In The Spotlight

Soul Grenades – “Suga Mama”

Based in London, this 9-piece multi-national funk-soul collective has been electrifying the live scene and the festival circuit since 2011. Featuring a super-tight rhythm section and a wall of brass, they’ve played renowned venues including The Jazz CafĂ© and The Albert Hall, as well as festivals such as Manchester Jazz Festival and The Great Estate. They’ve also supported artists like Sister Sledge, Geno Washington and George Clinton. They debuted with “Tongue Ain’t Got No Bone” in 2016.

Teasing their upcoming album “Raw Pleasure”, expected on June 6th, their new single is definitely tickling our funky bone. Immediately kicking it into high gear with an insatiable rhythm, fiery horns and vibrant Hammond organ, they create a powerhouse dance-floor filler. With some whimsical lyrics adding a bit of humour, even reaching to an unexpected rap bridge, it’s the cheeky vocals of James Follette that infuse this blazing groove with some red-hot, high-spirited sassiness.

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In The Spotlight

Marielle Kraft – “What Do I Do With Happy?”

Hailing from Rhode Island and based in Nashville, this singer and songwriter starting playing guitar aged 16, influenced by talented friends who were jamming together. She began songwriting while in college and expanded her sound with synths and beats. In 2018 she won the Mid-Atlantic Singer-Songwriter Competition. Since she’s shared the stage with Mt. Joy and GIRLI. Inspired by Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat and Maisie Peters, she released her debut “How Far You Feel” in 2017.

Singing about learning how to accept a life of happiness when you’re used to sadness and pain, her new single shows that being happy sometimes needs some adjusting. Accompanying her emotive lyrical journey is a breezy, yet sparkling pop melody. Easing into the song with a mellow beat and mild synth, she adds a little more oomph in the pre-chorus with warm guitars, before injecting buoyant fun in the dazzling chorus. And with her authentic vocals, this tune is genuine pop candy.

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In The Spotlight

Jo Davie – “Nothing Comes Free”

Based in Brisbane, this Australian singer and songwriter graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2017. Immediately bursting onto the music scene, she was runner-up for Folk Alliance Young Artist Of The Year in 2018. Apart from playing various festivals like Woodford Folk Festival and Caloundra Music Festival, she’s also the lead vocalist for the band Cigány Weaver. Inspired by Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Laura Marling, she released her solo debut “Throw Me A Rope” in 2023.

Singing about how easy it is to get lost in worrying about something that you forget to actually enjoy it, her new single is filled with gentle nostalgia. The title track of her EP, released today, the song opens with a breezy, folk-infused melody. Combining a mellow beat with a wistful electric guitar, the notes lead us through a world of tenderness and vulnerability. And with the juxtaposition of her delicate vocals and a raging rock guitar solo, this layered song is a delightful sonic mixture.

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In The Spotlight

Seafret – “Wait”

Hailing from Bridlington, this British folk-rock duo got their start when Jack Sedman and Harry Draper met at an open mic night in 2011. Harry was playing banjo in his dad’s country band and Jack was singing. The band name is a combination of growing up by the sea and a guitar’s fret board. Now based in London, they traded in a mainstream record deal to proceed independently. Inspired by Tom Waits, The White Stripes and Bob Dylan, they debuted with their EP “Give Me Something” in 2014.

Narrating the contradiction of life of an artist on the road which on the one side opens up the world and takes you to amazing places, but on the other side takes you away from those you love, their new single captures the difficulty dealing with that duality. Wrapping their lyrics in an energetic, folk-infused melody, it’s the peppy percussion, spirited guitars and bright keys that forge a rich, vivacious tune. And with their scintillating vocals, this invigorating song is foot-tappingly infectious.

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In The Spotlight

Julie Eddy – “The Rug”

Originally from South Dakota and based in Nashville, this singer and songwriter began performing at a young age and spent her teenage years singing and playing live as much as she could. Since moving to Nashville she’s played shows at renowned venues such as The Listening Room and The Basement. She’s also written songs for other artists like Rachel LaRen and opened for the likes of Chase Matthew, Granger Smith and Dan + Shay. She released her debut “My Kind Of High” in 2021.

Singing about a relationship with idyllic dreams for the future, only to be betrayed by your loved one who pulled the rug right from under you, her new single is her trying to make sense of the treachery and heartbreak. Taken from her upcoming album “Playing House”, expected on May 2nd, she captures her harrowing tale in an emotive country-pop melody. With mighty drums, vibrant guitars and the fiery anguish in her vocals, this impassioned tune knows how to reach your heart.

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In The Spotlight

Strange Plants – “Horseshoe Smile”

Based in Halifax and consisting of Travis Flint and Matt Brannon, this Canadian duo are no strangers to the music scene. Having met 6 years ago, they’ve been in a few musical projects together, most notably the alt-country collective Hot Mondy. Realizing their musical direction was pointing elsewhere, they combined their eclectic tastes into this new retro-dipped project. Inspired by Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Tears For Fears, they released their debut “Tell Me All Your Secrets, Pt.2” in 2025.

Shining a light on a world run by phonies and narcissists, their new single shows the truth behind the surplus of fake smiles. Taken from their upcoming, self-titled album, expected on June 6th, they created a bouncy, multi-layered melody, doused in psychedelic nostalgia. From the driving percussion, 80s-dipped electric guitars and a trippy, Beatle-esque trumpet solo to Matt’s Beach Boys-influenced vocals, this vibrant tune takes the vibes of the past and moulds them into something fresh.

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