Browsing Tag

Virginia

Find Myself: Qadian-raised rapper JJ VirK lets his actions do the talking on ‘Free’

Posted on 30 November 2021

Showing us his ever-evolving artistry with UK-based sound engineer, AdamLewis, JJ VirK is at his untouchable best with the latest track from his expanding collection which is all about being ‘Free‘.

JJ VirK is a tunnel-focused Qadian, India-born, Centreville, Virginia-based indie hip-hop artist who grew up listening to the greats like Eminem, Nas and 50 Cent.

”Having spent years learning, implementing, and finding his sound, now ready to take his music to the forefront of the industry. His first EP “Dreams To A Process” EP was an incapsulation of this journey so far.” ~ JJ VirK

JJ VirK displays a high echelon rap skill that shows us what he has been working tirelessly on all these years. He is totally honest and cautions us that it’s not at all about being cool and flashy like so many think they need to be. On a busty beat that seems to fit like a glove with an artist like this, you feel like you have just unearthed one of the most criminally underrated hip-hop artists in the world.

‘Free‘ from the Qadian, India-born, Centreville, Virginia-based indie hip-hop solo artist JJ VirK, is a  full-powered track that shows us his unbelievable technique that is highly underground and profoundly effective. He just wants to be authentic and stay away from the sheep who keep on getting sucked into the false narrative, that has so many lost in the wind like a lonely sock without a shoe to fit inside.

Hear this top new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Queer RnB pop trailblazer CovNasty has released his most candid single to date with ‘Indecisive’.

Posted on 19 October 2021

The active-duty LGBT US Marine and trailblazing RnB pop artist and producer, CovNasty, has dropped his latest feat of brazenly honest soul, Indecisive, which explores the indecision that plagues us before inevitable endings.

CovNasty finds an affectionate and impassioned way to prove that doubt can hurt just as much as the separation that follows in the up-vibe sleek track that puts emotion at the forefront. Around the harsh snares, the intricate guitar notes bring an intoxicating accordance amount of soul to the mix that delivers emboldening urban poetry.

It comes as no surprise that so many pop fans have found infatuation with his songwriting style that constantly pushes past the superficial to deliver real talk.

Indecisive is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Dramatic Crescendo Of Enveloping Sonority: Virginia-based composer/pianist Martin Graff takes us places beyond our current mindsets with ‘Sonare’

Posted on 13 September 2021

Taken off his recent eight-track album called ‘Trips for Piano‘, Martin Graff brings us much enlightened peace for our worried souls with a song that will have you feeling purified again with ‘Sonare‘.

Martin Graff is a mightily skilled composer-pianist, illustrator, writer and spoken-word performer, who based in safe and flourishing Arlington, Virginia.

With one of the most impressive chin-beards you will ever see, he uses these superpowers to make the type of music you can just sit back with, and let it lather a web of pureness all over your willing body.

”At four, his family inherited an old, anonymous piano, and Marty surged with an uncontainable energy to climb onto the bench and dig his hands into those eight-eight bits of clay, instinctively molding them into little aural landscapes. Crude and square at first; at last, faceted gems after a lifetime of practice, polish, and love.” ~ Martin Graff

With a calming ambiance and featuring a wizard-like level of genius proportions, which certainly has you dazzled and perhaps a tad flustered at times. His remarkable style is truly translucent – as he picks up your bad mood to flip it around – and brings you back into a much happier space in the world, where you may feel so much more satisfied with life.

”Making this music is the opposite of death, like the centrifugal force around the sharpest bend of the greatest roller coaster. A re-harmonizing of my most tumultuous internal cacophonies and maybe yours. So, listen up as I bang on this gong from the Gods! As the resonance of these radiant compositions fill your ear and make their way to your heart.” ~ Martin Graff

‘Sonare‘ from the multi-skilled Virginia-based composer-pianist Martin Graff, is a lovely piece of art from a highly skilled artist who brings so much joy to many. His excellent technique is truly incredible and sadly underrated, as he plays with a true love for what he does. This is a song which will sooth many a soul, and bring you back to a place in time where you feel most content.

The true aim of music is to bring us together and heal the wounds of the past after all.

See this new video and score on YouTube and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Sleep This Off: Virginia band Out on the Weekend go big on the true life ‘After Party’

Posted on 9 May 2021
After Party by Out on the Weekend

With a driving sound that reminds you of the good times that have sadly passed, Out on the Weekend ditch the keys somewhere in the bushes and go all out with ‘After Party‘.

Out on the Weekend is an exciting alt-rock band from Charlottesville, Virginia, which is the quality music project of singer-songwriter, audio engineer and producer Nathan Scholz.

The thumping drums wakes you up from the thirsty slumber as his passionate vocals gets you off the grass where you passed out, and has you trying to remember what actually happened. Lots of fun was had but now its gotten a bit too out of hand, as you have lost the path where you originally wanted to go.

This is the story about the big night out that turned into years — with people coming and going as you forget the names of the people you meet — and lose yourself completely to those cold beverages, that seem to go down a bit too easily than they should.

‘After Party‘ from Virginia alt-rockers Out on the Weekend, shows us into the party that got a bit out of hand — as the 90s rock nostalgia blows over the empty beer cans and gives you chills — with the realness attached the hurting hangover. Sometimes the fun can go a bit too far and has you asking yourself if you can actually change, or will you be stuck in the haze forever.

Hear this honest new single on Bandcamp and check out the IG for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Be There For You: Vibrant Virginia band Franklin Gotham wishes they could offer support on ‘I Can’t’

Posted on 6 May 2021

As he wonders why he can’t be there like she was for him, Franklin Gotham returns with a striking story about how sometimes the heart just won’t let you get in too deep on ‘I Can’t‘.

Franklin Gotham is a likable pop infused Americana three-piece act from Alexandria, Virginia. They bring that catchy music to the fore, that has your heart alight with possibilities, whilst providing us a soundtrack to jump right into the upcoming summer days.

With a punchy acoustic tone and fresh vocals that entrenches in your mind, you feel the sense of regret in his voice as he knows that he needs to be there, but just isn’t able as she has moved on and you miss those moments together.

The visuals are fun to watch on this exciting music video at the fair — and you feel engrossed into their story that you have felt before in your life — when you needed to be present to help out.

‘I Can’t’ from the awesome three-piece Alexandria, Virginia band Franklin Gotham, shows us into the light to where you want to be but feel its best to rather give them space. You know you need to do this simple thing, however you are madly in love with them and don’t want to ruin that special friendship.

Stream this catchy video on YouTube and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Breaking Free: Atlanta singer Jennifer Jess shows that she is ready to make moves on ‘I Got Me’

Posted on 18 April 2021

After being inspired by her Mom who used to sing around the house, Jennifer Jess has made music her true focus and returns with the self-starter anthem called ‘I Got Me‘.

Jennifer Jess is an Arlington, Virginia-born, Atlanta, Georgia-raised, indie pop singer-songwriter with an urge to grow each day, as she sings with a glorious vocal ability that is crisp and such an ear-catching delight to immerse eagerly into.

“When I get ready to write a song, I try and pull up all of the feelings and emotions I have kept deep down inside for awhile. I give them a moment of release, and that’s when I put my pen to paper.”- Jennifer Jess

This is the story of that build up to this moment, the road has been long and there have been many sleepless nights. She doubted herself for a while but for no longer, her belief is so easy to see during her terrific vocal performance here.

The beat is catchy and sweet, you find yourself wanting her to succeed as she seems to have that genuine energy and desire to succeed.

‘I Got Me‘ from the spectacular talent of Georgia’s Jennifer Jess, is a wonderful single that captures the imagination and mood of an extremely focused woman who found herself and is ready to express her story to the world. After being inside for too long, she wants to makes moves and has that special glint in her eyes that proves her words correct.

When you are ready, you just know deep inside that its time to shine.

Head through to see this vibrant video on her YouTube and follow her IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

One Night Won’t Kill Me: Virginia four-piece rock band Azure Wolf find their self-assurance with ‘Black Fur’

Posted on 9 April 2021

After recently signing to Pittsburgh label DI Records, Azure Wolf are back with their latest single that signifies their resilience as a band on ‘Black Fur’.

Azure Wolf is a female-fronted four-piece indie rock band from Winchester, Virginia. They skillfully filter out all the undesirable noise around them, to give us meaningful music that is so full of real soul and striking relevance.

“‘Black Fur’ is a deeply personal song that resonates more and more every time I sing it. For me, it’s a ballad of freedom and letting go of some of the darkness in my past. It’s a reminder to take off my mask and confront my demons. It feels good to finally release this one”.- Victoria Backle (Vocals/Guitar), Azure Wolf

This is story about staying strong no matter what, as you know that better days are ahead despite how you feel right now. We find a storyteller who has been wanting to express these emotions for a while and feels very relieved for it — with a fine band who back her up mightily — with a deeply satisfying soundscape of epic proportions.

‘Black Fur’ from the Apple Capital natives Azure Wolf, is a deliciously deep bite into a stirring song that shows us that loneliness can strike at any time — no matter who you are — as you search for that feeling of escape from those times you wish you weren’t going through.

With a stunning sound, gloriously elegant and honest lyrics with breathtaking vocals, this a quality effort that resonates so much to current times, as well as to the past that can’t define you.

Stream this new track on Spotify and see more news on their IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I Got The Playbook: MC Rae is ready to ball out on raw debut track ‘Talk My Shit’

Posted on 31 March 2021

Cruising in with his passionate delivery that has been slowly forming for years during his army tours, MC Rae is ready for more in his life through music, on his debut track called ‘Talk My Shit‘.

Kinney McRae II aka MC Rae, is a motivated American hip-hop rapper, courageous US Army soldier who has served in Kuwait and Korea, proudly a Newport News, Virginia-born native, who makes that energetic music about how he sees his local neighborhood and what struggles are present each day.

His raps with that raw enthusiasm, his pen and paper has been busy for many years since he was young, waiting for the moment to express his feelings on what are really the issues with his country that he serves, but wishes was fairer for all.

This is the story about being ready to conquer his dreams now, he feels confident in his bars after taking heat from small minded folks before, who will be really quiet as he rises in the game to claim his spot.

‘Talk My Shit‘ from Virginia soldier/emcee MC Rae, who flows in with a barrage of truths about modern day society in his hood as the current political mess only swirls in and hurts the small businesses and hard working folks, who just want to work hard and put food on the table.

This is a socially conscious track that lifts the lid on what is really going on away from the television channels, as deep music like this always tells you the truth.

See this track on YouTube and follow his journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Seeking divine intervention: Virginia Gospel group No Fear speak up on the current horrific social injustice and violence in the USA on ‘Hard To Live Without You Lord’

Posted on 9 February 2021

No Fear sing about how it is ‘Hard To Live Without You Lord‘ on this incredibly inspiring new soulfully-aware single that calls for change in America. The suffering of people of color in society must end now as peace and love always needs to prevail.

Three-piece Virginia-based Christian/Gospel RnB group No Fear, join hands and vocals to spread a peaceful influence of hope to all the folks out there that need guidance in this time of need. These fine role models sing so beautifully together and add a really important message when there is so much confusion out there on the streets right now.

They perform with a real genuine heartfelt energy that sees them sparkle like a bright star up above. These ladies are a true beacon of hope in a world that is so full of divisiveness and hate- that has been building up for many a year.

This fine single is released off Studio628 Music, who are an independent music production service and studio, run by music producer Jaymes Hodges.

”A video about the injustice and violence that’s occurring in our society. As people struggle to challenge the system, the powers in charge resist the cry of the people. Only divine intervention will change the hearts of those in control of our justice system.”- Studio628 Music

With stunning vocals that only sends peaceful energy love-bows to bring peace to our hearts, these three ladies sing with such tender care in their voices and the video is so well-made with protests, graffiti painted buildings and vivid visuals- that make you realize that change is possible if we want it enough.

‘Hard To Live Without You Lord‘ from the wonderfully pure voices of No Fear, is a terrific music video and song that is made with the only intention to spread the message of what is really going on in the USA and to ask for help from above.

In life, we are defined by what we do when the going gets tough. This is one of those moments where talented musicians have spoken up. Change must happen and if we all join our hands together and work as a team while glorious music like this is being sung from the heart, we can achieve anything and do what is right for future generations.

See the important march to raising awareness on YouTube and see more on FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Be in the moment: Claya Earth urges us to let go and just ‘Feel It’ (feat. Konstructakons Music)

Posted on 29 January 2021

Claya Earth wants us to ‘Feel It‘ (feat. Konstructakons Music) on her spectacular new single that will have you singing along at the top of your lungs.

Virginia Beach, Virginia native Claya Earth is a soulful r&b songwriter who sings with that extra flair and imagination needed to standout from the rest of the crowd. She brings in quality production in the form of beat makers deluxe Konstructakons Music.

Her crystal clear voice transforms your mood instantly as the air of her stunning vocals filters through like you are stepping into an air conditioned room on a hot day. The marvelous beat is perfect for her music style as it complements her vibe, the energy is there and you feel free inside.

The breathtaking rhythm makes this such a catchy r&b/soul experience that you won’t forget easily- her sultry but classy vibe is exactly what is needed in a world that full of watered down soulless music- with no succulent taste at all.

‘Feel It‘ (feat. Konstructakons Music) from Virginia Beach’s Claya Earth is a song that helps us all take a step back to relax, to be in the moment and to not worry about tomorrow.

Incredible moments are waiting for us if we actually look, put away the phone and open up our eyes to the endless possibilities that are there for us each day. We all need to feel something special to keep us alive, after all the world has been doing to us recently.

Hear this hot new single on Spotify and see her music journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen