In The Spotlight

MAWD – “Wandering Eye”

Los Angeles-based Madeleine Mathews, aka MAWD, is a songstress and multi-instrumentalist, who graduated with a BA in Music Industry from CSU. Inspired by the likes of First Aid Kit and Nancy Sinatra, she’s created a modern folk/rock sound with a retro feel. Thriving in the live music scene, she’s toured extensively both in the US and Scandinavia. Her debut EP was released in May 2018.

Kicking off with a groovy retro rhythm, the first taster of her sophomore EP, expected to drop early 2019, takes an infatuating 60s vibe of the classic gritty guitars and adds a contemporary twist. Tackling a powerful subject such as jealousy, her soulful, textured vocals flirt with the potent, blues-dipped, folk-rock melody full of vintage flavor and makes her an exciting fresh artist to keep a close eye on.

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In The Spotlight

Hamish Anderson – “No Good”

This Australian-born singer, songwriter and musician started playing guitar at the age of 12, after listening to “Back In The USSR” by The Beatles. He found a deep-rooted love of blues and rock, with influences ranging from Buddy Guy to BB King and from Keith Richards to Tom Petty. Based in Los Angeles since 2014, he’s released 2 EP’s followed by his debut full-length album “Trouble” in 2016.

On his latest single he blends impassioned classic blues with a fierce rock vibe to spawn an exhilarating sound. Melodic electric guitars dance over the rousing percussion and accentuate his smouldering, energetic vocals, while a howling guitar solo ignites the musical flame. With a touch of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, this track shows off his fresh, ear-tingling blues/rock artistry.

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In The Spotlight

Shuffle Baby – “Feel It”

Jonas Hellesøy, Erlend Aarli, Didrik Hauge and Marius Haarvei are four friends from Bergen, Norway who got together as a band to create an exciting, vintage flavored funk-pop sound. Inspired by  Michael Jackson and Level 42 as well as Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, they have married the retro with the contemporary. Their 2017 single “Get That Gold” hit 100,000 streams on Spotify within a month.

Their new, synth-driven, single celebrates that musical marriage with a tribute to the infectious, danceable tunes of the glorious 80s. With a funkalicious vibe created by energetic drums, bouncy bass slaps and the authentic, retro-dipped analog synths sizzling on a vivacious, melodic hot-plate, their lively, audacious Rock vocals give it a vitalizing gusto, which you can feel deep in your soul.

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In The Spotlight

Swimming Girls – “Asking For It”

This Bristol-based four-piece band was formed purely by accident when they were randomly put together as part of a musical project whilst they were studying in Bath. Given the assignment to write a song, they realized that they all shared a fixation on 70s and 80s pop culture and were similarly inspired by The Cure and Cyndi Lauper. They released their debut single “Tastes Like Money” in  2017.

Returning from supporting Pale Waves and Fickle Friends, their new single is a nostalgic journey back to the neon decade. With a captivating pop-ballad melody, wrapped in all-encompassing 80s hues from the analogue-sounding synths and the ardent, retro-touched vocals of front-woman Vanessa, it’s a dynamic, vintage breakup song with a dream-pop flair and certainly leaves us asking for more.

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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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