Browsing Tag

Indie

The viral Australian singer-songwriter Jacob Lee has launched his community-driven NFT, The Familee Key

Posted on 21 January 2022
Jacob Lee

The independent singer-songwriter Jacob Lee’s career has been nothing but exemplary. A few hallmarks of his resounding success include garnering 255 million streams on YouTube and 195 million on Spotify with his three EPs, six studio albums and 140 music videos.

Though his viral success undoubtedly rests on his songwriting finesse and soundscapes that haunt you while simultaneously consoling you, his fans played a major role in allowing him to achieve such a coveted status on the airwaves. Now, he’s looking to give back to his fanbase through NFT projects and giving his fans creative licence on his up and coming album. After four successful NFT drops (Conscience Cards, Lowly’s Personal Parchments, Jacob Lee’s Music Archive, Lowly’s Library of Lyricism), he’s set to launch his most exciting NFT drop to date.

The Familee Key NFT is a community-driven NFT which is set to launch on January 21st, 2022. It offers exclusive access to Jacob Lee’s creative ecosystem. All holders of the Familee Key NFT will receive early access to all upcoming music, free entry to shows, pre-sale access to upcoming NFTs and a myriad of additional perks. This NFT will act as Jacob Lee’s official artist token – it is 100% free and accessible on the WAX Blockchain with YoshiDrops.com.

Another date for Jacob Lee’s fans’ diaries is January 24th, 2022. It will see the launch of the Demons Digital Vinyl & Music Video NFT. His single, Demons, has become a playlist staple for over 50 million people globally. The artfully emotional single which opens his 2019 album, Philosophy, brings nuance to the conversation around trauma, abuse and healing. Lyrical vindication for the psychologically scorned (and isn’t that us all?) doesn’t get much sweeter. The Vinyl and music video will be available for all Familee Key NFT holders.

Check out Jacob Lee’s Web 3 store here, or head over to his official merch store.

To find out more about developments in the fast-paced NFT music space, join our on:beat artist development platform.

Amelia Vandergast

Audrey Scout turns visceral emotion into ethereally hazy vibes in her indie single Sunday.

Posted on 21 January 2022

SoCal-born and raised artist, Audrey Scout, is here with her recently released single, Sunday. It’s the perfect introduction to the indie singer-songwriter’s indulgent ability to turn visceral emotion into ethereally smooth soundscapes.

Any fans of Tom Odell, Daughter, and Phoebe Bridgers will find themselves equally as enamoured by the quiescence in this stunningly poised release that lets the emotion flow as though the Hoover Dam has just burst. Audrey Scout may still be finding her feet in the industry but on the basis of her stellar songwriting skills, ability to spin a soul-wrenching bitter-sweet melody and create a captivating atmosphere with her vocal timbre alone, she’s definitely one to watch. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Sunday is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Juliya – Power Lines: A high-vibe lo-fi alt-90s fever dream

Posted on 21 January 2022

With two EPs under their belt, the up and coming alt-indie sensation, Juliya, has unleashed their fever dream of a high-vibe low-fidelity track. Power Lines is as sonically boundary-less as Sonic Youth and Radiohead, and just as ruggedly sweet as Neutral Milk Hotel and Elliott Smith. And there is plenty of room for their garagey no-wave alchemy in between the reminiscences.

There’s scuzz by the smorgasbord, yet, that doesn’t get in the way of the grip of the angular indie guitar notes atop of all the discord. It may be a short and sweet track, but it’s also a sure-fire hit of serotonin in a sentimentally blissful alt-90s time capsule. With enough tracks in the same vein as Power Lines under their belt and the right attention, there is no reason Juilya couldn’t climb the indie charts with ease. Give them a hand on their ascent and stick them on your radar.

Power Lines is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Leo breaks through the heartbreak in his indie-soul single, Helicopter Leaves

Posted on 16 January 2022

If you like your RnB fed through plenty of wobbly tape echo delay, the up and coming artist Leo’s latest single, Helicopter Leaves, is exactly the kind of hazy indie RnB pop catharsis you want to delve into. In sentiment, Helicopter Leaves is a bitter-sweet release that explores the memories and emotions shared with an ex, but Leo never bows to the melancholy; he keeps the tone as bright as his infectious optimism.

It was a bold move to try and make it with Leo as a mononym, but based on Helicopter Leaves, he has the right amount of talent and soulful warmth to do exactly that. If anyone is this generation’s answer to Jack Johnson, it is the 24-year old Massachusetts-hailing singer-songwriter that entrenches his work in his deep spirituality and determination to connect the dots that nature leaves creatives to play with.

