Browsing Tag

North Carolina

Joshua Dennis – Turn Around: A 2021 folk-pop playlist staple

Posted on 24 March 2021
Brand New Day by Joshua Dennis

North Carolina genre-blender, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Joshua Dennis has unleashed their affable folk-pop album ‘Brand New Day’ which will top up any optimism that you may be falling short of.

The instrumentals in the standout single ‘Turn Around’ merge indie with pop and folk while Joshua Dennis’ softly all-consuming vocals bring 21st-century modernity to the crooning soul-pop style.

If any album should be on a hipster’s turntable, it’s Brand New Day. Joshua Dennis’ commitment to bringing a sense of positivity to the airwaves is just one of the reasons why you’ll want to add him to your radar.

Turn Around is available to purchase and stream via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Eyes Put a Spell: Branndon flows in the love time machine when he is with ‘Tiana’

Posted on 23 March 2021

Whilst he feels like he is definitely catching feelings when he is around her, Branndon tries to keep it cool on his catchy new single about a special woman in his life called ‘Tiana‘.

Branndon Onyemem aka Branndon is a lyrically skilled Nigerian/American hip-hop artist/singer-songwriter born in Greensboro, North Carolina, who brings the funky grooves with him on a vibe that has you nodding your head in appreciation of his growing skill set.

“I use my art to connect to my fans, portray themes, and uses words to paint pictures for my listeners. My music takes lots of influence from my poetry, including my Spoken Word poetry which I post on my Instagram for my followers to enjoy.”- Branndon

He raps with consistent skills, each word seems to flow with the next and his quality wordsmith skills are quite impressive. The lyrics are all about his huge crush on this sweet girl, that he can’t seem to stop thinking about.

‘Tiana‘ from Nigerian-American rapper/singer Branndon, shows us his love for fusing his love for blues, funk, hip hop, soul and boom-bap all into one pot of tasty goodness, as he is put under a spell from a girl who has his heart beating rather quickly.

Stream this track on Spotify and see more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Learning to love as one: TwentyNine30 are scintillating on debut track ‘I Won’t Hide’

Posted on 15 February 2021

TwentyNine30 are a new name to immerse yourself into through their stunning song about loving your partner throughout all on ‘I Won’t Hide‘.

Durham, North Carolina dreamy-pop band TwentyNine30 make that kind of music that makes you reflective and inspired at the same time to be a better person and to deal with whatever is holding you back in relationships.

With the breathtaking honey-layered vocals of the classy Emily Pierce and the skillfully pure guitarist Jack Thomas adding in his incredible voice to mesh a intertwining bundle of glorious goodness for our hearts, this is a special song full of heartfelt treats.

Its so easy to turn your back and hide away when you find something out about your lover. Perhaps they are hiding the key to the real reason away as they are embarrassed or worried you will leave them. Being a strong couple and fully fusing your hearts together to be so madly in love so nothing can or will break you, is extremely hard but possible if you both want it enough.

This is the story about how two humans decide that they want to know each others deepest fears and secrets, so that they can fully trust and be at one to navigate life’s adventures hand in hand, heart to heart with gusto and that rare ultimate trust.

‘I Won’t Hide‘ from North Carolina’s indie-dream band TwentyNine30 is a pleasurable experience on the soul and they sing with such passion and the eclectic guitar piece at the end puts you in such a calming state- after the deeply emotive lyrics and supremely gifted vocals of that true love.

We might not like what we find inside each others minds and hearts sometimes, but if you love someone enough and can see that they genuinely are a kind person and have valid reasons for their actions, you can overlook it if when you look into their eyes you see true goodness, you know that they are someone you can fully trust and be with no matter what.

After all, the eyes never lie.

Stream this wonderful single on Spotify and see their next move on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Staying away from the undesirable reality: Trevor Griffin brings that classic groove back on ‘The Second I Said It’

Posted on 8 February 2021

Taken off his uniquely brilliant five-track EP called ‘The Sky Is Falling! the Sky Is Falling!‘, Trevor Griffin brings us an enthralling new single to thoroughly enjoy on ‘The Second I Said It‘.

Inverness, Florida-based and future North Carolina resident, writer, producer, alt-indie rock musician and Au-pair Trevor Griffin, fuses his marvelous mixture of honest lyrics and groovy energy to manifest into a real hug-close and don’t-let-go type of song, that has so much soul attached to its inner-woven sinews.

His voice is so clear and catchy, with a warning about how the economy in the USA might crash soon and that we need to live right now. With an insightful look into the currently world, he performs with that honest self-awareness that tells us that life is the way we created it and we can only get out through good music. That is our escape pad so we need to use it wisely.

‘The Second I Said It‘ from the gifted Florida singer-songwriter Trevor Griffin, is the type of song that you play when you feel like dancing to a real catchy tune to break free from those negative thoughts. He blends all his skills together to make your fingers click, despite the political undertones about current times.

The sky might really be falling too, so living life to the fullest and telling that special soul in your heart that you love them, is absolutely paramount.

Hear this in-the-trolley gem on Spotify and see more from his wild adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Turning classic poems into music: True Gospel Bookstore release love-torn 9th single ‘Fades Into Blue’

Posted on 30 November 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-480694573/october-30-2020-2-17-45-pm

True Gospel Bookstore (aka TGB) was formed by North Carolina native Don Edwards to record his poetry work and to bring it alive again through music. Now based in sunny LA, he also works with singer-songwriter Angela Michael, who helps brings his music to a whole different level. ‘Fades Into Blue’ is the 9th single release and this is an alt-rock song about that lost love.

The steady start flickers like a memorable time in your life when things were way more peaceful. In these dark times we need a hero to step up and help us gain that perspective again. His voice is strong and confident and the name of this band says it all really. He wanted to have a bookstore when he was at college and this would of help house a church too. Sadly he couldn’t get the lease he wanted and ended up working at various jobs instead. The idea stuck with him and now through music, it has come alive.

This is about that love you can’t get out of your mind. You were drinking your beer and life was going along decently. From that moment on however, things all changed and you couldn’t get enough of that smiling face. Sadly things didn’t work out and they left so there is so much regret sprinkled in here as you lost your faith for some time. You wanted to be together but the stars had other ideas.

His voice is full of life stories from that special moment that is now just a memory but also a pleasurable one. ‘Fades Into Blue’ reminds you of those memories that you love so much, but are now fading rather quickly into the dust. True Gospel Bookstore is a classic music creation that has been brought to life through lots of love and determination. This is a man who realized that hardly anyone appreciated real poetry anymore, so he evolved and made it into music instead; to reach a global audience. This is a true inspiration to those out there who have given up and need a humble hero to look up to.

Take a listen to true class on Soundcloud and follow the story via IG and Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Chasing that rush: North Carolina Pop singer Natalie Carr knows the party needs to end on lyric video for ‘Blue Lights’

Posted on 28 November 2020

Her voice is so real and relevant. Natalie Carr shows us what life is like on the run while chasing those tempting tattoos for a little bit too long on ‘Blue Lights’.

You love that feeling of danger and partying wherever and whenever you want. You know deep down however that this needs to end otherwise you will be seeing those dreaded lights a bit too close and things will change forever. You keep yourself close to that partner for the night but also have a plan to get out if the going gets too dangerous.

“I’ve found my stride in being honest in my writing, for everyday people, like myself, to relate.”- Natalie Carr

Her music is refreshingly straight forward and she gets to the core of the story without too much fuss. This is all about having fun and enjoying each moment as life comes, you wish it wouldn’t stop. However, you know that it needs to end and you should move on to better things. So many of us find ourselves stuck in this maze of bright lights, the chase that is so hot to begin with and then it burns out like a used cigarette.

With an honest R&B/Pop style that sizzles the ears, she is the ultimate partner in crime. The late nights, going on fun adventures lasts for a while and these will be memories forever. However it only takes one slip up to have this moment crash down like a pack of cards into dust and doom, locked up for something so silly that shouldn’t have really happened.

‘Blue Lights’ from US Pop singer-songwriter Natalie Carr is a breath-taking track and the visuals only make this song a sultry view and listen for the lost hearts out there, frustrated with lock-down days. The temptation and urge to explore again is sometimes too much to pass up. Taking time to take a step back however, is the safer but less fun way to go.

See this exciting video here on her YouTube and find out more about Natalie on her IG and Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

5 piece band Galloway glide in with the fresh new trim track ‘Buzzcut’

Posted on 25 October 2020

5 piece band Galloway glide in with the fresh new trim track ‘Buzzcut‘ and this is a song that gets your attention real fast and sweeps you off your feet.

Galloway are based outta Boone in North Carolina and they combines aspects of indie, rock, pop, and alternative to fuse into a tasty ice-cold beverage of cool music to keep you happy in 2020. This is the indie feel-free type of music that heals all as one. This is the song you turn up and close your eyes, you feel the goodness as it is glistened into your ears.

‘Buzzcut‘ from Galloway is all about keeping things simple with friends. Hanging with friends has become so much tougher but you know you need in life. To be really happy that is. This is a group that is only making true music for the soul. They avoid fake radio style music and this is the type of music we all need to support.

Click here for the Spotify page.

Head through to the Facebook link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

North Carolina emcee Top $helf Mega Ace drops lyrically advanced self-tilted 2-track EP

Posted on 27 September 2020

Top $helf Mega Ace drops two track this time and they are low-rider gems ‘Pain‘ and ‘Gangsta‘ These two Hip Hop songs are all about life, the pain you have built up and being true to yourself. With rapping, singing and producing all in his growing armor, this is an artist to keep an eye on closely. He feels and sounds ready for the next step up, a kick-flip onto a whole new planet.

With a gritty and real flow that buzzes but never busts, this is an all-pro performance that sizzles with self-awareness of what is going on in the world. You got to keep those painful memories with you, but not too close. You want to remember the pain so you don’t make the same mistake twice however you don’t want to get burnt either.

North Carolina emcee Top $helf Mega Ace  has released a stellar EP here with these two equally quality songs with ‘Pain‘ and ‘Gangsta‘.

Click here for the Spotify link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

59 Jay Breeze reminiscences on fire new single ‘Call Back’

Posted on 16 September 2020

US emcee 59 Jay Breeze reminiscences on new Hip Hop single ‘Call Back‘.

This is about not getting that call back. There was way too many lies and the truth was very far away. In this crazy world of 2020, we need that real talk. Not that fake, wish n’ washy chatter that sounds like some alien type of meaningless words but flies right over you, as you know its not your style.

Charlotte, North Carolina is the home of Hip Hop artist 59 Jay Breeze as he waits by the phone on this bouncy beat gem ‘Call Back‘. This time didn’t work out but better times await for this young emcee with a dope flow. Rapping is effortless for him as he brings us into these bleak times and heartache. Things will get better and the beat is meshed well to the story with the driving beat that is excellently produced.

‘Call Back‘ from 59 Jay Breeze is a top track that shows this rappers ascension in the often crowded Hip Hop landscape.

Click here for the YouTube page.

Head through to the Insta link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Pianist Barry C. Humphreys plays with so much heart on ‘I Know You’ve Come to Say Goodbye’

Posted on 2 September 2020

Pianist Barry C. Humphreys is back with his brand new song called ‘I Know You’ve Come to Say Goodbye‘.

Born and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California, Barry C. Humphreys displayed a natural talent for piano at a very young age. After just a few years of learning how to play, he was soon able to play anything by ear. He could simply take a request and play it without the aid of any written music. Soon after, Barry began to play his own compositions. Family and friends would often gather around the piano to hear his own beautiful melodies. His private shows became an important part of any family reunion as listeners would call out for beloved favorites. Barry currently lives in Eastern North Carolina with his wife of 54 years and continues to create beautiful music with heart.

‘I Know You’ve Come to Say Goodbye‘ from Barry C. Humphreys is a heart-felt song about the end of a relationship. You hoped that things would be okay but things have turned up a lonely alley. The piano skills from this well-respected pianist is of top quality as usual and you feel the pain in this song. A fine effort.

Click here for the Soundcloud page.

Head through to the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen