Elke Nominikat

Music

SONG PICK: åMBe - Ache

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/producer åMBe kicks off her year in music with “Ache”, an ultra-stunning electro-pop single. What might sound like misery on the surface, is essentially empowering, facing what ails you and overcoming it. There are some serious hooks in “Ache”, which all conclude in one big swirl of

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SXSW 2018: Q&A with I Am Snow Angel

A little less than two years ago, we wrote about I Am Snow Angel, the solo project of New York artist Julie Kathryn that “her brand of electronic music is airy and effortless, and her vocals enter your mind like a whisper in a dream”, which still holds true, and

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Song Pick: Pale Houses - The Ocean Bed

How can one single guitar chord hold so much longing and promise alike? It also only gets better as “The Ocean Bed” unfolds, morphing into an essentially optimistic track. The instantly appealing indie rock gem is the new single by Pale Houses, and will be on the Nashville-based quartet’s

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SXSW 2018: Q&A with Pretty City

Pretty City are the only SXSW alumni on our showcase, having played the festival in 2016 for the first time, and returning again this year for a second time. Two years ago was also when we instantly became friends with Drew Schapper (drums), Hugh Matthew (vocals, guitar), and Johnny Rock

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SONG PICK: pronoun - run

Indie pop-rocker Alyse Vellturo, who goes by pronoun, continues to create beautiful lo-fi tracks that snug on you and “run” is no exception. There are bright synths, pronoun’s dead pan vocals, some really cool guitar lines and a decisive garage feel to the essentially optimistic song, about which the

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SXSW 2018: Q&A with Blonde Maze

2017 saw New York-based electro-pop artist Blonde Maze, perform in venues as diverse as Music Hall of Williamsburg, Knitting Factory or The Delancey. As long time fans of Blonde Maze, aka Amanda Steckler, we were also delighted to feature her at some of our New York shows, and are thrilled

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SONG PICK: The Eiffels - Body Like That

“Body Like That” instantly brightens even the dreariest of days with its exuberant 80s style synth rock, an unapologetically optimistic melody and a party beat that not just kindly asks for the dance floor but boldly demands it. Glittering synths lines, sparkling guitar riffs, hand claps thrown in, and frontman

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SONG PICK: For Esmé - Doubtmouth

Wrapped in a cheerful, dreamy electro-pop melody with driving beats, the message could not be any clearer! Great song, fantastic lyrics and perfect for now and always, “Doubtmouth” by Toronto-based singer/songwriter For Esmé. The artist says about the first track of her upcoming album “Righteous Woman” (5/25): “I

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SXSW 2018: Q&A with Emme Woods

With six acts on our Official SXSW Showcase, only one will be absolutely new to us: the fabulous Emme Woods, who is making the trip over the pond from Glasgow, Scotland together with her four band members Jamie Logie (guitar), Neil McKenzie (trumpet, bass), Katie Doyle (keys) and Gary Gilmour

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SONG PICK: Goldkey - Faster

New York-based artist Mike Horn, who goes by Goldkey, posses all that is essential to make a great singer/songwriter: rich and smooth vocals, artistry with some instruments and strong songwriting chops. Goldkey’s new release “Faster” is another gorgeous example for his story telling finesse as well as intricate

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VIDEO PREMIERE: Lye Marlow - Headlights

With “Headlights”, singer/songwriter/producer Clare Moses aka Lye Marlow, created an exquisite synth pop number that is enchanting in its restraint. The key markers are Clare’s alluringly delicate vocals contrasting with the darker tones of the song, adding beautiful sparkles and optimism. We are excited to exclusively premiere

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SONG PICK: The Foxfires - Don't Give Up

“Don’t Give Up” is the latest single by New York quartet The Foxfires, and the title of the song is also part of a campaign dear to their heart. Spurred by the recent suicides of Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington, Christian Diana (vocals, guitar), Adam Alexander Kahn (bass), Christian

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SXSW 2018: Q&A with The Lulls

In July 2016, I heard about The Lulls for the very first time and was immediately taken by their laid back, intelligent but also delicate sound. We premiered “Bruise”, the first single from their debut album “Island of Daughters, and at some point, Rutger Rosenborg and Ryan Miller mentioned that

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SONG PICK: Knox White - You've Been My Girl

Even though the title “You’ve Been My Girl” might hint a melancholic track, Knox White manages to make the mellow vibe work for his super chill song and turn the sadness around, at least temporarily. “You’ve Been My Girl” is irresistibly gorgeous, with hints of mid 80s Prince

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NEW MUSIC: John.K - Best of Me

JOHN.K is onto something by giving us “Best of Me”, a super smooth, laid-back and highly enjoyable pop number. “Best of Me” is one of these songs that make you want to contemplate life, and then jump to your feet and start dancing thanks to its positive, happiness inducing

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SONG PICK: Earhart - A Cross

“A Cross” is the debut single by London-based indie rock group Earhart and is incredibly alluring, with its ebb and flow of instrumentation and full band vs minimalist approach. The band formed in 2017 and turned the obsessive home-studio demo-ing of frontman Joe Tennant into a live act with Daniel

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SONG PREMIERE: Bonse - Cashmere

British alt-pop artist Bonse plays with the possibilities of menacing tension and blissful release in “Cashmere”, the gorgeous title track of his just released EP with the same name. “Cashmere” starts with cascading synth-lines, evoking the image of a sun-flooded waterfall but not for long, because as soon as the

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SONG PICK: Bambara - José Tries To Leave

Gimme me relentless drumming, bold bass lines, fierce guitars and bone dry vocals, especially after a week filled with a lot of sweet pop and well, love. Nothing against love but there are times when it has to be well made post punk, the exciting kind! “José Tries To Leave”

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SONG PICK: MOTHICA - Lovetalk

Only two weeks ago, MOTHICA played Brooklyn’s new darling venue Elsewhere in front of a big crowd of fans. Together with her band, she performed three new songs that night, and while I liked them all, I can not even remember if I heard this stunner back then. “Lovetalk”

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New Music: Joe Wood - Had Enough

It’s this time of year again… no, of course not that one, the other one, the one where love or heartbreak stand all front and center. Come to think of it, they play a big role during Christmas too. But back to tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day: in case

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SONG PICK: GRDNS - Night Dance

British quartet GRDNS label their sound “Northern England Psych”, which is spot-on if their debut single “Night Dance” is any indication. The track is a beautiful slice of psych-pop, not too fuzzy but more on the bright and jangly side of things. The guitar work in the opening bars evokes

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SONG PICK: Reigning Days - Inhaler

With all the talk about rock music’s current relevance along comes a band who makes you forget about this kind of chatter and listen, really listen. UK trio Reigning Days have just released their new single “Inhaler” ahead of their upcoming debut album “Eclipse”, out on April 13th via

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SONG PICK: RubēHill - Apartment

Drawing from seemingly contrasting influences, “Apartment” is as appealing as it is refreshingly different. It is the new single by Toronto-based singer/songwriter and producer Alex Stavropoulos-Laurie, who goes by RubēHill and cites Frank Ocean, Gorillaz, and Run the Jewels as his inspirations for this track. If this sounds… intriguing,

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SONG PICK: Disco Shrine - Up In The Air

What kind of music does an artist make who goes by the name Disco Shrine? Not exactly 70s disco but something that is totally alluring and highly infectious. Jessica Delijani the musician behind the moniker has been experimenting with what she calls ‘bedroom pop’ for a while but is leaving

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SONG PICK: Junky Love - Hooked

“Hooked”, the debut single by London-based trio Junky Love is a gloriously fuzzy piece of compelling guitar-driven altrock. The band cites Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club, Nirvana, White Stripes and some more as their inspirations and they truly got inspired well. “Hooked” could totally come from BRMC, one of my