In The Spotlight

Sons Of The East – “Nothing Comes Easy”

Jack Rollins, Nic Johnston and Dan Wallage from Sydney, Australia, got together in 2011 and decided to have some fun and formed a band. With a multifarious mix of banjo, keys, guitar and even a didgeridoo, they forged a sassy, retro-soaked folk-pop sound. Their debut single “Hold On” was released in 2013. Known for their rambunctious live shows, they recently set out on a worldwide sellout tour.

Steeped in vintage Fleetwood Mac flavors, their latest single effortlessly elevates classic folk-rock and catchy pop to a higher, tranquil and atmospheric musical plane. The salubrious melody of acoustic guitar and mellow organ tones gently stroking a breezy beat and their flawless opulent harmonies, enriched with a touch of gravelly rock, make this a divinely polished, auditory gem.

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In The Spotlight

Kate Vargas – “This Affliction”

Raised in New Mexico and now based in New York, this powerhouse performer grew up in a folklore-rich community. Her inherent creativity led to an interest in music, particularly jazz. She attended Berklee College Of Music, which rekindled a love for songwriting. She played copious live shows all over the world, showcasing her melodious blend of dreampop, folk and junkyard blues.

Taken from her latest album “For The Wolfish And Wandering”, this single is a spellbinding jam filled to the brim with dark blues-pop grit. Merging a prowling rhythm and anguished guitar into a vintage-dipped, heart-wrenching blues, it’s the smoky roughness of her hard-hitting, charismatic vocals, which have an unexplainable bewitching quality, that give it an otherworldly attraction.

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In The Spotlight

Maddie Simpson – “Woulda Never”

Infatuated by melody and rhythm literally since before she was born, this youthful singer and songwriter was exposed to the music of legends such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin. She later discovered the R&B sound of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston and set out to create her own blend of old soul and new R&B, leading to the release of her debut single “Love Me Loud” back in August.

Her sophomore single is a mesmerizing smooth groove, which pays tribute to the R&B sounds of the 90s. The laid-back beats, playful fingersnaps and retro harmonies form a mellow soundscape in which her exquisite, flirtatious vocals chronicle the highly relatable story about budding romance. Touched by the old-soul aesthetics in her, this 90s throwback is an intimate slow-dance away from love.

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In The Spotlight

Emily King – “Look At Me Now”

Born in New York City, this daughter of a singing duo regularly went on tour with her parents. Chasing her own musical dream, she left school at 16 and started performing all over the city. Her debut album “East Side Story” was released in 2007, which earned her a Grammy nomination. She won the Holly Prize from The Songwriters Hall Of Fame and opened for Chaka Khan and Alicia Keys.

The second taster from her upcoming album “Scenery”, due to be released on February 1st, 2019, is a paragon of scintillating R&B. Doused in sparkling retro glitter, it’s a playful dream about being able to show your ex how well you’ve moved on. With a groovy vibe of the airy, intricate orchestration, irresistible, sassy vocals and a Queen-like electric guitar solo, it’s a refreshingly frisky, aural delight.

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In The Spotlight

Jack River – “Confess”

Australian singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Holly Rankin’s alias, Jack River, is a drifter who bridges era’s and genre’s. Using songwriting as an outlet after the tragic loss of her sister in a freak accident, shaped the grievous intensity of her lyricism, while embellishing it with her zealous electro-pop sound. Her haunting debut single “Talk Like That” dropped in 2016.

Showing her vulnerable side, her latest single is an emotive and delicate alt-pop tune. Taken from her debut album “Sugar Mountain”, which is dedicated to her late sister, it’s built around a 90’s acoustic guitar and her translucent, heart-wrenching vocals. Pushing the chorus with a surge of an indie-pop beat, catchy handclaps and punchy piano, this is a shining, multifaceted auditory gem.

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In The Spotlight

Jade Bird – “Love Has All Been Done Before”

This prize-winning London-based singer and songwriter spent her teenage years playing gigs all over the UK, eventually moving to the British capital aged only 16. Influenced by the likes of Alanis Morisette and Patti Smith, she’s already had several TV appearances and won the Grulke Prize at SXSW. Mixing folk, Americana and pop, she released her debut EP “Something American” in 2017.

The airy, cheerful start with a playful ukulele and honeyed folk vocals instills a false sense of serenity, as the chorus ascends to expose the true rugged nature of her latest single. Reminiscent of early 70s folk-rock, the vivacious percussion and rhythmic guitars are a mere vehicle to carry the vigorous grit of her rough-edged, retro-dipped voice, making it a potent piece of vintage-styled folk-pop.

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