Browsing Tag

Santa Cruz

Steps From the Cliff modernised Magazine with their darkwave cover of The Light Pours Out of Me

Posted on 10 March 2024

In one of their most daring releases to date, Steps From the Cliff modernised Magazine’s 1978 single, The Light Pours Out of Me, bringing the seminal release in line with the trends in the darkwave synthpop domain while amplifying the broodingly dark energy of the post-punk staple.

It was a bold move to rework the original, given all of the scintillation that pours from the atmospherically ensnaring production, but the Santa Cruz-hailing outfit, fronted by Tim Knapp, succeeded in putting their own mark on the single. The sombre reflections within the harbingering downtempo lament become all the more affecting through the contrast of the shimmer of the crystalline melodies carved by the glassy synths and the whispered snarls which carry the lyricism with maximum conviction.

The Light Pours Out of Me features on Steps From the Cliff’s most recent EP, Knowhere Fast, which reached the airwaves on January 26.

Stream The Light Pours Out of Me on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SiHow The Doctor shows us that there’s more to life than that bag on ‘Came A Long Way’ (prod. by UrBan Nerd Beats)

Posted on 2 August 2022

Showing us his elevated mentality that shall surely warm your heart beyond the complacent coldness of current times, SiHow The Doctor stamps our soul awake with an inspiring message to relocate what we thought before with ‘Came A Long Way‘ (prod. by UrBan Nerd Beats).

SiHow The Doctor aka Simon Howard is a Santa Cruz, California-born, Miami-based indie hip hop artist who is also a Psychology Professor at the University of Miami.

”Draws inspiration for his music from his musical influences Dead Prez, Nas, and J.Cole, his diverse lived experiences going from “EBT to PhD,” being a social psychology professor, and traveling. His music is an auditory extension of who he is as a person: multifaceted, multidimensional, and authentic.” ~ SiHow The Doctor

With a pedigree that is so encouraging to those who are looking for leaders to show them the right way, SiHow The Doctor opens up his story of life with a calming blend of eye-opening lyrics that leads us to that helpful light.

‘Came A Long Way‘ (prod. by UrBan Nerd Beats) from Miami-based indie Hip hop artist SiHow The Doctor is a song all about winning at life when so many others are wishing for the downfall to arise. With smartly written raps that might have you dreaming of that new life that seems impossible if your eyes have been closed, this is a message of note that the entire world needs to hear loud.

Nothing beats hard work and belief if you want it enough.

Heat your speakers on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Have To Leave You Far Away: Classy Santa Cruz pop artist Alexis Hana takes back her crown on ‘Savage’

Posted on 15 August 2021

Produced by well-respected music producer Antonio Tucci Jr, Alexis Hana assuredly shows us that she means business and won’t let anyone take her for a fool again on the electrically-charged single ‘Savage‘.

Alexis Hana is a hungry-for-realness indie-pop artist from sunny Santa Cruz, California. She makes that straight up fresh vibe that is about life, love and that all-too familiar emotional heartbreak, that so many of us unfortunately face.

”Alexis started out in bars and coffee shops in 2016 venturing to some of the top venues in LA including, The Mint, and The Hotel Cafe and The Peppermint Club.” ~ Alexis Hana

After impressively fighting hard to gain respect in a music world which can sometimes show you the dingy alleys – of false promises and sketchy stories you need to forget quickly – she shows so much growth and stunning desire, with an outstanding vocal ability and heartfelt lyrics, you can’t help but be genuinely impressed by.

This is the massively relevant message of knowing that your former lover took you for granted, as you remember the moment and show them that you were someone special, who they now can only dream of being with.

With a foot stomping beat that shakes your unsuspecting speakers – this is a highly alluring single – which is made with a real scintillating edge, that should inspire so many of us to never let anybody bring you down.

‘Savage‘ from the sizzling Santa Cruz, California-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Alexis Hana, is the motivating message which has you gritting your teeth and pushing your chest upwards. Sung so sensationally from a quality singer on a mission to get her message out to the world, she carefully claws her way into our delighted ears, with one of the most pulsating pop tracks so far in 2021.

When you know your true value, you find ways to open your mind in ways you never thought possible before.

Hear this terrific new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen