Welsh haze-pop trio XY&O release new single ‘One More Night (Lemonade)’, the opening single from their second EP ‘Powder Rooms’, set for release later this year.
The summer ready number documents the motives of those who seek out carnal pleasures and the expectations people have. The accompanied video, directed by British filmmaker Alexander Derby, stars the adult model Lauren Brock. The video shows Lauren standing, gazing into a mirror while slowly the video allows herself to reveal who she really is.
The rest of the EP follows suit with ‘Sky’ – an escapist song, about the desire to find space, psychically and emotionally, and ‘Mesmerised’ is about sheer devotion to another.
With monthly streaming numbers of 1.5 million, XY&O‘s musical content reflects the many faces of their home city Cardiff, with song imagery ranging from shorelines to strip clubs. There is a grit that underlies XY&O‘s summery pop and the stories within….
‘One More Night (Lemonade)’ is out now on Apple and Spotify…before you head off, watch the video to their latest offering.
SOPHIE LONGSHAW is well on her way to becoming one of NEW LEASE MUSIC’s new favourites. Not only the flame-haired songstress bagged of herself the Music Video of the Week title for latest single ‘Hold You’ – for two consecutive weeks – her previous effort, ‘In the Morning’ was also featured on NEW LEASE MUSIC’S Top Ten Songs of 2016. I think it’s about time we find out more about this star-on-a-very-steady-rise.
NLM: Hey how you doing? Thanks for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC
SL: Hey! Not too bad thank you, I can’t believe Summer is here. Thanks for having me!
NLM: First of all, I wanted ask you about your latest single ‘Hold You’ – which was the most popular track on NEW LEASE MUSIC back in March – what was the public perception of the single beyond the blog?
SL: Yeah it did incredibly well. I think people were surprised to hear something that wasn’t indie-folk and a little bit different to my other tracks. It’s got a real punch to it and it’s the track I get the most messages and comments about!
NLM: Your single ‘In the Morning’ was ranked #8 on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Songs of 2016. Have a generated other accolades elsewhere? Please share!
SL: That’s nuts! The video for it premiered on Gigwise and we were No.1 trending for over a week. I’ve had the most amazing messages where fans have told me they really connected with the song and it helped them through difficult times in their life. For me, knowing my music can help someone is an accolade for me.
NLM: You’ve cranked up quite an impressive discography! What’s your favourite track to date and why?
SL: Definitely ‘Let’s Go To The Beach’! When I first started writing it, it was a private letter to myself to get through a tough time and now it’s my most listened to track on Spotify! I love playing it live, I’ve seen people slow-dancing to it and the love you feel in the room at that moment is unreal.
NLM: How would you describe your sound to potential fans?
SL: I guess you’d say soulful indie-folk with a modern twist.
NLM: If you were to collaborate with just ONE chart-topping artist of today, who would it be and why?
SL: She’s not exactly chart-topping but I absolutely ADORE her… and that person is Lianne La Havas. She is so so so talented. I don’t know anyone else who can hold an audience like she can. What a woman.
NLM: If you had three wishes to change the music industry today, what would they be?
SL: *Creating quality music takes time and it’s a shame that unless you’re selling millions of albums you just can’t make a living so I’d say higher rates for streaming and YouTube views. No-one wants to pay for music anymore but unfortunately we can’t make music all our lives for nothing.
* EQUALITY FOR MEN AND WOMEN!!! More women in higher jobs with better pay – Vanessa Knight is a prime example. She mentored me at the start of all of this and I think she is just fantastic…. she runs her own label, has managed and helped many artists and I think we need more women like her. It hasn’t been an easy road for her but slowly but surely we are paving the way to equality.
* Unfortunately to get anywhere these days you need the image. I’d want press to change completely. Image isn’t everything and I am so sick and tired of seeing polished photoshopped artists all over magazines and the internet. Critiques of female artists often refer to their appearance as well as their musical ability which is ludicrous!
NLM: So what plans you have for 2017? Any upcoming gigs or album?
SL: No plans for an album as of yet, but we’ve definitely got a few singles in the pipeline… watch this space…
NLM: How can potential fans reach you?
SL: If you want to have a little listen to my tracks you can search “Sophie Longshaw” into Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Soundcloud and YouTube.
If you wanna keep up with what I’m up to, you can find me on the usual social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
NLM: Finally, If music didn’t exist, what would you do?
We’d probably have turned into some mutant zombies by now if music didn’t exist. What a dull world that would be! If I wasn’t writing songs I’d be writing anything and everything!
D BLOCK EUROPE started their 2017 campaign with a purpose – to make the UK recognise UK Rap! The collective have collaborated with upcoming talent including Abracadabra and K-Trap, on their Free Gutta Remix 2, and make an impression at their sold-out headline show at the Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen.
D BLOCK EUROPE’s latest track and visual ‘Traphouse’ showcases the rappers love for the Trapping lifestyle as well as their youthful having fun side. With dope visuals and a strong narrative, ‘Traphouse’ has generated already 125,000 views in 2 days on Youtube and has had social media support from fellow rappers Konan, Safone and Fred o.
Steadily making their mark with their distinctive, genre defying sounds and thought-provoking observations on identity and challenging social norms and roles, Murkage Dave and Patrick Scally – aka – HALFBROTHER return with ‘God Bless England’ – a poignant reflection on post-Brexit Britain.
The song is the follow-up to the duo’s debut single ‘Go Tell The Mandem’, which was hailed by i-D as ‘quietly profound’ and ‘remarkably lucid’.
Forming after collaborating on ‘Car Bomb’ – which became a cult hit last year and culminated in support from Pharrell Williams on his Beats 1 radio show – HALFBROTHER’s unique take on alternative R&B influenced sounds has been garnering them a loyal legion of fans and catching the attention of outlets such as DIY, Earmilk and Mass Appeal.
They recently brought their first performance as a duo to The Old Blue Last as the main opening act for Star Slinger and later this year they are set to release their debut album ‘Men Can’t Protect You Anymore’ which will feature more new music and exciting collaborations with UK Hip-Hop artist Oscar #worldpeace.
Following on from their free download debut single ‘Listen’, UK alt-rock VS return with the track’s official music video.
Official news from the Vs camp confirms that their debut EP ‘Reality?’ shall be available to the public from today.
Drawing upon a myriad of influences spanning across the broad spectrum of rock and metal sub-genres, the Leeds (UK) band promise to deliver melodic hook-lines, guitar driven rock outs and emotive dynamics with their self-released debut offering.
New Lease Music 