Browsing Tag

2nd single

Interview: Essex pop artist Karan Karma leads us into his hot 2nd single Dangerous

After recently dropping his well-received debut single called Poison, Karan Karma opens us into his Dangerous and romantic-linked world and had a chat with us recently. We spoke about his 2nd single, the Essex music scene, his local pub and who he’s inspired by creatively at the moment.

Llewelyn: Cheers for joining us Karan. How has your summer been so far and who was the first person you played your new single to?

Karan: My summer has been good so far, working on a new track to release in the next coming months which I’m excited about. The first person I played my single to was my family when they were at my house. Everyone enjoyed listening to the track after it was finally finished!

Llewelyn: Dangerous is your hot new single after the debut Poison. How has the reaction been so far and what/who inspired you to drop and make this sizzling single?

Karan: The reaction to the song was better than I expected a lot of people who had heard the track had great things to say. Loving the vibe and energy the song gives off! I had a few inspirations for this particular track coming from Charlie Puth, Michael Jackson and Dua Lipa. All of these amazing artists are well known for their funky tracks which gave me the inspiration to make my own.

Llewelyn: Where in the UK are you based and how is the local music scene in your area? Also, where are the best local spots to check out good vibes? Also, who are you keen to collab with?

Karan: I am based in a town called Grays in the county of Essex. I believe, in terms of my town, there isn’t much of a local music scene. However there are a number of nice places to check out there are numerous pubs and bars, especially if you go to Lakeside shopping centre they have a great selection of restaurants and bars to visit. If you’re partial to a pub id suggest the Treacle mine which also happens to be my local pub!

I haven’t had anyone reach out to collaborate with me yet, although I have reached out to a few people myself but scheduling issues got in the way. However, I am more than happy to work with anyone and get some good vibes and funky beats down together and make some audio gold. I would really love to make an old-school R&B track in the style of B2K or Diddy’s I Need a Girl (part 2), If anyone reads this please feel free to hit me up if you want to work together!

Llewelyn: Your music is so thrilling and catches our attention. Who do you make music for?

Karan: I make my music for anyone who loves a good beat and a little old-school influence. Be it R&B or pop I love to throw a little funky vibe into the track. I try to have something relatable to whoever may listen to my tracks. Almost as if they themselves are in the situation. 

Llewelyn: Who inspires and drives you to greater heights and how would you define your sound to a complete stranger?

Karan: The people that inspired me to make music and who I look up to would have to be. In no particular order, Bruno Mars, the way he performs live and makes the whole crowd dance no matter where they are is something else. Not to mention his songs are always bangers.

Another would have to be Charlie Puth, as a producer and beatmaker he makes things look so incredibly effortless. Seeing the way he can piece together tracks or even just make songs from random objects is insane. I really love the attention to detail in his tracks all the little bits that make the whole production what it is.

Finally, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) inspires me to want to write better lyrics. The feeling and emotion you can feel from his lyrics alone are wonderful, then match that with the beats he makes too and it elevates everything. He definitely influences the darker side of my music and lyrics.

All of these talented artists push me to want to be a better performer, singer and artist and my determination for success is what helps me strive for what I want.

To describe my music, I would say if you love R&B or Pop music infused with a little funk then I have got what you’re looking for. I’m looking to incorporate a little more 90s and early 2000s R&B within my upcoming tracks scheduled for later in the year. So if that’s your vibe then join me on my journey there!

Llewelyn: What’s the best and worst thing about being a new musician?

Karan: I’d say the best thing about being a new musician is that I can experiment with a lot of things and not have to worry as much about restrictions. Not to mention being in the driving seat of my own story and seeing it build up slowly.

The worst thing id have to say is probably that you don’t get much attention as a new artist and a lot of people will overlook you or not give you the time of day. It’s hard to break through the noise. However, that just makes me want to work harder and push further to get to where I want to be!

Llewelyn: Lastly, what are the hopes for the future and what message do you have for anyone who has wanted to release a song, but hasn’t yet?

Karan: My hope for the future is to hopefully, be able to go out perform in places and showcase my music to more people. I also would love to meet new people that could potentially become good partners to work with and help each other grow and succeed! I’m very open to any opportunities I may and can get and grateful for whatever new experiences come my way.

If you’re looking to release music and are unsure I’d say. If music is what you truly love then post it. Drop that song, Ep or album whatever it is you’re sitting on.  The more you work on your craft be it producing, writing songs or singing, you’ll improve and alongside that, your music will too. If you post that first song and it doesn’t get the reaction you hoping for don’t be disheartened. You’ll see progress the more you work at it and just by posting that song you’re already miles ahead of those who are still not posting or releasing their songs. Don’t give up on yourself and trust in your abilities!

Turn this up on Spotify.

See more of his moves on IG.

Interviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The solo journey is here: L.A. Funeral drops new single to further celebrate independence on ‘Louder Than Alive’

https://soundcloud.com/lafuneral/02-louder-than-alive

L.A. Funeral is here with a new project and he rides solo on the fantastic second single from his debut twelve-track album ‘Antumbra‘ called ‘Louder Than Alive‘, that finds us listening to an underground legend who puts his whole heart and soul into this.

Bath, England-based producer, composer and multi-skilled Jamie Floyde has been heavily involved in the South West, UK music scene for well over a decade, fronting various bands and entrenching his name as one of the best around.

After covid-19 wiped out all of his planned gigs, becoming a solo artist became a natural journey and the results prove this was the correct decision to make.

With his smooth voice and electric guitar on full form, this is the story about finding that fire inside you and how she weaves webs across your soul and how you feel alive again. She has lit a fuse in your body and you feel like you are brighter, happier and don’t want this feeling to ever go away.

Louder Than Alive‘ is the statement indie-rock single from Bath’s L.A. Funeral and he is in inspired form, with a song that shows his creative side, excellent guitarist skills and a voice that is gritty and raw with delight. Unshackled from band life, this is only the start of this new and exciting adventure that he has decided to embark on.

With a self-motivated attitude, realistic goals and plenty of heart, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Hear this top notch new single on his Soundcloud and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Stop and smell the roses: Elijah Kusel reminds us to take a step back on ‘Flowers’

Solo indie-rock artist Elijah Kusel returns with his second single and this is a groovy affair that will have you thinking about taking a time out on ‘Flowers‘.

With the world in a flux and our heads spinning more than the planets alignment, its always good to take a moment to have a break and reflect for a moment. Enjoying what you have currently, even if you thought the year would be different, is so important. That is the message on this soulful R&B single that makes your back shiver as the beat is full of breathtaking bass-lines and vocals that put you in a peaceful mood.

His simple and relevant story drifts along and helps you take a step back, rather than a sprint forward like 2020’s stress filled race.

Flowers‘ from Elijah Kusel is the perfect message for this crazy year and his mellow voice is like sitting on a new chair recliner. The snap back and chill is exactly what the doctor ordered. The melodic soundscape flies up above and is a pleasure on the soul and his indie R&B fusion takes out the shadows to bring in some sunshine.

Head through to the Spotify page to hear this chilled tune and find out more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen