KONGOS: Western Fog Tuesday, 9 July 2019 21:15 by madseason
KONGOS - Western Fog

weChameleon's aficionados may remember my post about South African alternative rockers KONGOS at the beginning of the year. The post presented 1929: Part 1, the first album of a trilogy whose second chapter is anticipated today by the release of the new single Western Fog.

With drums and bass that feel straight out of The Breakfast Club, and a guitar/vocal combo that emits refreshing, 90's alternative air, Western Fog bridges two decades together in three and a half minutes.

Lyricwise, the new single focuses on internal conflict. "Western Fog is about the unforgiving heaviness we feel at certain times in our lives," writer Dylan Kongos explains. "Learning how to truly love and sharing that with someone in need, can lift us out of the mire."

Western Fog is now available worldwide on all digital platforms (click on the image).

1929: Part 2 is set to be released on October 1, 2019. On the same day, the band will kick off their fall tour: check the dates on the band's website.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the band launched an 8-part documentary series, Bus Call - Life On Tour, which follows their story and gives a compelling and realistic window into life on tour. And, Bus Call is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video! Go check it out.

KALEIDO: Pretending Saturday, 29 June 2019 14:16 by madseason
Kaleido - Pretending

Detroit Rock veterans Kaleido have released a new single and video Pretending, an emotional and empowering song about mental health issues.

The song was co-produced with Michael Martenson & Jake Cemer (Boys Of Fall).

Singer Christina Chriss says of Pretending: "The only thing harder than the actual internal battle with anxiety, depression or addiction is faking a smile and pretending you’re fine on the outside. Especially after you’ve gathered the courage to speak up and someone tells you to “get over it”. I want you to know, it’s okay to not be okay; It’s okay to talk about it and it’s okay to reach out for help. Through my own struggles I wrote this song and I hope that it reaches everyone who has ever felt this way and needs to hear it: 'ITS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY SOMETIMES'."

Pretending is the first single off of the upcoming new EP NO RLY...IM FINE, to be released on July 19.

Watch the video for Pretending now clicking on the image.

CRIMSON APPLE: Somebody Saturday, 22 June 2019 19:26 by madseason
Crimson Apple - Somebody

Made up of four sisters (Colby, Shelby, Carthi and Faith Benson), Crimson Apple has built up quite a buzz over the past year. Following their move from Hawaii to LA, they signed with Amuse Group (Perfume, BABYMETAL, and ONE OK ROCK), have opened for artists like All Time Low, One Republic and Switchfoot and have also earned nominations for Alternative Album of the Year, Most Promising Artist of the Year, and Group of the Year at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards–Hawaii’s equivalent of the Grammys.

The group has spent the first part of 2019 on the High School Nation Tour while putting out singles from their new EP, Somebody, released last June 7.

Drawing inspiration from pop-driven artists like Paramore, Halsey and Panic! at the Disco, Crimson Apple provides a refreshing entry into the alt-pop genre. Somebody is defined by the dark seductive nature of lead singer, Colby Benson's vocals, backed by a definitive pop-rock edge from her three sisters, Shelby (guitar), Carthi (bass), and Faith (drums).

The bold new EP prominently displays Crimson Apple's unique ability to fuse multiple genres to create their own sound. Somebody was produced by the Benson sisters with help from well-respected industry producers on different songs: Satoru Hiraide worked on Somebody and Who Knows, LYRE (Betty Who) on Can't Get Out Of Bed, Shower, and Sorry Now, Damon Sharpe (Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez) on Who Knows, while Florian Reutter (Christina Aguilera) produced Mr. Maker.

Watch the video for the latest single and title-track Somebody clicking on the image and stream/buy the Somebody EP on your favourite digital music outlet.

POP ETC: All The Wrong Places Saturday, 8 June 2019 14:40 by madseason
POP ETC - All The Wrong Places

A quick one to let you know that POP ETC have released their new single All The Wrong Places.

The band's first song in over eight months finds POP ETC, comprised of Chris Chu, Jon Chu and Julian Harmon, taking a grittier approach with a song about searching for answers, love, & fulfillment in all the wrong places.

It's another awesome track from the Brooklyn-based trio, with 80's influenctions and a modern vibe... think of a mix between Howard Jones and Foster The People.

Listen to/buy All The Wrong Places on your favorite music service.

THE ASTRONOTS: El Dorado Friday, 7 June 2019 22:32 by madseason
The Astronots - El Dorado

The Astronots are an American rock band inspired by by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Alabama Shakes and Kings Of Leon.

The Astronots are spearheaded by its founding members, Niko Giaimo (Vocals/Guitar) and Allee Futterer (Vocals/Bass). The two are established musicians in their own right. Futterer has had years of cutting her musical teeth, backing some of the biggest names in the Los Angeles music scene, while Giaimo was an integral member of the scoring team behind productions such as Dexter and Dishonored II. The two come together on The Astronots, combining elements of their quintessential Los Angeles upbringing, classic rock, and west-coast cool. Now completed by guitarist Eddie Campbell, the group continues to wow audiences across the nation.

The Astronots have recently released El Dorado, their new single, an anticipation of their upcoming new album Cotati.

El Dorado showcases the band's signature sound of rawkus rock'n'roll with vibrating soundscapes and raspy vocals.

Watch the video for El Dorado clicking on the image.

YONAKA: Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow Monday, 3 June 2019 21:36 by madseason
Yonaka - Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow

Yonaka is a female-fronted four piece rock band from Brighton, UK. They were included in the Kerrang!' "13 Bands You Need To Know In 2019" list, so you know there was some hype behind them.

Yonaka's debut album was released last Friday, May 31, via Asylum Records. It's titled Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow and includes the singles Bad Company and Lose Our Heads, as well as the title-track, released a couple of weeks ago.

"We self-produced the entire LP" said lead singer  Theresa Jarvis, adding "The album's title, Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow, is a message about reaching out to someone, picking up the phone and making a call; it's about knowing it's okay to not be okay. The title-track is a personal favourite of mine. We can't wait to release the album and we hope it resonates with our fans as much as it does with us."

Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow is a very impressive Alternative Rock album: strong songwriting, hard-hitting songs with a good dose of melody in them, and a singer with a great presence and a passionate voice.

Stream Don't Wait 'Til Tomorrow on Spotify now!

The Royal Concept - The Man Without Qualities

Alternative pop rockers The Royal Concept independently released their brand new album last Friday, May 24: titled The Man Without Qualities, it's the second full-length album for the Swedish band and the follow-up to their 2015's Smile EP.

The Man Without Qualities was recorded in Boulevard Recordings in Hollywood and produced by the band with long-time collaborator Chris Seefried (Lana Del Rey, Larkin Poe, Counting Crows).

Chock-full of addictive, perfectly crafted pop rock songs, led by flickering synths and driving guitar rhythms - check as examples the singles Need To Know and Up All Night - The Man Without Qualities is the perfect record for fans of the solar side of music.

Stream this awesome record on Spotify now clicking on the image.

SILVER RELICS: Generic. Thursday, 23 May 2019 22:38 by madseason
Silver Relics - Generic.

Silver Relics is a New York City-based rock band formed by vocalist/multi instrumentalist/songwriter Alex Sepassi and drummer Justin Alvis.

Drawing influence from the iconic British songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s and brooding '80s rock, Silver Relics deliver a psychedelic sound that simultaneously smolders and electrifies with fierce energy, conjuring vibrant technicolor dreams and scenes of breathtaking adventure.

After relocating to New York in the Spring of 2017, Sepassi and Alvis were determined to record a collection of songs prior to their departure. "What makes these songs different for me is how we were able to capture a snapshot of all the things that surround a life changing move in a very short period of time... the excitement, the uncertainty, the risk, the anticipation, the massive fucking anxiety just to name a handful," Sepassi says. "I think these are experiences that a lot of people go through often and you certainly don't have to move across the country to identify with this concept. It's very human."

Silver Relics continue to resonate with their listeners and to extend their reach since they began performing on New York stages in late 2017. Their live performance and style has often been compared to their artistic influences: Depeche Mode, The Cure, Duran Duran, Joy Division, The Verve, Nirvana, The Stone Roses, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, The Doors, Pink Floyd and The Beatles.

Silver Relics have just released their debut album, Generic.: throbbing with urgency, it is a thrilling collection that focuses on change and all of the complicated feelings that go with it.

Get Generic. on iTunes or stream it now on Spotify clicking on the image.