Song of the Day: Augustine – Kalahara

The first piece of music the pair (KALAHARA) wrote together, ‘Augustine’ is a more stripped back and emotive affair this time. The sparse production gives the vocal room to breathe evoking a sense of release and letting go. The music develops around a percussive swung conga leading you into Lydia Kaye’s incredible haunting vocal. Her beautiful multi layered harmonies glide over the deep rising bass-line, sonically enforcing the repeating motif ‘I lost myself’ building the track into a piece of dreamy downtempo alt-pop becoming mesmerising with the subtle yet addictive chorus.

The EP comes with remixes from some of the underground’s finest in the form of remixes from Bandulu gang’s very own Boofy & Wu Yen ( Hi5Ghost). Both take the original and flip it into straight up fire taking elements of the vocal but then dropping into their trademark dutty 808’s, snares and soundsystem shaking bass. Finishing off with a glitchy remix from newcomer Art|Thft the EP is complete.

The original is also accompanied by an absolutely stunning video from the incredibly talented filmmaker Craig Murray (Mogwai, Snow Ghost, Houndstooth etc) starring his own wife, who pairs the delicate original with a brilliant short film. Using his trademark elements of stop motion animation and film, taking its influence from a mutual love of ‘komorebi’ , space and the universe and everything in between it is the final piece of the puzzle to complete the release.

New Track: Hearts In The Night – I.AM.Willow

Drawing influence from Kate Bush and Tori Amos, singer-songwriter I.AM.WILLOW reveals new single ‘Hearts in the Night’, following her recent release ‘Oceanful’.

Since her last appearance on NEW LEASE MUSIC, WILLOW has gained support from BBC Introducing, Q Magazine, The Line of Best Fit, and Time Out (Top 5 Rising Stars).

In 2009 WILLOW was nominated and won ‘Best Songwriter’ and ‘Best Female Artist’ at the Malta Music Awards, prompting her decision to move to England. The opportunities followed; from recording sessions with Grammy Award winning producer Steve Orchard, to appearances at festivals and venues such as Jazz Café, Bush Hall, The Royal Festival Hall and The Great Escape. She signed her first publishing deal with Fairwood Music, in 2013.

Over the past year, the alternative songstress has scored two No.1 album cuts in Spain (Ghost Town by Auryn and Head For The Stars by Sweet California), No.5 in South Africa (Elizma Theron), features with two of the biggest selling recording artists in Japan and China (Koda Kumi and China Lin Kailun respectively) and several song placements used in film trailers in the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany and China, including US TV show Chasing Life, and French film Boomerang.

WILLOW has also collected some famous fans along the way; legendary singer Annie Lennox offered her free studio time after hearing a private performance, and Sting booked her for his official after party during his Malta tour. She is the official co-writer on current pop hit ‘Daddy’, by Rotana. She now turns her focus to writing and releasing new material with an EP to follow later this year.

Listen to ‘Hearts In The Night.’

New Track: Love Me Like I’m Gone – Jaws of Love

Following the release of the stunning debut single, ‘Jaws Of Love’, Local Natives’ vocalist/pianist/songwriter, Kelcey Ayer makes a quick return with a touching love letter, ‘Love Me Like I’m Gone under his first side project, JAWS OF LOVE.

Featured in Will Arnett’s Netflix series ‘Flaked’, ‘Love Me Like I’m Gone.’ showcases Ayer’s heart-worn vocals lilting over fingerpicked acoustic guitar.

The latest single is the second release from debut album, ‘Tasha Sits Close to the Piano’ – named by Ayer’s wife about the couple’s dog Tasha – digitally on September 22nd, with its gatefold coloured vinyl release available in the UK on 3rd November via K-Rizzla/House Arrest.

 

New Track: Hope – Aria

 

Living in London, hailing from Gloucester, with an Italian/Jamaican heritage, ARIA’s unique sound is an infectious dose of electronic pop laden with dreamy tones. Her previous release ‘Shot in the Dark’ was the perfect introduction for the singer-songwriter that sent her straight into the spotlight. The song amassed a surge of support from both streaming and blogs, followed by a remarkable live performance at The Garage in London.

Making a return with new self-penned single ‘Hope’, ARIA shows a more vulnerable side. She reaches the height of vocal limits with poise and ease, emerging with a colourful performance that creates remarkable pop thrills, resting on a bed of melancholic guitars and driving synth-bass lines.

ARIA’s propulsive pop qualities are adaptable and captivating. This is demonstrated in her EP set for release before the end of the year, which displays an eclectic mix of musical genres – spanning from electro-pop and soul to RnB.

You CANNOT miss out on this one…have a listen to this stunning single…

Song of the Day: Jaws of Love

‘Jaws Of Love’ is the latest single by Local Natives’ Kelcey Ayer solo project, JAWS OF LOVE.

The delicately powerful piece is the first release from his upcoming album, ‘Tasha Sits Close to the Piano’, set for release via House Arrest digitally on September 22nd, with its gatefold coloured vinyl release available in the UK on 3rd November.

The first solo project  sees Ayer – the songwriter/vocalist/pianist of the critically acclaimed L.A. band (Local Natives) – hone in on his master craft: the emotive piano ballad as highlighted on the five-piece’s well-received second album, ‘Hummingbird’.

The talented singer-songwriter will play his debut solo headline show on 21st September at The Masonic Lodge, Hollywood Forever Cemetery in L.A with plans to take his compelling live set to the UK and Europe in Autumn.

JAWS OF LOVE‘s upcoming album  is the first taste of Kelcey Ayer’s solo adventure…so go on, have a listen!