Browsing Tag

Columbia

Columbia’s Craig Lewis Opened a New Chapter with His Debut Single, Everything’s Changing’ in His Sonic Rebirth Solo Project

Posted on 3 May 2024
Those Heavy Souls

The disbanding of Columbia was a bitter pill to swallow in 2022, but if anything can sugar it, it is the debut single from frontman Craig Lewis, who has lost none of his strength as a one-man powerhouse in his new project, Those Heavy Souls.

“Everything’s Changing” is a far more lyrically intimate exhibition of Lewis’ artistic edge, whereas the alt-90s and 00s indie aesthetic, inspired by Kasabian, The Stone Roses, and Doves, remains just as infectiously robust. As you mourn the pace at which our society is disintegrating from recognition, you’re caught up in the kinetically tight, flawlessly produced mourning of what we’ve lost in recent years. Everything’s Change is the ultimate salve for the socialist soul looking for a semblance of sanity and sanctuary.

Lewis’ ability to take a deeply lamentable subject and augment it into a rhythmically compelling hit is a sure-fire testament to the fact that Columbia may have never reached the stadiums that they were well equipped for, but that hasn’t got in the way of Lewis delivering euphoric swagger infused with a quintessentially British sense of ennui.

We already can’t wait to hear what is lingering in the pipeline from the artist who knows exactly how to hark back to the nostalgia of the Britpop era without assimilating. He isn’t just merely exploring intersections; he’s pushing boundaries to the point of deconstructing the framework of nostalgia.

Everything’s Changing will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 3rd. Find your preferred way to listen via Those Heavy Souls’ official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Desperate Times Call for Damning Juggernautical Anthems, Cardiff’s Columbia Answered That Call with Their Dark Psych Rock Hit, Disorder

Posted on 18 November 2022

Following the phenomenal success of their 2022 album, Embrace the Chaos, the Cardiff indie alt-rock innovators, Columbia, have unleashed the all-consuming furore of their post-punk-tinged post-Britpop single, Disorder. With the harbingering urgency of the swaggering vocals as they paint a damning depiction of our dystopic bleak modern age against the vortex of psych guitars, Columbia reached the pinnacle of visceral realism with Disorder.

I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a newly discovered band since I tuned into Desert Mountain Tribe for the first time. It comes as no surprise that their producer at Kings Road Studio described Disorder as the biggest sounding track he’s made with a band. It’s a juggernaut that makes no bones about dragging you into the dark disparaging societal view was born from.

Disorder is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gemïny has unveiled his electrifying soul-pop reflection on destruction, ‘Hesitation’

Posted on 27 July 2022

Stoking the soul-pop fire that he started with his debut and sophomore single, the Columbia, US-hailing artist, Gemïny, has added even more fuel through his third single, Hesitation.

Around the snapping beats, the kaleidoscopic glow of the delayed guitars, and funk basslines that amplify the amorous energy, Gemïny’s soulfully forceful vocals drive the single forward through its myriad of expressive progressions.

Lyrically, Gemïny spoke to everyone who knows how it feels to lose composure and descend to the depths of destruction in affection-inspired mania, which proves that love & lust are some of the most powerful drugs of all.

After racking up over 50k streams on SoundCloud with his sophomore single, Too Close, there is seemingly little in the way of Gemïny’s ascent to soul-pop fame.

Here is what Gemïny had to say on his third single:

After the heavier content in my previous two releases, with Hesitation, I used a lighter narrative while addressing the story at hand. It speaks to everyone that has done crazy things for a crush (if you haven’t, please keep it to yourself, the thought helps me sleep at night).

It draws from when I uncharacteristically got into a fight at a house party over a girl. I’m extremely prideful, but there I was, a 12-shots-in freshman, breaking walls and smashing tables. A bad look overall, but it encapsulates the essence of hesitation. The juvenile way you impress a crush in grade school; that conflicting mix of excitement and fear that reeks of teen spirit.

Hesitation will release across all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud and Spotify on July 27th.

Follow Gemïny on Facebook and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alejandro Woodson takes us into his deepest fantasy with, ‘Dark Dream’

Posted on 5 May 2022

With a punchy beat and an assertive vocal output that might cause many sparks to fly, Alejandro Woodson takes us on a wild journey to show us how much he loves his true partner in life with the electric new single, ‘Dark Dream‘.

Alejandro Woodson is a Columbia, South Carolina-born, Atlanta, Georgia-based indie alternative singer-songwriter who at the age of just 5 years old, knew what he wanted to do in life.

”Freshman year of college is when he decided that he wanted to make music his career after spending more time in his room practising, rather than going to class.” ~ Alejandro Woodson

Engaging us from the first second with a speaker-sizzling single to radiate your senses awake, Alejandro Woodson guides us through this movie-like story, to belt out a really delightful effort for anyone who needs inspiration on how it should be done.

”His influences are Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, the Beatles, James Brown, Prince, Stevie wonder and Tito Puente.” ~ Alejandro Woodson

‘Dark Dream‘ from Columbia, South Carolina-born indie alternative singer-songwriter Alejandro Woodson shows us a vivid imagination that just wants to kiss tenderly and get close all night. The energy is late-night here and loaded with passionate vocals that take you excitedly into his romance-packed world, that has his eyes alive with possibilities. This is a track that will have you look deeper inside your soul, to see whether you will tell your crush how you feel, or if you will stay silent forever.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Columbia harnesses the dystopic 2021 ennui in their latest indie-rock hit, Glory People.

Posted on 5 December 2021
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/hi39HJ1YjrvsKica7

Cardiff’s most visceral powerhouse, Columbia, created the ultimate embrace-the-chaos indie rock track with their latest single, Glory People. As sonically powerful as the high-octane psych-tinged rock hit is, that scarcely comes close to the stadium-filling energy that transpires through Columbia’s advocation of making the best of what we have.

So often, people get stuck in lament because their imagination can create better lives than the one reality puts before them; Columbia broke that negative feedback loop by serving the anthemic reminder that adversity isn’t the end of the world; it is a given. Just as the Stone Roses were a sign of the times, as are Columbia with their indie rock sound that aspires to unify through dystopic 2021 ennui.

Glory People was officially released on December 3rd, 2021. You can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Indie rock pioneer COLUMBIA breaks new psychedelic ground with ‘Keys to the Kingdom’.

Posted on 20 October 2021

Cardiff’s most promising act since Catatonia, COLUMBIA, put a psychedelic spin on vintage rock tones in their latest indie rock n roll release, Keys to the Kingdom.

As the kaleidoscopic guitars glide through the chords, the snarling basslines work with the anthemic drums to send the energy of the release into overdrive. Any fans of Frankie Teardrop Dead, The Kundalini Genie and Corvus & the Morning Star will want to save space on their radar for the rhythmically blessed raucous powerhouse. They may not have sold out stadiums yet, but their sound is already built for them. We’re stoked to see where their sound takes them next.

The lyric video to Keys to the Kingdom is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dance On Me: South Carolina rapper RaSean Parks wants her to get low on ‘Lottie the Body’

Posted on 15 August 2021

Produced by Ashton Harris, RaSean Parks enthusiastically brings the new pop-it-like-its-hot club single to heat up our windows, on his new exotic release all about truly appreciating her performance on stage with ‘Lottie the Body‘.

KP Baby aka RaSean Parks, is a self-assured Columbia, South Carolina-based indie hip-hop artist and music producer. He is an exciting musician who raps with a freedom that eludes many, as he shows us what he gets up to on the weekends, and with life in general on each one of his tracks.

This is the sensual story of being in the club and showing love to the dance-skilled stripper on stage who has caught RaSean’s eye. She impresses him so much with her body-shaking skills, as he feels like each weekend is going to be a good one in her company.

On a quick-fire beat that has your head nodding, this is a new single performed with a real intention and the lyrics open up the door so we are let into the members area, as he gets his wallet out and shows that he might be her biggest fan at the moment.

‘Lottie the Body‘ from the confident Columbia, South Carolina-based rapper RaSean Parks, shows us a man who has a massive crush with a gorgeous woman who certainly knows her moves. A late-night track all the way, this is a speaker bass-filler that ramps up your mood salaciously – as you enter his world of desire – for this highly trained dancer, who is clearly on fire tonight.

Hear this new audio on YouTube and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Long Live Kurt Cobain: districtmela sends edgy tribute to the fallen legend on ‘Polly’

Posted on 30 May 2021

Bringing forth a remix to a well-known Nirvana classic track, districtmela sings with such determination and poise with his version of ‘Polly‘.

districtmela is a talented Columbia, South Carolina-based producer, RnB/soul and indie rock singer-songwriter. He likes to chop up different genres into his creative bowl to inspire others to reach their goals, no matter what type of music it is.

You feel his heartfelt passion to make this a special moment and opens the door back ajar to when Kurt wrote this haunting song, filled with a story that still shocks many.

His voice goes back in time – as he fingers follow with skillful abandon on his guitar – each note played with such a gritty style, that has you off the edge of your seat at times.

‘Polly‘ from the multi-talented Columbia, South Carolina-based producer/indie-rock artist districtmela, shows us a man who remembers the fallen great with such admiration. This is a song that is an instant classic, and is performed with such dignity and polish from a respectful artist, who shows love for a lost legend.

Stream this 90’s throwback track via Spotify or Apply Music and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Before The Lights Go On: Cardiff’s Columbia drop lyric video for lively new single ‘Meet Me at Dawn’

Posted on 2 April 2021

Bringing us their top shelf sound with a zestful story about those temptations in the early hours after a night out, Columbia are dynamic on their new single called ‘Meet Me at Dawn‘.

Cardiff, Wales-based Columbia bring us that terrific rock n roll sound, as they light up the skies with that stunning and effortless delivery that reminds you of good times, as they mesh a captivating experience for the soul to deliciously immerse into with a huge smile on your eager face.

As we enter the story of a world where the night has finished but you want to be with them when you go home, even if you are both not really into it. You sense that they are in another place and this crushes your soul, as something keeps you going back even if you know you probably shouldn’t peruse this.

They thunderously stroll in with loads of confidence on a vigorous single packed full of powerful solos and passionate vocals that is a breathtaking listen, full of world class appeal.

‘Meet Me at Dawn‘ from excellent Cardiff indie rock band Columbia, is a bluesy riff-lovers dream – as this is a song that shows you that the heart wants what it shouldn’t want sometimes – as you just don’t want to be alone in this unsocial world full of self-doubt and anxiousness.

See the tremendous lyric video on YouTube and see their IG for future gig news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

An ode to celebrate our Mothers: Colombian Family man Karval brings us a classic on ‘Tu Sabes’ featuring the legend Lisandro Meza

Posted on 6 October 2020

An ode to celebrate our Mothers: Family man from Columbia Karval brings us a classic on ‘Tu Sabes’ featuring the legend Lisandro Meza.

This is a real song for the times that we are in, a song that speaks of love for the family, of wanting to hug their parents, but which in turn raises a prayer for those who they are no longer with us. This is a terrific message as lot of the world will certainly feel this notion. With a groovy style, with cinematic backdrops, this is a terrific new single for 2020.

Undoubtedly, this is an important stage of Karval’s career, as ‘Vivo Sabroso‘, ‘Take Out Al Borracho‘, ‘Feo Pero Formalito’, among others have been big hits back home and overseas too. You can also see the respect that Karval has for Lisandro, he looks up to him and they make quality music together.

This is a great song, no only because of its rhythm and lyrics, but also because of the teamwork of these two great artists, this is a sincere tribute that Karval shows to the great teacher Lisandro Meza. This is a real song that shows the respect these two have for each other: the rising star and the established legend. They only want to make great music and unite their country.

Click here for the YouTube link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen