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
I’ve been following BÜLOW since her debut ‘This Is Not A Song’ and I take my hat off to this newcomer for injecting some spunk into pop music, that’s sometimes jarringly melancholic. After teasing us with follow ups, such as ‘Lines’ and ‘Sad and Bored’, the singer/songwriter unleashed her EP ‘Damaged Vol.2.’
‘Sad and Bored’ set the scene for the three-track set, with its downtrodden-ish thump which somehow sounds like a slow down version of Toni Basil’s 80’s hit, ‘Hey Mickey’.
‘Honor Roll’ offers up a real soulfulness to her usual downtempo signature, something I haven’t noticed in her previous releases (unless I’m tone-deaf!). That oomph of soul continues which slightly pick up speed and gives that extra spice in concluding effort, ‘You and Jennifer’, before abruptly signing off.
BÜLOW has definitely surpass her previous offerings with this EP and from this point, it can only get better. However, I do feel a little cheated as ‘Damaged Vol.2’ is way too short…NOT FAIR!!!
NEW LEASE MUSIC has been chilling out with Canadian singer/songwriter/producer ALEX BENT, who released his latest EP ‘Vanilla Blue’. I found out about the progress of the seven-track production since its release…and the inspiration behind that sweet, sweet crazy (I mean that respectfully!) sound featured in the album. So are you ready to go? Good…happy reading!
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How’s life treating you?
AB: Life is going alright. Thank you.
NLM: You released your EP, Vanilla Blue back in May. What the story behind the release?
AB: I’ve been working on it for a few years now. It means a lot to me and I’m happy it is continuing to age well as I come back to it. I’ve never been this proud of a project before.
NLM: What’s the public’s perception of the EP so far?
AB: People seem to be liking it. It’s my hope that people feel an emotional connection to these songs.
NLM: What’s your favourite single from the EP and why?
AB: “52” is my favorite. I was able to tap into a feeling I’ve been searching for as long as I’ve been writing songs.
NLM: What was your inspiration for writing the album?
AB: I was inspired by life and what I was seeing as well as what I wish I was seeing. It’s a perfect snapshot of where I’m at in my life right now.
NLM: What’s your inspiration for creating such a unique sound?
AB: I’ve been playing in bands since I was 12. I’ve gone through phases of listening to everything. I think I was able to find a sound that really captured all of my influences while still sounding true to myself.
NLM: So how would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your songs?
AB: Alternative Pop Rock or something like that
NLM: If you had the chance to collaborate with ONE mainstream artist on your EP, who would it be?
AB: Phil Collins
NLM: Besides the release of your EP, what are your plans for the rest of 2018?
AB: I’m going through a lot of life changes right now. It’s my hope to play some more shows at the end of the summer. I’m also very early into the process of starting the next album.
NLM: Finally, how can potential fans make contact with you?
AB: You can find me on social media. Send me a message. I’m looking to make some new friends!!
For his latest track, J.O. MAIRS wasn’t trying to come off as – in his words – ‘super political’, but somehow the striking hooks and the bouncing bassline inspired him to vent some home truths….
‘Lingo’ touches on the lack of community unity across the globe and could be described as the anthem for black sheeps of society who constantly feel the need to conform. Delivered in a uber confident laid back flow, the Canadian spitter dishes out some valuable advice: become a member of YOUR own society, and set out to achieve YOUR goals, irrespective of how it is perceived by others.
In a nutshell, just do YOU…this guy did it with impeccable style…you might learn something here; it’s worth checking out…
After claiming the Song of the Day hotspot with single ‘Nappy’, SILENCE IS THE NOISE returns to the limelight for the second time with brand new single entitled ‘Honest’.
The latest release touches on the romantic complexities and emotional ambiguity of unarticulated desire, as well as the difficulties in being vulnerable. It highlights the frustration one feels of wondering whether a person is into them or not by making it more complicated than it needs to be in not being honest.
The angelically sweet presence of the piano is immediately introduced in the three-and-a-half minute production which seamlessly leads into her smooth neo soul trademark. Silence’s vocals inject extra soul, delicately venting her thoughts of the issues mentioned.
This is a great follow-up that puts you in the mind of Corinne Bailey Rae and Erykah Badu…iron out your humpday and check it out…
As one of the leading lights in the thriving UK hip hop scene, last month’s announcement of FLIPTRIX‘s album release for ‘INEXHALE’ caused a riot of excitement. Already teasing us with the video releases for album tracks ‘It’s Like That’ and ‘Bagging Up Music’, the conscious emcee now launches into full album mode as he drops the Chemo-produced single ‘New Breath’, premiered by DJ Target on BBC Radio 1Xtra.
With his trademark mellow tone FLIPTRIX takes us on a luscious melodic journey, delving into a variety of flows as his lyricism explores purpose in life and the social constraints around us on a daily basis.
After revealing the full tracklist for the album this week, which is produced by Chemo, Molotov & Joe Corfield, fans and music critics are itching to hear as much as they can before the album is officially released on 24th August. With UK Hip Hop royalty Skinnyman, Ocean Wisdom, Capo Lee, Coops, Carmody and more all featuring across the 16 tracks, the album provides new talent, varying genre flavours and highly respected pioneers of the UK sound.
‘New Breath’ was released on his own label High Focus Records, which has grown to be the biggest independent Hip-Hop label in the UK over the last 8 years, being home to Rag’n’Bone Man’s early projects and most recently achieving an independent Top 40 with Ocean Wisdom’s Wizville album earlier this year, FLIPTRIX has released a staggering 7 projects since 2007. He is also a member of super group The Four Owls, who dropped 2 of the most classic records in UK Hip Hop history (‘Natures Greatest Mystery’ in 2011 & ‘Natural Order’ in 2015) and have successfully toured the world numerous times and collaborated with the legend DJ Premier on the monumental ‘Think Twice’ single.
Check out the video for banger ‘New Breath’ – and if you’re in the London area on the 26th August, be sure to catch FLIPTRIX headlining his show at Jazz Cafe.
