MaryAiAnne & Me make their move with new single ‘CheckMate’

Checkmate’ is the latest release from duo MARYAIANNE & ME, which playfully compares love to a game of chess—make the right moves, win the heart, and its checkmate! Blending a vibrant fusion of country storytelling with a sparkle of bubble-gum pop, ‘Checkmate’ was released yesterday (8th February) on all major platforms.

MaryAiAnne & Me is a burgeoning collaboration between upcoming artist Me and seasoned music pro John Hewlett – whose impressive CV stems back to the 60s, with collaborations with iconic acts including The Beatles, T. Rex and Sparks. John also managed McGuinness Flint, Gallagher & Lyle, Sparks &The Dickies and produced their album The Incredible Shrinking Dickie. The pair met when volunteering for a charity where John was impressed by Me’s storytelling and began working on the MaryAianne project with her early 2025.

MaryAianne & Me began releasing singles in October 2025, committing to a bold schedule of one track per week for a full year. The project aims to build a diverse catalogue of original songs that will ultimately be brought to life in live performances. Every release features the duo’s own lyrics and arrangements, with AI production support courtesy of SUNO. United by a shared love of music, MaryAianne & Me embrace experimentation across styles while exploring relatable themes such as unrequited love, self-discovery, and personal growth.

Now MaryAianne & Me are ready to make a brave move in 2026 with new single, ‘Checkmate’, released yesterday (8th February) across all major platforms.

Connect with MaryAianne and Me via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581770475003
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryaianne_and_me
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryaianne.and.me
YouTube: youtube.com/@itzafuni?si=RD5JVRPdkk1m4WRD

MaryAianne & Me returns with single ‘Pretend’

After giving us some festive cheers with chirpy previous offering, ‘Christmas Wishes’, released on Sunday (7th December) MARYAIANNE & ME shares single, ‘Pretend’, released yesterday (10th December) on all leading platforms.

Backed by with a soulful choir which adds a rich emotional depth, the heart-tugging ballad is an introspective journey of self-discovery, whilst projecting strength to the world and the hidden vulnerability beneath—a warrior’s bravado serving as both armour and a barrier.

A burgeoning collaboration between upcoming artist Me and seasoned music pro John Hewlett – whose impressive CV stems back to the 60s, with collaborations with iconic acts including The Beatles, T. Rex, Sparks – MaryAiAnne & Me have build a foundation out of their shared love of music that not afraid of experimenting with various styles whilst exploring many relatable themes, such as unrequited love, self-discovery and personal growth. With this emotive combination, MaryAiAnne & Me have set a challenge to release one single per week, to showcase their talent as well as reaching out to the prospective audience to be brutally honest about their feelings in order to heal.

Why not listen to their past releases here. Although we’re heading fast towards to the end of the year, the UK duo are not through yet – so be sure to look out for their upcoming singles, ‘Grandma’, ‘Homeward Bound’ and ‘Dear You’.

For now, why not listen to ‘Pretend’ below…

Connect with MaryAianne and Me via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581770475003
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryaianne_and_me
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryaianne.and.me

LAVENDINE Dive Deep With Their New Album ‘Deep Blue’

LAVENDINE’s new album, ‘Deep Blue’ signifies the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. When you’re in the deep end, where your feet no longer touch the ocean floor, you loose all sense of control – but somehow, faith kicks in and you confidently go with the flow, guiding through any obstacles that life presents.

Acclaimed producer Mark Needham – who has worked with The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Imagine Dragons – helped bring Lavendine’s vision to life. He shaped the evolving facets of their indie rock identity into a submerged, immersive soundscape that feels dark but somehow filled with optimism. This tension is particularly evident in ‘Waterless Cloud’ and ‘I Won’t Love You’, which both celebrate the liberation that comes with breaking free from toxic, damaging relationships. Meanwhile, ‘Diamonds in the Sky’ offers a sense of uplift, chronicling the empowerment that comes from letting go of the past and reaching for a brighter future.

Though Lavendine—made up of sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers—have already cemented their place in the U.S. Adult Contemporary scene with three Top 25 singles on the Mediabase and Billboard AC charts (‘Rapture,’ ‘Open Up a Window,’ and ‘Here to You’), ‘Deep Blue’ may be their most vulnerable and unfiltered work yet. The album captures the highs and lows that have shaped them, inviting listeners to step into their world and connect with the experiences that helped forge their strength.

‘Deep Blue’ is now available on all major music platforms. Dive in and experience their world below…

Must listens: City Lights, I Won’t Love You, Diamonds In The Sky,

Connect with Lavendine via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Lavendineband/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lavendinemusic
X: https://x.com/Lavendineband
Website: https://www.lavendineband.com/

Song of the Day: Bloodbath – Wild Oceans

Jon Burnell (vocals and guitar), Mark Lee (bass and keys), Phil Thomas (lead guitar) and Steve Fuller (drums) – aka – WILD OCEANS certainly live up to their name.

Their debut single, ‘Bloodbath’ takes you by surprise, introducing raging guitar riffs that can easily wake the dead; it momentarily makes way for melodic verses, before erupting at the chorus and towards the end – and there’s a reason behind that. The eruptive riffs mirrors the sheer frustration of holding on to a deceitful lover who refuses to change, despite countless chances.

Though this is their debut as Wild Oceans, the South-West alt-rock quartet are no strangers to the stage. Between them, they’ve toured extensively across the UK, Europe, and the US, supporting major acts including 3 Doors Down, The Rifles, Infadels, and Pop Evil.

With tour dates lined up throughout 2025 and early 2026, Wild Oceans are bringing the noise to venues across the UK — and ‘Bloodbath’ is just the beginning.

From the moment you press play, one thing’s clear: Wild Oceans are not here to whisper. Dive in below…

Connect with Wild Oceans via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/wildoceansband
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildoceansband/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildoceansband
Website: https://wildoceansband.com/

Song of the Day: Who Cares If I’m Alone – Lavendine

With brooding, reverb-soaked guitar riffs ripping through delicate — almost ghostlike — backdrops, sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers, aka LAVENDINE, deliver a haunting first impression on their latest single, ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone.’ At first listen, it might feel like a slow descent into darkness. But underneath the weight and mood is something tougher — a raw, defiant message of resilience. This isn’t a cry for help; it’s a declaration. A quiet storm that finds strength — and even peace — in standing alone.

Born from betrayal and hardened by perseverance, “Who Cares If I’m Alone” is a bold refusal to settle — for silence, for dependence, or for anything less than one’s truth. It’s a rallying cry for those who’ve been let down and left behind, yet still choose to rise.

Brought vividly to life by Grammy-nominated producer Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Nicks), the single is infused with a gritty, unapologetic rock edge that amplifies its emotional intensity. The production captures a defining chapter in Lavendine’s journey — marked by isolation and setbacks, but also by a newfound determination to carve out their own path. It’s in this space — where fear meets clarity — that Lavendine discovers peace. ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone’ isn’t just a song; it’s a realization: you don’t need a crowd to find your purpose, and there’s strength in going it alone, no matter how daunting the path may seem.

A heartfelt cry to embrace solitude and find strength within it ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone’ – now available across all leading streaming platforms – serves as a exciting teaser to the duo’s forthcoming EP ‘Deep Blue’.

Connect with Lavendine via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Lavendineband/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lavendinemusic
X: https://x.com/Lavendineband
Website: https://www.lavendineband.com/