In The Spotlight

Marisa Maino – “Ever Young”

The artistic streak running through the veins of this Nashville-based singer and songwriter bridges a slew of various forms, going from being a dancer in a Russian ballet company, via a stint as an actress in Los Angeles, to auditioning for The X-Factor. Inspired by Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Katy Perry, she shaped a vibrant and quirky pop sound and released her debut single “Hot” in 2017.

Doused in the neon hues of the 80s, her latest single bounces between contemporary pop and a lively retro vibe. With airy electric guitar plucks and oscillating synths creating a sweltering, vintage feel, it’s her vitalizing vocals, encouraging youngsters to make the most out of their young lives, that truly make this a catchy dance-floor sparkler dipped in a dash of nostalgic charm.

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In The Spotlight

Steve Obando – “Shattered Glass”

Born in Columbia, this multi-talented artist immersed himself in music from an early age. Having moved to Canada, he impressed renowned piano teachers aged 8 and at 12 he added songwriting and guitar. In 2011 he attended Berklee College Of Music, which was a musical wonderland for this artistic whiz. He released his debut single, a new version of David Gray’s “Babylon”, early 2018.

Debuting his first original song, this sumptuous ballad has a bodacious guitar riff, which is slightly reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but he takes the melody and makes his own ariose virtuosity flourish. With a hypnotic rhythm and vulnerable, yet vigorous vocals conveying a story about a relationship breaking beyond repair, it’s both catchy and compelling, as delicate and heart-wrenching.

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In The Spotlight

Marquis Sklenar – “I’m Moving On”

Although she was born in Chicago, it wasn’t until she moved to Florida aged ten when she discovered and fell in love with songwriting. She started writing her first EP while in high school and recorded it in 2012. Taking her songwriting to the next level she attended Boston’s Berklee College Of Music in 2013. In 2017 she featured on Nelson Serieux & EchoSlim’s reggae EP “The Awakening”.

On her first release for Essential Media Group, she’s taking her ardent, soul-soaked vocals on a vintage outing with a cover of a forgotten gem by Chyvonne Scott from 1963. Blending retro-soul, a touch of reggae and a whole load of seductive intensity, it’s full of rhythmic pep and a cheeky saxophone, giving it a certain musical mischievousness, while her passionate pipes add an incandescent shimmer.

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In The Spotlight

Cara Hammond – “Try To Love You”

Music has been prevalent in the life of this Welsh-born singer and songwriter from an early age, writing her own songs at 11 and graduating from Leeds College Of Music. Since then she’s opened for Charlotte Church, released several EP’s and played over 100 gigs throughout Europe. Describing her music as soulful indie-pop, she’s inspired by artists like Amy Winehouse, Paolo Nutini and Dua Lipa.

The second teaser from her upcoming EP “Nice Girl”, to be released later in the year, is an incredibly catchy, honey-sweet pop tune. The addictive chorus with upbeat, plucky guitars and vitalizing bass line has a cheery, summery vibe. Despite singing about a relationship with a no-good partner, her edgy, yet virtuous vocals shine over this uplifting bit of sunbeamy indie-pop, which is easy to love.

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In The Spotlight

Charlie Belle – “Few Minutes Off”

Based in Austin, Texas, sibling duo Jendayi and Gyasi Bonds have been taking their fresh take on British alt-pop and US college music of the 90s to many legendary Austin live stages such as Antone’s and The Mohawk, as well as festivals like SXSW since 2009, but it was the release of their debut EP’s “Get To Know” and “I Don’t Want To Be Alone” in 2015, which really got the global press buzzing.

On their latest single they’re adding new exciting auditory layers to their refreshing indie-pop blend. Taken from their recently released EP “Like I Love This”, a quickening beat allows for the cheery retro-styled guitar strums to trickle a smidgen of 60s-dipped folk over a laidback pop ballad and with velvety vocals stroking your eardrums, it is as smooth as it is infectiously invigorating.

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In The Spotlight

Jen Awad – “Basic Bitch”

There are two distinct facets to this multi-talented half Egyptian, half Peruvian powerhouse. Self-taught on vocals, piano, guitar and bass, she’s a Los-Angeles-based singer and songwriter with a dynamic and combustible vocal prowess, which blends the sass and insensity of Etta James and Tina Turner. She is also an accomplished fashion designer, dressing stars such as Bebe Rexha and Kali Uchis.

Her latest single is like a flavorsome bowl of fiery, aromatic blues with a piquant edge. Backed by an eight-piece band with a blistering horn section, she’s taken vintage-style rhythm and blues and sauteed it in a hot peppery sauce, to give it even more zing. Her impassioned dynamite vocals, soaked in retro-soul spice, set the zesty melody alight and cook up an appetizing dish full of fire.

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