In The Spotlight

Sametime – “Should’ve Known Better”

Hailing from the Sunshine Coast in Australia and based in Brighton, UK, brothers Sam and Tim Aitken began their musical journey busking on the streets aged 9 and 12. They also started writing their own songs and released an album under the name “Hoo8Hoo”. At the age of 14 and 17 they signed a record deal with Sony. They’ve since started their own record label: Duckfeet Records. Inspired by The 1975, Finneas and Coldplay, they released their debut “Where The Wind Blows” in 2017.

Telling the relatable story of having expressed a thought out loud that you should’ve kept to yourself, their new single explores the heartache a hurtful comment can create. Blending an 80s vintage pop-rock vibe with contemporary qualities, the melody starts with a shimmering synth, closely followed by neon-dipped percussion and joyous electric guitars. Ascending to a crescendo of anthemic sonic heights, it’s the exuberant vocals that add a virulent sparkle to this cheerful groove.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Charly Bliss – “Nineteen”

Centered around brother and sister Sam and Eva Hendricks, this Brooklyn-based band is completed with guitarist Spencer Fox and bassist Dan Shure. The siblings grew up in Westport with music-loving parents and started playing in their basement. However, it was Eva and Spencer who started the current band, with Sam and Dan joining later. Since then they’ve played SXSW and an European tour. Inspired by LCD Soundsystem and Lorde, they released their debut “Guppy” in 2017.

Relaying Eva’s fascination with relationships that don’t quite work and cause tsunamis of heartbreak, their new single tries to capture the juxtaposition between feelings of crushing devastation and manic joy. Taken from their upcoming album “Forever”, expected on August 16th, the song grips from the first note, starting with a lone piano and her rousing vocals and leading to an anthemic pinnacle with a rolling rhythm, soft strings and a lush sax, making this tune a tasty sonic treat.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Keira Gray – “After You”

Raised in Red Earth Creek, Alberta, this emerging Canadian singer and songwriter wanted to be an artist since she was a little girl. She spent her childhood teaching herself to sing popular songs of the time. Currently she’s living in Slave Lake, Alberta, where she still works as a server for her daytime job. When she’s not working, she’s writing and recording her songs. Inspired by Ariana Grande, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera, she released her debut “Summer Lovin’ With You” in 2023.

Inspired by her true-life experience of dating a guy who turned out to be moving on from girl to girl without any remorse or care about their feelings, her new single is honest and therapeutic. Telling her story over an emotive melody, the song starts with melancholic guitar strums. Leading to an anthemic chorus, she adds a lively percussion, country-esque guitars and smooth harmonies. And with her infectious vocals, this radio-ready tune is a captivating piece of modern pop.

Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Tom Webber – “Keep Calling”

Born in Didcot, this British singer and songwriter spent his time with his father and grandfather listening to anything from The Beatles to Johnny Cash. He picked up the guitar at the age of 12, started busking in Oxford aged 15 and got an Audio Production degree at SAE. Since he’s played festivals like Glastonbury and Isle Of Wight. and supported Nick Lowe and Suzanne Vega. Inspired by Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan and Paolo Nutini, he debuted with his EP “Stop And Think About It” in 2020.

Narrating the relatable realisation that, as time progresses, you don’t have that much in common any more with people you once called a friend, his new single captures a sadness from the subject matter in an upbeat melody. With an infatuating rhythm, 80s-inspired neon-dipped synths and fresh guitars, he forges a dynamic retro tune. And with winsome harmonies and the warmth of his charismatic vocals, this captivating song is both delightfully vintage and engagingly modern.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Angie Petty – “Many Onlys”

Based in Salt Lake City, this versatile singer and songwriter was raised in a family of musicians. She studied and was a vocalist at School Of Rock, where she gained her performance confidence. Since then she’s shared the stage with Grammy winning artists like Jon Batiste and Elliot Yarmin and learned how to produces, arrange, write, perform and record her own music. Inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse, India Arie and Moonchild, she released her debut “Something Special” in 2020.

Meant as a reassurance that everything will be alright when the tears have dried up after an unexpected break-up, her new single feels like a warm, comforting blanket. With a delightfully silky sonic embrace, she takes the softest elements of soul, jazz and R&B and blends them with some honeyed sounds. With a laidback rhythm, gentle keys and mellow guitar riffs creating an ear-stroking melodic heaven, it’s her sultry, soulful vocals that take this enchanting tune to another level.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Mike Evin – “The Ham In You”

Based in Toronto, this Canadian singer and songwriter has created a fan base from North America to the UK with his unique piano-pop melodies. He’s been honing his genre-blended sound since bursting onto the music scene in 2005. Over time he’s released six albums, an EP and a number of singles and shared the stage with Barenaked Ladies and Martha Wainwright. Inspired by The Beach Boys, Paul Simon and Laura Nyro, he debuted with his album “I’ll Bring The Stereo” in 2005.

Following the theme of his previous single “I Almost Called You Babe, his new single discusses the simple, yet important things we’d miss when a relationship ends. Starting this stylish song with an vulnerable acoustic piano and leading to a crescendo of keys and multi-layered harmonies, it’s his emotion-filled, storytelling vocals that capture the conflicting feelings of wishing an ex-lover well, while mourning what was lost. Reminiscent of 70s piano ballads, this is a bittersweet gem.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes