navigating the intimate venue, Nita fearlessly worked the front of the stage, headbanging mere inches away from the impassioned crowd. The lack of a photographer pit and the stage's proximity to the floor meant limited mobility for capturing diverse angles, particularly during the earlier bands. However, as Nita took the stage, the atmosphere became more spacious, allowing her to prowl and connect with the audience on a personal level. The Summer Storm Tour at the Horseshoe Tavern provided a rare opportunity to witness Nita Strauss, one of the industry's top guitarists.
Lions at the Gate Setlist
1. Not Even Human
2. Vultures
3. Scapegoat
4. Drain
5. Bed of Nails
6. The Climb
7. The Ledge
8. Digital Sea
9. Find My Way
Nita Strauss Setlist
1. Summer Storm
2. Our Most Desperate Hour
3. Mariana Trench
4. Alegria
5. Lion Among Wolves
6. The Quest
7. Pandemonium
8. The Wolf You Feed
9. The Golden Trail
10. Through the Noise
11. Victorious
12. Dead Inside
13. Cowboys From Hell
JUNETEENTH JUBILEE "A CELEBRATION OF BLACK EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC"
A very special podcast/concert event was held on June 19th, 2023, by Hunnypot Live to celebrate Juneteenth - a holiday honoring the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The event was co-hosted by industry professionals Yvette Metoyer & Emoni Matthews and showcased a lineup of talented Black musicians and artists, displaying their exceptional skills and creativity.
#WhereMusicLoversGoToPlay
YVETTE METOYER (MUSIC SUPERVISOR)An LA native, Yvette Metoyer started her career in the film & TV music industry as an assistant and later a music coordinator on a number of critical darlings, including the Emmy-award winning AMC series, “Breaking Bad”, as well as the equally compelling follow-up, “Better Call Saul”, and zombie apocalypse ratings juggernaut, “The Walking Dead”. In July 2020, Yvette decided to take the reins and founded music supervision company, Sounds In Color, which focuses on music supervision for film and television projects and also includes ad and promo production as well.
Some of her recent work can be seen in the third season of the smash hit Amazon original series, “The Boys” and the forthcoming buzzing spinoff series, “Gen V”; the fantastic futuristic Netflix animated series, “My Dad The Bounty Hunter”; the Fox Television crime drama series, “The Cleaning Lady”, and the forthcoming animated film, Jodie - an exciting nod to the nostalgic MTV series, “Daria”.
As a compliment to her career, Yvette has also focused on community support and volunteering. She is a chair member of the Guild of Music Supervisors Education Committee, which produces an annual conference centered on educating the film & TV industry about the field of music supervision and beyond.
Bringing with her a distinguished reputation in the music industry, Emoni Matthews serves as the Co-Founder and President of Music Supervision and creative licensing Services.
Always having a passion for music, Emoni accomplished the first major milestone of her career while still in college: she founded Entertainment Alliance” the first record label on a Historically Black College University. The label was completely operated by students. It still operates today serving as a liaison between the campus and industry professionals.
Next, Emoni landed the exclusive opportunity of interning at Paramount Pictures within the music archives department. Her knowledge and experience gained there catapulted her into her next endeavor: working with Grammy award-winning producer/engineer Darryl Swan. Following her graduation from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Music Media, Emoni was hired by her previous summer internship provider, Hunnypot Unlimited, as an on-call public relations assistant.
Simultaneously, she also began working as a Music Supervision Associate for Extreme Music. From there she ventured to Rostrum Records to spearhead the creation of their new one-stop shop catalog, DRIP Library. Following Rostrum Records Emoni served as Head of Music Supervision and Creative Licensing for House Music Group.
Emoni is living proof that it is important to aim high and never accept no as a final answer. She has the experience, talent, and ear for music that has translated into her fearlessness and determination to succeed and help others succeed along the way.
Kyaira is a 28-year-old soul singer/songwriter currently based in Washington, D.C. Her unique powerhouse vocals and soothing undertones are similar to the likes of Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, and Ari Lennox. Her voice is the warm hug you never knew you needed. Since arriving to the DC music scene in 2012, Kyaira has performed with her band in local District venues such as City Winery, Union Stage, Eaton Hotel, and Songbyrd.
Kyaira has also released four singles, appeared on various projects for other local artists, and is currently working on her first E.P to be released in 2023. On the stage, Kyaira has opened up for artists such as Jade Novah, Candiace Dillard-Bassett, Nim, and DuPont Brass. While still relatively new in her artist career, one thing is for sure: Kyaira’s voice is her superpower and she is only going up from here.
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Gabrielle Hights is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Born in Killeen, Texas and raised in Augusta, Georgia, her southern upbringing and classical music background greatly influence her sound and musical tastes today. Gabrielle has worked with artists such as Mya, Kevin Ross, Trey McLaughlin, and many more.
Currently based in the DC Metropolitan area, Gabrielle’s evolution as an artist has been heavily influenced by the DC music scene. With every performance, she is able to command and captivate an audience with her strong voice and engaging personality. Gabrielle believes in originality with every musical piece and often pulls from her choral background when composing and arranging. Her wide vocal range allows her to be fluid across genres as she is able to easily flow from a classical piece, to gospel, rhythm and blues, rock, and any other style of music that comes to mind.
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Jordan Hawkins, R&B’s rockstar, didn’t just appear overnight. His stunning sound has come together through years of passion and work, fusing together so many influences, inspirations, and collaborators. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina and raised in the church choir, he is following in the spirit of true performers, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, artists who took the guitar and brought their magic to life. Hawkins might have come to Southern California for school, but LA quickly became the perfect place to harvest a growing passion for music. He followed that passion, and now at just 26 years old, he has found his community and found his sound.
“Trying to find love in LA let alone anywhere in the world is never straightforward. 4Play details the evolution of a relationship fueled by sex, lust, and passion. Starting at a party and ending with the question ‘What are we?’ 4Play encapsulates stories from my life that I’m sure others will be able to relate to.”
With this narrative in mind, 4Play is Jordan's sophomore EP. Spanning nine tracks, the project has features from Phabo and Reggie Becton and production from close collaborators including Mike Hector, Bizness Boi, Blake Straus, Aja Grant, and the production collective of which Jordan is a part, NAIVE.
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Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, MyGuyMars (b. Lamar Edwards) is a multifaceted recording artist, best known for his production, songwriting and for his work as a solo musician. Born to musical parents, with his mother (Tracie Edwards) a singer and his father (Clifton Edwards Jr.) a minister, songwriter and artist, MyGuyMars grew up with the sounds of gospel, soul and R&B happily filling his family's household. This inspired him to explore his own talents from a young age, even playing organ each week in his grandfather's church.
In 2006, after co-founding 1500 or Nothin' – a band-turned-collective – MyGuyMars found himself working with the likes of hip-hop veterans such as Snoop Dogg, T.I. and Bobby Valentino. From working on the theme music for T.I.'s VH1 show, Family Hustle, to recording his own solo material, MyGuyMars has established himself as one of music's most trustworthy and go-to collaborators, often celebrated for his professionalism and humble nature.
He has since gone on to lend his production and songwriting expertise to the likes of a star-studded client list, including his mentors, T.I. and Snoop Dogg, as well as some of contemporary music's most talented and successful acts, including Chris Brown, Usher, Don Toliver, Saweetie, Mary J. Blige, Kehlani, R. Kelly, Drake, Faith Evans, Bow Wow, Tyga, Busta Rhymes, Bobby Valentino, The Game, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Master P, Jennifer Hudson, Marsha Ambrosius, Mya, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, YG, 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla Sign, Nipsey Hussle, Mac Miller and more.
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The name Ben Reilly stands for two things. As an avid comic book collector, Ben Reilly wanted to pay homage to his favorite superhero Spider-Man, specifically the clone of Peter Parker’s Spidey in the comic book storyline in the Marvel Universe. It also means embracing who you really are. “Ben in itself is supposed to stand for ‘Be. Nahree,’” the Atlanta by way of Brooklyn artist says. “It’s supposed to represent me embracing myself from within.”
In 2021, the Abstract Media member made his solo debut with Freelance which featured the viral song "Maytag" Ben raps with hungry urgency like someone who knows their time is coming. He switches between rapping and delivering diary-like entries on themes of self-doubt, perseverance, and loyalty as he plays with different flows while distorting his voice.
“The music will speak for itself, especially in instances where my life is changing now,” he says. “I’ve been putting in the work and now it is starting to be seen. A lot of people are starting to recognize it.”
With a foundation deeply rooted in the Baptist Church, Cymone stuck to her roots by singing background for Motown's Gospel artists, Gene Moore, Chante' Moore, Mya, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, and countless others. She has decided to venture into the R&B and Pop space and currently supports Grammy-nominated artist Ella Mai on tour.
C. Cymone sums up her philosophy in life with one quote, "Make your passion your paycheck," and she is working everyday to do just that. She intends to bring a renewed sense of artistry to the music industry and aspires to be one of the most sought- after entertainers, vocalist, songwriters, and vocal producers. She is gearing up to release her debut EP, VII YRS LTR produced by Grammy Nominated, 5x Billboard charting producer DLo.
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Pop-fusion artist TK's unique life journey is reflected in his music as he masterfully blends R&B, alternative and rock sounds, influenced by the African rhythmic undertones of his heritage. Providence-born, Nigerian-bred, London-raised, DMV-hardened, and LA-based, TK takes listeners on an unparalleled journey of genre-bending music through vivid soundscapes and brilliant storytelling.
An innovator and disruptor in the web3 space, TK has been featured on top NFT platforms such as Sound.xyz, OpenSea, Zora and Catalog, selling out multiple NFT collections related to his music. Most recently, he ranked as the third all-time trending artist based on primary sales on Sound.xyz for his audio-visual NFT collection Eternal Garden, raising $50,000 of revenue in one week and receiving recognition from Billboard for his accomplishments.
With years of experience as a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, TK’s work with the world’s biggest musicians like Rihanna, The Weeknd, Usher, and Jaden & Willow Smith has shaped him into one of the most prolific artists of this generation.
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Tech N9ne has been a legendary figure in the rap game for years now, and his latest track "Fatha Fig Ya (Food for Thought)" featuring RMR only cements his place among the greats. The song starts off strong with a powerful beat and Tech N9ne's signature rapid-fire flow, showcasing his incredible lyrical abilities and undeniable talent. And when RMR comes in with his haunting vocals, the track takes on a whole new level of depth and emotion.
What makes "Fatha Fig Ya" stand out from other rap songs is its thoughtful and introspective lyrics that touch on important issues like senseless killing, political instability, and hating on others different than us - all of which affect ones mental health. Tech N9ne and RMR both deliver powerful verses that address these issues head-on, without shying away from the harsh realities of the world we live in. It's clear that this song was created not just to entertain, but also to provoke thought and encourage listeners to take action.
Overall, "Fatha Fig Ya (Food for Thought)" is a powerful and thought-provoking track that showcases Tech N9ne and RMR's incredible talent and creativity. With its hard-hitting beats, emotionally charged lyrics, and powerful message, it's sure to become a favorite among rap fans everywhere.
And if that wasn't enough, Tech’s anxiously awaited new full-length album, BLISS, will drop on July 14, 2023. This will be Tech’s first full-length LP since the 2021 blockbuster ASIN9NE and one Hunnypot can't wait to listen to!
Until next time - Matthew Belter
The Indie Rock Road Trip tour had a (planned) pit stop at Minneapolis this Wednesday, stopping at the fabulous, gargantuan Armory where 8000 adoring fans packed themselves into the massive space to catch the return of 90s-but-also-other-decades darlings Weezer. They brought LA indie rising stars Momma and the ineffable Modest Mouse with them, filling out the event space with their car-themed projector and stage setup and sending everyone back on a nostalgia trip. The atmosphere was palpable as people brimmed with anticipation for the evening that would follow - Weezer hadn’t been to the state since their performance on the Hella Mega tour in 2021 at Target Field, and they had brought such a phenomenal pair of bands with them.
Momma opened the show - familiar-but-inventive with the twin vocal melodies of Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, their sound was at the same time completely enveloping and soothing, a lullaby to simpler times and simpler places. They were the perfect opener for the two bands to follow, setting the bar high but leaving their own mark on the audience (and it wouldn’t be the last time they’d be around that evening). The tour’s intent to capture the spirit of the Indie old guard and combine it with an almost passing-of-the-torch makes perfect sense when you see Momma’s performance - there is surely great things to come.
Modest Mouse followed suit. Frontman Isaac Brock took the stage, looked out pensively, and then kept it simple - “we’re Modest Mouse, let’s do this”, and then soft strumming exploding into Brock’s familiar twangy cry as a rendition of "Dramamine" was played out. Old hits and newer songs alike would be covered over the next hour, with timeless classic "Float On" crossing swords with newer cuts like" Fuck Your Acid Trip" and "Back to the Middle", the blend of sounds really demonstrated just how effortless a lot of Modest Mouse’s ingenuity and sincerity seems. Even with 30 years on their belts, they make all their material sound timeless and cohesive, sounds of new and old blending together without missing a step (and why they were a perfect pairing for this tour).
Finally Rivers and co take the stage, and the crowd loses their mind (after a pre-show that consisted of Toto’s "Africa" being played directly after a Metallica song) as they launched into their first song, "My Name is Jonas". Weezer - depending on the venue hit - brings with them a massive projector with closeups on the performers displayed for those further back, simultaneously providing a visual tour through cartoonish landscapes from the perspective of a windshield. The idea is road trip visually, and with that in mind, Weezer charted a journey through their discography, busting out rarely seen classics like "Susanne" while playing safe bets like "Say it Ain't So" (and of course "Buddy Holly" for the encore), dancing all across their 30 years of material, much to the absolute delight of the packed house.
I believe I witnessed a superstar in the making Saturday night in San Diego. Twenty-eight year old singer songwriter Melanie Martinez brought her Portals tour to San Diego mesmerizing the audience with a captivating and visually stunning show that felt more like performance art than just a concert. The world was first introduced to Martinez in 2012 when, at just 17 years of age, she finished 6th on the NBC hit singing competition series The Voice. I specifically recall her rendition of The White Stripes hit "Seven Nation Army", a creative and fresh approach utilizing those now familiar delicate emotive breathy vocals.
After success on The Voice, Martinez launched her solo career with a successful bang. Her debut album Cry Baby (2015) went double platinum with several commercially successful songs. The follow-up album K-12 (2019) went gold and was accompanied by a limited release musical film of the same name where Martinez, who also wrote and directed the film, played the main character, her creation “Cry Baby”. Unfortunately, the tour supporting this album was cut short due to the Covid pandemic.
Martinez launched her third album Portals on March 31st debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. An ambitious world tour was announced, with interesting notes that the tour setlist would be the Portals album beginning to end with Martinez performing in character portraying the latest incarnation of Cry Baby. This character turns out to be a pink four-eyed fairy nymph like creature.
Showing up to the Viejas Arena in San Diego, it was immediately clear that Martinez had a wildly loyal following. Portals was barely two months old but a large percentage of concert-goers (dominated by females 12 to 25 years old) were wearing outfits inspired by the art and visuals of the new album - fairy princess type dresses, elf/nymph ears, glittery makeup, and cosplay type wigs. Although awkwardly self-aware of being perhaps the only middle aged dude in the entire arena, I was determined to see what all the buzz was about. I did find myself yearning for a set of elf ears to better fit in, but no luck.
When the arena lights dimmed, I immediately regretted not bringing earplugs. The piercing screams of the sold out arena filled with Martinez maniacs had me both impressed and wincing. I had never experienced a crowd so loud in my life. I’d guess only a Taylor Swift indoor arena show could rival the magnitude of this crowd’s excitement. As promised, the show opened with the first song and lead single on Portals, “Death”. The song was a perfect transition and introduction to the new album, describing how the Cry Baby vessel from the previous album (and film) has died but the spirit had transitioned into a new form – as Martinez appears on stage as a masked pink four-eyed fairy nymph character:
They’re carving my name in the grave again
The flowers are fresh and their faces wet
My body as died but I’m still alive
Look over your shoulders I’m back from the dead
Into the second song (and second single “Void”), the audience continued to scream every lyric at the top of their lungs, often drowning out Martinez. It was becoming clear that this wasn’t just a concert, it was an immersive interactive experience. Surrounded by an elaborate fantasy-inspired set, Martinez captivated the audience with synchronized dancing and movements supported by a talented group of six graceful dancers who played a major part in the overall performance. Revolving animated backdrops, changing stage props and a variety of costume changes gave the show the feel of a theatrical play. Martinez delivered an energized and emotional performance motivating a locked-in audience to sing, dance, cry, and celebrate with her all night.
Martinez’s creative vision boldly came to life on stage before our eyes, highlighted by her strong connection with adoring fans. Her wispy ethereal vocals and blended elements of pop, alternative, and electronic/synth are a signature style that will take her far. How far? After her ambitious 33-date North American tour this summer, the Portals tour heads to Europe for an 18 show run in the Fall, followed by an Australia/New Zealand leg in January 2024. My take is that by the end of the tour, the multi-talented Martinez will have exploded from popular singer to worldwide superstar.
Keep rockin’ and be well, Greg Vitalich
