Author: Tracey Dawkins

Owner of NEW LEASE MUSIC blog, which showcases the latest releases from indie and unsigned artists, and NEW LEASE MUSIC PROMOTIONS, which promotes indie/unsigned artists via blogs/magazines, radio, independent and Spotify playlists

Song of the Day: Closing In – Sumi

A Tokyo-based singer/songwriter with imaginative lyrics and genre-blending sound, SUMI combines contemporary western sounds with elements of her roots. While living in Los Angeles, she played in several bands and collaborated with artists and producers writing and recording songs that featured in network shows like Teen Titans Go, Naked and Afraid, and Ellen Degeneres Show. She has also recorded for “G’Day USA production “Honoring Liam Hemsworth and Helen Reddy, and performed at “An Evening of Wicked Fun: Honoring Stephen Schwartz” as a pianist.

Her debut single ‘Closing In,’ deals with the pressure of her personal expectations, as well as the expectations of others and society while surviving in the music industry. It exposes the struggles of the fear and anxiety constantly colliding in her head that made her doubt herself and become overwhelmed by insecurity. Sumi integrates her Japanese identity and instrumentation with western modern pop and future bass.

You’re about the go on one hell of a Journey…Check out ‘Closing In’ below…

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Kutee Lee Drops New Track For The Community, ‘Southside’

KUTEE LEE‘s brand new single, ‘Southside’ epitomizes his experience in the city of Port Harcourt (Nigeria) and how he relates with his peers and accomplice in the burgeoning creative scene.  It serves as a healing balm and a stretched-out arm of camaraderie to his people, highlighting things they have in common but mainly the fact that they’re from the same area – Southside. 

Kutee Lee puts up a stellar performance on the intensely melodic rap record, alternating between singing and rapping about his city experiences. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: Sunshine – Micah Willis

MICAH WILLIS is a rising pop singer with old soul sensibility when it comes to instrumentation and production, this would seem natural as Micah is the son of blues great Kenny Neal. His single, ‘Sunshine’, which comes off the upcoming mixtape, ‘Who The Hell Is Micah Willis,’ was recorded in Baton Rouge with Kennys band brings a gospel-like emotive and inspirational lyrics sung with powerful female backing vocals strengthen the belting delivery of Micah over an organ’s swirl, glittering with the guitar of Kenny Neal.

‘Sunshine’ came into existence after Micah felt a wave of hope on a plane ride home from a successful gig in Orlando. He says this is the fastest a song has ever come together for him. The reason that wave of hope lead to such a powerful single is Micah suffers from anxiety and depression and like a lot of us it has been more challenging in recent years.

The more he shared the outline of the song, the more people were quick to jump on board – first producer Chance Clift, then Christian Lucy on keys. Micah then sent it to his father Kenny Neal who on hearing it wanted to bring his full band in. Micah realising the connection this song was making brought in some amazing vocalists Mimi Knowles and Raven Flowers to fill out the sonic hug.

Micah says of creating the single: “I haven’t ever experienced creating a song the way we created this. I feel like there was so much love in every session we did with this song, and that is what this song is all about. Love, hope, and happiness.”

Have a listen to ‘Sunshine’ below…

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Watch Qbanaa’s New Video For Debut Single, ‘Truth and Desire’

Cuban/Irish singer-songwriter QBANAA (pronounced Cubana) has shared the video her debut single ‘Truth and Desire’.Filmed in gorgeous Dublin spots at Killiney Beach and the Botanic Gardens, the music video is simple yet visually aesthetic, translating the lust, mysteriousness and flirtatiousness in Qbanaa’s song. Outfits were styled by Eoin Gavin, who brought the ethereal visuals with light, simple and delicate pieces.

With a catchy bass line and soulful vocals ‘Truth and Desire’ mixes Qbanaa’s Spanish and English native tongues to create a flirty song celebrating the euphoria of re-discovering love after long periods of loneliness and includes choir-like sections resembling the honeymoon period of new lovers.

The debut single has already been featured on Eric Alper (who’s worked with Ringo Star, Bob Geldoff, Sinead O’Connor to name a few) and four Spotify editorial playlists; ‘A Breath of Fresh Eire’, ‘LED Lights’, ‘Fresh Finds UK and IE’ and ‘the Night Bus Edit’ and has been featured on Worldwide FM, Nialler 9, Hot Press and Golden Plec, to name a few.

Qbanaa will follow-up with single ‘Creative perfection’, produced and mixed by Dan Doherty in Darklands, who has worked with Fontaines, Damien Dempsey and Coolio (RIP)…but for now, watch the official video for ‘Truth and Desire’, directed by Niamh Bryson and shot by JP Quill…

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Song of the Day: Need to Know – Jordana of Earth

Toronto-based Electro-pop R&B music sensation JORDANA OF EARTH transports listeners with melancholy romance and light smoky vocals to tell a vulnerable tale of distance and its effect on love with the ethereal single ‘Need To Know’. Fueled by her own lived experiences, Jordana of Earth’s 3rd single from her expertly crafted debut EP ’10k,’ a deeply personal voyage that sonically soothes the soul. “Each track off the EP hits different moments and feelings within a relationship running its course,” she explains.

‘Need To Know’ is a seduction of the senses with a slower tempo and harmonic textures to get under the skin. “The song is a pleading ballad about wanting to stay close from a distance, with someone who is away for lengths of time.” Jordana of Earth gives a transcendent performance with richly layered vocals and a deliberate message.

Jordana of Earth is a singer/songwriter/producer from Toronto with a distinct voice that weaves R&B, Pop, and Trip-Hop influences to create something entirely new. A fearless, multi-disciplined artist inspired to start from a young age, Jordana found instant success with her debut single, ‘Leave the Light On’ (produced by Jeff Crake, DVSN).

With the support of her city behind her and several features across multiple Spotify playlists and radio stations across Canada, there is no stopping the momentum of this modern renaissance artist.

Watch the video for ‘Need To Know’ below…

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