Tag: Music
New Music Video: Pixelate – Shaefri
London-based electronic-pop artist SHAEFRI released a music video to her pulsating new single Pixelate.
The 22-year-old cuts her teeth on London’s scene over the last five years with gigs across the capital from The Roundhouse to The Borderline. Now, the elusive artist showcases her neatly refined electronic sound; a unique combination of influences derived from her mixed Irish-Egyptian heritage, offset with the pulse of the metropolis she calls home.
Recognised early on in Ireland, having been tipped as ‘number one new act to follow’ by Hot Press’, SHAEFRI has already secured coveted headline gigs in places such as Bush Hall, and Whelan’s. Now having developed her sultry siren songs, she spins tales of light and dark, tease and torture with a lengthy attack on the soft and lukewarm pads, combined with minimal drums, dry finger snaps and offbeat twinkling plucks from production duo, J. Harvey Jones. The track creates a hugely atmospheric and emotive setting for the listener. SHAEFRI’s crisp vocals provide a wonderful contrast to the carefully crafted instrumental; her vocal crescendos accentuated by a more forceful tone and clipped syllables with the eerie and reflective essence of the track being maintained through her Irish glissandos.
Pixelate, the title track from her forthcoming EP, set for release early 2017, is darker than her earlier work. The more mature sound provides the perfect platform for lyrics that confront the growing pains of love, lust, and letting go. Her lyrics hit hard with cutting imagery, intense emotion, and seductive hooks that linger in the mind as it wonders over nights gone by. This is music that is unapologetic, affronting, and affirmative. Strength surges through every beat with a lesson in each line from SHAEFRI, the ever dominant and enchanting narrator.
The release of the well-written and produced track coincides with an official video release, directed by Gundeep Anand, edited by prestigious production house, The Mill and supported by renowned Director of Photography, Tom Elliot (A$AP Rocky). Pixelate, the video, is unique in the sense that it was brought to life by 40 fans who wanted to create a visual aesthetic that’s equally as haunting as the music itself. The video’s concept is forward-thinking as it focuses on how ‘pixelating’ can be taken out of context to represent emotions and relationships. The core message to be taken from the video is that sometimes we need to take a leap of faith and break free from all of our constraints and everything we know in order to rebuild ourselves as an image that is actually complete.
Check out the video to the single.
Interview with: Kyle Lettman
It’s been almost a year since KYLE LETTMAN graced his presence on NEW LEASE MUSIC with his epic EP, When It Rains. So it’s an absolute privilege for this smooth R&B crooner to take time out of his busy schedule and give us the lowdown of his near future projects – and more. So I hope you guys are ready!
NLM: First of all, thank you for agreeing to do an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC.
KL: Thank you for showing an interest in what I’m doing, it means a lot.
NLM: Tell us what projects you’re working on at the moment?
KL: Right now I’m in the process of recording an album, whilst also working with my team on promotional music and material that introduces a dance & versatility aspect to my artistry. There’s also some special features coming up to look out for…trust me we have a lot going on at the moment!
NLM: What is your favourite project to date and why?
KL: Hmm.. I love all the projects I’ve done so far because I feel like they’ve all taught me something and I’ve grown from each musical experience, so I couldn’t just pick one haha. However, I could pick a favourite song…which would be Matter Of Time from the Under Construction project. I feel like it’s one of the best songs I’ve written in my short career.
NLM: You were in a R&B/pop group called Fundamental. How does being in a band compare to flying solo?
KL: No comparison, it’s like you’re using a completely different muscle set altogether. With the group, I had my brothers on stage with me and that made performing easier. Going solo means that I have to cover all the bases on my own whilst also doing all the entertaining. Although being in a group is easier, flying solo forces maturity and has more personal rewards.
NLM: You’ve written some lyrics for some of the credible artists in the industry – Frank Ocean, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Kele Le Roc, Varren Wade. What’s it like working with these heavyweights?
KL: I wouldn’t say for, working “with” is more accurate, lol! I could definitely tell you some stories but all in all, each credible artist is just a normal person who happens to be well-known. Frank Ocean and Fundamental 03 practically grew up together while we lived and worked in LA. Neyo is actually a pretty respectful person and really easy to work with -his songwriting skills are a lot better than people think. Kele Le Roc is a beautiful woman inside and out, our duet was the 1st time I was granted a chance at songwriting without the guys from Fundamental… and she was lovely enough to allow that to happen. Varren Wade & Jermaine Riley will be my Brothers for EVER haha.
NLM: How would describe your sound to potential fans? Would you compare yourself to any of your music influences of today?
KL: Hmm… I wouldn’t compare myself but I am definitely a reflection of the artists I love, i.e Usher, Ginuwine, Janet & Michael Jackson. My sound is heavily based in R&B & Soul, but not exclusive to those genres.
NLM: What mainstream (or even indie) artists you’re into at the moment?
KL: I’d love to work with Emeli Sandé and I’m pretty sure that’ll happen in the not so far future.
NLM: If you had a choice to collaborate with just ONE mainstream artist, who would it be and why?
I’d work with Chris Brown or Drake as the truth is whoever they co-sign gets noticed lol. But apart from the obvious, I’d love to work with Lela James, Pixie Lott, James Bay or Ed Sheeran.
NLM: If you were granted three wishes to change the music industry today, what would they be?
NLM: Bring back how music felt in the 90s, unfortunately nowadays there’s literally nothing like that feeling. Bring back Hip Hop too, I miss the Busta Rhymes, DMX, Lisa Left Eye Lopez and the Eve’s. Finally to bring back proper artist development, more raw, real and unique talent such as Prince. Rather than those who have been almost formulated by the music industry to look and sound a certain way.
NLM: How can potential fans make contact with you?
NLM: My Instagram & Twitter is @KyleLettman
Website is KyleLettman.com
Song of the Day: In The Morning – Sophie Longshaw
Today’s song comes from the adorable freckled redhead SOPHIE LONGSHAW. Fresh to the music scene, the London-based songstress released two original tracks under international music agency/record label DEFDISCO (UK/Dallas) in collaboration with Chris Mann’s Twin Records, which includes the stunningly emotive, In The Morning.
With such delicately soulful vocals, this 20-year-old clearly has what it takes. After leaving BBC’s The Voice, she recorded a heart wrenching acoustic cover of Muse’s Supermassive Black Hole was premiered on Gigwise…so if you can spare five minutes, check it out – but before you head off, I highly recommend you to stick around and listen to In The Morning.
New Track: Shelter – Joy Oladokun
Described as raw, honest and heartwarming, LA-based singer/songwriter JOY OLADOKUN has revealed a brand new single, Shelter, the first release from her forthcoming debut album, Carry.
Combining roots rock, folk with a splash of ambient pop, the four-minute effort sees the present-day Tracy Chapman delivers, in a soulfully-raw style, the meaning of giving and receiving love without reservation.
Writing and playing the guitar from the age of 10, Joy has always used music as a way to make sense of the struggles and celebrate the triumph of life. Last year, she released her self-produced debut EP titled Cathedrals.
To put her next project into motion, Joy started a Kickstarter campaign and received $30,000. The project comes in the form of the debut album Carry, which is set for release on April 29th…but for now, get a sneak peek of the album and to listen to Shelter.
