‘Trash’ Album Provides New Experience For Music Lovers’ Ears Straining For Something Different

Music, Videos

TWIN CITIES – There aren’t many high schoolers who would spend their car money on a marimba … come to think of it, how many would know what a marimba even is?
Spoke did. He had been saving his money all through high school for a car, an instrument that is very similar to the xylophone, but soft-toned. Spoke played percussion and was onS a drum line until he graduated in high school in 2016 – now his music goes to the beat of his own drum.

“When I’m not at work, I’m working on my music in one shape or another,” Spoke said. “I’ve been doing this for seven years. My music has always evolved because I like different sounds and trying new things.”

Described as multi-genre, Spoke released his newest album “Trash” this year – and you could say it sounds like Electric Rave with a slur. Each of the five tracks is as unpredictable as the next. When the marimba makes its debut in the third song, Spoke lets it lead. But the messages and raw emotion behind these vibes are exclusively for the listener.

“I don’t want to tell people how to think – I purposely keep the lyrics vague,” Spoke said. “Even I can go back and get different meanings from it, and experience a new feeling from when I wrote the song.”

A relatable tale , Spoke’s single “Save Name” dives into the concept of whether people will remember a someone or not – and is that recognition based on success after high school?

“I don’t tell people to expect anything when it comes to my music because it’s always so different,” Spoke said. “It’s not like anything that’s been released in the past 20 years. None of it fits, but somehow it does … all I want to do is get better – get bigger. But I’ve noticed with a lot of artists that make it big, they live too luxurious and then they need their next album to do well just to make it. So their music gets washed out – takes away the quality. I always want to stay in good music.”

Find Spoke on the following platforms for music with an eclectic sound:

Website:  https://www.spokeofficial.com/
Amazon Music:  https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0BNXCHBJP
Apple Music:  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/spoke/80228196
Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WpvSUERMR4bQQTHBV0LQtsi=bMnVsCKDSIeK0mJaZgI2oQ&nd=1
Tiktok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@spokespoke0
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spokespoke7/

JonPaul Wallace – Love’s Not For Everyone

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Despite the Title, JonPaul Wallace’s Single, “Love’s Not for Everyone,” Defines Contemporary Pop

DETROIT – After going viral with his rewrite of Lukas Graham’s “7 Years,” JonPaul Wallace has silenced any critics who muttered the phrase, “one-hit-wonder.” While Wallace’s graduation performance of Graham’s hit accumulated more than 20 million views across streaming platforms, Wallace has taken the popularity in stride, focusing on the future.  

“Honestly, it was completely unexpected,” said JonPaul Wallace. “I wanted to cover the song, but it says, 20 years, and I was only seventeen at the time. So, I changed up the lyrics to make it more suitable to me.” 

With a discography of cover songs, each with his take on it, Wallace is now focusing on songwriting and performing. His latest single, “Love’s Not for Everyone,” displays the Michigan native’s abilities to blend pop and soulful rhythms.  

In the slow and heavy melodic vocal tune, Wallace captures the feeling when a relationship ends. Instead of wallowing in the heartache, “Love’s Not for Everyone” is a declaration of acceptance and loneliness that comes after ending a relationship. The ballad which drops in December represents the softer side of Wallace’s contemporary pop style.  

“I definitely pull a lot of inspiration from Motown and old soul music and put that in there, especially with a lot of my background vocals and vocal performances,” he explained. “There’s a lot of old soul influence in what I do. It’s something about growing up around Detroit. Soul is ingrained in me.” 

Interestingly, Wallace did not write “Love’s Not for Everyone” in just one settling. After spending a few days in Northern Michigan on a solo writing trip, Wallace drove home when inspiration struck. “On my drive home, I was on I-75. I actually have a voice memo of me working on what became the bridge of ‘Love’s Not for Everyone,’” he said.  

Even though the bridge was done, he put it aside to work on other songs with faster beats and more dance-like tracks. However, something was nagging at him to finish the piece. So, in typical Wallace style, he stepped away from the up-tempo songs and finished “Love’s Not for Everyone.”

“Lyrically, nothing changed. It was almost like a first try in the studio,” he said, knowing that the song was perfect for him and his fans.  

With a finance and marketing degree from Oakland University, Wallace focuses full-time on being a singer, songwriter, and performer. “When I’m on stage, I’m always behind a guitar or piano. I just have a lot of fun on stage. I don’t try to be too heavy. I want to make music that takes you where you can forget about everything for a little while,” he said.  

While “Love’s Not for Everyone” is a departure from Wallace’s typical upbeat pop songs, it showcases his versatility and strength as a singer and songwriter. Taking a few cues from the legendary Stevie Wonder and Billie Eilish, Wallace said, “My original music brings a different sound to the table. It’s focused on background vocals in a soulful way. But a lot of the production and melodies come from a modern and contemporary pop-dance style. It’s pretty different from what’s out there now. It’s what I do best.” 

Make sure to stay connected to JonPaul Wallace on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts. 

Website: https://jonpaulwallace.com/

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jonpaul-wallace/1343124687 

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jonpaulwallace/loves-not-for-everyone/s-l4YV3AeSubs?in=jonpaulwallace/sets/next-ep/s-qAJgM8V1Gj3&si=cc60cc24bbf44e38a08bd55257cae571 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0tmMEHwUMgSApF23AkOsXs 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRX9reyGR7F6DepFEH9KD3g 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonpaulwallaceofficial 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonpaulwallace

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jonpaulwallace?

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonpaulwallace

State Space – Lanterns of Tomorrow

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International artist State Space meets listeners at intersection of art and reality 

BERLIN, GERMANY – Anyone who has a background in science can tell you that there’s a popular term called “State Space” that refers to a range of possible variables. For Ukraine-born artist Vova Tumasiants, it’s the perfect metaphor of his life and artistry, and it’s the reason why he has adopted the term as his stage name as he embarks on a journey of international attention with his new music. 

Trained as an engineer and currently living in Berlin, Germany, State Space has always been a lover of music and uses every spare moment he has to create his own brand of sound. As his name implies, he’s a multi-faceted artist and all-around lover of music who adopts a limitless approach to creation. His body of work to date is impressively unique, diverse, and deeply imaginative. He draws inspiration from a variety of sources – from 90s Brit Rock bands like Oasis and The Verve, to Classic Rock groups like Led Zeppelin and Queen, and even Pop icons Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. And through those inspirations he has developed a genre-fluid approach to his own musical creations. 

That individuality takes center stage on his new single “Lanterns of Tomorrow,” which is set to release across all streaming platforms in early December. Listeners familiar with Oasis and The Verve will immediately recognize those bands’ influences on State Space with this single. The ethereal EDM opening makes way for a truly alt-rock vibe that’s one part singer/songwriter and one part 90s nostalgia. The song has a mellow groove to it that just feels good – like you’re cruising down the highway on a beautiful autumn day. It’s a song about a guy who keeps chasing his dreams and doesn’t give up. Like lanterns in the night, he sees the hope of a brighter future, even in the midst of his darkness. Ultimately, it’s a song that says, “Tomorrow will be good. Everything you hope to achieve can be realized, if you only keep on trying.” 

“I like the warm sound that comes with bringing together the British alt-rock sound and the Pop vibes that I’m such a big fan of,” State Space said. “This song in particular sounds kind of chill – almost bittersweet – but also with that warm kind of vibe that I’m always trying to create. It’s very much an autumnal song, with no hard rock guitar riffs or anything like that. But this is just one example of my music. I don’t have any specific genre that I make music in. I have alt-rock songs, and disco songs, and singer/songwriter songs, and everything in between. My upcoming debut EP will be kind of a funky Pop kind of a vibe with some catchy melodies. And I hope people come to recognize that special approach I’m taking when it comes to making music.” 

To listen to State Space’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit the following links: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/state.space/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/statespacemsc 

Website: https://statespacemusic.com 

The Corduroy Blue – Could it be?

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Retro-Inspired, The Corduroy Blue, Defines Alt-Rock with “Could It Be?”  

ATLANTA – A rising alt-rock band, The Corduroy Blue is taking fans on a nostalgic journey to some of the best sounds from the 90s to 2000s, coupled with today’s cutting lyrics and electric performances with flashes of Elton John and The Beatles.

Taking inspiration from music ranging from the 1960s to the early 2000s, brothers Atticus and Luke Roness have taken the Atlanta music scene by storm and are gearing up for national attention with their band, The Corduroy Blue.

“Our music is a really cool mix between mainstream and the retro sounds. It’s not underground or indie,” explained Atticus. “It’s genuine. We are doing music that we love.”

That “genuine” style is on full display in their latest melodic pop-rock song, “Could It Be?” Written pre-pandemic, the song comments on loneliness during the age of virtual connections coupled with the band’s signature pounding drums, soaring vocals, and catchy hooks. The track takes listeners on a journey climaxing in an explosion of energy and good vibrations representing the best from The Corduroy Blue.

“We all have the capacity to be connected, and still these may be the loneliest times you’ve ever been in especially coming out of the pandemic,” said Atticus. “It’s funny that it foreshadowed the pandemic and the loneliness you get from having contact only by the internet.”

With vibes like 90s pop-rock and Third Eye Blind, Luke agrees and adds that the “Could It Be?” music video gives the song a carefree yet collaborative look at its lyrics.

“We enjoy matching visuals with our song to see exactly where our minds were when we were like writing it and, you know, producing it,” said Luke. “Each song brings a different mood and tone, so every music video feels very different.”

The “Could It Be?” video was shot in Chattanooga by Atlanta’s visual artist and photographer Matthew Fain, who the brothers consider the third member of The Corduroy Blue.

With similar sounding vocals and being just 18 months apart in age, Atticus and Luke say they are more like twins than just brothers. But fans who pack the Atlanta metro venues know the difference. Atticus is the duo’s frontman who explodes with energetic moves and gyrations while belting out The Corduroy Blue lyrics and playing guitar. With his curly hair and ripped physique, Luke kicks it on the drums while singing background vocals and harmonies.

Even though The Corduroy Blue lends its sounds from alt-rock bands of the past, they are not a cover band. The duo utilizes the 90s to 2000s vibes to create The Corduroy Blue genre. “We are doing something different,” acknowledged Atticus. “There isn’t anybody making the kind of music that we’re making. We are aiming to make a song for everybody.”

Summing up their musical goals, Luke said, “If you can take a little break from reality, that’s really why we make music and perform. We aren’t doing it for the clout or whatever. We just want to bring life to our music and enjoyment in the world with our music.”

With a growing discography, The Corduroy Blue is rearing up for another single to drop in January. Still, in the meantime, they are packing in Atlanta-area venues with their eclectic sound and high-energy performances. Future concert information is always posted on their socials.

Make sure to stay connected to The Corduroy Blue on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-corduroy-blue/1521431809

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-958244528

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3IG1k2ZKhFgXhtm3rGGPAg

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zkm_kBh3Is

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecorduroyblue/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecorduroyblue/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecordurboys

Building Down – Vapor

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Alt rock meets modern-day vibes on new EP from grunge rocker Building Down 

BOISE, ID – Nick Elliott is not afraid to speak the truth. His music is a perfect example of that. While he has nothing against love songs or the carefree lyrics of Pop music, his intention as an artist is to bring something deeper to the table. His music is the kind of music that touches on the deeper truths of the world. Like many people who have turned to music to help them understand the hardships of life, Elliott uses music to cope with difficult situations and delve deeper into the mysteries of life that often seem confusing and discouraging. And along the way he has found an outlet not only for himself, but for others. As such, his music has become the kind of introspective entertainment that fans all over the world have come to love and appreciate.  

That process is what led to the name Building Down, which is what he uses as a stage name. Pulled from an old Blind Willie Johnson song, the name reflects the idea of tearing down the broken pieces of the past so as to build something stronger and new. It’s an idea connected with what’s happening in society and across the global landscape, with the intention of using music to inspire others to seek out positive change in their approach to social justice. 

“My music is trying to reach for something a little higher,” Elliott said. “I’m trying to do that through a mix of rock, electronic, blues and folk, all while embracing instrumentation. People aren’t embracing instrumentation anymore, and it makes me sad because you don’t hear that guitar-driven sound like you used to. I would love to be on the forefront of a revival of guitar riffs and guitar solos.” 

Elliott’s latest EP “Just Enough” is the perfect example of that guitar-forward instrumentation. Featuring an alt-rock style that blends elements of electronic and Indie/Folk, the project displays his early influences of Blues while also expanding on modern-day sounds that could only be called “progressive.” With “Just Enough,” Elliott shows the world a new style and sound that is equal parts intriguing and entertaining.  

The debut single from the EP is a song called “Vapor.” Fans of late 90s and early 2000s alt rock will immediately identify with the sound from this song, as it hearkens back to bands like Better Than Ezra or Chevelle. Elliott embraces that grunge sound, but sets it against electronic-infused vibes that create an ethereal experience. The intriguing juxtaposition of the weeping electric guitar walking a line against a counter-point grungy electric guitar rhythm is nothing short of inspired. The song starts with an entrancing intro that pulls you in and then picks up as it goes along, and the overall ride is extremely enjoyable.  

“This song reflects my observations of what is happening in America and what is happening in the world as a whole,” Elliott said. “People are going with how they feel more often than not, and they aren’t considering the ramifications of their actions. Their feelings lead them to dangerous ideas. When your feelings are your only barometer, it can lead you astray. It’s all too common in society today to hear the idea of ‘if you follow your heart it’ll all be OK,’ but clearly that doesn’t all work out. This song – and by extension, the full EP – highlights the fallacy of that statement and tries to warn people not to fall for those lies.” 

“Vapor” is slated to release on Oct. 22, with “Just Enough” set to follow shortly after on Nov. 12. To listen to Building Down’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit the following links: 

https://soundcloud.com/user-793615259/vapor-1/s-ueYLwnmc7ZS 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuildingDown 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/building_down 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingdownmusic/?hl=en

Rasmina – Power of Flower

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World-renowned jewelry artist Rasmina blends sounds of East and West against Ethnic Jazz and Rock undertones on new singles 

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – A unique blend of Eastern and Western music is making its way to an international audience from Azerbaijan artist Rasmina Gurbatova. Known globally for her impressive talents as an artist – most especially put on display through her original jewelry that is sold all over the world – this young woman showcases an adept ability to bring a variety of influences together into an original sound that is equal parts intriguing and inspiring.  

Her two latest singles are “I Love You” and “Power of Flower,” the latter of which will be paired with a new line of jewelry that she is getting ready to release. The concept behind the song, and the new jewelry line, is to help women embrace their independence and find balance between the feminine and masculine energies they’re faced with on a daily basis.  

“It’s about learning how to use your power and discovering different ways to direct it,” Rasmina said. “The song itself is about a woman who finds this power in herself. I’ve developed a jewelry collection of the same name that will feature 16 different types of flowers – all linked to different personalities of women. Every woman has their own personality and can choose the flower that fits her best. They’ll be able to go through a personality test online before they’re paired with a flower and the piece of jewelry. Ultimately the idea behind the jewelry and this song is to help women learn how to have self-respect and to know how to use the different energies and power within themselves.” 

Rasmina said she’s been composing music for the past 10 years, albeit as a hobby on the side. Raised in a culture that frowns on choosing music as a profession – especially for women – Rasmina often had to fight for her right to pursue her passion for art. She went to a diplomacy school and has worked in various positions at the World Bank, all the while creating music and jewelry in her spare time. But in 2011 she decided to take a bold leap of faith and switched her career. She created her own jewelry brand, and in the years since she has accomplished success on a global level. Her jewelry is sold all over the world via her website www.resm.com, and as she has seen success with that art medium it has emboldened her to try to connect with others through different mediums, as well – most specifically music.  

“I wore various roles in my life, but I am never as happy and fulfilled as I am when I compose and sing,” she said. “I write about whatever inspires me – sorrow or pain or joy. When I write music is when I feel completely myself, and I hope people see the authenticity and the story behind it. Every song I write tells a story. I want to be different – not necessarily for the sake of being intentionally different, but because I like exploring different sounds. I just enjoy making music, and it’s an artistic outlet that I want to share with other people.” 

To listen to Rasmina’s music, or to follow her on social media, please visit the following links: 

https://soundcloud.com/user1676858/21-05-29-rasmina-i-love-you-1;

https://soundcloud.com/user1676858/21-09-06-rasmina-power-of-flower-1 

http://www.rasmina.com

Alxndr Blue – Seasick (Feat. Don Quez)

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Stand-out producer showcases his own music with new double-single release 

STOCKTON, CA – Eric Alexander Hall – better known by his stage name Alxndr Blue – is an American singer, songwriter and producer. For the last few years he’s carved out a niche within the music industry as one of the standout producers currently working in the game, operating under the name OFASHO. He’s collaborated and worked with many big artists in California, and now he’s ready to showcase his own artistry with a handful of new singles. 

His first official showcase of his sound to the world will be a double-single release of “Right Now” and “Seasick.” Though different in tone and vibe, the two songs play off one another with content. Alxndr Blue calls them a duality of love, with “Right Now” focusing on the positive and happy sides of a relationship with a woman, while “Seasick” focuses more on the toxic things that can come with an unhealthy relationship.  

“I wanted to display some versatility and range with this release,” Alxndr Blue said. “Both of them are similar in a way because they’re summer songs. They’re different but similar. I wanted to put them together because it’s like opposites attract. One of them you could play riding in the car, and the other you could play at a party.” 

Alxndr Blue said “Right Now” has more of a Pop/Alternative feel to it, whereas “Seasick” has more of a mellow, moody vibe. Both of those styles are indicative of the sounds he has perfected as an artist, though they merely scratch the surface when it comes to the bevvy of genres and mashups he brings to the table as an artist.  

Like many musicians, Alxndr Blue started on his journey of becoming a professional musician when he was a child. He would create raps in his bedroom, and had his own little setup for recording. What started as experimenting with Garage Band grew to become a full-fledged producing and songwriting career in his late teens and early 20s. He has since built up a name for himself on the production side over the past decade. But he’s always had the itch to create his own music, and today he’s finally taking that opportunity to show the world what he’s got. 

“I think I can go any direction with my music,” he said. “I really want to dive into so many different lanes. I want to do Pop and Hip-Hop and R&B – you name it, I want to dive into it. There are no boundaries. There are no labels. I’m just an all-around artist who uses music to make people feel emotions. If it’s a time when they’re going through something sad, they can listen to a sad song. If they need something to make them happy, they can listen to one of my happier songs. That’s what music has always been for me. And I’ve always gravitated toward the artists who are more vulnerable. I want to be that for other people. I want to be the artist that someone grows up listening to and becomes a fan forever. I want my music to live longer than me.” 

Alxndr Blue said he has a number of songs he plans to release this year, and will next be offering acoustic versions of his already released singles before the end of the summer.

To listen to his music, or to follow him on social media, please visit the following links: 

Listen to “Right Now” on Spotify 

Listen to “Seasick (feat. Don Quez)” on Spotify 

https://www.instagram.com/alxndrblue 

https://twitter.com/alxndrblue      

BlameKlaus – Pain

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Prodigy BlameKlaus launches onto international stage with new Alt-R&B single ‘Pain’ 

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – R&B has a new international flavor thanks to the new music coming out of South Africa from 15-year-old artist Klaus Stechmann. Operating under the stage name BlameKlaus, this young up-and-comer has a sound that evokes thoughts of Drake or Usher, but with a worldlier vibe that lives in the realm of Electronic Synth Pop fused with old-school R&B. His sound is a refreshing take on the R&B genre, and his new single “Pain” is a great introduction of that sound to an international audience. 

Opening with some haunting synths, the ethereal vibe of the song lays a foundation for the heavy bass and driving 808s that offer fans the most epic of slow jams. When Klaus’ vocals come in, they’re like a mysterious haze hovering over the swaggy waters of the creative ocean of sound he’s developed. His lyrics explore depths of relationship that no 15-year-old should have to experience and which will connect with audiences of all ages that have been in up-and-down relationships. 

“It’s about a past relationship and all the flaws that came up over and over again,” BlameKlaus said. “I talk about how I feel about it and how my experience is probably like a lot of other people’s experiences. It’s slightly alternative R&B but with more deep-and-dark tones.” 

BlameKlaus said his sound is tailored to his natural gifts and abilities as an artist – something he’s been developing since he was a young child. Of late, he’s been working with producer Asta Yurei to develop a sound and style that is uniquely his own – a sound that will be showcased to his rapidly growing international audience with even more singles to be released in the coming months. He said he recorded quite a bit of music in 2020 and has a plan to strategically release that music to the world this year.  

“I want my music to be enjoyed by anyone,” he said. “I really want people to listen to my story and be able to say that it’s an experience and a half that maybe they can relate to. Or maybe they just like the sound of the song. My main goal is to get people to deeply listen to my music. I’d love for them to study it – not just listen to it once and breeze past it. I want them to understand and talk about and dissect it so that it will correlate with their lives.” 

“Pain” is currently available across all streaming platforms. BlameKlaus said he’s working on a video for the song that he’d like to release in the next couple of months.  

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

http://hyperurl.co/BlameKlausPain 

https://www.instagram.com/blameklaus/