Browsing Tag

Debut

Noah Hamlin has unveiled a debut of panoramic Folk romanticism with ‘Bluebonnet Girl’

Posted on 5 September 2024

With a vocal timbre that would make any fans of Cohen, Cave or Dylan quiver at the knees, folk singer-songwriter, Noah Hamlin’s debut single, Bluebonnet Girl revisited old Americana roads while injecting fresh fervour into the folk genre.

The Austin, Texas-hailing troubadour’s artistic maturity belies his 23 years; with oceans of poetic depth in the lyrics which paint a vignette of panoramic landscapes which become the backdrop to a love story for the ages, sinking into the sepia hues of Bluebonnet Girl becomes an all-consuming sensory experience for the soul.

The finger-picked acoustic guitar notes, influenced by the likes of Townes Van Zandt, puts the romanticism into mellifluous motion, exhibiting Noah Hamlin as not just another artist entering the oversaturated folk genre, but a true purveyor of artistic ingenuity. After one hit, you will be stoked for the sophomore.

Bluebonnet Girl was released on August 18th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

my•escy has made his Avant-Garde horrorcore debut with ‘Milk Teeth’

Posted on 15 December 2023

my•escy’s debut avant-garde hip-hop single, Milk Teeth, emerges as a hauntingly innovative masterpiece, setting a new precedent in the genre. Hailing from Venice, California, my•escy infuses his music with a unique blend of post-punk and industrial influences. This track is a bold introduction to his dark, visceral style, showcasing his ability to craft a nightmarish auditory experience.

Milk Teeth begins with a deceptively playful intro, a jaunty address that lures the listener into a false sense of security. This quickly gives way to a darker, trappy aesthetic, a stark contrast that is both jarring and intriguing. The track is imbued with horrorcore energy, its production, lyrics, and bars exuding a zany yet menacing vibe. my•escy’s skill in switching between the wild insanity of Insane Clown Posse and his own snarled, charismatic bars creates a captivating dichotomy that ensnares the listener.

The track’s production is a gritty synthesis of macabre imagery and sonic synthetics, transcending mere sound to offer a full-fledged experience. my•escy’s use of ominous synth-soaked beats creates an atmosphere that is both oppressive and exhilarating. The lyrics weave a narrative that is as compelling as it is unsettling, ensuring that Milk Teeth lingers in the mind long after the last note has faded.

Stream Milk Teeth on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Xther opened Pandora’s Box with the bloodlust in his experimental debut EP, A Disaster at Last

Posted on 8 November 2023

Pandora’s Box opened when Xther unveiled his seductively macabre standout single, Delicacy, taken from his debut release, which came in the form of his inaugural EP, A Disaster at the Least.

With bloodlust in place of the banality of lust, Xther, envisioned by the inventive Davin Casey, created the ultimate protest to the cultural quietude of Southwest Missouri; Davin’s musical metamorphosis stands as a vivid declaration of artistic tenacity and fervour.

After the stabbing piano keys tease a pop ballad, the throbbing synth lines send ravines of reverberance through the synthesis of dark electronic pop progressions and alt-rock manifestations of visceralism. If Deftones make you horny, I don’t even want to know what delicacy will do to you. The sultrily dark magnetism of She Wants Revenge creating friction against the future-ready production which highlights the dust on IAMX hits is a potent aural cocktail which will intoxicate you to Xther’s sonic reawakening which follows the dissolution of Davin Casey’s former hard-rock project, Story of a Ghost.

Stream Delicacy with the A Disaster at the Least EP via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lilypads found room to organically blossom in their affectingly sweet debut single, Ode to You

Posted on 7 November 2023

Lilypads set their bar transcendently high with the die-hard romanticism instilled into their debut single, Ode to You. With commercial and cross-over appeal by the smorgasbord as a result of their cultivated charm and endearingly articulate lyricism that is effortlessly complemented with the equally as affable melodicism, the tenderly refined duo is set to take the reverence for their sound far beyond the London music scene.

If your soul doesn’t stir with the dreamily accordant delivery of “I guess I never really knew just how much I ode to you”, you may want to check you’ve still got a pulse. Love songs may proliferate the airwaves, but Lilypads still found room to organically blossom as one of the premier indie pop acts of 2023.

The relaxed yet complex melodies are as innovative as they are innovative; the side serving of comforting nostalgia is a harmonious bonus element, which makes losing yourself in the gratitude of the single even more affectingly sweet. As Lilypads continue to rise, this track may well be remembered as the genesis of their ascent.

Ode to You hit the airwaves on November 3rd, stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The enigmatic outfit FAERYS has brought in the new era of electro-pop-rock with their debut single, Nova Scotia

Posted on 31 August 2023

The enigmatic electronic rock outfit, FAERYS, may be keeping their identity under wraps for now, but there’s no containing the hype that has amassed around their storming juggernaut of a debut single, Nova Scotia.

With a touch of Black Honey and She Drew the Gun to the electronic rock reinvention, Nova Scotia delivered a riff-rife rock hit that has left an international audience clamouring all over it – and for good reason.

Between the precision of the songwriting, the polished production, the hooky female pop vox contrasting the slick rap bars and the anthemic energy that oozes from the larger-than-life hit that embraces the future and sonically sucker punches it, there was no room for improvement, and how often can you say that about a debut?

Something (everything) tells us that FAERYS is comprised of a band of industry veterans who have banded together to bring in the new era of electro-pop-rock.

Nova Scotia launched on the 25th of August, hear it on SoundCloud and Spotify.

Follow FAERYS on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

North Blood shows us the lonely emotions in honest detail with official video for Postman’s Whistle

Posted on 31 July 2023

Taken from their upcoming debut album called Rolling Doves, North Blood are at their genuine best with the stunning visuals of a mental health trauma so many have felt over the last few years via Postman’s Whistle.

North Blood is a 4-piece indie band from the calming lands of beautiful Lancashire who have recently dropped their first single Supermarket Flowers.

“On our first practice, we realised we had something that excited us all and wanted to pursue further.” ~ Mick Bates and DRL

Hiding away the tears and watching the post stack up as the dirty plates start to crack under the strain, North Blood have made a relatable single which guides us through the terrible times that we all wish we could forget. Honestly, this is a great song and the video backs it up. Please call a friend who you have seen for a while as life is so fragile.

Postman’s Whistle from the Lancashire-based indie band North Blood is the truth. The bone-shaking truth. With a vocally serene aura and bringing us a catchy rhythm, this is a quality effort from experienced artists who get it. They’ve been around and know what the vibe is. Scintillating is one word to use. Hauntingly beautiful could be another way to describe this effort.

See this fine video on YouTube and take a break from the real world.

Check out their IG page for more news and views.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Brooklyn’s Foreign Saints tells us all about his debut single to pursuit inside, Here With Me

Posted on 26 July 2023

Repping Brooklyn to the max and opening us his heart to guide us inside the emotions within the debut Here With Me, Thomas from Foreign Saints kindly took time out and answered our questions all about the exciting 1st release, the local music scene, and his songwriting process.

Llewelyn: Hello there Thomas from Foreign Saints. Thank you for joining us here on our A&R Factory interview platform. Firstly, we love the name. Please explain to our readers how did it come about on your pursuit and what was the inspiration behind it.

Thomas: Thanks for having me, Lu. The project name is a nod to when I hiked the Camino de Santiago, where the pull of completing a journey named after an arbitrary foreign saint showed me the beauty in the pursuit of something in and of itself. It’s how I hope to approach making music — to make art in a similar pursuit of something outside myself.

Llewelyn: Brooklyn is the city you represent. What does it mean to live there and what is the vibe currently like? Are there lots of new music venues and where would you recommend we check out?

Thomas: I moved to Brooklyn two years ago from my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, and have loved it ever since. Obviously, it’s got one of the best music scenes in the world, but beyond that, there’s just so many people here doing cool things in every niche imaginable that it makes any creative endeavor all that more possible. Conversely, it’s easy to feel small when surrounded by the sheer talent of the musicians here, but what an incredible privilege to be a tiny part of it all.

Llewelyn: Please tell us all about your 1st single Here With Me and the upcoming EP?

Thomas: Here With Me is the first song I wrote off the upcoming EP. I wrote it in an afternoon based on a small idea I had at 3am the night before, which (unfortunately for my sleep schedule) is pretty typical of how I start songs. Part of me prefers to keep the meanings of songs a little bit undefined, that way they can exist independent of me and mean different and completely valid things to different people. But what was going through my head when I was writing it was the feeling you get when you first start seeing someone where you’re simultaneously relieved and anxious to have found them. Where you can feel part of yourself becoming wrapped up in someone outside of you, but the irony of them being the relief from that feeling.

Llewelyn: Who is your rock in life and someone who has really pushed you to reach your goals & dreams?

Thomas: I’m immensely grateful to my parents for their l encouragement of my creative pursuits. We spent a good portion of my childhood moving around several countries, and I think them expanding our horizons helped me appreciate more of the world than I ever could have. My dad was my first-ever producer, pushing me to write and track songs in his home studio set up from a young age, and introducing me to many of my strongest musical influences.

Llewelyn: Who do you make music for and what is the process like? Do you sit down and make it quite quickly or do you prefer to stew on the creation and let it flow naturally?

Thomas: I’ve always found the process of songwriting difficult to summon on command. Most of my songs start as 3am voice notes of little ideas, that I then quickly try to flesh out while in the right headspace for that song. It’s really difficult for me to let something sit for weeks on end and revisit it later. I’ve found my better songs tend to come out of alternating bursts of frantic writing and overwhelming frustration. It sort of balances out in a weird way.

Llewelyn: What are some perks about being a local musician and the challenges too?

Thomas: I’m just starting to release music, so I haven’t ventured much into the local music scene as a performer. Once I have more of my songs out I’d love to start doing some of the small venues in New York, but one thing at a time!

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Listen up to his music come to life via Spotify.

Follow more on his website.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Never Do You Wrong: Rumi drops lovetorn debut single Amelia

Posted on 8 July 2023

Showing so much calmness despite being let down so much by his ex-lover who showed her true colours via a voice message, Rumi has dropped a rather hot first track to get our moods into a hugely reflective place on Amelia.

Rumi is an emerging London-based afrobeats/afropop artist with a Nigerian heritage who has made a single to remember here as our hearts are flown into a moment that so many of us have felt rather intensely before.

This is a promising debut from Rumi who sings with deep meaning and heartfelt honesty about a moment which causes fragile souls to break in half.

Amelia from the exciting newcomer Rumi is a quite dynamic single which will change moods and take us back into a whole different world. There is raw emotion here which might get many to think twice about opening their heart, in a swipe-quick world which will ghost you in a nanosecond.

Turn this up louder on Spotify.

Check out the IG for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Interview: The hugely likeable Lucy Chan drops her much-awaited debut album Music

Posted on 21 June 2023

Telling us all about her debut album Music and so much more, the elegant creative Lucy Chan returns to A&R Factory and we’re so ecstatic to speak with this dynamic rising singer for a 2nd time. After previously chatting with us about Mr Apologetic in January 2023, it feels like we’re speaking to a confident but humble young woman who knows exactly where she’s headed.

Llewelyn: Thanks so much for your time, Lucy. Firstly, how are things with you and how has the reaction been since you released Music? Did you enjoy the process and would you change anything about it? What was the inspiration behind your project?

Lucy: Hey! Thanks so much for having me. I’m doing pretty good, I just finished up a week of study at the Berklee College of Music in the USA, which was truly the coolest experience ever. I got to meet and work with some incredible musicians. The reaction has been so great – I love it when people send me a message and tell me what their favourite part is!! And especially when people tell me it gives them a nostalgic kind of feeling, which is essentially one of the things I want to show through my music. As for inspiration, it’s a project that reflects all aspects of my life. The album is called ‘Music’, because it’s the one thing that can get me through anything. So, every single song I wrote on this album is really personal in that sense.

In regard to the sound, I really wanted this album to sound like the one genre that makes me feel the most excited and ‘at home’. The incredible Aubrey Johnson told me last week, that when you’re searching for your sound, you need to think about the type of music you grew up listening to, as that is what shapes you into you. For me, ever since I was a little kid, I went to rock concerts all the time. Billy Idol, Bon Jovi, Queen, Blondie, and so on; this was the sound that shaped my childhood. I think that being at a live rock concert is unlike anything else in the world – there is no better feeling. So, I hope that after my listeners hear the album, that’s what it feels like for them – that they’ve experienced that kind of Rock N Roll. I’m very grateful that I had an incredible band – Phil, Gabe and Aiden, who also happen to be people that are super close to me, bring my stories and music to life. It was the most beautiful process, and I’m super grateful for everyone that’s helped me and supported me along the way. My parents and my sister are my greatest supporters, and Gordon my mixing guy, Jack my recording guy – I’m so grateful for you all.

Llewelyn: Do you have a particular favourite single from your debut?

Lucy: Oh, that’s a good question. I think for me, the song that encapsulates the album as a whole the best, is ‘Music’, the title track. It’s the kind of sound that I’ve been searching for, for the longest time. Lyrically, it’s about having a special song with someone, and how it brings you back to exactly how you felt the first time you heard it, every time. However, other songs like ‘Over The Summer’ and ‘Compare To You’ mean a lot to me as well – especially ‘Compare To You’, it’s truly such a vulnerable moment for me on the album.

Llewelyn: Lyrically, we really like your storytelling and you really let us into your current mindset. Do you feel that writing is becoming easier for you over time?

Lucy: Thank you so much!! I think that as an artist I’m continuously trying to improve and grow, and it’s a process that comes naturally as you mature and experience new things. With this album, I was able to completely write exactly what I was feeling for each song. I do think that songwriting is something that’ll come more naturally, the more you experience. So, as you grow up, and as you meet people and experience things like heartbreak and love, the songwriting will reflect that. It’s almost impossible to write a song that doesn’t show your current state of mind, as you can’t lie to yourself in your songwriting. At least I can’t. But I’m hoping to continue to improve my storytelling, there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement!

Llewelyn: Please tell us how it’s going at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (The Con). It’s your 3rd year now…are you still relishing it and what has been the highlight so far?

Lucy: Yes!! It’s going great. Obviously, it’s always hard to balance my career with my studies, but I think I’ve kind of found a balance to it all. I only have a year and a half left, and I’ll be finishing up and graduating!! Definitely trying to take in every single moment, as I know it won’t be long until I graduate. It goes so quickly; I can still remember starting my first day here so clearly. I think the highlight of the Con so far has definitely been meeting people and being able to grow into the musician I am today. The Con definitely has a very high standard, and I think that’s a good thing – I’ve pushed myself outside my comfort zone so many times and it’s been so beneficial. The musician that I was when I first auditioned, and the musician that I am now – two entirely different people. It’s been so crazy. Hopefully I can continue to grow leading up to my graduation.

Llewelyn: What’s it like being a 20-year-old singer-songwriter and actress in this rather weird world?

Lucy: Honestly, it’s so great and so weird, as you said, at the same time. It’s great in the sense that I am able to do exactly what I’ve wanted to do my entire life, but also hard in the sense that these dreams aren’t rare, and there are so many talented people out there. I think for me, as long as I keep working towards my goals and trying to achieve these things, I’ll be content, and fingers crossed that I can get to where I want someday (if I’m lucky). I’m willing to work as hard as possible and sacrifice my free time to do these things, because I love music, and it just makes me so happy.

Llewelyn: We see that you’ve been back in Boston lately. How has the vibe been there and what have you been up to?

Lucy: Yes! I’ve just been back in Sydney for around a day. The coolest thing happened to me during my trip…Laufey was on my flight to LA!!! I got to meet her and chat at the airport as we were waiting at the gate, she’s like one of my biggest musical inspirations. She studied at Berklee, so it was like a cool thing that the universe let me experience before I hopped on a plane to go to Berklee. Boston is…the most incredible place!! I was there for around a week, just doing a summer course at the Berklee College of Music, which is insane…it’s been one of my dream colleges for the longest time. Being able to live like a student there, even if it was for a week, was just the most surreal experience ever. The people and teachers that you meet, are the most amazing. The vibe is definitely a highlight – you’re surrounded by the most ambitious, creative people and it inspires you to become a better artist. I had the opportunity to perform my originals there as well. I got to work with an incredible group of people, including a live band, vocal coaches, as well as incredible artists for masterclasses and I loved every minute of it.

Llewelyn: Lastly, what plans do you have for the rest of the summer and can our USA readers catch you live anywhere?

Lucy: Before I start the next uni semester (in August), I’m going into promo mode for my album. Also preparing for concerts and shows, I’m planning a pretty big one before the end of this year. I’m hoping to also use this time to write more, not just songs, but also the screenplay (s) I’ve been working on!! At the end of this year, I’m planning on flying back to LA, and this time I’ll get to actually visit, not just LAX hahaha. LA has always been my dream place to live, so I’ll be exploring the place and I guess preparing myself, for life after graduation (which is pretty soon). As for live shows in the USA, I’m definitely not there yet, but if I’m lucky enough, someday!!! Definitely one of my biggest dreams.

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Hear this terrific album on Spotify.

See more on her IG.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Interview: Essex pop artist Karan Karma leads us into his hot 2nd single Dangerous

Posted on 19 June 2023

After recently dropping his well-received debut single called Poison, Karan Karma opens us into his Dangerous and romantic-linked world and had a chat with us recently. We spoke about his 2nd single, the Essex music scene, his local pub and who he’s inspired by creatively at the moment.

Llewelyn: Cheers for joining us Karan. How has your summer been so far and who was the first person you played your new single to?

Karan: My summer has been good so far, working on a new track to release in the next coming months which I’m excited about. The first person I played my single to was my family when they were at my house. Everyone enjoyed listening to the track after it was finally finished!

Llewelyn: Dangerous is your hot new single after the debut Poison. How has the reaction been so far and what/who inspired you to drop and make this sizzling single?

Karan: The reaction to the song was better than I expected a lot of people who had heard the track had great things to say. Loving the vibe and energy the song gives off! I had a few inspirations for this particular track coming from Charlie Puth, Michael Jackson and Dua Lipa. All of these amazing artists are well known for their funky tracks which gave me the inspiration to make my own.

Llewelyn: Where in the UK are you based and how is the local music scene in your area? Also, where are the best local spots to check out good vibes? Also, who are you keen to collab with?

Karan: I am based in a town called Grays in the county of Essex. I believe, in terms of my town, there isn’t much of a local music scene. However there are a number of nice places to check out there are numerous pubs and bars, especially if you go to Lakeside shopping centre they have a great selection of restaurants and bars to visit. If you’re partial to a pub id suggest the Treacle mine which also happens to be my local pub!

I haven’t had anyone reach out to collaborate with me yet, although I have reached out to a few people myself but scheduling issues got in the way. However, I am more than happy to work with anyone and get some good vibes and funky beats down together and make some audio gold. I would really love to make an old-school R&B track in the style of B2K or Diddy’s I Need a Girl (part 2), If anyone reads this please feel free to hit me up if you want to work together!

Llewelyn: Your music is so thrilling and catches our attention. Who do you make music for?

Karan: I make my music for anyone who loves a good beat and a little old-school influence. Be it R&B or pop I love to throw a little funky vibe into the track. I try to have something relatable to whoever may listen to my tracks. Almost as if they themselves are in the situation. 

Llewelyn: Who inspires and drives you to greater heights and how would you define your sound to a complete stranger?

Karan: The people that inspired me to make music and who I look up to would have to be. In no particular order, Bruno Mars, the way he performs live and makes the whole crowd dance no matter where they are is something else. Not to mention his songs are always bangers.

Another would have to be Charlie Puth, as a producer and beatmaker he makes things look so incredibly effortless. Seeing the way he can piece together tracks or even just make songs from random objects is insane. I really love the attention to detail in his tracks all the little bits that make the whole production what it is.

Finally, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) inspires me to want to write better lyrics. The feeling and emotion you can feel from his lyrics alone are wonderful, then match that with the beats he makes too and it elevates everything. He definitely influences the darker side of my music and lyrics.

All of these talented artists push me to want to be a better performer, singer and artist and my determination for success is what helps me strive for what I want.

To describe my music, I would say if you love R&B or Pop music infused with a little funk then I have got what you’re looking for. I’m looking to incorporate a little more 90s and early 2000s R&B within my upcoming tracks scheduled for later in the year. So if that’s your vibe then join me on my journey there!

Llewelyn: What’s the best and worst thing about being a new musician?

Karan: I’d say the best thing about being a new musician is that I can experiment with a lot of things and not have to worry as much about restrictions. Not to mention being in the driving seat of my own story and seeing it build up slowly.

The worst thing id have to say is probably that you don’t get much attention as a new artist and a lot of people will overlook you or not give you the time of day. It’s hard to break through the noise. However, that just makes me want to work harder and push further to get to where I want to be!

Llewelyn: Lastly, what are the hopes for the future and what message do you have for anyone who has wanted to release a song, but hasn’t yet?

Karan: My hope for the future is to hopefully, be able to go out perform in places and showcase my music to more people. I also would love to meet new people that could potentially become good partners to work with and help each other grow and succeed! I’m very open to any opportunities I may and can get and grateful for whatever new experiences come my way.

If you’re looking to release music and are unsure I’d say. If music is what you truly love then post it. Drop that song, Ep or album whatever it is you’re sitting on.  The more you work on your craft be it producing, writing songs or singing, you’ll improve and alongside that, your music will too. If you post that first song and it doesn’t get the reaction you hoping for don’t be disheartened. You’ll see progress the more you work at it and just by posting that song you’re already miles ahead of those who are still not posting or releasing their songs. Don’t give up on yourself and trust in your abilities!

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Turn this up on Spotify.

See more of his moves on IG.

Interviewed by Llewelyn Screen