Built on family, compassion and community in a trying time, Now Defunkt releases their new album 

At the beginning of the pandemic, three friends — Scott Macklin, Steve McMahon and James Hunter — put together a song with the expectation that they would release the track and return to their normal lives. Months later, the trio, with the help of their equally talented children and some friends, are releasing a full album titled “Skills Are Handy, Feel is Gold” under the name Now Defunkt. 

Macklin described how their group came together, explaining how their one project and a camping trip to the Joshua Tree where their daughters filmed the music video for the track, led them to exchange more ideas and fully realize what is now known as Now Defunkt. “My daughter Nikko and I, James and his daughter Amaris, and Steve and his daughter Anastasia all went out to the Joshua Tree to film this music video for a song called “Death Valley, Scotty”. As we sat around the campfire, we started coming up with ideas for other songs. My friend, Steve kept nagging, ‘Hey, we should do more.’ And I figured, ‘Hey, I’ve already checked ‘write and record a song’ off my bucket list. I’m good.’ But the COVID situation gave us the opportunity to really sit down and think, and from our own places of geographic isolation, we collaboratively created the next two songs, three songs, seven songs, then we said we should put out an album!” 

With such a varied group of contributors, the sound of Now Defunkt is always evolving. Often, though they define with the Rock and Alternative genres, there are hints of Funk, Folk, Motown, Choral music and more throughout their album. “One of the interesting comments that we heard while working with a choir in Venezuela, the choir director said, ‘Your music is like listening to Led Zeppelin if Tim Burton was scoring a film. Your music is really cinematic.’ Our music is cinematic in the sense of trying to create stories. But there’s energy to it. There’s a mind to our music.” 

The group’s album, “Skills Are Handy, Feel is Gold”, is a collection of songs, each with its own interesting and deeply motivated background. “One of my favorites is “Old Enough,” a song that my son Case Macklin wrote. He’s 22 years old,” Macklin explained. “It’s an introspective song looking back at growing up and being told, ‘Are you old enough? You’re not old enough.’ Now that he feels that he’s old enough, he’s questioning it and it has this sort of Motown-feel good sound and he’s actually rapping on the song with a friend, Nick Edney. They’ve been friends I think since they were seven years old. So it’s like two friends doing a song together, and there’s another friend by the name of Kya Barnes who sings the background vocals in the track, who just brings a flavor to it. And then there’s this really interesting trumpet part that weaves through the song, and then Steve puts in some pretty tasty Blues guitar.” 

Some of the other songs include “Teachers,” written by Nikko Macklin, which is both a tribute to the amazing teachers who have been so fundamental in her life as well as a call-out to some of the more negative parts of the school system. Anastasia McMahon also contributed “Creeping Cthulhu,” which discusses the intricacies of relationships and the negative impacts of gas lighting. Macklin described this song as having a Joy Division feel to it. The recent protests and uprisings framed the song “Big Water” asking the question, ‘what does one do with their privilege in face of systemic racism and oppression.’  There are also songs such as “The Ballad of Billy Sunday and Madam May” and “Death Valley Scotty,” which have a more historical feel to them, creating fictional stories to describe interesting and somewhat unknown historical figures. 

Currently, the group is working on putting out music videos and other media for the tracks in “Skills Are Handy, Feel is Gold”, all of which are being created by members of the Now Defunkt family. They are also working on making their music as accessible as possible so that the greatest number of people has access to the work they are doing. Now Defunkt hopes to continue putting out new projects and creating as much as they can in the near future. 

Now Defunkt plans a virtual release happening for October 20, 2020. Check out the music and social media platforms of Now Defunkt with the links below.  

www.nowdefunkt.com 

https://www.facebook.com/nowdefunkt 

https://www.instagram.com/nowdefunkt 

“Old Enough” 

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/nowdefunkt/old–enough

The Real Mack returns to music after a two-year hiatus with hard-hitting single ‘Big Lit’ 

PHILADEPHIA, PA – The number 25 has been a monumentally impactful number in the life of young Philadelphia artist The Real Mack … but not always in the most positive of ways. When he was young, his mother was murdered when she was only 25 years old. He and his brother had a rough childhood after that with a father who was incarcerated multiple times. Then when his brother was 25, he too, was murdered. It became almost too much for him to bear, and he turned away from music and any other form of artistic expression while battling demons of depression and anxiety. But as his own 25th birthday approached, he chose to look at it as a new opportunity – a chance to change the negative cycle and create something positive. 

Out of that mission came the new album “25” which is dedicated to his mother and brother, “25” explores the strange coincidences and otherworldly experiences that have come in his life and how often those things are associated with the number 25. 

“It’s kind of a scary thing for me being 25 right now,” he said. “That’s what this album is about. It’s more personal than anything I’ve ever recorded. There are some commercial songs on there but mostly, it’s very personal. I think it shows off my versatility, too. I can drop a song and it can be either the artist side of me or the raw Rap side of me. I can make a song where I’m singing and it’s completely R&B and Soul, or I can turn around and make a complete opposite song that’s Trap or Hip Hop or Club.” 

The Real Mack said he first got his start in music when a friend of his started a Rap group in 2009. Although Mack wasn’t included in that group, it motivated him to want to pursue music. He would go on to record a song called “Cam Newton” that got the attention of another Philly artist named PnB Rock, and their ensuing collaboration went on to rake in more than 1.5 million streams. It wasn’t long after that when his brother was murdered however, and Mack took a two-year hiatus from music. But now, at age 25, he’s making a return with the new album – starting with the hard-hitting debut single “Big Lit,” which is now available on all streaming platforms. 

“It’s a Club record with an Up North but Down South kind of vibe,” Mack said. “I’m an Up North person but it has a Down South vibe, if you get what I mean. There’s a lot of energy, and I’m just basically talking about me being that guy. I’m being that bull, that dude, that big fish from the big six. I’m a big dog from 26th Street in South Philly, and this is the kind of song that when you’re lit, you get turnt up. It’s heavy.” 

Mack said he hopes fans will appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating the EP, and that he becomes known all around the world for being a high-quality hit maker.  

To listen to The Real Mack’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit: 

twitter.com/therealmack_atw 

instagram.com/therealmack_atw 

Big Lit 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MPxVTvRRZ0

Up and comer Luch Capo has taken 2020 by storm with his music, fashion and so much more 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Having already released two albums, three singles and an EP, Luch Capo’s year has been more than productive. Better yet, there’s still more to come. This seemingly unstoppable Hip Hop artist is truly taking off with more tracks than he knows what to do with. 

A lyricist from the start, Luch began writing at a young age and after listening to artists like Tupac, he fell in love with the idea of making music. “I always loved putting words together. I used to be very into poetry and writing plays and stories. Then I heard Tupac for the first time and it just took off from there. My love for music just sprouted from there.” 

Taking influence from artists such as Jay Z, Jay Cole and the aforementioned Tupac, as well as several other lyricists, Luch has had a long standing interest in beautiful words. This can be seen throughout his entire discography, all of which is inspired by his personal experiences and the world around him. “I want to be the kind of artist that you can always relate to, that you can put on when you get in the shower or while you’re getting ready for the day. If you’re having a bad day, you can put some Luch on, or if it’s a good day, you can put me on.” 

Luch defines his music as smooth but jagged. Depending on which album you’re listening to, he presents a different side of himself through the music. “[Preliminary Hearing] is more of an introduction to myself. It is smoother and more laid back because that’s kind of how I am. I’m smoother, laidback. That was kind of just ‘This is who I am,’ sort of like a journal but with music. ‘Really in Position’ is more boisterous, more in your face like I’ve earned the right to get a little heavier so to speak.” 

The most recent thing that Luch has put out has been his EP, “Gangster Meets Gentleman” with his friend Wayne “aka” 7even Genovese. Featuring eight songs, the EP is homage to the traditional Hip Hop sound. “We wrote this album for the lyricist because I feel like nowadays, it’s more turn up music, trap drone and that kind of stuff. We kind of did something for the old school Hip Hoppers because I felt like they were being left out. We did it for them and had fun doing it.” 

Not only is Luch a nonstop creator of music, he also has his own fashion line — Assigned Seat, which he hopes to grow alongside his brand and identity as a musician. Despite being such a hardworking and successful individual, he is also quite humble and more than grateful for the people that he works with, his manager especially.  

Most recently, Luch and close friend MPRFeek are preparing to release their single “Branding and Trendsetting” in advance of their album “La Familia”, which is set to release on October 2. This album is very close to Luch’s heart and he is ecstatic to share it with the world. It is definitely something to look out for.  

Luch Capo’s music and social media pages can be found in the links below. 

https://linktr.ee/Luch.Capo.11 

https://www.instagram.com/luch_asempire_ent1/ 

Jai Fears steps out of the background and into the spotlight with new EP ‘Gemini’ 

DETROIT, MI – Geminis sometimes get a bad rap. They have a reputation for being liars, cheats and thieves, or at the very least having yin-and-yang personalities that are often untrustworthy. But Jai Fears is here to put those suspicions to rest with her new EP “Gemini.”  

Over the course of seven songs, Fears unpacks the deeper truths of what it truly means to be a Gemini with vibes and lyrics that are equal parts upbeat and introspective. As a professional in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades, Fears showcases an adept skill at making high quality music and displays a beautiful voice that demands to be heard.  

“We always get dogged out when we tell people we’re Geminis,” Fears said. “It’s one of the more looked-down-upon signs. But let’s be proud of who we are. If they want to look down on us, that’s their problem. We’re gonna stand tall with our crazy selves and all.” 

Fears raises that anthem across the entire EP, but most specifically with the title track “Gemini.” It was the second song she wrote after the initial single “Me and My Girlfriend,” and she said with so much time on her hands during the global pandemic, she was given the blessing in disguise to focus on and finish the entire project. Usually, she would be touring as a dancer and background performer for Charlie Wilson, with whom she’s been touring for 15 years. But she’s no knock-off. As a singer, Fears has her own take on what it means to live well and enjoy life. She said the forced break has given her the opportunity to bring those skills to the recording studio and finalize a project that she’s been working on for years. 

“I finally had time during the pandemic to focus on myself and get it done,” she said. “I’ve always been dancing behind someone and doing other jobs, and I never had time to perfect my own music and finish it and put all those touches on it that make it right. So this has been a crazy blessing in disguise. It’s been a long time coming because I’ve been working on it for quite some time. And being my first project, it’s a way for people to get to know me. The whole theme of the EP is based off me being a Gemini and having two personalities in real life. There’s the plain me – the everyday, no-makeup, sweat-clothes-wearing me – and then there’s the Jai Fears side.” 

Fears said she hopes fans will like her music because she brings a new vibe to Pop, R&B and Soul. She said her style is to take a cue from old-school music and fuse it with sounds from today for a truly original offering to global music scene.  

“Energetic with a nice pop of old-school style is me in a nutshell,” she said. “At the end of the day, I hope that my music is known for being different than anything else I’m surrounded by, music-wise. I hope my brand and music is known for making a difference and helping people. That’s what my whole #MembersOnly brand is all about. I’m building a lifestyle of people respecting one another whether they agree with their life choices or not, uplifting one another with positive and good vibes. And lastly, inspiring people to reach goals and follow their dreams and aspirations. Music is one of the strongest if not the strongest force we have on earth. I’m doing my part of making it a positive one.”   

To listen to Jai Fears’ music or to follow her on social media, please visit:  

https://www.jaifears.com 

https://www.instagram.com/Jaifears 

https://www.facebook.com/gemjaifears 

https://www.twitter.com/Jaifears  

https://www.soundcloud.com/Jaifears  

https://www.YouTube.com/Jaifears 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iQkvCN4OxmavMBbhwee0N?si=5r1y-zPRR5OjzpytncdGDg 

“Gemini” 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjxvng3K9cxfJD_dzYYo43b6qpBOYkJKx

Lil Djo showcases rise from the struggle with new single ‘Murder to Be’ 

AUSTIN, TX – While growing up at Rundberg Lane, one of the rougher neighborhoods of Austin, Texas, Lil Djo claims that the one thing that kept him sane was his certainty that one day he was going to blow up on the music scene. Fast forward a decade to today and this young up-and-coming artist is ready to fulfill that promise with a bevy of new music. Set to launch a handful of singles over the next few months, Lil Djo is kicking things off with a bold introduction to his signature style with the song “Murder to Be,” currently available across all streaming platforms.  

“I’m just getting started and this is a little introduction of what’s about to come,” he said. “I’m fixing to start dropping a whole lot after this. So this is just me speaking into existence what I’ve known all along,  that I’m gonna blow up off this music. I’m just letting it be known with a little aggressive wordplay that this is what my music is. It’ll make you feel some type of way and you’ll get that emotion. You’ll feel the same emotion I’ve got.” 

Being surrounded by the dangers of an area known for poverty, crime, and well known drug abuse. It’s not out of the ordinary that Djo started getting into trouble at an early age. He claims, “There’s a mindset here that everybody is accustomed to which I feel is what brings out the hate in people, you just gotta move right and hope for the best”. Rap has always been a constant for him however, and his one ray of hope for getting out of that lifestyle. Much of his lyrics are inspired by that struggle and born from the dreams he has for some day seeing financial success. And he hopes along the way his music will inspire people to have that everyday mindset that it takes to rise up in the world.  

“I knew I was gonna get into music since I was young, and I feel like this is the right time,” he said. “I feel like my voice is right now and I’m in the right situation to be heard. Everything is coming together and I got a whole plan. I’m just gonna take off, and once I get elevated, I have a whole lot more.” 

When it comes to Lil Djo’s signature sound, he said there’s no one else out there like him in the music industry. Inspired by legends such as Lil Wayne whose lyricism is unprecedented, Lil Djo said his lyrics are equally filled with emotions and stories that put listeners right into the middle of the scenarios he’s painting. Often utilizing Trap and Drill, Lil Djo takes those familiar sounds and beats and adds some Pop to them for something a little more upbeat and original. And he said that sound will be further explored on some of the new singles he has planned for October and November.  

To listen to Lil Djo’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit: 

https://www.instagram.com/darfurdjo/

Kinney displays intriguing Darkroom R&B sound 
on new EP ‘Where I Was’ 

RICHMOND, VA – John Kinney is the kind of R&B artist you don’t see coming. His sound is unlike anything currently heard in the R&B world – a deeper, darker more ambient sound that pairs the sultry smooth vocals of a true R&B artist with the dark tones of Hip Hop. He calls the sound Darkroom R&B and he puts it on full display on his new EP “Where I Was.” 

Currently available across all streaming platforms, “Where I Was” features six songs that tell a story of a breakup but in a unique way – backwards to forwards. The first song of the EP is Kinney telling his girlfriend that he cheated on a girl, while the last song on the project is the story of his fist encounter with the girl that he cheated with.  

“Everything connects,” Kinney said of the EP. “It’s kind of a cool way to tell a story of a breakup and the typical stuff that comes with that. This is a bad breakup because a guy gets caught cheating and everything plays out after that. It’s real ambient with that Darkroom R&B. I make music that’s out of the box. I’m very versatile between singing and rapping and I switch through genres but at the end, it’s all original. I typically genre-bend every song and try to find different sounding beats than what’s in the mainstream. But my beats are darker and more ambient, kind of like The WKND uses.” 

The debut single from the EP is the second song on the project called “SHM”. Kinney said those are the initials of his ex-girlfriend. He also said the song is probably the darkest-toned one on the EP and goes into some dark places lyrically as he tries to explain himself and why he is the way he is. 

“I try to do a story on every album,” he said. “I write a lot of albums even though I don’t put everything out. I just like to do something different and see if people pick up on it. Sonically, this project goes upwards from dark to light, and ‘SHM’ is probably the darkest. Story-wise, the EP also goes from dark to light.” 

Kinney said he first got into music when he was young, listening to legends like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross. As he grew older, he began to be influenced by Hip Hop artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. He’s used those influences to hone his signature sound, combining his natural ability as a vocalist with his skills of flow. 

“I actually started off rapping and found out I could really sing,” he said. “I’ve always written deeper songs that on the surface might sound like bubblegum but when you really pay attention you realize how deep they are. At the end of the day, I want my music to touch people and make them feel stuff. I want to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest.” 

Kinney said in addition to “Where I Was,” he’s also got another EP and some music videos set to drop later this year, as well as a mixtape that could drop in early 2021. 

To listen to Kinney’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit: 

https://twitter.com/johnkinney16 

https://www.instagram.com/kinney_wonder/

Nature, introspection, and explorations of the human spirit inspire hope-filled new album from Indie/Pop artist Thorin Loeks 

NORTH VANCOUVER, CANADA – Thorin Loeks has seen more of the world than most people will see in their lifetimes. At only age 30, he has bicycled and canoed over 15,000 kilometers across North America with a guitar on his back. He has prospected for gold in the Northern Yukon Territory, backpacked through South America, Thailand, India, and Nepal, cycled more than 6,000 kilometers from the West Coast to the East Coast of North America, canoed 3,800 kilometers down the Mississippi River from Northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, paddled the Wind River to the Arctic Circle, and then bicycled yet another 6,000 kilometers from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, through his hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon, down the west coast to San Francisco.  

It was this most recent journey from northern Canada down the West Coast of America that inspired his new album “In This Place”, 10 songs which feature his signature Indie/Rock/Pop sound. Described as a “West Coast feel that’s very introspective,” the project features Folk-Pop singles like “Open Sky” which has already been released to international success, along with more soothing, lush, ambient songs like “Ice Age” and “With You”, which blend soaring nature inspired acoustics/vocals with a more introspective, intimate, and emotional tone.   

“I’ve been songwriting since I was a teenager and there has always been a common theme through my music, which is a sense of hope. Through the journey of being inherently imperfect, something we all share, constantly making mistakes, and navigating the understanding, processing, acceptance of these things within ourselves and with others, I’m a person who is always wanting to grow and evolve as a human. I enjoy seeing people succeed by going through the lifelong exploration, struggle, learning and elation of growing into better versions of ourselves.” Overall, Thorin says his new album, “In This Place”, explores the interplay between nature, human connection, and the inner heart. While unafraid to explore deeper and sometimes darker melancholic emotional spaces, it ultimately is filled with feelings of hope, inspiration, redemption, rejuvenation, and a renewed faith in both the inner and outer worlds of the human spirit – qualities he hopes will resonate with people during these uncertain times. “It’s a combination of connecting with the landscape, communities, and people, but also with oneself,” Thorin said of the music on the album. “The world and our time here can be challenging, painful, and confusing in so many ways, but I am starting to gain a greater understanding of my own journey through life. The meaning, emotional depth, and gratitude I have imbued in this album while drawing upon different genres of music hopefully reflects that.” 

In his musical journey, Thorin’s sound has also evolved significantly from his first album, which was fundamentally Indie Folk. While his second album “Shine Through The Dark” introduced a mix of Blues, Rock, and Pop songs to his Indie Folk sound, it is in the seamless, smoother, and more advanced blending of these different genres and elements with his acoustic roots that makes his new album, “In This Place”, really stand out sonically. 

Thorin has always had a special connection to nature. He grew up in the Yukon Territory when his family moved there to start a wilderness adventure guiding company. He remembers fondly many experiences with his family and friends – hiking in the wild, canoeing down rivers, and seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes this planet has to offer. As he grew older, he began to bring a guitar with him on his travels, and the music that sprung up from his experiences became the seeds and inspiration for his journeys as a traveling musician.  

His signature Indie/Pop sound is the perfect platform for this storyteller who weaves in highly detailed descriptions of the places he’s been while sharing sometimes unbelievable stories of experiences he’s had meeting people from all walks of life and cultures. Working closely with good friend, audio engineer, and co-producer David Tallarico, Thorin has developed an album that truly welcomes listeners into an ambient yet grounded atmosphere of soothing sounds, and emotional/introspective lyrics.  

“My music is coming from the heart and soul and a very real place,” Thorin said. “It’s written from personal experiences and inspired by people and places I’ve spent time connecting and communing with. It’s easy for us to get disconnected in this world, and I hope these songs can be a source of authenticity and warmth where people can draw upon them and know they aren’t alone. Over the last three years, I’ve put everything into this album. I’ve really tried to pour as much as I could into every song individually as well as create a cohesive whole. Hopefully, other people will be able to resonate meaningfully with it.” 

Thorin recently embarked on another 600 kilometer canoe trip with a friend down the Kluane, Donjek, White, and Yukon Rivers in the Yukon Territory to Dawson City – a trip he says helped him reconnect with his roots. This journey will serve as the background for video footage to go with some of his new songs, so fans can likely expect to see those visuals in the near future. 

To listen to Thorin Loeks’ music or to follow him on social media, please visit: 

www.thorinloeks.com  

www.instagram.com/thorloeks 

www.facebook.com/thorinloeks 

“In This Place” 

https://open.spotify.com/album/5K3UjXOqfjUmAGNXJGlHMN 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-this-place/1525443561 

https://soundcloud.com/thorin-loeks/sets/in-this-place-album-2020 

“Open Sky” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivkq8os-7pE&ab_channel=ThorinLoeks