OUT TODAY: The Grand Cru share single, ’17’

If you were going to ask what songwriting team have individually toured the world  performing, written for The Korgis, Cliff Richard, Slash, Meatloaf, had their songs  played on BBC Radio 2, supported Celine Dion, played Jesus on the West End stage, performed sell out shows in theatres around the UK, have won some of the most prestigious songwriting awards in the world and now are writing a song about feeling 17 again! There would only be one name on that list… THE GRAND CRU!

International songwriting team The Grand Cru (comprising of Welsh and American talent) have a brand new single waiting to be embraced by the listeners entitled ’17’ (featuring The Grand Cru member Darren Parry on lead vocal duties) which comes from their 8 track album… ‘September 11 – Music To Heal Your Soul’.

This catchy, memorable, upbeat, Country/Americana influenced track was co-written between three well known Welsh male singer/songwriters and a sassy, female US (Floridian) songwriter.

The Grand Cru includes ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead, Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard) and ex member of  The Story’s and Balsamo/Deighton. Also on ‘The Cru’ is multi-award winning Welsh singer/songwriter Darren Parry, who’s a former UK Songwriting Contest winner, Billboard, Unisong, ISSA and USA Song Of The Year award winner (who has co-written with The Korgis, Dan and Laura Curtis and others). The third Welshman is Rhondda’s multi-talented Lee Gilbert who is an acclaimed singer /actor. His 25 year career has spanned from theatre, radio and TV work which runs alongside his very busy music career.

The fourth member and brainchild of ‘The Cru’ is Florida based Bonnie Skop, whose family has a long history in music; including her Dad managing Ted Nugent and Bob Seger in their early days! The Grand Cru get their name from the French words… meaning “a wine of the most superior grade”. These songwriters are certainly that!

Darren says of the latest offering: “Steve, Lee, Bonnie and I wrote “17” predominantly on Zoom over the last 6 months or so, we wanted it to have an all American kinda feel to it”. Darren continues: ”We wanted to write something that encapsulated the excitement and emotion of falling in love as a teenager, reminiscing about a time gone by when love captured your heart and the emotions of youth”.

’17’ is the second single from their album following on from single, ‘I Was There’, which was shown on the big screen for the National Guard (EANGUS) 9/11 Remembrance  Gala at The One World Trade Centre building in New York on 11th Sept this year  for a star – studded event, hosted by Kelsey Grammer (Frasier).

’17’ is was released today (8th November) on all good music platforms. Have a listen below…

Connect with The Grand Cru via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/the-grand-cru-61565108634490/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_grand_cru_songwriters_/

Christof Jennings shares powerful new single, ‘Prayer Before Birth’

UK upcoming producer CHRISTOF JENNINGS‘ brand new single, ‘Prayer before Birth’ – released last Friday (1st November) – brings a powerful sense of hope, delivered perfectly with Irish Playwright Louis MacNeice’s poem. The stunning classical piece is slow in pace, with sweeping strings and horns performing contra melodies and a bold presence of the Timpani to express poignant moments, all led by the gleeful Cello.

Championed by BBC West Midlands ahead of its release date, ‘Prayer before Birth’ was produced in collaboration with Louis MacNeice Society, a non-profit organisation that brings authors, scholars, writers and fans of MacNeice together.

Christof says of his latest offering: “If you told me a year ago that I’d create such a wonderful piece of music I’d probably tell you: ‘you got the wrong guy, I’m R&B’! This opportunity has broadened my scope in the sense that I no longer believe that I have to stick to a particular genre of music, that I can experiment and feel comfortable in doing so.”

‘Prayer before Birth’ was released last Friday (1st November). Why not Have a listen below…

Follow Christof Jennings via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/christof.jennings
IG: https://www.instagram.com/christofjennings/

705 teams up with C Blvck for Afrorap banger, ‘FilmTrick’

Afrobeats artist/Producer 705 returns, this time partnering up with the the lyrical genius CBLVCK to bring on some serious heat…

‘FilmTrick’ blends infectious beats, rich cultural elements, and powerful lyrics that reflect 705 & C Blvck’s unique style and vision. The vibrant track showcases the artists dynamic fusion of traditional African rhythms and contemporary hip-hop influences, creating a sound that is both fresh and rooted in heritage. The song captures themes of empowerment and self believe making it relatable to listeners across the globe.

“I wanted to create something that resonates with my roots while also appealing to a diverse audience,” said 705. “This song is a celebration of culture, and I hope it inspires others to embrace their own stories.”

Released last Friday (1st November), ‘FilmTrick’ follows 705’s singles, ‘Too Cool’ featuring MillyLee, ‘Sauce’ featuring R15k, and BBC Introducing/BBC1xtra-approved banger, ‘Good Feeling’ featuring DJ Skid and DorDor.

Well it’s time to get turnt up and press play on ‘FilmTrick’ below…

Follow 705 via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/705beats
IG: https://www.instagram.com/705beats/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@705beats
X: https://x.com/705beats

C BLVCK
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iam_cblvck/
X:https://x.com/_CblvckNM

Genevieve Miles returns with shoegaze-y broken-hearted catharsis in ‘howl’

GENEVIEVE MILES’ psychedelic indie fusion continues to take on new levels of depth with shoegaze and rock influences taking the forefront in new single ‘howl’. Inspired by the likes of Talking Heads, Slowdive and Courtney Barnett, this new single continues her evolution and maturity, as “a true artist of today’s generation” (Local and Live). This single marks the first time Genevieve has recorded with her whole band in the studio, as she finally moved back to her spiritual home of Birmingham at the start of this year. The grit of recording in Digbeth truly shines through on the track, produced by Jo Cartledge, amongst a scene of exciting upcoming bands in Birmingham such as Gingham, Jazzcat and pip.

On the single, Genevieve says: “this has always been our favourite to play live, I am beyond excited that we can all finally cry and scream together at home to this song, one I wrote at ground zero of a broken heart.”

After the triumphant release of last year’s EP, So heavy, so hard to hold, Genevieve has been busy forging new expressions within her music. The EP, which offers “a sonic embrace to all who listen” (Unrecorded) was featured in BBC Introducing’s Top Tracks of 2023, listed in Dead Good Music’s top ten EPs of 2023 and gained spots on Amazing Radio’s Indie and Easy Listening playlists. Lead single ‘Good’, was first launched on a Hyundai advert in 2022 and has since accumulated over a million views.

Following the success of this EP, Genevieve has spent the past year in the studio, as well as performing around the UK, including notable festival slots at Camp Bestival and Wychwood Festival, supporting Megan Wyn in London, and headlining a packed out show at Birmingham’s renowned Hare and Hounds. She’s also received endorsement from exciting brands such as Goose and Gander.

BBC Radio have consistently supported Genevieve since 2019, including a slot at BBC Introducing Live, their joint showcase with Birmingham Music Awards (2020), the digital BBC Airwaves Festival (2021). All this support culminated in playing their stage at Truck Festival (2023).

Overall, 2023 was an exciting year including her first UK tour, a slot at a fringe event of The Great Escape Festival and playing Big Retreat Festival. Her wide range of influences was also celebrated when Fontaines D.C. shared her acoustic cover of their song ‘I Don’t Belong’ for the online Rock the Breadline fundraiser.

On the live experience, Genevieve says: “I love throwing myself around on stage and shouting as loud as I can: it’s for all those years that I stayed quiet, didn’t get mad, people pleased. This is the time of the wild woman: we are loud, emotional, ALIVE.”

Genevieve is also celebrating the release of ‘howl’ with a gig held at The Yard, a cosy space in Moseley, Birmingham. It promises to be a stripped-back set next to a log burner, an intimate night which will mirror the raw intimacy of the new single.

Upcoming gigs:
3rd November – Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath (supporting Danny Mellin)
13th December – The Night Owl, Digbeth

Connect with Genevieve Miles via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/genevievemilesmusic/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/genevieve_miles/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genevievemilesmusic
X: https://x.com/genevievemiles_

HANDSHAKE IN SPACE release new single ‘We Just Wanna Feel Alive’.

Swedish EDM artist HANDSHAKE IN SPACE is back with a new, energetic offering that promises to set the emotions in motion. The new single, ‘We Just Wanna Feel Alive’, is an anthem for anyone who lives for the moment and enjoys life.

With a catchy chorus that puts into words the feeling we all long for, HANDSHAKE IN SPACE highlights the positivity and playfulness of living in the moment:

“We just wanna feel alive, sippin’ on the good vibes

Livin’ for the moment, no need to rewind

Chill vibes, good times, under the city lights”

The song combines nice chill-out beats with a lovely whistling melody that sticks right in your head and creates an easy, euphoric atmosphere. The single is a perfect mix of electronic soundscapes and autumnal vibes that make listeners want to let go of all worries and just enjoy the moment.

With previous successes such as ‘You’re My Melody’ and ‘The colors dance upon my skin’ in the bag, expectations are high for HANDSHAKE IN SPACE’s latest work. ‘We Just Wanna Feel Alive’ is expected to cement the artist’s position in the Swedish EDM scene and potentially reach an even wider audience internationally.

The new single was released on Friday (25th October on all major streaming platforms and is expected to become a new favourite on dance floors and playlists worldwide. Have a listen below…

Connect with HANDSHAKE IN SPACE via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/handshakeinspace
IG: https://www.instagram.com/handshake_in_space
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handshakeinspace