In The Spotlight

Larkin Poe – “Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues”

Nashville-based sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell are singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists who started their careers in 2005 as The Lovell Sisters, but in 2010 adopted their new moniker. Since then they have released 5 EP’s, 3 full-length albums and a live-DVD, played several festivals like Glastonbury and performed with Elvis Costello, Steve Tyler and Sugarland’s Kristian Bush.

The first, foot-tappin’ taster of their upcoming “Venom & Faith” album, which is due to drop on November 9th, sounds like they’ve taken their Roots ‘n’ Soul sound, dipped it in Southern Blues and played it at a Country hoedown. The Blues guitar plucks and howling electric guitar ride the varied beats, while their gritty, power-house vocals add pure passion to this boot-stompin’ jam.

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In The Spotlight

Ralph – “Weather”

Raffaela Weyman aka Ralph is a Canadian singer and songwriter who’s spent most of her childhood listening to the inspirational sounds of the past. Influenced by Fleetwood Mac, Prince and The Temptations, she worked on creating an unique sound blending the funk of the 70s and the pop of the 80s with modern synths and strong lyricism. She released her debut single “Trouble” in 2015.

Her latest single – the fourth to drop from her upcoming full-length debut album “A Good Girl”, which is to be released on September 28th – is lathered in glorious 80s pop bubbles. With the addition of an infectious 70s disco beat and contemporary EDM synths, the catchy 80s retro flavors and the vintage warmth of her vocals make this a classic, decade-spanning jam that can weather any storm.

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In The Spotlight

Dance Party – “All My Love”

Known for their exhilarating, red-hot and explosive live shows, it’s no surprise that the full name of this 11-piece Australian band is Dance Party Pyrotechnics Association. Blending retro disco with modern house, they’ve created a combustible, high-energy party sound. Performing both covers of well-known disco beats as original songs, they are the musical firestarters of the Melbourne party scene.

Dipped in flaming 70s rhythms, the original title track of their new two-track EP certainly sets the disco scene ablaze. With lively percussion, velvety strings and vitalizing brass providing the vintage fireworks, the addition of some sizzling synths and a smouldering electric guitar bridge gives it a contemporary spark and makes this infectious inferno ignite the sweltering boogie.

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In The Spotlight

Hippo Campus – “Bambi”

Band members Jake Luppen, Nathan Stocker, Zach Sutton, Whistler Allen and DeCarlo Jackson met attending the Saint Paul Conservatory For Performing Arts in Minnesota. Initally playing in different bands, they adopted their moniker in 2013. They opened for The Mowgli’s and Walk The Moon, played festivals such as Lollapalooza and Reading and Leeds and released their debut EP “Bashful Creatures” in 2014.

The title track of their upcoming album, which is due to drop on September 28th, is an effervescent slice of their signature alt-pop sound. Driven by a drum computer beat, the airy synths and the ever-changing added sounds create a sunny soundscape. The wide-ranging vocals of lead-singer Jake Luppen go from a laid-back smoothness to falsetto with ease, forming a catchy, refreshing groove.

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In The Spotlight

Laura Jean Anderson – “Love You Most”

Hailing from Olympia, Washington, this L.A.-based singer and songwriter was born into a strict Mormon family with a ready-made rebellious streak. Describing herself as “too punk for Mormons, too Mormon for the punk kids” she went out to discover her own path. She developed her voice through church, classical training at CalArts and busking, creating a genre-spanning sound rooted in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Her latest single is a gloriously sounding, musical enigma. At its core it’s dipped in a slick 50s vibe, complete with enchanting orchestration and an AM Radio effect, but it is so much more. Delicate drums, velvety strings and choral harmonies give it its vintage sound while supporting her passionate, soul-infused vocals telling a love story about heartbreak and denial, all while retaining a modern edge.

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In The Spotlight

Cecilia Kallin – “Station”

This Swedish singer, songwriter and model started her music career in 2010 as singer and guitarist in the Folk-Pop band Timoteij. She’s written dozens of songs for both Swedish and Norwegian artists and entered the National Song Contests of Sweden with Timoteij and Norway with In Fusion. Now also debuted as a jewelry designer, she released her first solo single “Runaway” in January 2018.

Set on a train, her third single takes a laid-back modern Pop song and tells the love story of a tough relationship, approached from two possible scenarios. Breezy guitar plucks and sprightly fingersnaps guide her lighthearted, smooth vocals through a beautifully polished, mellow melody and with the addition of a mild, yet lively drum, this is a dreamy bite of a delicious contemporary Pop pie.

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