In The Spotlight

LAVELIN – “Addicted”

Based in Brisbane, this Australian singer and songwriter grew up playing classical piano and performing in the Australian Youth Choir. As a teenager she transitioned to keyboards and learned to play guitar. She started writing original songs at 18. Since she’s earned acclaim as JMC QLD’s Alumni Act Of The Year in 2022, performed in prestigious venues and launched her own record label, Ethereal Records. Inspired by Lana Del Rey and Kate Bush, she released her debut “Blind” in 2023.

Singing about feeling unhealthily addicted to the emotional highs and lows of a fluttering, enamoured heart, her new single packs her lyrical romance with an infectious blend of dance, 80s pop and disco. Taken from her upcoming debut EP “Forget About Us”, expected on May 24th, it’s the buoyant dance beat and fresh retro synths, all splashed with disco glitters, that create an insatiable melodic sparkle. And with her seductive vocals, this atmospheric groove is a flirtatious sonic stunner.

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In The Spotlight

Olympic Antigua – “So Long”

A successful musical experiment born out of the creative boredom of four musician friends from Valais and the Lake Geneva region, this Swiss quartet has created a refined sound, rooted in Stax and Motown Soul and splashed with a touch of blues. Consisting of Igor Métrailler, Kevin Ruffieux, Tim Dorsaz and Tiziano Zandonella and named after two colours of the Fender Statocaster guitar, they were dubbed the SRF-3 Best Talent in 2021. They released their debut “Mr. Preacher” in 2021.

Making a song sound both contemporary and retro is no easy task, but their new single is an inspired sonic amalgam that achieves just that. Singing about the fleeting nature of life and encouraging to live it to the full, it blends elements from rock, pop, classic soul and blues into an organic sounding whole. Taken from their upcoming EP “Heavy Heart”, expected on September 6th, it’s the lively beat, vintage organ, crisp guitars and their enticing vocals that make this a delicious brew.

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In The Spotlight

Nora Anna – “The Right Path”

This emerging Latvian singer and songwriter has been impressing audiences with, what she calls, her ‘little nostalgic story-telling hybrids’ for a few years now. She’s taken her blend of pop, jazz, blues and folk and played gigs around the UK, France and Latvia, as well as festivals like Always The Sun and Staycation. In 2020 she became a semi-finalist at the International Songwriting Contest. Inspired by Norah Jones, Joni Mitchell and Carole King, she debuted with “Over The Moon” in 2019.

Singing about giving yourself permission to get distracted by the beauty and love that life has to offer, her new single follows Joni Mitchell in having let nature inspire the melody. Capturing the natural allure in a soothing, folky soundscape, the song starts with a calming acoustic guitar. Painting a stunning sonic picture, she adds hypnotic keys and an organic rhythm, but it’s her introspective vocals, dipped in an enticing melancholy, that let this tune wander inside your thoughts.

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In The Spotlight

Xela – “My Watch”

Born in New Zealand and now based in Sydney, Australia, this multifaceted singer and songwriter starting songwriting classes at the tender age of 8. She was classically trained in her primary school choir, but afterwards joined Wellington’s School Of Rock and the New Zealand School of Music training in jazz performance. As well as lending her voice to EDM artists, she creates soulful R&B songs. Inspired by Nina Simone, Kimbra and Raye, she released her debut “Just Because” in 2021.

Paying tribute to wasting time while overcoming self-doubt, her new single encourages the listener to believe in themselves and to go for what they want. Instantly gripping from the very first note, the song starts with a funky rhythm and a warm bass line, slowly adding crisp keys and tempting guitars as the melody progresses. And with the hypnotic backing harmonies and her classic R&B-infused vocals, this delightfully blended groove exudes an infectious suaveness and style.

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In The Spotlight

The K’s – “Lights Go Down”

Hailing from Earlestown, this British four-piece band all met at various stages of the school life. Consisting of Jamie Boyle, Ryan Breslin, Dexter Baker and Nathan Peers, they initially established themselves as a live band. Slowly the venues grew, from Jimmy’s in Manchester to Rock City in Nottingham. They also performed at festivals like Isle Of Wight and Reading & Leeds as well as a headline UK Tour. Inspired by The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys, they released their debut single “Sarajevo” in 2017.

With personal lyrics stating that even though they’re living their dream on stage, they love returning to the normality of home, their new single shows an emotive vulnerability and honesty. Taken from their recently released album “I Wonder If The World Knows”, the track is instantly enchanting from the acoustic piano at the start. Injecting a bit of rock oomph in the chorus, it’s the rolling drums, wailing guitar and the emotionally-laden vocals that make this an extraordinary tune.

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In The Spotlight

Dea Matrona – “Every Night I Want You”

Based in Belfast, this Irish rock duo formed in 2018 after having met in school a few years earlier, when Orláith Forsythe and Mollie McGinn discovered their shared musical interests. Still teenagers, they started busking and their career got traction after uploads to YouTube. Since then they’ve played festivals like Reading & Leeds and SXSW, as well as a headline UK and Ireland tour. Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, they debuted with “Away From The Tide” in 2019.

Discussing the conundrum of feeling an overwhelming love for someone you know is bad for you, their new single tries to balance head and heart. Taken from their upcoming debut album “For Your Sins”, expected on May 3rd, the song starts with a breezy, 70s-inspired soundscape of a mellow rhythm, warm bass and smooth jazzy vocals. The radiant chorus of sunlit electric guitars sounds like taking a coastal roadtrip in a red convertible with your hair flowing freely in the wind.

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