LISTEN: H A Z E – ‘King’

A cinematic soundscape about emotional independence, H A Z E (aka Hazel Smith) has shared her debut single ‘King’. The track, which was co-arranged by collaborator and guitarist Jamal Aggoun, blends acoustic guitars and electronic sounds to form a beguiling backdrop against which H A Z E explores the power dynamics that come with reaching for self autonomy.

Formerly the lead singer of rock band D’Haze, Smith now performs under the H A Z E moniker and has shifted to a dark-pop, electronic focused sound. On ‘King’, her clear vocals float above brooding guitars and hazy electronics, with her mantra-like lyrics encouraging empowerment and self-rule.

H A Z E will be releasing a video to accompany the single on 16th November, directed by Lawra EB. The visuals follow the narrative of a queen falling into madness. Listen to ‘King’ below and follow H A Z E on Spotify, Facebook & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Danika Smith – ‘Sweet Mellow D’

A gentle, atmospheric folk tune about feeling content after a period of personal growth, Melbourne-based songwriter Danika Smith has shared her latest single ‘Sweet Mellow D’. Full of lush guitar sounds and soft vocals, Smith subtly fuses elements of jazz and soul music to create a soothing, wholesome soundscape.

“’Sweet Mellow D’ feels like a song of recognition of my personal growth,” Smith explains. “I believe we all have to go on a journey of healing within our lifetime. One of unlearning and relearning, in order to truly know ourselves and to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. I feel like I’m only starting to know myself now. The day this song was inspired, I was sitting there with the nylon on my lap, and I felt mellow and content. I thought about those swirling years of pain and confusion in contrast to the peace, and so I put it into song, with deep gratitude to the power of music.”

Smith’s gratitude unfolds over the course of the track, with her lilting guitar riffs and calm, clear vocals guiding her listeners along a similar journey. Co-produced with Grammy nominated engineer Nick Herrera, ‘Sweet Mellow D’ is the second single to be lifted from Smith’s highly anticipated debut album, which is set for release in early 2021. Listen to the track below and follow Danika Smith on bandcamp, Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Boarder – ‘Strangers’

A riotous garage-rock tune inspired by the characters frontwoman Lucie Blair encountered while working behind a busy city-centre bar, Boarder have shared their latest single ‘Strangers’. Released via Amateur Pop Incorporated, the track probes at the way strangers often use bar staff as unofficial therapists after they’ve had a few too many, and how female staff are more prone to taking on this emotional labour.

“‘Strangers’ feels almost symbolic of the times we’re living in” explains Blair, even though the track was penned before the current covid-19 pandemic. “It’s a song I wrote while working in a bar on minimum wage & contemplating what it really means to be alive.” The Leicester-based band explore these contemplations via distorted riffs and crashing percussion, with Blair venting her frustrations through her sardonic vocals.

‘Strangers’ is the first track Boarder have produced by themselves, with the swaggering guitars and pounding drums reflecting the shifting moods of the drunken characters the song is based on. As Blair notes, it’s hard to feel “alive” or even nostalgic for this old way of life in 2020, when leaving the house “could mean the difference between life and death.” Let’s hope when things are genuinely safe again, bar staff won’t have to keep mopping up after customers who continuously spill their thoughts.

Listen to ‘Strangers’ below and follow Boarder on bandcamp, Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Shyla Rose

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Omni Sound Project to host online conference Signal Gain

The Omni Sound Project exists to help marginalized genders in the music industry learn the skills they need to create, record, and produce music and sound. On Saturday, November 7th, they will be hosting an educational conference called Signal Gain, a full day event which will be held online. The teachers and presenters are all female-identifying and gender non-conforming individuals who share Omni’s mission to encourage inclusion of marginalized genders in the music and audio industries.

The event will be sponsored by Mix with the Masters, Goodhertz and PreSonus. You can register for Signal Gain here.

Below are a few distinctions & more info about Signal Gain.

  • The sessions are educational classes with a structured curriculum. Many online conferences feature interviews or demos by sponsors, but Omni’s conference emphasizes a focus on planned educational content.
  • All genders are invited. Omni believe that male-identifying allies benefit from being in educational spaces where they may be in the minority, and that their presence raises their awareness of their role in making all spaces more inclusive.
  • Omni’s presenters are chosen for their teaching experience, not necessarily because of name recognition. Many online conference feature panelists without prior teaching experience. Omni believe that a presenters’ ability to convey information effectively results in a valuable online conference.

Visit the Omni Sound Project website for more information.

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