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Species Spoke on Staying Inspired on His Experimental Grind in an Exclusive Interview

Posted on 8 February 2024

Minnesota’s Taylor Spiess, better known as Species, has been carving a niche with his experimental trap-tinted hyper-pop edge. A&R Factory pulled him from the studio to explore his musical journey, influences, and how he’s been holding dominion over the airwaves with his hit singles, Barely Breathing and Use Me.

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Species, welcome to A&R Factory! We’d love to hear more about your highly anticipated upcoming project with The Lotto Tribe, “Old Me”.

“Old Me is a story about an obvious toxic relationship. It ended with me either coping with it or breaking away from it for periods of time using different substances. Old Me is a song I wrote about that.”

How has the indie label imprint, The Lotto Tribe allowed your music career to gain momentum?

“So far, they’ve helped redistribute my entire catalog professionally and introduced better opportunities for me in this industry. They’ve also shared a lot of knowledge and helped me build a good base for my upcoming releases.”

How did your collaborations with Pardyalone and Henny Hermes come about, and are there any more collabs in the pipeline?

“Pardy grew up in the same town as me; Big Lake, Minnesota. Through mutual connections and just being in such a small community, we ended up in the same crowd. He ended up being influential to me at the beginning of my career by helping me become a better artist/person, building my image and eventually collaborating on a song titled, Sunset Drive. I played it for Pardyalone and his manager Jake, they liked it and thought he would fit on it, so he hopped on the song and killed the feature.

With Henny Hermes, it was a little different. I found him on TikTok, he was promoting a song of his and I liked his voice, so I hit him up on Instagram. He messaged me back and said he would be open to working with me, so I sent him a song I had called DANCING WITH THE DEVIL. He sent me back the verse for that on the same day and I knew we’d be making more together; the sound was just there. Right time, right place. You know? Since then, we’ve released two more collaborative records that we’ve done together, Novocaine and Use Me.”

Your previous projects like Barely Breathing caught plenty of momentum, what do you think was the key to the success of this single?

“I think the key to that project was honestly just loving the song so much and believing in the message. If you have a single that you’re confident in and you want the world to hear, it comes more naturally than trying to push a song just because you “have to drop.” Quality over quantity 100%. With Barely Breathing, I also shot a professional music video to accompany it, so that helped.”

What are your influences and goals as an artist? 

“Definitely the homie SLOE JACK. His work ethic is insane. He’s always doing something to better his craft and embracing a style you don’t hear much of anymore, all while doing it perfectly in my opinion. Also, an artist named, Kringe, for sure. He has out-of-the-box ideas and brings them to life beautifully. He’s a huge example of quality over quantity. My goal is to impact as many people as possible with my art while maintaining who I am and not giving in to pressure around me for I’m hoping a long time.”

Can you tell us about your new distribution deal with AWAL/The Orchard and being involved with the Sony Music network via The Lotto Tribe and A&R Bezel Brilliant?

“I’m super thankful to have this opportunity with The Lotto Tribe and to be distributed through AWAL. I’m grateful to the people who made it possible. I’m just excited to see what’s next and keep doing what I do.”

What does being an artist mean to you, and what are your future plans?

“Being an artist means you can voice your thoughts to be heard and help the people who listen and may face those same struggles in their own life. That’s what it should mean to anyone who’s doing this, in my opinion through music the world can come together. Stories that make people feel and a good beat go a long way! I have a few releases and some cool stuff planned throughout the next couple months. Live sessions, acoustics, and more music for sure. I’m just really looking forward to sharing my art with the world and seeing where it takes me next! So stay tuned.

Hear Species on Spotify and discover more about Species here.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Morgana harrowed the psyche with their synthesis of emo, punk and grunge in ‘Two Broken People’

Posted on 2 February 2024

Sometimes two broken pieces come together to form a cohesive whole, but more often than not, the sharp idiosyncratic shards find a jarring way of exposing raw wounds. Far from your archetypal vignette of heartbreak, Morgana’s single, ‘Two Broken People (Make Hell Feel Like Home)’, approaches the narrative from a position of mutual position of imperfection. If you’re tired of black-and-white expositions of good and evil and want to find the fucked up fabric of the human psyche in sound, Morgana is a breath of non-dichotomous air.

With the visceral harmonies striking against the momentum in the rock chords as they dig deeper into the narrative and the drums deepening the tumultuous edge to the organically authentic single, Two Broken People is as affecting as the alt-90s hits from the likes of The Cranberries and Skunk Anansie. Through the grungy synthesis of punk and emo, the Kent-based trio, the single retains a signature that could only be scribed by the volition of Morgana.

Vocalist and guitarist Amy Morgan is a natural frontwoman. The mix of her expressive confidence and candid vulnerability ensures their singles don’t just resonate; they harrow the psyche. Dill Taskar (bass) and Tim Whittingham (drums) notably seem to feed off the fervour in her delivery to orchestrate a tight yet brashy riff-driven coalescence of chaos and cultivation.

Two Broken People will be available to stream from February 2nd; stream it on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ren Ashfield and the Magicians prescribed euphorically kaleidoscopic rock in their sonic manifesto, Sunny Day Smile:

Posted on 26 January 2024

With Blue Monday safely out of the way for another year, Venice’s Ren Ashfield and the Magicians have brought the sound of summer in their latest single, Sunny Day Smile.

After an intro which allows you to imagine what Echo and the Bunnymen would have sounded like if they embraced warm tonal hues instead of coldly monochromatic textures, Sunny Day Smile strides into a classic rock crescendo, which does far more than pay homage to the past.

By bringing all of the stridence of the Manic Street Preachers with the endlessly affecting soul of Journey and wrapping the production in a kaleidoscopic haze of psychedelia, Ren Ashfield and his outfit of instrumental alchemists delivered the ultimate hit of aural serotonin with this luminous leap into the evolution of rock. The band’s moniker is so much more than a shtick; there’s nothing gimmicky about the evocation of alt-rock sorcery within Sunny Day Smile.

This single, which resounds with a message of hope and resilience despite the world’s weary weight, is just a prelude to the band’s much-anticipated sophomore LP, Sonic Creations, which is set to be unveiled in February.

Sunny Day Smile will illuminate the airwaves on January 26th. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Madam Who? Has riotously returned with her pop-hooked and rock-licked electro-clash earworm, Peter Meter

Posted on 19 January 2024

Electro-pop-rock meets hip-hop in the latest single, Peter Meter, by the indomitable visionary, who always favours the bold and rejects the mundane to empower others through the electricity in her eccentric expressionism, Madam Who? In her rap verses, the trailblazing sonic mould-breaker gives all the ensnaring electro-clash energy of Peaches before the track descends into a Garbage-esque alt-90s earworm in the choruses to deliver the ultimate liberating anthem.

The larger-than-life vignette of how her Grandma Rita used to absolve her of her boy troubles took Madam Who? 20 years to write, but now it has arrived, complete with a fully characterised music video and a quirkiness akin to the B-52s, we can all drink in the sage wisdom, which you may not want to follow to the T, but one thing is definitive about this track, it will riotously shake every ounce of ennui out of you.

After overcoming brain cancer, Madam Who? Has remained relentless on her mission to defy expectations and verse for the underdogs. In 2023, her debut EP, Reclaim Your Power, caught the attention of Good Morning America, and her story aired to 1.7 million viewers. Now that Peter Meter is on the airwaves, the Maryland-residing singer-songwriter is set to spill more serotonin and uplift countless people from their minor and major tribulations.

The official music video for Peter Meter premiered on January 19th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Marlon Bianco used psychedelic subversion in his cosmic jazz surf single, Telecosmo

Posted on 9 December 2023

Telecosmo by Marlon Bianco is a frenetic odyssey that propels listeners into a cosmic realm of sound while showcasing the artist’s unique ability to blend diverse genres into a cohesive and captivating sound. Bianco, a self-taught musician and former frontman of Dead Coast, demonstrates his eclectic influences and experimental spirit in this single.

Bianco’s mastery in synthesising multiple genres, including jazz, blues, psychedelic surf, and cosmic pop, results in a composition that is richly layered and full of sonic wit. The jazz elements stand out with their complex time signatures, adding a dynamic and somewhat unpredictable rhythm to the mix. This jazz foundation, combined with the other genre influences, creates a sensation akin to a futuristic gameshow theme, transmitted from a distant galaxy.

The production of Telecosmo is a testament to Bianco’s artistic evolution. Recorded and produced by Monte at The Adriatica Studio in the UK and mastered by Francesco Gaudio at StudioGaudio Taranto in Italy, the single benefits from a high-quality production that enhances its intricate layers and textures.

The track is a clear indicator of Bianco’s continuous evolution as a musician and composer. As he prepares for more shows in the UK and a new album release followed by a European tour in 2024, fans can anticipate swathes more innovative and captivating music from this talented artist.

Telecosmo was officially released on December 1st; hear it on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Break out of your digitally paralysed repose with A VOID’s latest single, The Gutter

Posted on 2 December 2023

After gaining international airplay, featuring in seminal Spotify editorial playlists, and hitting the most prestigious venues in Europe, the Paris-born, London-residing three-piece, A VOID, are currently at work on their third studio album with the Grammy-winning producer Shuta Shinoda.

Their latest single, The Gutter, serves an evocative aperitif to the highly anticipated LP. By encapsulating the essence of the alt-90s while refusing to allow influence to inhibit their creative song crafting, A VOID became one of the refreshingly rancorous entities in the UK’s expansive alternative scene.

The song kicks off with an unfiltered rawness reminiscent of Hole and the Distillers. This visceral yet tonally dreamy introduction sets the stage for what’s to come: a Vercua Salt-esque chorus that delivers a heavy artillery earworm in the form of pounding hooks.

As the track progresses, it introduces angular guitar work that echoes Interpol to add layers of complexity and showcasing the artist’s ability to blend influence and ingenuity into authenticity. Rather than paying tribute to the past, A VOID remain relentless in their determination to breathe new life into the familiar.

The overarching artfulness of the track doesn’t overshadow its integral linchpin; the powerful chords struck through the lyricism which reflects on the stagnancy screens can sucker us into This lament on fear of failure and frustration with procrastination speaks for the vast majority who watch the hours and days slip by in a malaise despite best intentions.

Produced by Shuta Shinoda (Daughter, Spiritualized, Ghostpoet) at Hackney Road Studios and mastered by John Webber (Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Yungblud), The Gutter transcends and subverts all expectations in its artfully grungy beguile as it playfully leads the listener down Lynchian rabbit hols with instrumental drops.

The Gutter was officially released on November 18th; stream it on Spotify

Review by Amelia Vandergast

djamesk13 touches on the existentialism of the temporal experience with ‘No Time’

Posted on 2 December 2023

“No Time” is a sonic meditation on temporal experience, a nudge to wake up to the present and to prioritise what truly matters. djamesk13’s unique blend of grungy guitars, atmospheric psychedelia, and introspective lyricism creates a powerful commentary on the human tendency to let life’s precious moments pass us by.

By encapsulating the elusive and fleeting nature of time and serving as a poignant reminder of the moments that slip away unnoticed as we get entangled in the minutiae of everyday life, the theme of No Time is universally affecting as it reflects on the complicated tapestry of the human condition.

The instrumentals weave together the dark tonal shades of grunge with the introspective swirls of psychedelic rock. There’s a weight to the sound that mirrors the gravity of the song’s message, creating a soundscape that’s both haunting and intimate. As the music unfolds, it lays down a dark and reflective atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of the lyrics, encouraging a deep, inward look at the listener’s own personal timeline.

djamesk13, with this track, asserts why there’s always space for his artistry on our radar. His lo-fi expressionism has a rawness and authenticity that strikes a chord with his audience, tapping into emotions that are often left unexplored. His music doesn’t just pass through the ears but lingers in the mind, igniting thoughts and feelings that resonate on a deeply personal level. The gritty authenticity of the production enhances the song’s message, allowing the listener to feel the immediacy and the urgency of the present moment.

