Elke Nominikat

Music

Blanket Approval - Two Broken Halves

“Two Broken Halves,” the new single by New York-based indie-rockers Blanket Approval, comes with infectious energy and a confident, joyous vibe. The quartet formed in 2021 via chance encounters and the help of a Craigslist ad. We asked Blanket Approval for more info about their new song, and Jack Matteucci

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Alex Lahey - They Wouldn't Let Me In [Video]

“They Wouldn’t Let Me In,” the new single by Australian singer/songwriter Alex Lahey, has such a beautiful and vibrant post-punk vibe that I cannot get enough of it! Alex Lahey is not always that obvious in her songwriting, neither sonically nor lyrically, and the track has a more

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VIDEO PICKS: Goodbye Karelle, JFDR, Nabihah Iqbal, Tapeworms

Goodbye Karelle – Moonroad When I first watched “Moonroad,” the debut single and music video by Goodbye Karelle, I had YouTube on mute but was instantly enchanted by what I saw: a knight in shining armor, in a bleak winter scene, in pursuit of love. Visuals that captivating are a surefire

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Ásgeir - Dans nos rêves (feat. Clou)

As longtime fans of Iceland’s singer/songwriter Ásgeir, we were immediately intrigued to listen to his latest work, “Dans nos rêves (feat. Clou).”  The new single takes the original recording of  “Borderland,” and puts it in an even more grandiose setting. “Borderland” can be found on Asgeir’s beautiful

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Fortune Child - Save the One

Recorded in one take, “Save the One” beautifully captures the raw and driving energy of live performances, not only a hallmark of rock music itself but also the alluring strength of Fortune Child. The Florida-based rock trio is comprised of lead vocalist and drummer Christian Powers, guitarist Buddy Crump and

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Super Plage - +1 (ft. Virginie B, Meggie Lennon) [Premiere]

French-Canadian electro-pop artist Super Plage releases his new album Magie à minuit today, and we are excited to premiere “+1,” the record’s magnificent lead single. “But I always say, one’s company, two’s a crowd, and three is a party,” to quote Andy Warhol, and so, for the

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Francesca Luker - Nobody Seems

“Nobody Seems,” the new vibrant single by young singer/songwriter Francesca Luker brims with urgency and buoyant exuberance. A stellar production by Phil Marsden, a groovy vibe, and fiery-charming power vocals bring the track home. This is irresistible feel-good pop at its best and puts the Bristol-based musician on the

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VIDEO PICKS: Arts Fishing Club, Harriette, Mega Bog, Sophie Colette

Arts Fishing Club – foster falls Sometimes it doesn’t take more than a scenic setting, a joyful delivery, and a fantastic song, of course. The new single/video “foster falls” by Nashville’s indie-rock band Arts Fishing Club offers exactly that. It’s like a 3:14 mini-therapy to enjoy

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Lilac Haze - The Ghost That I Once Knew // Lilac Haze [Video]

Based in Bath, England, singer/songwriter Lilac Haze makes her debut with a double single, both songs equally beautiful and beautifully haunting: the dreamy “The Ghost That I Once Knew” and the mesmerizingly mellow and heartbreakingly sad “Lilac Haze.” Asked about the inspiration behind the two singles, Katrina Swift (Lilac

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Aisha Badru - Path of Least Resistance

New York singer/songwriter Aisha Badru weighs attraction against the fear of being hurt again in her new single “Path of Least Resistance.” The track brims with sexual tension and possible romance and made me think of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je t’aime moi non plus,” but

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The New Division - Modern Life

When was the last time you heard a really good electronic synth-pop piece, one that made you want to start all over again as soon as it ended? A track that is sparkling and bright with a pulsating beat that keeps you going and staying invested. You would want to

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VIDEO PICKS: Alison Goldfrapp, Fenne Lily, Princess Nostalgia, Roskamala

Alison Goldfrapp – So Hard So Hot Alison Goldfrapp calls the music video for her latest release, “So Hard So Hot,” a ‘vignette’ and maybe that’s just a more fancy term for ‘visualizer.’ Nevertheless, compared to many other videos out there, this is an extremely well-done clip, which pulls you

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RVG - Squid

Melbourne post-punk quartet RVG of lyricist/frontwoman Romy Vager, guitarist Rueben Bloxham, drummer Marc Nolte, and bassist Isabele Wallace released the beautifully brooding and urgent “Squid” from their forthcoming album Brain Worms, out June 2nd on Fire Records. My favorite line from “Squid” is the mesmerizing mantra-like “Don’t go

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Body of Light - Never Ever

Arizona desert sibling duo Alex and Andrew Jarson, better known as Body of Light, released the beautifully catchy “Never Ever.” With that single, they’re also announcing their fourth album, Bitter Reflection, out June 30th via Dais Records. Body of Light are known for their mesmerizing, lush synth-pop, with special

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Nothing But Thieves - Welcome to the DCC [Video]

When I learned that Southend-on-Sea indie-rockers released a new single/video, I didn’t even need to listen to it, but I wanted to feature it already. Long time fan here! We saw the five-piece in December 2015 when they played Brooklyn’s Baby’s Alright, a club that, even

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Laveda - Troy Creeps [Video]

When I saw New York indie-rockers Laveda last Wednesday at Arlene’s Grocery playing a show for the New Colossus Festival, they thoroughly impressed me with how far they came from the duo I saw at Much More’s in 2019 and the quartet that they are now. No doubt,

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VIDEO PICKS: Akira Galaxy, La Faute, Royel Otis, Skott

Akira Galaxy – Virtual Eyes Seattle artist Akira Galaxy moves through an enchanted world, following a fleeting idea of love. The video, directed by Silken Weinberg and Angela Ricciardi, was shot in France. Akira says about the song: “Writing this song was a cathartic experience. It came together when I was

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Why Sun - Drift Dance

Danish three-piece Why Sun deliver with “Drift Dance” synth-pop at its best, evoking New Wave’s greatest, like DAF or New Order or more recent acts like Working Men’s Club. However, Why Sun are not basking in nostalgia but are carving out their very own, very danceable sound.  Furthermore,

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Madeline Goldstein - Other World

Los Angeles-based artist Madeline Goldstein released the slow burning and softly brooding “Other World,” a mesmerizing song that explores our innermost desires and the conflicts in expressing them. “Other World” is also the title track of Madeline’s upcoming 12” EP, produced by Matia Simovich (Riki, SRSQ, Body of Light)

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Oh He Dead - California [Video]

Washington, DC-based funky rock-band Oh He Dead delights with the exuberant “California,” a song that sparkles with fun and joy. Founded by CJ Johnson and Andy Valenti, the duo grew to a five piece. Thinking about California, a lot of images and possible experiences come to mind, yet CJ went

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VIDEO PICKS: Bella White, Fe Salomon, Hannah Rose Platt, Zohra

Bella White – Break My Heart Singer-songwriter Bella White channels heartbreak into a beautiful song, complete with a fabulous video that offers plenty for our eyes. When the video ended, I wanted to start right from the beginning again because it had me squealing at the stunning outfit. The silver boots!

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What makes a great music festival?

In anticipation of The New Colossus Festival 2023 [First published in our weekly newsletter, February 13, 2023.] Certain key ingredients are needed to create an interesting music festival. It starts with an attractive city. Then, of course, isn’t it all about the performing artists? The music itself. You would

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Tina Boonstra - If I Could

When we learn to talk about our losses and bereavement, then they don’t become less grave, but the experience becomes less lonely, knowing there are others who went or are still going through a very similar, devastating event. London-based singer/songwriter Tina Boonstra wrote with “If I Could,” an

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Olivia Reid - Runner's High

“Runner’s High,” the new single by Olivia Reid, takes you on a mesmerizing journey you didn’t see coming but one you are all the more excited to be part of. The track begins rather mellow, morphs then into a dancey, groovy number complete with saxophone sprinkles, and ends

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CHVRLI BLVCK - Why Did You Go

“People are already walking in my house,” sings London-based singer/songwriter Charli Black aka  CHVRLI BLVCK, in his gorgeous and irresistibly moving new single “Why Did You Go.” No doubt, there’s a lot of hardship and melancholia here when Charli states, “The furniture walks itself out to somebody else’