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Lana Del Rey

Music

Heather & Snow Take You “Down Down Deep”

Posted on 31st October 2017

Heather & Snow might be the most intriguing electronic sound I have heard in a long time. I am not sure what I expected exactly, but “Down Down Deep,” is nothing like I anticipated. While it does have all the ingredients of an electro track; the keyboards, synths, plucked guitars, bass tones, and rattling metallic percussion, syncopated chords and even some gnarly digital slap bass it also has amazing vocals.

Not just typical singing over a track, there’s actually some awesome harmonic melody. The lead singer’s voice is hypnotic and trance like, and the background vocals match perfectly creating such a genuine sound. The vocalist shine in both tone and pitch, the reverb is not over done and the production quality is great. This group is a celebration of electronic sounds at it’s finest and I love it.

Music

A&R Factory Present: Mandi Rose

Posted on 23rd March 2017

Hailing from Los Angeles, independent pop music scene newcomer Mandi Rose has recently thrown her hat in the ring with ‘Back for More,’ a seven track EP that explores her reverb-soaked take on the genre.  The 20-year-old singer songwriter’s collection of songs is surprisingly versatile, showcasing her as a talent that could certainly broaden beyond just “pop” if she ever chose to do so.

‘Intro to Back for More,’ the minute-long, aptly-titled introductory track highlights Mandi Rose as an artist who is experimenting with different sonic ideas in a rather unique way. A scratchy radio switches from station to station as the listener hears Mandi Rose approaching a bevy of songs and genres. This is a perfect lead-in to ‘Make It Ours,’ one of the EP’s better songs. The pop ballad perfectly balances infectious pop influence and compelling production. At times, Mandi Rose is reminiscent of a younger Lana Del Rey.

‘Roll One’ has tinges of hip hop influence, especially in relation to the way the beats are orchestrated for the track. True to its subject matter, ‘Roll One’ is an easy-listening, suave pop ballad that’s non-invasive. It doesn’t have an explosive moment, but it doesn’t need one. It’s subtle and methodic. Structurally, ‘Lies’ is very similar, though that track actually delves into R&B and soul territory that’s especially fascinating for Mandi Rose. Her vocals on ‘Lies’ are some of the finest on the EP.

Another track with hints of R&B influence is the lovely ‘Don’t Go Away,’ a song scored by soft finger snapping and elegantly sparse piano and atmospheric synthesizers. “What about trust, what about us?” Rose croons,“what happened to you and me?” It’s a solemn track about the end of a relationship gone awry despite one party still wanting to fix its remnants.

The only feature on ‘Back for More’ is the rapper Destruct, who is spotlighted on ‘Hennessy.’ Frankly, it’s the least imaginative track of the seven. Both lyrically and musically the track pales in contrast to strong predecessors the likes of ‘Lies’ and ‘Don’t Go Away.’ Destruct does accentuate Rose’s sound nicely, though, and his feature is a welcome inclusion.

The best song on ‘Back for More,’ however, is its self-titled finale. ‘Back for More,’ the song, is the perfect culmination of every element that makes the EP as successful and fresh sounding as it is. There’s pop influence, but it’s injected with a heavy dose of R&B and contemporary soul, and Rose’s conviction as a vocalist sells each performance. ‘Back for More’ is a beautiful finale, and ‘Back for More’ is a truly surprisingly indie pop EP. It’s actually good, and that doesn’t happen often.

YouTube.com/mandirosemusic
Facebook.com/mandirosemusic
SoundCloud.com/mandirosemusic

Words By Brett David Stewart

Music

A&R Factory Present: Natalie Major

Posted on 10th February 2017

Natalie Major is a young singer/songwriter originally from Chicago. Creating a soulful blend of catchy pop melody and ambient vibes,​ she takes influence from a wide array of artists such as Sia, Coldplay, Lana Del Rey and many more.​

Produced by Robot Koch, “Human” captures the raw, authentic feel of what it means to be open and honest about the grief of heartbreak. Her combination of poetic lyrics and haunting melody impacts the listener instantly.The song’s elements create a somber yet hopeful feel that touches your heart through it’s purest expression.

