Elif Dame shares beautifully honest single, ‘Celexa (Buy Me Time)’

Taken from her new EP, ‘Securely Detached’ ELIF DAME‘s latest single ‘Celexa (Buy Me Time)’ sees the Amsterdam-based singer/songwriter opens up about hitting rock bottom and weighing up the options of going on medication.

Released 27th october across various music platforms, ‘Securely Detached’ also features songs such as ‘How to Self-Care’ and ‘Self-Care Pt. II’ where Dame admits to not being able to fulfill her primary needs as a basic means of maintaining her stability and consequently facing a never ending cycle of healing and self-sabotage. Singles ‘Grandmothers Fault’ and ‘Good Friend’ both of which speak about the songwriters struggles with unhealthy relationships in her life, as well as ‘Nature of the Beast’ where the artist realizes that addiction is a family disease.

Having garnered nearly half a million streams for her debut single, Elif Dame (meaning she who brings light) is heading in the right direction, with the EP setting to take her to new heights, as she connects with listeners around the world with her beautifully honest and vulnerable music. Have a listen to ‘Celexa (Buy Me Time)’ below…

Genre-bending artist Tana drops new trap banger ‘Face Value’

R&B Soultress Tai Mistyque unveils new EP, ‘Head Over Heart’

Rising singer-songwriter TAI MISTYQUE has unveiled her brand new album, ‘Head Over Heart,’ a powerful and emotive collection of songs that highlight the profound process of growing up and seeing the world through the lens of emotional sensitivity.

‘Head Over Heart’ presents a heartfelt narrative of Tai’s personal journey, a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that challenged everything she knew of the world. The album not only delves into the impact of heartbreak but also explores the complexities of why cherished friendships may fall apart.

Through her music, Tai Mistyque invites listeners to shed their rose-colored glasses and confront the world with love, as it truly is. The album encourages the mind and heart to work in harmony, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies of life. The music and lyrics explore the essence of vulnerability, the significance of establishing boundaries, and the beauty of personal epiphanies that can shape one’s journey.

This album speaks directly to a specific audience: young women who are in the process of discovering their self-worth. Serving as a handbook for life, ‘Head Over Heart’ provides invaluable insights into the trials and tribulations that women may face as they navigate the world. Tai steps into a “big sis” role, offering guidance and reassurance. ‘Head Over Heart’ captures that pivotal moment in life when individuals learn to collaborate with their hearts while wearing the armor of self-protection. It underscores the possibility of finding happiness, maintaining loving relationships, and safeguarding oneself in a world that can be both beautiful and challenging.

‘Head Over Heart’ addresses the trigger words “naive” and “gullible” while celebrating the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity. It is Mistyque’s hope that her audience walks away from this project feeling “deeply understood.”

Must Listens: Go Crazy

Watch Lilith Merlot’s video for single, ‘Easier To Fight’

Singer-songwriter LILITH MERLOT shares the live music video for her single ‘Easier To Fight’. The single is taken from her EP, Shades Of Blue, out now.

‘Easier To Fight’, as a song, is timeless and heartfelt. Merlot’s vocals are encapsulating and soulful, oozing an incredible emotion over the subtle instrumental of Wurlitzer keys and cello. Topically exploring the themes we all feel when stuck in a relationship, it’s an emotionally charged ballad with an incredible message.

The music video is no different. With the audio being a completely fresh and live rendition of the track, it features Merlot shimmering atop an imposing man-made structure as she delivers her sublime vocals with a raw yet gentle delivery befitting of the video and the song. It is slow paced, with incredible panning and shots, putting Merlot at the forefront while the Wurlitzer and cello are performed live alongside her. With the sky bursting with colorful hues amidst a glistening crescent moon in the background, the cinematography is nothing short of epic, a perfect fit for an anthemic love ballad.

Known for her timeless voice, Dutch singer and songwriter Lilith Merlot has been enchanted by harmony and melody from a young age. During her Jazz vocals studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory, Lilith performed in front of American singer Renée Neufville (known for her work with Roy Hargrove, RH Factor), who remarked: “Your voice is just like a Merlot; it’s so warm, deep, and round”. This inspired Lilith to use Merlot as her stage name. Since releasing her debut EP in 2017, Lilith has been experimenting with various genres, from Jazz to Pop and Soul, influenced by Lizz Wright, Jeff Buckley, and Norah Jones, to name a few, creating music reminiscent of Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, and Madeleine Peyroux.

With nearly 5 million streams across platforms and support from tastemakers METAL Magazine, her music has aired across a number of stations under the established Netherlands public broadcaster NPO, earning spins on NPO Soul & Jazz, where she has previously featured as a guest speaker, and NPO 3FM Radio. In the past, she has performed live on the Roodshow on NPO Radio 2, NPO Radio 5, NPO Radio 1. Not to mention airing on Sublime FM. While on Spotify, her music has landed on the editorial playlist Sad Covers.

Watch for video for ‘Easier To Fight’ below…

Transform Your Melodic Love Into a Lucrative Occupation

Image via Freepik

The thrill of turning a lifelong passion for music into a lucrative career can be both invigorating and intimidating. Yet, specific pivotal elements deserve attention to seamlessly transition from an enthusiast to a full-time musician. This article, courtesy of New Lease Music serves as a comprehensive guide to facilitate this metamorphosis, covering essential steps that every aspiring musician should consider.

Begin With Measured Strides

While the enthusiasm to dive headfirst into a music career is understandable, it’s more beneficial to approach this transition thoughtfully. Assess your strengths and weaknesses, and gain an understanding of the particular market that aligns with your style of music. Knowing your place in the musical landscape enables you to proceed with confidence and purpose.

Devise a Purpose-Driven Strategy

Having a coherent strategy tailored to your musical endeavors is indispensable. This involves detailing your artistic ambitions, recognizing your ideal listeners, planning your musical projects, and strategizing your live shows. A well-crafted strategy not only adds structure to your passion but also aids in sidestepping potential pitfalls.

Prioritize Your Creative Space

Having a space dedicated to your musical work is not a luxury but a necessity. This is where your artistic prowess comes alive! Determine how much space you need. You might get away with setting up shop in the corner of your living room, but if you need to add an outbuilding or other space to your home, you’ll need to get a survey before doing any work.

Equip your workspace with essential tools and, if circumstances allow, invest in soundproofing. The focus should be on delivering music of exceptional quality, and a properly arranged creative space is conducive to that.

Orchestrate an Impactful Marketing Approach

The music itself, while crucial, is only part of the equation. How it reaches the ears of potential fans is equally important.

Define who your audience is, conceptualize how you wish to be perceived, and diversify your promotional activities. Utilize social media and online platforms judiciously to engage with your audience and broaden your reach.

Cultivate a Dynamic Digital Footprint

An effective online presence transcends a mere collection of social media profiles. Consider establishing a polished website to showcase your music, upcoming gigs, and other relevant content.

Regular interaction with your fan base and consistent updates about your musical journey will enrich your online presence and draw more followers. Additionally, a well-curated online platform can serve as a central hub where media, event organizers, and potential collaborators can easily access your portfolio and contact you, opening doors to invaluable opportunities along the way.

Achieve Financial Equilibrium

Translating your musical passion into a business demands an acute understanding of financial requirements. Assess what you’ll need to invest in creation, promotion, and live shows.

Also, examine various income channels like performances, digital royalties, and merchandising. Thoughtful financial planning will ensure the viability and longevity of your career.

Maintain an Artistic and Professional Symbiosis

The coexistence of artistic integrity and business savvy is perhaps one of the most complex facets of a music career. Managing a harmonious relationship between the two requires disciplined time management and setting clear boundaries.

Dedicate time to both the creative and administrative sides to ensure neither is compromised. Instituting this balanced approach not only enriches your art but also fortifies the underlying structure that supports your career, making resilience and growth achievable goals.

Wrapping Up

The journey of transitioning a heartfelt hobby into a rewarding musical career may be intricate, but it is far from insurmountable. You can set the stage for a successful and fulfilling career in music by approaching the transition cautiously, crafting a strategic plan, focusing on your creative workspace, establishing a compelling online profile, and incorporating the other strategies above. The road may be long, but a meticulous and passionate approach is your most reliable companion on this fulfilling journey.

If you enjoyed this article, you can find more music-centric content on NewLeaseMusic.com!