No Time was officially released on November 19; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Captain Birthday and the Undertaker seduced Lady Luck with the subversive sonics in ‘Scratch Ticket’

Posted on 1 December 2023

Scratch Ticket by Captain Birthday and the Undertaker is an audaciously infectious track that defies conventional rock iconography with its inventive fusion of genres and wildcard thematic lyricism. Just as scratch tickets symbolise unpredictability, this song embodies that same quality through its musical composition. It’s not often that the worlds of gambling and rock n’ roll intersect in such a literal sense, but this duo has taken the challenge head-on, spinning the concept into an auditory spectacle.

From the nostalgia of surf rock to pivots of electrifying rock riffs which cut through the mix, commanding attention with their raw energy to the embracing of atmospheric post-punk tension, Scratch Ticket, from the band’s eponymous debut EP, delivers all that and more to ensure each transition resonates like a new scene in a play; an unveiling of a different mask worn by the same enigmatic character.

At the heart of this song is the chemistry between Jean-Michel Letalon and Andrew Vogts, who are the creative engines behind Captain Birthday and The Undertaker. Letalon, with his rock opera sensibilities and a vocal style reminiscent of the early 2000s New York City rock scene, delivers lyrics with an intriguing blend of drama and nonchalance. Vogts, “The Undertaker,” brings his classical music expertise into the realm of hard rock with electric violin arrangements that add a layer of sophistication to the track.

Scratch Ticket becomes a metaphor for the band’s journey — a gamble on the fusion of their varied influences, betting on the listener’s willingness to embrace the unexpected. The result is a song that’s both a tribute to rock’s past and a bold step into its future.

Stream Scratch Ticket with the rest of Captain Birthday and the Undertaker’s EP via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lose yourself in the snappy, sleek, and hypnotically seductive hit Angel Dust by Peech. and Nevi

Posted on 30 November 2023

In collaboration with Nevi, Peech. released another viral-worthy hit with the drop of Angel Dust. The striking exploration of modern rock’s potential is a bold statement of Peech.’s artistic evolution, which is especially significant as he reembraces his status as an independent artist.

The song’s intricate blend of old-school groove, funk-infused basslines, guitar lines that reverberate through the attitude of rock and a solid pseudo-trap backbeat creates an absorbing juxtaposition that pulls you right into the cutting-edge core of Angel Dust.

Peech.’s snappy vocal delivery, characterised by a razor-sharp cadence, perfectly complements the song’s rhythmic foundation. This element not only showcases his vocal versatility but also adds a dynamic layer to the hypnotically seductive hit which exhibits the artist’s flair with weaving complexity into an accessible format.

The production of “Angel Dust” is sleek and polished, elevating Peech’s unique instrumental style to new heights. The result is a sound that is as distinctive as it is captivating, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of awe and addiction to the rhythmically flawless alchemy.

The influence of bands like Highly Suspect and Royal Blood is evident in Peech’s approach to evolving rock music. Peech. takes these inspirations and pushes them further, infusing his tracks with a stylistic ingenuity that sets him leagues apart from the rest.

Angel Dust hit the airwaves on November 24; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Every Glazer refused to be silent on the needless extensively-voyeured bloodshed in ‘Silver Screen’

Posted on 25 November 2023

With a more frantic tempo to match the urgency of the message in the intro and opening verse which scathes over what society has become in light of the bloodshed, which is only pouring harder the further we get into 2023, The Every Glazer veered into nu-metal territory with his latest single, Silver Screen, before bringing in the grungy melodicism in the chorus. If Linkin Park ever saw sense and collaborated with Deftones and Soundgarden, the result would be as alchemic as Silver Screen, which captures the singer-songwriter’s compulsion to ensure this fucked up segment of history will be never forgotten by the music industry.

As The Every Glazer has had a vice-like grip on his muse throughout 2023, there’s plenty of traction picking up around him; now close to 20k listeners are finding solace within his discography, which never shies away from reflecting the most heart-wrenching stitches in our social tapestry. If you want a virtuosic hand to help you through this slither of dystopia, hit play.

Stream Silver Screen on Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast