Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 196
November 15, 2024
HOMER (Kendrick Lamar, Clairo, Sharon Jones) Releases Debut Album 'Ensatina' - Listen Now!
HOMER RELEASES ‘ENSATINA’
Debut Album Out Today via Big Crown Records From
Grammy-Nominated Producer & Drummer
(Kendrick Lamar, Clairo, Solange, Sharon Jones, More)
Watch Video for “Wishing Well (feat. girl named GOLDEN)” HERE
KCRW: "Click play for the chilled out, high-production soundtrack you need to keep it steady this week."
UNCUT: “A stylishly laid back retro modernist soul and R&B set, it morphs into hazy Gen Z funk (“So Get Up!”), ska-edged psych (“Racecar Driver”), and head-nodding dreampop (“Start Select”)”
CONSEQUENCE (re: “Rollin’”): “Rollin’” is as lush and soulful as it can be, with KIRBY’s honeyed vocals and Homer’s grandiose brass popping out the most. It’s moving and patient all at once, evoking both a Sunday morning coffee and a midnight glass of red wine.
Today, Grammy-nominated renowned drummer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Homer releases his debut album Ensatina via Big Crown. His storied career in music started when he was just a teenager, and his distinctive stickwork helped blend the raw-but-receptive soul sound back into the mainstream via the likes of Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones. Homer (aka Homer Steinweiss) is now one of the most in demand drummers in the world, playing with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Clairo, Solange, Adele, Silk Sonic / Bruno Mars and Fleet Foxes, to name a few. With Ensatina, Homer is now stepping to the forefront as both musician and producer.
Listen to Ensatina here: https://lnk.to/Ensatina.
Homer also recently shared “Wishing Well” – a groovy and moody track that pulls influences from electro, trip hop, and soul. The blending of synths and horns over chugging drums makes the perfect backdrop for girl named GOLDEN’s ethereal vocals – she floats over the track hitting all the changes with infectious melodies that make the tune an earworm. Listen to the track and watch the trippy video featuring the album’s namesake lizard here: https://youtu.be/tM8DIvf36n0.
In addition to “Wishing Well,” Ensatina includes precious singles “So Get Up!” featuring MINOVA and Michael Rault, “Rollin’” featuring acclaimed soul singer KIRBY; “Deep Sea (feat. Hether)”; and “Racecar Driver” featuring KIRBY, Hether and a girl named GOLDEN.
Photo by Mariana Alexander
‘ENSATINA’ TRACK LISTING
01 - Rollin' feat. KIRBY
02 - Camera feat. girl named GOLDEN
03 - Deep Sea feat. Hether
04 - Now That It's Over feat. Hether & Flikka
05 - Racecar Driver feat. KIRBY, Hether, and girl named GOLDEN
06 - So Get Up! feat. MINOVA & Michael Rault
07 - Wishing Well feat. girl named GOLDEN
08 - Hide It Behind the Light I'm Shining Through feat. girl named GOLDEN
09 - Start Select feat. Hether
10 - Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever feat. Hether
11 - Goldie feat. Dave Guy
'ENSATINA' OFFICIAL VIDEOS
"RACECAR DRIVER"
"ROLLIN'"
"WISHING WELL"
ABOUT HOMER X ‘ENSATINA’
If you are musically in the know, you know the name Homer Steinweiss, and you know he is a great drummer. Even if you are not in the know, chances are you know and love music you don’t realize he is playing on. For the majority of his career, he’s been one of the most in demand drummers playing on recordings with everyone from Amy Winehouse to Solange, from Adele to Silk Sonic, and that is literally just the tip of the iceberg. But now, with his first solo release on Big Crown Records, Homer is stepping to the forefront as both musician and producer. It's not only a heady bricolage of Homer's experience and knowledge from playing music professionally since he was 16—it's also a personal snapshot of who he is now, as well as how struggle often brings about a needed change.
He's played for nearly every soul group that mattered since 2001 and his distinctive stickwork helped blend the raw-but-receptive soul sound back into the mainstream. The irrefutable evidence is in the spectrum of his playing credits—starting with the underground cult classic, Thunder Chicken, by The Mighty Imperials and spanning a twenty some odd year hot streak backing the likes of The Jonas Brothers and Bruno Mars. While drumming on all these projects has been fulfilling there was always more to Homer than drums. "As a sideman and drummer starting my career, I was really comfortable there, in that role," Homer explains. "But the whole time, I always had ideas—I always really liked the projects that included me as a writer." When you're the session drummer or part of a touring band, there are songs to play, sounds and textures to create and re-create, and marks to hit. There is room to explore in that role, but, by definition, it's limited. As Homer sharpened his musicianship on the road and in the studio, there was a growing appetite to better express his ideas and explore beyond playing something that sounded good. Ultimately, Homer wanted to decide how something would sound and his constant and natural gravitation toward producing has brought us here.
Homer and Big Crown Records label co-founder Leon Michels have known each other since their high school days in Manhattan so when Homer formed Holy Hive, he brought the first demos to Big Crown. "I always wanted to be in a band, and after my years at Daptone started to wind down, starting the Holy Hive project with Paul (Spring) was exactly where I wanted to be," Homer remembers. "It was very collaborative—we co-wrote songs and toured together. But it did give me confidence and showed me that, through my own writing and producing, I could not just be in a band, but that I could be a band leader." But then, like far too many good things, Holy Hive came to an end.
Despite knowing the direction he wanted to go, Homer still had to reckon with considerable personal turbulence around this time: his band breaking up was coupled with a rupture in his personal life that ended a relationship of 20+ years. This all put Homer in an uncertain place mentally, and the fallout was significant enough for him to seek professional help. "I was going through these super manic highs and then very depressive lows," Homer describes. "And being in all that, it's just so tough to imagine that the other side is there, that it'll be ok." But, with time, professional help, and support from friends and family, Homer did make it through and has been forever changed. Armed with this experience and the self-knowledge that came with it, this new album is a testament to that shift.
In the aftermath, music once again became a savior of sorts for Homer. The first song he began working on, “Now That It’s Over” knits these subjects of loss, pain, and self-retrieval. It's a song of changing perspective and contemplation with airy and haunting vocals from collaborators Hether and Flikka. "Paul (Castelluzzo—aka, Hether), as a friend, saw me through these highs and lows," Homer points out. "I only had the one line, 'Now that it's over, I'm alright,' but he felt that lyric so much that he wrote all these sections and lyrics and basically completed the song. It was like he was writing to me." The album then began to pour out of him. At first, slowly—then all at once. He wasn't even sure what he was working on at first. The approach was almost too simple: working, connecting, and playing with collaborators like trumpeter Dave Guy (another high school friend) or vocalists like Kirby, Girl Named Golden, and Michael Rault (all of whom are on the record)—and seeing what comes of it. "A lot of this project was just people coming into the studio, putting something down, sending it around, and moving on," Homer says. "I didn't want to be too precious about it." The goal was to just make music—strike while the creative iron was hot.
Undoubtedly, making this album was a refuge for Homer and it put him back on the track laid before him years ago. Homer has taken what he had been doing on the drums for everyone else for years and applied it to his own sound and vision.
FOLLOW HOMER
Full of Hell + Andrew Nolan Release Collaborative LP ‘Scraping the Divine’
Full of Hell + Andrew Nolan Release Collaborative LP Scraping the Divine
See Full of Hell on tour in North America now
"...a true meeting of the industrial minds, with Full of Hell and Nolan’s uncompromising sonics colliding head on." - Consequence
"as apocalyptically gnarly as you might imagine" - Stereogum
"haunted and brooding" - Treble
Photo by: Jake Ballah | Hi-res here
The collaborative new album from grind/noise rockers Full of Hell and Toronto-based industrial artist Andrew Nolan— Scraping The Divine — delivers a sonic exploration unlike any of their prior endeavors. Crafted throughout recording sessions spanning from 2019 to 2023, the album captures the raw energy and relentless spirit of both artists. Andrew Nolan says of the partnership: "The relationship with Full of Hell began in the very early days of the band when Dylan wrote me asking for feedback on a Full of Hell noise tape and a breakdown of The Endless Blockade’s live electronics. Over a decade later, several remixes, guest appearances, tours, session bass, and live electronics a full collaboration album is finally complete."
Stream / share "Heat Death from the Pyre"
Out today on Closed Casket Activities, Scraping The Divine was recorded by renowned producers Seth Manchester of Machines with Magnets and Kevin Bernsten of Developing Nations, with mixing and production led by Andrew Nolan and mastering by Nick Townsend.
Scraping The Divine also features an impressive lineup of guest appearances, including Taichi Nagura (Endon), GxCx (Contagious Orgasm, BBVGC, ex-Guilty Connector), Intensive Care, Alex Hughes (Hatred Surge, Holy Money), and prolific experimental musician Justin K. Broadrick (Godflesh, Jesu, JK Flesh).
This album pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions, making it a must-listen for fans of both Full of Hell and Andrew Nolan, as well as anyone seeking an immersive auditory experience.
Full of Hell, on tour:
Nov. 15 Ottawa, ON - Bronson Centre
Nov. 16 Montreal, QC - Theatre Fairmount
Nov. 17 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
Nov. 19 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
Nov. 20 Chicago, IL - Metro
Nov. 21 Minneapolis, MN - The Lyric at Skyway Theatre
Nov. 23 Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
Nov. 24 Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
Nov. 26 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
Nov. 27 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
Nov. 29 Berkeley, CA - UC Theatre
Nov. 30 Santa Ana, CA - Observatory
Dec. 01 Los Angeles, CA - Regent Theater
Dec. 02 Mesa, AZ - The Nile
Feb. 05 Oberhausen, DE - Turbinenhalle
Feb. 06 Utrecht, NL - Tivolivredenburg
Feb. 07 Leer, DE - Zollhaus Gastro
Feb. 08 Meisenthal, FR - La Boite Noire
Feb. 09 Stuttgart, DE - Im Wizemann
Feb. 11 Hamburg, DE - Markthalle
Feb. 12 Malmö, SE - Plan B
Feb. 13 Leipzig, DE - Felsenkeller
Feb. 14 Berlin, DE - Astra Kulturhaus
Feb. 15 Nürnberg, DE - Lowensaal
Feb. 16 Prague, CZ - Sasazu
Feb. 18 Warsaw, PL - Progresja
Feb. 19 Košice, SK - Collosseum Club
Feb. 20 Budapest, HU - Dürer Kert
Feb. 21 Linz, AT - Posthof
Feb. 22 Padova, IT - Hall
Feb. 23 München, DE - Backstage
Feb. 24 Pratteln, CH - Z7 Konzertfabrik
Feb. 26 Barcelona, ES - Salamanda
Feb. 27 Bordeaux, FR - Salle Des Fêtes Bordeaux Grand Parc
Feb. 28 Angoulême, FR - La Nef
Mar. 01 Vauréal, FR - Le Forum
Mar. 02 Antwerp, BE - Trix
Mar. 04 Dublin, IE - Academy
Mar. 05 Glasgow, UK - SWG3 Garden
Mar. 06 Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK - Newcastle University Student Union
Mar. 07 London, UK - Electric Brixton
Mar. 08 Liverpool, UK - 02 Academy
Mar. 09 Birmingham, UK - 02 The Institute
Scraping The Divine , track listing:
Gradual TimeslipHeat Death from the PyreBurdened By Solar MassSphere of SaturnHemlock GnosisBlessed AnathemaFacing the DivideApproaching the MonolithExtinguished GlowCommon MiraclesIrradiated SandsParalytic Lineage
Cyn Releases New EP 'Valley Girl: Side B - Los Angeles. No Offense"
CYN RELEASES NEW EPVALLEY GIRL: SIDE B – LOS ANGELES. NO OFFENSE
[UNSUB RECORDS / CAPITOL RECORDS]
FOCUS TRACK, “LOVE YOU LIKE I WANT TO” OUT NOW
ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK LIVE DATES FOR JANUARY 2025, TICKETS ON SALE TODAY
VALLEY GIRL (EXTENDED) DELUXE DIGITAL ALBUM OUT NOVEMBER 29 – PRE-ORDER/SAVE
WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “CRAZY” HERE .
LISTEN
VALLEY GIRL: SIDE B – LOS ANGELES. NO OFFENSE
Losing Sleep
House With a View
Drinks
Love You Like I Want To
Los Angeles, No Offense
Crazy
PRE-ORDER/SAVE
VALLEY GIRL (EXTENDED)
VALLEY GIRL ALBUM RELEASE SHOWS
01/08 - The Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA - TICKETS
01/15 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY - TICKETS
Ahead of the release of Valley Girl (Extended) out November 29 and her forthcoming North American underplay shows, acclaimed singer-songwriter Cyn returns with Valley Girl: Side B – Los Angeles. No Offense , out today via Unsub / Capitol Records.
Listen to ‘Valley Girl: Side B – Los Angeles. No Offense’ HERE .
The six-track EP features follows the release of Valley Girl: Side A – Lost On Laurel , and features previously unreleased songs, including EP focus track, “Love You Like I Want To” and “Los Angeles, No Offense.” Alongside the new tracks, Side B includes fan favorites, “Losing Sleep,” “House With A View,” “Drinks” and “Crazy.”
Watch the official music video for “Crazy” HERE .
Also announced today, Cyn is slated to perform live in early 2025, at Los Angeles’ The Troubadour, on January 8, and New York City’s Mercury Lounge on January 15. Tickets are on sale today. For a full list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.cynsings.com/.
On November 29, Cyn will release a special Deluxe version of Valley Girl , including the songs featured on Side A and Side B , plus three brand-new tracks. Valley Girl (Extended) is available to pre-order/save HERE .
Sky-high stacks of journals, hundreds of songs, countless shows, and one wild, weird, and wonderful adventure after another, Cyn has morphed from a wide-eyed yet witty Midwesterner into a proud “Valley Girl,” as she likes to put it. Aside from the obvious fact she calls the (in)famous San Fernando Valley home these days, she’s got all the sass, spunk, and style of a silver screen dream. Her lyrics spout clever quips on par with your favorite flick’s most quotable dialogue, but her delivery might be as unpredictable and unforgettable as a famous montage.
As the story goes, Cyn went from sharing tunes on Soundcloud to catching the attention of Katy Perry via her DJ. Signing to Perry’s Unsub Records, she accompanied the superstar on tour and released her
debut EP, Mood Swing , to acclaim. She caught fire with her single “Drinks,” which broke the top 20 at US pop radio and incited tastemaker applause. Rolling Stone christened it a “Song You Need To Know,” and Nylon hailed it as “delightful.” It landed on the soundtrack for the Academy® Award-winning Promising Young Woman , and she contributed tunes to HBO’s Moonshot , Netflix’s He’s All That , To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You , and Warner Brother’s Birds of Prey . After amassing more than 300+ million streams and inciting the applause of The FADER, Harper’s Bazaar, Pitchfork, Nylon, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and more, Cyn steps into herself like never before on her debut album, Valley Girl.
‘Valley Girl: Side B – Los Angeles. No Offense,’ is available everywhere today.
Cyn’s debut, full length album, ‘Valley Girl’ is available on limited edition baby pink and spring green vinyl starting today .
Pre-Order/Save the Deluxe ‘Valley Girl (Extended)’ digital album, available on November 29.
VALLEY GIRL (EXTENDED)
TRACKLISTING:
Losing Sleep
I Don’t Care
Lemons
The Smiths
Be Like Her
House With a View
Drinks
Los Angeles, No Offense
Sweet
Where Do All The Diamonds Go
Love You Like I Want To
Hard To Love
Crazy
Sink Your Teeth In Your Tongue
Growing Up
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | X | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK
November 14, 2024
Jack White Announces No Name Tour; New B-side Out Tomorrow
JACK WHITE ANNOUNCES NO NAME TOUR
GLOBAL HEADLINE RUN SET THROUGH MAY 2025
PRESALES BEGIN TOMORROW, GENERAL ON-SALE STARTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22,
ACCESS AT JACKWHITEIII.COM/TOUR-DATES
EXCLUSIVE NEW B-SIDE, “YOU GOT ME SEARCHING,” OUT TOMORROW
“THAT’S HOW I’M FEELING” B/W “YOU GOT ME SEARCHING”
7” VINYL ARRIVES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
NO NAME RECEIVES 2025 GRAMMY® AWARD
NOMINATION FOR “BEST ROCK ALBUM”
Jack White will celebrate his GRAMMY® Award-nominated new album No Name with a global headline run. The No Name Tour begins December 1 with a previously announced festival performance at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival and then visits intimate venues across Asia, Australia/New Zealand, and North America through May 2025. Presale tickets for all newly announced No Name Tour dates will be available to TMR Vault subscribers beginning tomorrow, November 15, at 10:00 am (local). In addition, fans can register for presale access at jackwhiteiii.com/tour-dates. All remaining tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 22, at 10:00 am (local). For complete details and ticket information, please visit jackwhiteiii.com/tour-dates.
No Name is available now via Third Man Records. The acclaimed collection was recently honored with a 2025 GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Best Rock Album” – White’s 34th solo career nomination and 46th overall along with 12 total GRAMMY® Award wins. Tomorrow, November 15, will see the release of “You Got Me Searching,” an exclusive new B-side to the No Name favorite, “That’s How I’m Feeling,” available at all DSPs and streaming services. A limited edition 7” vinyl single arrives via Third Man Records on Friday, November 22.
White’s sixth studio album, No Name officially arrived on Friday, August 2 following its clandestine white-label appearance at Third Man Records locations that saw customers slipped, guerilla-style, free unmarked vinyl copies in their shopping bags. True to his DIY roots, the record was recorded at White’s Third Man Studio throughout 2023 and 2024, pressed to vinyl at Third Man Pressing, and released by Third Man Records.
White has marked the arrival of No Name with surprise shows around the world, including sold-out pop-up dates set for tonight at Austin, TX’s Mohawk and tomorrow, November 15, at San Antonio, TX’s Paper Tiger. An official music video for “That’s How I’m Feeling” compiling footage from the road is streaming now on YouTube.
JACK WHITE - NO NAME TOUR 2024-2025
NOVEMBER
14 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*
15 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger*
17 – Mexico City, MX – Corona Capital*
DECEMBER
1 – Hong Kong – Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival *
2 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Capital Theatre *
5 – Brisbane, Australia – Fortitude Music Hall
6 – Ballarat, Australia – Civic Hall *
7 – Melbourne, Australia – Corner Hotel *
9 – Melbourne, Australia – Forum Melbourne
11 – Hobart, Australia – Odeon Theatre
13 – Sydney, Australia – Enmore Theatre
17 – Auckland, New Zealand – Auckland Town Hall
FEBRUARY 2025
6 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
7 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
8 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
11 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
12 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
17 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
18 – Boston, MA - Roadrunner
MARCH 2025
10 – Hiroshima, Japan – Blue Live Hiroshima
12 – Osaka, Japan – Gorilla Hall
13 – Nagoya, Japan – Diamond Hall
15 – Tokyo, Japan – Toyosu PIT
17 – Tokyo, Japan – Toyosu PIT
APRIL 2025
3 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
4 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
5 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
7 – Saint Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
8 – Saint Paul, MN – Palace Theatre
10 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed (Indoors)
11 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed (Indoors)
12 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre
13 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre
15 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
16 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
18 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
19 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
MAY 2025
4 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
5 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
6 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
8 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
9 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Union Event Center
12 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
13 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
15 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
16 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
17 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
19 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
20 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
22 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
23 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
24 – Troutdale, OR – Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
* PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
CONNECT WITH JACK WHITE
JACKWHITEIII.COM | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
JULIE @ Fonda Theatre // 11.12.24 // THE PORTABLE INFINITE
All photos taken by Martin Worster
Frost Children @ Fonda Theatre // 11.12.24 // THE PORTABLE INFINITE
All photos taken by Martin Worster
horsegiirL announces new EP 'v.i.p - very important pony' due 1/31/25 + shares new single / video
ANNOUNCES NEW EP
V.I.P. (VERY IMPORTANT PONY)
OUT JANUARY 31, 2025
NEW SINGLE “TAKE IT OFFFF” OUT NOW
PRESENTLY ON HAYFEVER EU TOUR
v.i.p EP artwork
v.i.p - very important pony EP
PRE-ORDER/SAVE: https://tszr.lnk.to/veryimportantpony
“take it offf”
LISTEN: tszr.lnk.to/takeitoffff
WATCH: http://tszr.lnk.to/TIO_video
(November 14, 2024) - Berlin-based DJ and producer horsegiirL announces her 6-track EP v.i.p - very important pony due January 31st 2025 via Three Six Zero Recordings. Alongside the EP announcement, horsegiirL shares the techno-infused new single “take it offf,” which follows her previously shared floorfiller “Eat, Sleep, Slay 🔁,” that will also appear on v.i.p. The announcement comes on the heels of her joyous Hayfever shows in Los Angeles and New York ahead of horsegiirL bringing her immersive live show across Europe on tour this November, including a landmark date at HERE @ The Outernet in London, November 30th.
Written, produced and performed by horsegiirL, “take it offff” follows on from a series of viral hits including “My Barn My Rules,” “My Little White Pony,” and “Obsessed,” which feature horsegiirL blurring the lines between pop and hard techno.
Speaking about “take it offff,” horsegiirL shares, "Mietze Conte and I spent 3 days in Vienna in the studio and just made the funnest songs in no time and ‘take it offff’ is one of them. It started as a really slow, kinda heartbreaky melody until we decided to speed it up and noticed how sexy the track was. It's encouraging you to get your exercise in 😉"
credit: Mark Hunter / thecobrasnake.com
The forthcoming Hayfever EU tour will see her perform across the continent later this month culminating in Paris on December 6th. The live shows that horsegiirL has curated over the past few years are revered by her dedicated fanbase as a safe space for everyone to be free and lose themselves in her world for the night. This new era of hayfever will have more bespoke production, building an entire world around horsegiirL’s creative concepts for her “farmies” to experience, with specialised merch and moments to fit alongside. Flaunt Magazine notes, "horsegiirL has captured the rapturous attention of a global crowd of fans because, in the end, nobody is doing it like her.”
horsegiirL has rapidly become the enigma within Berlin’s thriving club scene whilst standing as a revered DJ and producer, her identity veiled by her now iconic horse mask. She is an instrumental presence in a new wave of electronic artists that prioritise the fun and kitschy – countering the more serious tone that often dominates the electronic music scene. Boasting a staggering 20 million global streams, horsegiirL has solidified her presence as a force to be reckoned with.
Pre-order / save v.i.p - very important pony and check out “take it offff” above, see upcoming live dates below and stay tuned for more in the coming months, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Hayfever EU Tour Dates
11/15 - Berlin, DE @ Kesselhaus
11/22 - Barcelona, ES @ Nitsa Club
11/29 - Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
11/30 - London, UK @ HERE at Outernet
12/6 - Paris, FR @ Trabendo
“take it offff” single artwork
connect with horsegiirL
anaiis releases collaborative mini album 'anaiis & Grupo Cosmo' + shares new video
ANAIIS RELEASES NEW MINI-ALBUM
SHARES VIDEO FOR “B.P.E.”
ANAIIS & GRUPO COSMO OUT NOW VIA 5d
anaiis by Alexandra Waespi
anaiis & Grupo Cosmo
LISTEN: https://symphony.to/anaiis/anaiis-grupo-cosmo
VINYL PRE-ORDER: https://anaiis.bandcamp.com/album/anaiis-grupo-cosmo
“B.P.E.”
WATCH: https://youtu.be/zgqNK3vdU3Y
(November 14, 2024) - Today, French-Senegalese artist anaiis releases her mini-album anaiis & Grupo Cosmo. Created in collaboration with Brazilian artists Sessa and Latin Grammy-nominated singer Luedji Luna, the project captures a profound fusion of global influences that explores themes of Black identity, motherhood, and the natural world. anaiis describes the album as “a sonic emergence of the person I was becoming,” reflecting her journey of self-discovery and artistic evolution.
The album, born from an immersive experience, features Grupo Cosmo’s vibrant blend of Brazilian musical traditions—rock, bossa nova, and ’70s psychedelia—adding depth and dimension to anaiis’s sound. “We spent days on the beach, sharing meals, stories, and creating together. Every track was recorded live to tape—no computers. By the end of the week, we had an album that truly captured the spirit of that moment.”
Alongside the mini-album release, anaiis shares the video for “B.P.E.” Directed by anaiis, Ronan Mckenzie, and Tayo Rapoport, the video draws from a place of nostalgia, collective memory as well as a place of longing. “I wanted the film to explore the ways in which tradition and culture are passed down in this very universal and iconic way but also to invigorate the viewer with joy. The song is a celebration of Blackness, and it was important for me that the film captured the power of our spirit as a collective,” says anaiis.
The origins of anaiis & Grupo Cosmo trace back to 2020 during an artist residency in Salvador, Brazil, where anaiis first connected with Luedji Luna. They wrote the song “Toda Cor” as an homage to their Trans-Atlantic bond, inspired by shared cultural experiences as Black women from opposite sides of the world. Each track on the album reflects anaiis’ exploration of identity and self-discovery. “Honeydew,” the album’s centerpiece, captures the complexities of motherhood, while “B.P.E.” celebrates Black identity and draws inspiration from global liberation movements. With roots spanning Dakar, Oakland, London, and Brazil, anaiis’ music seamlessly blends influences from her multicultural life. anaiis & Grupo Cosmo stands as a testament to her transformative journey—a richly layered blend of culture, identity, and artistry that invites listeners to explore connection, self-discovery, and creative freedom.
Video stills from “B.P.E”
Inspired by visionaries such as Nina Simone, bell hooks, and Zanele Muholi, anaiis’ work merges the personal and political, challenging societal norms through both sound and message. Her debut single, “Nina,” and her self-released album This Is No Longer A Dream, which features collaborations with Chronixx, Sjava, and Topaz Jones, established her as a powerful voice in music. Known for her dynamic live performances, anaiis has shared stages with artists like Erykah Badu and Daniel Caesar, including a sold-out show at London’s Barbican.
anaiis’ multidisciplinary talent has also led to collaborations with major institutions such as the V&A, White Cube, and Palais de Tokyo. Her short film OPENHEARTED, a tribute to her Senegalese heritage, has been featured on platforms like WePresent and Nowness, adding a cinematic layer to her artistic journey. Now, as a new mother, she is entering a new phase, with her evolving life experiences continuing to inspire her future work.
Her name, written in lowercase as a tribute to feminist icon bell hooks, symbolizes her commitment to challenging norms and celebrating self-empowerment.
Check out anaiis’ new mini-album anaiis & Grupo Cosmo and stay tuned for more coming soon.
anaiis & Grupo Cosmo artwork by Rachel Jones
anaiis & Grupo Cosmo
anaiis
November 14th, 2024
1. Toda Cor (anaiis, Grupo Cosmo & Luedji Luna)
2. Voyage (anaiis, Grupo Cosmo & Sessa)
3. Honeydew (anaiis & Grupo Cosmo)
4. BPE (anaiis & Grupo Cosmo)
5. A Gente Mesmo: interlude (anaiis & Grupo Cosmo)
6. Como Es (anaiis & Grupo Cosmo)
7. Finding Toda Cor (anaiis & Grupo Cosmo)
Connect with anaiis:
Melody Federer Unveils Empowering New Single "Knocked Up" – A Raw and Uplifting Anthem of Unexpected Motherhood
MELODY FEDERER DROPS BOLD NEW SINGLE “KNOCKED UP”
A POWERFUL ODE TO MOTHERHOOD AND PERSONAL GROWTH
Rising pop artist Melody Federer unveils her new single, "Knocked Up," a powerful and deeply personal song that explores the unexpected and life-altering experience of becoming a mother. The track, set to resonate with anyone who’s ever faced judgment for their choices, is an anthem of resilience, love, and the surprising beauty found in life's unpredictable moments.
"Knocked Up" is an honest confession of the artist’s journey to motherhood, capturing the overwhelming feeling of it being "the end of the world" — only for it to transform into one of the most fulfilling chapters of her life. The song speaks to the universal experience of facing life’s toughest challenges, especially for women, and finding strength and joy in the most unexpected of circumstances.
Melody, who has built a reputation for blending pop sensibilities with deep, personal storytelling, is no stranger to navigating life's most complex emotions through music. With her new track, she aims to break the stigma surrounding unplanned pregnancies and motherhood, encouraging women to embrace their journeys and celebrate their resilience.
Her previous work has already garnered attention for its catchy melodies and introspective lyrics, but "Knocked Up" is a deeper, more vulnerable chapter in her career. “This song is for anyone who’s ever been told their life is ‘over’ after making a choice they didn’t expect, only to find out that it was the best thing that ever happened to them,” says Melody.
In addition to her music career, Melody is passionate about empowering women and advocating for the freedom to pursue both their dreams and their roles as mothers. As she continues to build a strong fan base, her authenticity and fearlessness have made her a role model for many.
The song is a reflection of the emotional journey that came with unplanned motherhood — from initial fear and uncertainty to the profound love and personal growth that followed. The artist's vulnerability shines through as she navigates the complex emotions of being a mother while still pursuing her dreams in an ever-changing world.
"Knocked Up" is now available on all major streaming platforms. Federer encourages listeners to hear the love, vulnerability, and humanity that flow through the song — and to find solace in knowing that we're all just trying to make the best of the hand we've been dealt.
About Melody Federer:
Melody Federer’s music is at once enigmatic and candidly charming. Texas-born with a nomadic soul, she honed her craft in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Seattle and Nashville, where she continues to gain recognition as an up-and-coming talent in the world of Indie and Alt music.
A noted solo artist as well as an accomplished writer for various musicians, Melody's style is genre agnostic, and her stage presence is effortlessly versatile. She can capture a room with just her voice and guitar or with a full band, and she holds her own performing as a guest with legends of the industry.
Melody's talent has taken her around the globe, to historic venues and buzzing clubs, having performed at the Musee D’ Orsay in Paris, Paris Fashion Week, The Royal Hall in London, New York City’s Harvard Club and Zinc Club, The Basement in Nashville, and The Morrocan lounge and The Saban in Los Angeles. She’s played numerous shows and festivals in major North American and European cities and a large portion of her past solo tracks have been, and are currently being featured on multiple SiriusXM channels as well as tastemaker radio stations like WXPN/Philly and KUCI/Irvine CA.
Melody has worked with a vast range of musicians, from major pop artists P!nk and Hilary Duff, to electroclash producers Plastik Funk and Gazzo. She’s written R&B tracks for Kelly Rowland, traditional folk-rock tunes for Jacob Whitesides, and crafted alongside titans of the jazz world like Michael Buble and the legendary Burt Bacharach.
Her penchant for word play and her emotional, memorable, and passionate toplines have put her in the songwriting room with the likes of GRAMMY Award Winners Emory Dobyn, Mike Pool, Daniel Tashian and GRAMMY Nominees Scott Chesak, Billy Mann, Chad Carlson, and Roget Chahayed.
CONNECT WITH MELODY FEDERER
November 13, 2024
A Certain Ratio Share Christmas Track "Now And Laughter" || Announce New EP 'Christmasville UK' Due Out 12/11 On Mute
A CERTAIN RATIO SHARE CHRISTMAS TRACK “NOW AND LAUGHTER”
ANNOUNCE NEW EP CHRISTMASVILLE UK
OUT 12/11 ON MUTE
credit: Paul Husband
Today A CERTAIN RATIO, Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, have announced details of a brand new four-track EP, Christmasville UK, due out on December 11, 2024 via Mute. The EP will be available digitally and on 12” in a limited edition of 500 copies pressed on transparent orange vinyl, made in Scotland by sustainable pressing plant Seabass Vinyl. Pre-order the EP HERE.
The EP is heralded today with ACR’s first ever Christmas track, “Now and Laughter,” which embodies all of the hope and goodwill of the season. Originally demoed during the It All Comes Down to This album sessions, in true ACR recycling style the guitar chords are based on the chords from “The Big E” / “Won’t Stop Loving You”, while the lyrics acknowledge the unsung heroes that are on hand when the pressures of the festivities can become too much to bear.
Listen to “Now and Laughter” HERE.
With yuletide spirit, the band have invited some of the extended ACR family to join the celebrations and rework tracks from their 2024 album, It All Comes Down to This. Jane Weaver (labelmate when they were both on much-missed Rob Gretton’s label back in the ‘90s) has remixed “Where You Coming From,” and long-time friend and collaborator Emperor Machine (aka Andy Meecham) has given “Out From Under” an extended rework, which you can listen to HERE.
Some newer friends have been invited into the fold too. London-based Jezebell, who the band heard when they were on tour in Germany, brings the Electro Balearic party spirit to “We All Need” to complete the EP.
A Certain Ratio’s latest full-length release, the Dan Carey-produced album It All Comes Down to This (2024, Mute) was released in spring this year. Their thirteenth studio album, which featured tracks such as “All Comes Down to This” and “Keep It Real”, was their most political to date, and evidenced the band’s dogged, relentless demand to evolve, re-assess and reinvent with every new release. This new EP is yet another unexpected turn in their expansive catalog. “ACR does Christmas! Who’d have thunk it?”, exclaim the band, “We are big Slade fans though…
Christmasville UK EP art:
Track listing:
A1. Now and Laughter
A2. Where You Coming From - Jane Weaver Rework
B1. Out From Under - Emperor Machine Extended Rework
B2. We All Need - Jezebell's Ghost Train Mix
Pre-order Christmasville UK HERE.
Purchase or stream It All Comes Down To This HERE.
RECENT PRAISE FOR A CERTAIN RATIO:
"the band’s core trio (Donald Johnson, Jez Kerr, and Martin Moscrop) have generated a wealth of modern beats and future-shocked textures, all while remaining in touch with their trademark spongy grooves and sharp rhythmic corners." - SPIN
"You can feel 40 years of indie and dance running through these songs that are distinctly modern while distinctly ACR." - BROOKLYN VEGAN
“Manchester legend’s whipsmart masterclass in live-to-tape punk-funk” – MOJO
“Former Factory workers still finding fresh flavours of modernist funk-punk” – Uncut
“An album of earworms” – Blitzed
“The album thrives in its dark nostalgic tonality. ‘We All Need’ and ‘God Knows’ similarly echo a yearning for a world devoid of socio-political oppression.” - The Quietus
CONNECT WITH A CERTAIN RATIO
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEB
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | WEB
