Finnish Melodic Rockers BROTHER FIRETRIBE Release 'Number One EP' -

Helsinki melodic rock heavyweights BROTHER FIRETRIBE have officially released their new maxi-EP, 'Number One EP.' In addition, the band has released the EP's title track, which is accompanied by a lyric video, available to view below.

Wrapping up the last three years, 'Number One EP' brings together fan-favorite singles “Thunder Rising,” “Just Another Night,” “Are You Ready,” and “Man On A Mission,”alongside two brand new tracks: “Number One” and “How Long Till Tomorrow.” The release is rounded out with a beautiful acoustic version of “Bring On The Rain.”

BROTHER FIRETRIBE vocalist Pekka Heino comments on the new EP:

"'Number One EP' is a sort of an interim statement where we wanted to tie together the songs we’ve put out since the covid years for one solid release with some new material of which we’re super excited about! Can’t wait to go out and play all of them live soon and then dig deep into working on a full blown fresh new album. TRIBE is on a roll!"

Watch the Lyric Video for "Number One"

BROTHER FIRETRIBE have already built a legacy with unforgettable anthems like “One Single Breath,” “Heart Full Of Fire,” “I Am Rock,” “For Better Or For Worse,” and the ultimate soundtrack to a Rocky movie that never got made, “Taste Of A Champion.”

With 'Number One EP,' they prove once again that they’re here to win, delivering high-octane, feel-good rock that knows how to paint the town red and put a smile on your face.

Order 'Number One EP' HERE

South Indian R&B Artist, Malavika, Releases "Overdrive"

International R&B singer-songwriter, Malavika, has released her empowering single, “Overdrive,” today. A full-package entertainer, Malavika draws on her globe-spanning influences to craft a mélange of r&b, hip-hop and pop from a unique perspective. "Overdrive" is truly a global collaboration, created across three continents - Berlin, Dubai, and LA; including an Indian vocal sample sung by Malavika herself.

Listen to "Overdrive":

https://sparta.ffm.to/m-overdrive

Watch Video Below:

With West Coast legend DJ Quik, as her mentor, “Overdrive” showcases a combination of Malavika’s confident writing ability, commanding vocals, and musical influences. Alongside songwriting, Malavika has also found herself an advocate for infiltrating her culture into everything she creates. She expands; “The influences in my music are unique to my experience and upbringing, including the exposure to multilingual music. I try to incorporate sonic and visual elements of my culture whenever I can in a way that’s natural and organic, because it’s a part of my identity.”

MALAVIKA ON SOCIALS:

INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

CHAYLA HOPE TEAMS UP WITH INITIAL TALK FOR THE REMIX OF HER SINGLE “LONG WAY”

Singer-Songwriter, and record-maker Chayla Hope, has teamed up with Initial Talk [Dua Lipa collaborator] for the release of her “Long Way” remix. Given the retro sound that “Long Way'' already exudes, the song is a tribute to the sounds of the new jack swing era, and Initial Talk’s remix pushed the song in a ‘90s house direction, referencing the sounds of the Chicago scene

in particular to unlock new melodic frontiers for Chayla’s topline vocal. A blending of talent that came to fruition naturally given their shared passion for the sounds of ‘80s and ‘90s pop, Chayla first discovered Initial Talk after hearing his remix of the Perfume Genius song “On The Floor” back in 2020. Chayla elaborates; “Long Way” is a total nod to Janet Jackson and Quincy Jones, and I knew eventually I’d want to remix the song. Initial Talk is my favorite remixer, and it’s been a dream come true to work with someone who I can check off my bucket list.”

As a queer person and former drag performer, Chayla is fully invested in pop’s ability to provide freedom and acceptance, even if only for a moment. She remembers the first time a drag queen performed one of her songs, which marked an epiphany of just how powerful her music could be. Community is everything for Chayla, as she’s played in countless bands around her hometown of Cleveland, worked in its beloved vinyl pressing plant Gotta Groove Records, and even collaborated with Saucy Brew Works on a Damn, Feelings-themed IPA named after her 2022 solo debut. An album featuring songs mixed by 12-time GRAMMY award winner Josh Gudwin [Bad Bunny, Justin Beiber, Dua Lipa], Chayla was uniquely involved in every step; returning to Gotta Groove Records to press the vinyl herself. Two versions of 7-inch vinyl were released on Valentine's day, a pink swirl and handmade Wax Mage customs, which you can purchase HERE. The Wax Mage custom sold out immediately, and there's only a few of the pink swirl left. The singles include “Love in Lo-Fi” and “High,” both featured on Damn, Feelings, and pressed in collaboration with Wax Mage Records. The pink label that adorns each is symbolic of her journey and unique to her releases with Wax Mage.

Throughout her life, Chayla has long been fascinated by the juxtaposition of happy music masking sad lyrics, and the release of “Long Way” speaks to that. An upbeat song that makes you want to dance around your living room, “Long Way,” most simply put, is about setting boundaries. Chayla states; “it’s about telling someone “hey, you can totally count on me for the most part...but don't expect me to always be around!” Having years of experience working with vinyls, Chayla hand-pressed a limited batch of records for the release of “Long Way” Initial Talk Remix. Get your copy here, while supplies last.

INTERNATIONAL R&B SINGER-SONGWRITER, MALAVIKA IS TAKING CONTROL AND EXPRESSING HERSELF WITH THE RELEASE OF “OVERDRIVE”

International R&B singer-songwriter, Malavika, has released her empowering single, “Overdrive,” today. A full-package entertainer, Malavika draws on her globe-spanning influences to craft a mélange of r&b, hip-hop and pop from a unique perspective. "Overdrive" is truly a global

collaboration, created across three continents - Berlin, Dubai, and LA; including an Indian vocal sample sung by Malavika herself. She says “"Overdrive” is a song that showcases a different side of my personality. It’s confident, sexual and empowering. It’s about taking control, reversing gender stereotypes and expressing yourself unabashedly. But at the same time it’s a sexy R&B love song that is in an ode to your person.” Malavika’s intoxicating vocals are on full display, as she initiates romance with her lover over a pulsing beat, with natural confidence and sultry playfulness.

Following the organic success of the only other two singles to her name, “Don’t Let Go” and “Sugarcoat,” “Overdrive” was created with all the elements that Malavika is most inspired by. She expands “Vocally I wanted to go in on the song in terms of the harmonies, layers and adlibs. It’s stacked and is reminiscent of early 2000s R&B, one of many eras where the ad libs really mattered. I have this moment in the second verse where I wanted to have a Queen inspired harmony moment.” With West Coast legend DJ Quik, as her mentor, “Overdrive” showcases a combination of Malavika’s confident writing ability, commanding vocals, and musical influences. Alongside songwriting, Malavika has also found herself an advocate for infiltrating her culture into everything she creates. She expands; “The influences in my music are unique to my experience and upbringing, including the exposure to multilingual music. I try to incorporate sonic and visual elements of my culture whenever I can in a way that’s natural and organic, because it’s a part of my identity.”

Born and raised in India, Malavika began to display a profound love for the performing arts from her earliest years, and began performing at just 3 years old. Being exposed to various contrasting worlds and cultures throughout her childhood has had a transformative role in Malavika’s development as an artist. Imprinted with her parents’ love for music, Malavika grew up idolizing Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Tina Turner, alongside Indian masters like A.R. Rahman - not to mention the harder-hitting hip-hop of Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Kanye West and Drake. These influences helped push Malavika to make the move to Los Angeles to pursue her career, where she was discovered by West Coast legend DJ Quik, who is now a mentor and collaborator furthering her development as an artist. DJ Quik and Malavika have since worked on a variety of records, and toured together performing her music at the Novo in LA and venues all across the Bay Area. In 2020, Malavika’s debut single “Sugarcoat” premiered via Flaunt, and was followed by her 2023 release of “Don’t Let Go,” which premiered on BBC Radio. During quarantine Malavika posted a cover “All N My Grill” on social media which warranted a response from the legendary Missy Elliott herself. Her vision is to not only become a global artist, but also to create music and art that go beyond borders to integrate various cultures and their musical identities. Bringing people from all parts of the world together into the same arena is what Malavika strives for.

MALAVIKA ON SOCIALS:

INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

ONICKS: paying homage to Britney Spears with "Toxic" release

LA-based singer, songwriter, and sinister-pop performance artist, ONICKS (they/them), is paying homage to Britney Spears with their first release of 2023, “Toxic.” An iconic song that’s already very dark and sexy, ONICKS was determined to recreate it with their own vision. ONICKS elaborates; “I studied many iconic hits from the 80’s in order to get my accent as authentic as possible. My producer Jakaval (Jordie Arrieta) created the PERFECT ONICKS meets the 80’s track. We made sure to use some of Britney's signature musical accents throughout, while also recreating this song to be even darker than the original, in true ONICKS fashion.”


“Toxic” came to fruition when Streamy Award Winner Brandon Rogers asked ONICKS to create a cover for his new YouTube series, “Bryce.” In addition, for the first time in his career Brandon will be co-starring in the upcoming music video for “Toxic,” directed by Liam Krug. ONICKS; an artist who has emerged from the well of despair to bring hope to those that are on the same or parallel journeys. Being a strong voice for others to receive inspiration from has always been a shining light throughout any project ONICKS takes on. Merging the worlds of Electropop, Alternative R&B, Trap, and Pop to form their own genre coined: “Sinister-POP” - they are defining a new sound featuring raw and mesmerizing lyrics which appeal to all generations, sexualities, genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. “Blurring the lines between masculine and feminine is my entire DNA. I don’t make music for “he, she, straight, gay, etc”…I make music that any human can sing for themselves” ONICKS states.

Growing up in California and Colorado, ONICKS was influenced by many artists, each playing a transformative role in their development. The femininity of Prince, the hypnotizing writing style of Lana Del Rey, the bluntness of The Weeknd, and the visual chameleon that is Rihanna led ONICKS to where they are now. However, the narrative of their life took a tragic turn as ONICKS succumbed to the temptation of hard drugs at an early age. Rejected by the mainstream music scene at 19 because they were not yet a fully “recognized” artist, and struggling with their sexuality, femininity, and image; they were fuelled by the desire to escape their personal circumstance. Drugs offered a false reality of hope and survival, but it was music that saved their soul. It offered ONICKS the emotional strength to change their life as they were battling with anxiety, depression, and addiction. Now, after experimenting with countless genres, a true realized artist arises from the ashes of their own self-destruction. 

KEEP UP WITH ONICKS ON SOCIALS:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | TWITTER

NYC collective Gramercy Arms present 'Yesterday's Girl' ft. Lloyd Cole, previewing 'Deleted Scene' LP

"Gentle and perfectly arranged, it is both calming and genuine, straightforward and talented, giving space and voice everywhere that the song and its story requires... clearly at a different level of musical maturity.. A hidden Americana-indiepop gem, Gramercy Arms show that music truly is a journey" ~ The Spill Magazine


NYC-based indie rock / powerpop outfit Gramercy Arms presents their Americana-tinged single 'Yesterday's Girl', a bittersweet remembrance of love lost and friendship regained. This is the first taste of their 'Deleted Scene' album, scheduled for release via the Magic Door Record Label in early 2023,

Co-written by Gramercy Arms frontman Dave Derby and music legend Lloyd Cole, this song was originally penned for Darlene Love’s solo album 'Introducing Darlene Love'. Artfully reimagined by Derby and producer Ray Ketchem as a duet with Derby and Renée Lo Bue (Elk City, Flowers of America) trading vocals for the Gramercy Arms version. The colorful video, directed by acclaimed visual artist Debora Francis, features Derby and Lo Bue.

'Deleted Scene' is the group’s third full-length album, following 'The Seasons of Love' (2012) and 'Gramercy Arms'. Lyrically driven and rich on vocal-harmony, interspersed with elements of 60s sunshine pop and folk-rock, Gramercy Arms is a revolving collective of musicians and artists masterminded by Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole),

Produced, recorded and mixed by Ray Ketchem (Guided By Voices, Luna, Elk City) at Magic Door Recording with additional recording by Lloyd Cole, this album was mastered by award-winning engineer Greg Calbi (John Lennon, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Tom Petty, Bill Frisell, Todd Rundgren).

“Being asked to sing one-half of the lead part on 'Yesterday's Girl' was a wonderful surprise. I showed up at Magic Door Recording prepared to do backing vocals. It was Ray Ketchem who suggested a duet during the session. It's an honor to sing the female lead part on a Lloyd Cole/Dave Derby penned song, originally written for Darlene Love,” says Renée LoBue.

Lloyd Cole further notes: “As I recall, we wrote very quickly hoping to channel Springsteen channeling Spector, with copious help from Blanton’s of Kentucky. I’d completely forgotten it until Dave presented this version and it feels like I won the lottery. It is wonderful. Very happy to have my name in the credits."

Inspired by the artistic heyday of ‘70s and ‘80s-era New York City, Gramercy Arms makes addictive indie pop - exquisite hook-laden melodies filled with lyrics that will have you floating back in time, remembering your favorite mistake.

Apart from Lloyd Cole, 'Deleted Scene' is a star-studded affair, also involving members of Guided by Voices, Phillip Glass Ensemble, The Dambuilders, Nada Surf, Luna, Elk City, Aeon Station, The Little River Band, Lloyd Cole and the Negatives, Elk City and Joan As Police Woman, among others.

As of November 16, 'Yesterday's Girl' will be available across online platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. It will also be downloadable via Bandcamp, where the album can be pre-ordered.

CREDITS
Produced, Recorded & Mixed by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording
Additional Recording by Lloyd Cole
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
'Yesterday’s Girl' written by Lloyd Cole and Dave Derby
Publishing Passive-Aggressive BMI / Warner-Chappell
Dave Derby - vocals, guitar, bass guitar,  
Renée Lo Bue - vocals
Kevin March - drums
Mike Errico - guitars
Lloyd Cole - guitars
Artist photos by Max Skaff

LIVE SHOWS
Dec. 17   BOSTON - Midway Cafe (9pm)
Jan. 21   BROOKLYN, NY - Pete's Candy Store (10pm)
Feb. 22   BOSTON - Midway Cafe (album release show)
Feb. TBD  NEW YORK CITY (album release show)


Keep up with Gramercy Arms
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud  | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Magic Door Label
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Press contact

DAMPF Has Arrived - Listen To New Single "The Other Side"

New Album 'The Arrival' Coming June 3rd, 2022

”What is DAMPF?” you may ask. ”Who and what is behind these huge riffs, brutal metal, and catchy choruses?”

DAMPF is a supergroup of heavy metal royalty led by the almighty A-tron, whom you may know from his career as Martin ”E-Type” Erikson.

Many years ago, Martin had an idea to combine the power of dark metal and pop melodies. But it wasn’t until recently, when he was given a written assignment by Eye to write the songs for 3 albums in this spirit, that he realized that the time for this dream had arrived.

Martin gathered his most talented musician friends, and they have now completed their first single to make their message audible: the future is not history-less and the dead are not gone.

”Our new single, ‘The Other Side’, is about reconnecting and socializing with those who are no longer alive. In ancient times, the dead and the memory of the dead were treated in a more vivid way. You saw them in nature, in the clouds of heaven and the flames of an open fire. The dead were absent but not gone. Everyone has seen a ghost but no one has been beaten by one. They just look scary, are interesting and usually kind. Let them know that you believe in them. When you feel the other side - reach out. Let them know that you're there. And the great thing is that this song can be sung by both sides.” Martin says.

He continues, ”I had missed making new music for many years. A new song of E-type must be better than my old ones, which is so challenging that nothing was written at all. But when I received the letter from Eye, I was really happy and thought that now I can create something new that no one can compare with anything else. Not old or new, just simply DAMPF. I've been longing for distorted guitars since ‘Back in the Loop’ and ‘Free like a Flying Demon”, and now it's time. Although, the joy is obviously obscured by an inexplicable war in Europe. It's very sad, but the world needs new, strengthening music.”

On ”The Other Side”, DAMPF got a little extra juice from some friends:

”For ‘The Other Side’, we had the pleasure of being joined by my old friend and the eminent bassist in Bathory from the first wave of Black Metal, and my new friend, the incomparable lead guitarist Tommy Johansson from the great Sabaton.”

The amazing new video was made by Ted Lindén & A-tron.

The new album, ‘The Arrival’, will see a June 3rd, 2022 release via Gramaphone Records. The pre-order is available starting today