Tag: pop music

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_/

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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_

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Marina Massanova & Cola Rammë unveil spine-chilling new video for ‘Aberrations’

For Halloween, MARINA MASSANOVA and Cola Rammë release their latest spine-tingling video for the song ‘Aberrations’. Expect a haunting experience that will stir both fear and fascination.

The creation of ‘Aberrations’ stems from a chilling nightmare experienced by Cola Rammë. In his dream, his co-writer, Marina Massanova, transformed into a terrifying monster that hunted him relentlessly. A mysterious song played on repeat in the background, embedding itself into Cola’s mind. Upon waking, he quickly captured the haunting melody, “stealing” it from his nightmare.

When it came time to create the video, the duo revisited that unsettling dream. The release of ‘Aberrations’ isn’t just a video—it’s an invitation to step into Cola’s nightmare. The artists have brought to life the disturbing imagery from his dream, plunging viewers into a surreal and terrifying landscape where the line between reality and horror is blurred. Marina and Cola challenge audiences to immerse themselves in this twisted yet captivating narrative.

In discussing their latest work, the artists explain: “We are working to combine elements of innocence and perversion, two opposites that are always connected in human nature, even if we dread to admit it. What makes our work most provocative is that we dare to express this truth so openly and obscenely.”

The duo further elaborates on the chilling psychology behind their music and video: “People often find the truth unsettling, especially the things they’d rather not think about for more than a fleeting moment—thoughts they only allow themselves to consider late at night, when no one is around to guess their thoughts.”

Why not check out the video below….

Follow Marina Massanova via:
https://Instagram.com/MarinaMassanova
https://Soundcloud.com/MarinaMassanova
https://marinamassanova.bandcamp.com

Follow Cola Rammë via:
https://www.instagram.com/cola.ramme

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Song of the Day: Never Goes Away – Amber Sauer

Powerhouse vocalist and multi-hyphenate AMBER SAUER makes her anticipated return to music with her latest single, ‘Never Goes Away’—a romantic pop-soul anthem that showcases her unmatched vocal prowess and fresh, modern sound. Known for her captivating blend of Pop, Soul, and R&B, Amber’s latest offering is a testament to her versatility as both a recording artist and performer.

Amber, whose credits include The Voice, I Can See Your Voice, Dancing with the Stars, and Smashing Glass, is a musical staple across genres and platforms. Her performances have earned her a loyal following, and after a brief departure focusing on her modelling career, she is back to her first love with a track that promises to leave a real mark on the pop-soul scene.

Co-written with a close friend and produced by Grammy Winner Printz Board, ‘Never Goes Away’ channels Amber’s deepest musical inspirations, from Whitney Houston to Kelly Clarkson, blending her signature vocal strength with crisp, polished production. The result is an intoxicating sound that’s both fun and flirty—pop with a gritty R&B edge, wrapped in soul.

The single was born from a personal collaboration, as a close friend originally wrote the track. After recording the demo, Amber couldn’t shake the song’s connection and knew she had to release it. The result is a flirty, feel-good anthem perfect for anyone who’s experienced the exhilarating highs of falling in love. “A lingering, unshakeable connection – good or bad. Falling in love is like a beautiful moment of temporary insanity…”

Amber’s vocals soar above the track’s crisp beats and catchy melodies, bringing to life a song that’s both relatable and addictive. The track’s infectious melody, singalong chorus, and danceable rhythm capture that irresistible feeling of being swept away by romance.

Amber Sauer’s return is a treat for fans of Pop, Soul, and R&B alike, offering something for everyone with her authentic, yet contemporary sound. Have a listen to ‘Never Goes Away’ below…

Connect with Amber Saucer via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ambersauermusic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ambersauer/
X:https://x.com/ambersauer

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Song of the Day: Retro-39 – Tilly Birds

Bangkok’s alt-pop sensations TILLY BIRDS have dropped their latest single, ‘Retro-39’, a shimmering synth-pop gem that dives deep into the bittersweet feeling of missing someone you can’t get out of your head. Known for their genre-blurring approach, the trio of Billy, Third, and Milo have once again crafted a track that fuses indie, funk, and 80s-inspired pop into a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Formed over a decade ago, Tilly Birds have always embraced their broad musical influences, from The Beatles to Queen, merging them into a modern approach that resonates with listeners worldwide. With millions of fans in their home country of Thailand and beyond, the band has become synonymous with crafting catchy, energetic tracks that leave a lasting impact.

Their album It’s Gonna Be OK (2021) earned them the Best Asian Artist award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards 2021, and it was also recognized by NME Magazine as one of the 25 Best Asian Albums of 2021. In Thailand, their success is unparalleled—they swept five major awards at the TOTY Music Awards 2021 (T-POP of The Year), including: Best Music of the Year (Male Group), Best Artist of the Year (Group), Best Producer of the Year, Best Song of the Year and Best Album of the Year.

In their latest offering ‘Retro-39’, Tilly Birds take listeners on an emotional journey of longing and nostalgia. The song paints a vivid picture of trying to escape the memory of someone you wish you didn’t miss—disconnecting from the world, turning off your phone, and retreating to music as a form of solace. With its irresistible hooks and sleek 80s-inspired production, the track blends funky synths and infectious chorus lines, making it a perfect addition to their already captivating discography.

Musically, ‘Retro-39’ showcases Tilly Birds’ knack for marrying infectious pop hooks with textured, layered production. The track opens with an immediate pull—sharp synth lines weaving through punchy beats, while Billy’s guitar riffs add a grungy edge beneath the polished surface. As the chorus hits, Third’s emotive vocals soar, delivering a melody so infectious it’s impossible not to get caught up in the moment.
Tilly Birds’ ability to inject emotion into danceable pop is what makes ‘Retro-39’ stand out. For fans of The 1975, HYBS, and Dayglow, the song is built on contradictions—retro vibes mixed with contemporary energy, upbeat grooves paired with lyrics of longing—but it works beautifully, creating a sound that’s both familiar and new.

In a music world saturated with fleeting pop trends, ‘Retro-39’ is a reminder of why Tilly Birds continue to thrive: they create songs that connect on a deeper level, pairing irresistible sounds with stories that resonate. As you hit repeat on ‘Retro-39’, it’s clear Tilly Birds are a movement, shaping the future of alternative pop one unforgettable track at a time.

‘Retro-39’ is out now…why not check out the video for the vibrant single below…

Follow Tilly Birds via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tillybirds
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TILLYBIRDS/
X: https://x.com/tillybirds

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