Music

A&R Factory Present: Lauren Carter

Posted on 23rd January 2017

Based out of Los Angeles, Lauren Carter, according to GQ Mexico, proves that ‘talent and beauty can co-exist.’ Viva Glam Magazine states, ‘if you love Lana del Rey, you’ll love Lauren Carter.’  Vents Magazine states, her single Rulebreaker features ‘an eclectic melody blending seductive vocals with pounding drums that is a work of pop perfection.’ Maxim Magazine called Lauren a ‘triple sexy triple threat,’ and DJ Fresh, who featured her in music video ‘Lassitude’, called Lauren ‘easy on the eyes, and a pleasure to work with.’ As a vocalist, she has a resonant three octave range that can deliver haunting ethereal notes to a full on belt.

A self-proclaimed ‘music nerd’ Lauren has completed a Masters Degree in Music, resulting in her knowing Beethoven and Schubert as well as she knows Lana del Rey, Bjork, or say, Leonard Cohen. Featured extensively in her career in magazines such as GQ, Maxim, Esquire, she explores the relationship between audience and performer, the male gaze, and her writing delves into topics like sexual politics, female independence, life in Los Angeles, and the American Dream. Combining an exhibitionist quality with an academic/ introvert’s soul…Lauren Carter continues to push the envelope.  In 2016 her track ‘Around the Globe’ was picked up by Volkswagen for a radio commercial. She is an award-winning vocalist who attended prestigious Northwestern University and University of Southampton, UK and has lived and worked primarily out of London and Los Angeles.

Lauren’s full EP, ‘American Dream,’ will be released in January 2017.

Music

A&R Factory Present: Erica Cooper

Posted on 16th January 2017

Erica Cooper announces the release of her debut album Safety Escape, April 29th 2017 on her record label Safety Escape Records. Erica is a Alternative Pop singer/songwriter from the Seattle area.

Her debut album was produced by Alek Edmonds, mixed by Paul David Hager (live engineer for Miley Cyrus, Devo) and mastered by Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley).

Erica performs as a solo artist and with her five piece band. She studied Jazz Vocal Performance and Composition at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. She took an interest in audio and met engineer and producer Alek Edmonds. There she found her passion for writing and sound. For the last 3 years, she has been writing and recording her debut album.

Erica is influenced by Disco and artists such as Radiohead, The Eurythmics, Grimes, Joni Mitchell, Enya, Florence and the Machine, Imogen Heap, Arcade Fire and Feist. Themes in Erica’s music include the roles we play in love relationships, vulnerability, being present and staying in the moment, loss, addiction, her struggle with Lyme Disease, the highest highs and the lowest lows, self empowerment, setting boundaries, and hope.

Erica was fortunate to record in some amazing studios including London Bridge, Synergy and Avast in Seattle and Encore Studio A in LA.

www.ericacooper.com

Music

A&R Factory Present: Eloah Jones

Posted on 3rd January 2017

Eloah Jones is a driven, passionate and charismatic singer and songwriter with a truly unique approach and a diverse set of talents under her belt!

Now 17, Eloah has been acting and singing ever since she was 11. Eventually, due to her hard work and committed passion, was was finally able to bring her music to the next level and work on something amazing. Eloah recently released a brand new single, “Soldier”, which is inspired by artists as diverse as Selena Gomez or Lana Del Rey, just to mention but a few.

The single is catchy, direct and personal, while Eloah’s stunning vocal performance truly captivates the audience in a unique way.

One of the most striking things about the single is the way Eloah managed to craft a song that feels thought-provoking and deep, yet extremely catchy and easy to relate to, adding depth and sensibility to her blend of pop.

Hailing from Texas, Eloah is quickly generating quite a buzz around her music and talent, not only in her state, but also nationwide, as more and more fans become familiar with her warm vocals and amazing songwriting abilities.

Eloah even released a lyric video to the single, Her new single SOLDIER is now available on Apple Music, iTunes, and Spotify.

https://www.facebook.com/eloahjones/

Music

A&R Factory Present: Kristine Mirelle

Posted on 4th November 2016

Kristine Mirelle is a Mexican/American singer/songwriter and pianist from Roswell NM. She currently resides in Los Angeles CA and actively performs 5 nights a week. Her work bears resemblances to the likes of Lilly Allen, Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Lana Del Rey.  Her genre of music can be described as Pop Retro Soul.

In her earlier years she performed and competed in National classical piano competitions around the US. She won 4 consecutive National Sonata competitions and was inducted into the International Piano Guild at age 12. One of her most popular subjects for interviews was her life she chose as a traveling musician selling her music door to door in neighborhoods all over the country. She traveled the United States selling her music in local neighborhoods and singing on people’s doorsteps.

She also volunteered in various countries around the world raising money via her viral fanbase and also going door to door selling her music. South Africa, Thailand, India, and Peru were all countries she visited volunteering and performing in special education centers and AIDS stricken communities.

Kristine also started a Mexican food brand in 2009 called “Lil Kristi’s” consisting of health conscious tortilla chips and salsas. Her products can be found in popular grocery stores including Whole Foods, Sprouts, and 70+ grocery stores in New Mexico.

Along with her passion for music, her passion for life has created a foundation for her ambitions. Kristine Mirelle continues to be an example of instrument mastery and vocal ability in a time when true musicians are scarce.

Kristine Mirelle currently lives in Hollywood CA.

www.KristineMirelle.com

Music

A&R Factory Present: Leaone

Posted on 21st October 2016

Leaone continues his rise with the sublime new single ‘Goldtooth’, released this October 21st, and another stunning track that marks out this hugely promising new talent.

Self-produced and mixed by Jim Lowe (Stereophonics), Leaone began writing in his parent’s attic after a series of events (losing his girlfriend, job, and getting mugged) led him back home to his native Suffolk. Following a meeting with Jim at his Shepherds Bush studio the pair started working together, with Jim mixing and performing on some of Leaone’s material.

‘Young Green Eyes’ was the first track from those sessions to be released earlier this year, and an astonishing start for a promising contemporary artist. Written about his ex-girlfriend, the song is a haunting, reflective piece that reflects Leaone’s influences of both Johnny Cash and Elliott Smith.

‘Goldtooth’ picks up where ‘Young Green Eyes’ left off, with Leaone’s distinctive vocals pulling at the emotive heartstrings with superb delivery and melody, all swept along by an undercurrent of haunting and sparse instrumentation.

Since releasing his last single release, performing with Emmy The Great and Roddy Woomble (Idlewild), Leaone has finished work on his debut EP, set to be released this autumn, and from what we’ve heard so far, it’s looking set to be something very, very special. Leaone is also already back in the studio, writing and recording his second EP after securing Arts Council funding for the release.

‘Goldtooth’ will be released on October 21st 2016, and will be available from all good digital stores. More live dates and details of Leaone’s debut EP are set to follow in the coming weeks.

Music

A&R Factory Present: Anna Madsen

Posted on 14th June 2016

Hailing from Utah, Anna Madsen currently calls New Hampshire home. Taking inspiration from classic romanticism, fairy tales, and her personal experiences, Anna uses story telling through music as a way to create worlds that listeners can enter and completely absorb.

Musically, Anna has been described as “Lana Del Rey meets Kate Bush meets Enya,” but ultimately her music is completely her own and expands beyond one genre. Her influences include contemporary classical composers, church hymns from her childhood, world music, and modern Alternative Rock and Folk / Americana.

Melodic vocals and lush harmonies define her sound, while cellos, violins, subtle synths, atmospheric guitars, and propulsive drums and loops provide the sonic backdrop. Lyrically, Anna explores topics ranging from mystical romance, fate, and courageous characters from history and her imagination.

In addition to writing and performing music, Anna is a photographer, model, and actress. In August 2015, Anna acted in the motion picture Granite Orpheus, which is scheduled for release in mid-2016. The film’s soundtrack features Anna’s song, “Palm Reader” as well as an Anna Madsen/Alex Preston duet, “I Would Save You.”

For her 2015 debut EP, “Palm Reader,” Anna worked with award-winning producer Brian Coombes and his team at Rocking Horse Studio in Pittsfield, NH. The EP features musical contributions from co-producer Joey Pierog; Pat Gochez and Bobby Rice of Pat & the Hats, noted fiddle player Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki, and cellist Jeremy Harman from the New York City-based Sirius Quartet.

The EP quickly garnered positive reviews. The music site yourband.info praised the EP’s “lush landscapes of sound” and called it “the most creative and spectacular album of the year.” The music site Musical Discoveries named Palm Reader its 2015 Best of the Year EP.

In January 2016, Anna received two New England Music Awards nominations (Best New Act and Video of the Year) and was invited to perform at the Awards Show in April 2016 at the Blue Ocean Music Hall & Event Center in Salisbury, Massachusetts. In February 2016, she was invited to perform for New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan and the Executive Council at the State House in Concord, New Hampshire.

Her first full length album, Efflorescence, was released on May 21, 2016. The record features notable appearances from Anthony Phillips of Genesis and Jonathan Mover of GTR.