Helicopter Leaves is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

This Is How I Feel: Camberley rockers The Whiskey Knights let it rip on ‘Trashed’

Posted on 14 January 2022

With a booming start to proceedings that is guaranteed to knock off all the dust from the previously-lonely speakers, The Whiskey Knights show us how they really feel on the brawl-heavy new single all about sensing others who are mentally ‘Trashed‘.

The Whiskey Knights is a 4-piece indie hard rock band from Camberley, Surrey who were formed in 2013 and seem to evolve constantly throughout each release.

”Their sound is best described as a mixture of hard rock, punk rock, indie rock and pop rock.” ~ The Whiskey Knights

With a sip-inducing single that has you knocking another one back to get into the mood again after all the recent heartache, The Whiskey Knights show us what hardcore rock music sounds like in 2022 with a tremendous effort that is sure to boost your immune system up to dominate the year.

‘Trashed‘ from the Camberley, Surrey-based indie hard rock act The Whiskey Knights, is a top-notch new single from a band who let it all out and couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks. Which is ultimately, just the way that they like it.

In a world filled with that fake stench that seems to be growing more horrid by the day in a confusing time for our precious world, this is a reminder to just let your hair down and vent out your true emotions. Bottling everything inside never works anyway.

Check out the single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Like The Back Of My Hand: Superb Irish artist Hallie tries to move on from the vicious heartbreak on ‘Impact’

Posted on 13 January 2022

With a captivating single that has you totally immersed into her story about trying to get past this inner pain, Hallie shows us what she has been going through lately with her 5th single called ‘Impact‘.

Hallie is an Irish indie-pop singer-songwriter who has dealt with many traumatic issues over the past few years and uses this incredible single to ease the past away as she regains her former self from the shadows.

”It’s an honest, open conversation to herself while reflecting on a past turbulent relationship, with a plea for understanding and acceptance, following a breakup without closure and wounds that never seem to heal.” ~ Hallie

With the pop breakup anthem of 2022 so far, Hallie is at her vulnerable best with this mirror-filled effort that is so touching and rather tragic. She was madly in love and thought everything would fall into place so perfectly, as instead, she felt like her heart broke in half due to that evil former lover.

‘Impact‘ from the inspiring Irish indie-pop singer-songwriter and mental health advocate Hallie, is a moving single that will certainly shake your soul to the core. With soothing piano, emotional vocals, and honest lyrics that might have you shedding a tear for the unnecessary pain that was caused on this resolute young woman. Sung with a true grace from someone who knows that she needs to move on – but just can’t seem to currently – this is an exquisite effort that will have you thinking so deeply about that person who you thought would be around forever.

Listen to this excellent new single on Spotify and see more news about her life via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Spotlight Feature: Winchester 7 & the Runners shared their world-weary wit in their ukulele-led indie rock album, Catacomb Songs.

Posted on 12 January 2022

Get your nostalgia fix and your catharsis hit in one in the latest album from the internationally scattered outfit, Winchester 7 & The Runners. Catacomb Songs was just one of the lockdown-born albums conceived via Zoom in 2021; notably, few albums advocate for the future of remote collaboration better than this 9-track release.

The hazy, smoky and garagey vibes in the ukulele-led indie rock album are just as sweet as any album from the Zombies, the Beatles and the Stones. There may be nothing like delving into your favourite records from decades past, yet Winchester 7 & the Runners have their relevant and resonant ennui as an upper hand.

The thought of an indie ukulele rock album may send the blood pressure of music snobs through the roof, but if anyone can change the reputation of the electric ukulele, it is Winchester 7 & the Runners. They know just how to pull the rich, warm timbre from the electric uke to compliment the equally as mellifluous vocals.

The album starts with the quasi-morbid single, Dead Celebrities and New Beginnings, which questions why new beginnings seem impossible for ordinary folk while the famous can enjoy posthumous transformations. Once Dead Celebrities and New Beginnings has grabbed your attention, the album kicks things down a notch with the 70s rock reminiscent single, The Song That You Sing, which opens up a new level of lyrical intimacy that continues through the duration of the album that is tinged with satirical wit and the rare sense of compassion that can only be extended from world-weary soul to another.

Here is what Winchester 7 had to say about Catacomb Songs:

“We released our previous EP, Argos Holiday, last year on December 17th to limited fanfare due to the pandemic. In the following months, we made the best use of our time, took to our home studios and worked via Zoom to produce a follow-up. Catacomb Songs is certainly pandemic influenced in places, especially Riding High Again, which was written in memoriam of a good friend that succumbed to alcoholism during it. However, there is also a message of hope and inspired joy that is directly related to the normalcy we found playing together, albeit apart, amidst the lockdowns and travel bans.”

Catacomb Songs was officially released on December 17th. It is now available to stream on Spotify and Bandcamp.

Connect with Winchester 7 & the Runners to stay up to date with the 60s-inspired alchemy yet to come via Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Starting Fights: TRNR wonders when they will listen and really ‘Change’ (feat. Miriam and the Tipsy Pandas)

Posted on 12 January 2022

As they struggle to keep the peace in a complex web of love that has been damaged by mental wars, TRNR shows us into a story about when two people need to step back for a moment and see through a new viewpoint on ‘Change‘ (feat. Miriam and the Tipsy Pandas).

TRNR is a St. Louis, Missouri indie-pop solo artist and taco-lover who sings with a flamboyant innocence that has you gazing through your window.

”“Change” is the title of my new single about the fights in a relationship. It can be hard to see eye to eye at times but you can always work through things with a little bit of change.” ~ TRNR

With his smoothly-lipped vocals, bright blue hair, and honest nature that has you admiring his unassuming style, TRNR sings with a vigorous passion that helps us understand what it really takes to succeed in love in this rather odd world.

‘Change‘ (feat. Miriam and the Tipsy Pandas) from St. Louis, Missouri indie-pop musician TRNR, is an honest track that will have many of us nodding at the picture presented. Sometimes two people love each other so much but forget to think about the other perspective that you have forgotten about. This is the call to grab that hand tight and sort out any silly differences, which are holding you both back from gaining that all-important special bond that moulds you together forever.

Listen up on Spotify and check out his moves via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Different Hairstyles Every Tuesdays: Zonjjy tells us his story as he shows us that signature poise with ‘Trust Me’

Posted on 11 January 2022

With the substantial local support that only serves to help him grow stronger, Zonjjy shows us his cult status with a tale all about feeling in control and bringing his lover with him to the top on ‘Trust Me‘.

Zonjjy is a UK-based indie singer-songwriter, music producer, and rapper who tells us real-life stories that have only made him more self-enlightened after previous issues that threatened to sink him down forever.

With his confidence at an all-time high as he guides us into his city, Zonjjy is at his original best on a track that will probably be stuck in your head for days on end.

‘Trust Me‘ from the UK-based rapper/singer-songwriter Zonjjy is a likeable release from an underground artist who has had to claw his way to where he is today. With his country on the edge and his ears to the street, you feel like he is leading us into a world that is actually transpiring right before our ever-watching eyes. This is the time to build up and take your chance, as you brush away the past and move into the future with that much-needed bounce in your step.

Looking up rather than down is the only journey one should take in this overly-complicated world.

See this new music video via his YouTube page and view more via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

He’s A Fool: Homeland Hope tells that boss to get lost on ‘Life Is Tough (But I’m a Whole Lot Tougher)’

Posted on 10 January 2022

Taken off their massively ambitious 25-track album, Homeland Hope shows us that we need to value ourselves despite all the noise in this wild world on ‘Life Is Tough (But I’m a Whole Lot Tougher)‘.

Homeland Hope is an American-based indie-country duo that makes the type of soundscapes that are filled with Christian values that has you tapping your toes and singing along.

”Growing up in North Carolina, Kathryn Bryant has always had country music in her blood. Michael Justin Lee, on the other hand, might seem to be a very unlikely person to become a country music creator, having been born in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, powered by a burning passion for country music, Lee perfectly complements Bryant, crafting spell-binding compositions and creating joyful music together as Homeland Hope.” ~ Homeland Hope

Presenting us a song that encourages us to brush away anything or anyone who is holding us back, Homeland Hope is at its honest best with a vocally-charged performance that is filled with courage and backed up with a likeable melodic blend that only seems to sweeten the soul. Heightened with a guitar-filled combination of merry melodies, you sense that they are only getting started on this delightfully inspiring journey of standing up for yourself.

‘Life Is Tough (But I’m a Whole Lot Tougher)‘ from the USA-based indie-country Homeland Hope, is a catchy new single all about staying strong no matter what challenges come your way. The world can be tough and people might try and throw sand in your eyes to distract you, but if you stay true to yourself then there is nothing that can really stop you from reaching your goals.

Hear this brand new YouTube audio.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen