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State Line Syndicate is our August Spotlight Artist!

Our WorldArts Spotlight Artist of the Month is State Line Syndicate! This socal-born DIY trio prides themselves on their authenticity, and has showcased their fierce brand of pop-punk on stages all over Los Angeles and beyond. Check out our exclusive Q&A with the band to hear about their biggest influences, their latest single Borrowed Time, and what’s next for the band!

1)  Tell us about how you got started in music?

MakeShift Mike: I got my first guitar December 26th, 2001 and never looked back!  Started trying to become a more serious singer around 2005.  I have been writing my own songs since 2002 as well!

Mikey Virgin: Music has always been around the house, and my father, grandfather, and uncles all play instruments, I guess it was natural for me to pick up something as well.

Joe E: I used to be incredibly shy in high school and I just wanted girls to talk to me, so I asked the cool rocker musician kids what the easiest instrument to learn was…They all said “bass”. So, at that exact moment, I knew right then and there that I was going to be a bass player!

2)  What inspiration(s) do you draw on when you create music?

MakeShift Mike: I like to write about my personal experiences.  I find that songs that are written based on real life experience tend to connect with people on a more personal level.

Joe E: Every song is different, whatever your feeling at that time. Sometimes stuff we already recorded, I’m changing it up because it either evolved, or i got bored.

Mikey Virgin: All of my favorite artists/bands.

3)  What part of Los Angeles did you grow up in and what was the music scene like when you were growing up?

Joe E: I grew up in Burbank (The Valley) I used to take the Bus as a teenager to the Sunset Strip and dreamt of playing places like The Whisky and The Roxy, and used to sneak into The Rainbow with a fake ID lol.

MakeShift Mike:  I grew up in Riverside county and there was no music scene in my area.

Mikey Virgin: Northeast San Fernando Valley.  There used to be a cool, close-knit punk scene in my area, but I have no idea what’s going on anymore.

4)  If you could go on tour with any artist (past or present) who would it be?

MakeShift Mike: The Gaslight Anthem is my favorite band and I would love to be able to spend time picking Brian Fallon‘s brain.

Mikey Virgin:  Led Zeppelin or Dropkick Murphys.  The Copyrights or Teenage Bottlerocket.

Joe E: Blink 182 or Green Day, or Motley Crüe (I read “The Dirt” and would have loved to have seen some of that chaos on the road).

5)  What’s your ‘go-to’ karaoke song?

MakeShift Mike: Can’t Stop by The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stand By Me by Ben E. King.

Joe E: The Wanderer by Dion and the Belmonts & Semi Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind.

6)  WorldArts is all about giving tools and opportunities to artists.  What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

MakeShift Mike:  Don’t ever give up.  It sounds cliché, but no matter what happens you have to keep going.  Momentum is everything.

Mikey Virgin: Keep going.  Keep at it.

Joe E: So many platforms at your fingertips, use them! Most are free (like WorldArts).  Even if it costs a little bit of money, this is your business. Sometimes it takes money to make money. You can’t win the lotto, if you don’t spend the buck, or play.

7)  If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

Joe E: I think the music industry is changing all the time and that’s one reason why it seems chaotic. New technologies and platforms are popping up all the time, and the record execs can’t keep up. I would love for the record companies to go back to BANDS, not just a someone with a laptop and a producer, but with REAL instruments…

Makeshift Mike: I would make it easier for lesser known bands to be discovered via sites like Spotify.  Too many related artist sections don’t offer enough smaller bands, making it harder for lesser known bands to get discovered.

8)  What is the best way you’ve found to market yourself as an artist?

MakeShift Mike:  Having a genuine conversation with someone about music usually works best.  Obviously, you won’t be able to reach hundreds of people at once, but people will want to know more about what you do if you are willing to have a conversation with them.

Joe E: Mike is right, the BEST WAY is in person, but there are sooo many great tools (like WorldArts) to showcase your music to people around the globe, who otherwise wouldn’t even have the chance to find you or your music. We’ve done everything from online ads to going to concerts and passing out free CD Samplers.

9)  Tell us about your latest single Borrowed Time and the inspiration behind it? 

Joe E: Mike wrote the lyrics, I’ll let him tell ya… But I do feel how the world is today, I wonder if we are all on “Borrowed Time”.

Mike: The inspiration behind Borrowed Time is that there is only so much time each of us have and you don’t want to wake up 20 years down the line thinking “what if …I would have done this?”

10) What’s next on the horizon for you?

MakeShift Mike: New songs are being worked on right now!  Maybe as singles or as an EP, but we are so excited to be working on the new stuff and cannot wait to show it to everyone!

Mikey Virgin: We’re planning on going back to The Blasting Room Studios in October to record a few new songs.

Joe E:  We just played The Viper Room supporting The Ataris and The Queers!  Then the next day we played at the O.C. Fair. I guess you could say it was a SLS SoCal weekend!

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Liv Slingerland releases new single & EP “Come Back To Me”!

Liv Slingerland has released her new single and EP Come Back To Me! The title track highlights the highly-anticipated three song debut EP from the Los Angeles indie rocker. The album encapsulates Slingerland’s blues, rock, and punk influences with a punchy, guitar-driven, and angsty/in-your-face delivery. As the track progresses, the band takes the listener back and forth between tense, upbeat verses and hooky instrumental riff sections that provide repeated and welcome feelings of build-up and release. Her guitar work pairs with a creative layering of tones and lead work that demonstrate her astute dedication to the craft.

Slingerland is a singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who self-released her band’s first single Shouldn’t Bother in 2016 through a premiere with We Found New Music. Her band’s second single, Hold On To, has been described as “anthemic,” “vibrant,” and “reminiscent of the 90s”.  Liv has already become a fixture at L.A. venues like the Hi Hat, Harvard and Stone, The Echo, and The Satellite, in addition to festivals like Chinatown Summer Nights and Echo Park Rising. Listen to the new single and download it and the new EP on BandCamp and all streaming platforms today!

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Late Night Episode releases new video “Golden Age”!

New York alt-rock band Late Night Episode has released the video for their new single Golden Age! The new track is off their upcoming EP and is set to be added to Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist and featured on Sirius XM’s Alt-Nation. “I had the lyrics for the hook of ‘Golden Age’ written for a while before the instrumental came along” reveals lead singer Daniel Lonner. “I wanted to remind people that even though the internet is a wonderful world of its own, 2017 is the most opportune time to be alive and to live, you have to get out and do shit”. The new video follows the band’s adventures around New York City in an old convertible, giving it a nostalgic home movie aesthetic. “As for the making of the music video, we worked with our homie Patrick Golan to create the visual, which was shot on 16mm film” Lonner notes. “We wanted to capture the beauty of the places we hang out and grew up”.

Late Night Episode was formed in New York City’s East Village neighborhood by Lonner and guitarist Eric Sherman. Brett Daniel (drums) and Giovanni Stockton-Rossini (bass) would later join to complete the band’s line-up of stellar musicians and songwriters. Golden Age is the band’s third single release, following Talk About Love and Swim, which were also accompanied by a third release of an acoustic demo of Lost In Cali. The singles garnered enough buzz to catch the attention producers Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta of Dirty Canvas (American Authors, Young Rising Sons) who signed the band in late 2016.  Billboard has praised their signature version of “rowdy rock,” and the group has drawn comparisons to artists like Kings of Leon. Late Night Episode is not only crossing the genres of rock and pop through their own music, but has expanded into other realms, having executive produced Topaz Jones‘ critically acclaimed soul-funk record Arcade. Connect with the band below for all their latest updates and check out the new video!

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Dani Robert releases debut single “Clouds”!

Canadian artist Dani Robert has released the new music video for her debut single Clouds! The song has already racked up an impressive 100,000 streams on Spotify and landed on New Music Friday playlists in ten countries around the world. Produced by Kyngs, Mic Tee (AMAG/ Cash Money/ Rich Gang), and Bryan ‘BC’ Cockett, the new anthem is an upbeat track with intimate vocals, and a unique blend of piano-based pop, folk, and EDM to give it a cool summer feel. “Clouds demonstrates the challenge of speaking what’s in your heart, exploring vulnerability, the subjectivity of human connection, love, and time” Dani explains.  With visuals directed by Gord Poon and Long Truong, the video tells the story of a lifelong friendship, featuring snapshots into their lives together as toddlers, teens, and young adults, as they gradually develop feelings for one another.

Dani is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter based in Toronto, who originally hails from the farmlands of Pain Court, where she first developed what would become her own sound: a fusion of piano-based, alternative pop, and EDM.  At the age of five, she learned to play piano, and by seven, she was writing her own music with inspiration from early experiences. Songwriting has always had a central place in her life, becoming a passion that led her to become a music therapist, where she helps people express themselves through music.  “The opportunity to use my songwriting as a way to not only express myself, my thoughts, ideas, my purpose, but to do that for others is undeniably one of the greatest gifts I have been given,” she says. Dani continues to develop her craft while also performing at venues all across Canada like the Toronto Centre for the Arts and The Hard Rock Cafe.

Check out the new video and download Clouds on iTunes today!

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Liz Lokre releases new music video for 'Buh Bye'!

Pop-Soul Singer/Songwriter Liz Lokre has released the new music video for her single Buh Bye! Directed by Sean McBride and Caroline Torti, the sultry dance floor anthem was funded in part by MUCHFact, where it had its premiere on MUCH TV. The track was produced by Toronto musician Adrian X (Drake, The Weeknd, PartyNextDoor) and Jordan Reyes of BASECAMP, and has hit up playlists around the world on Spotify, New Music Friday lists, and Apple Music’s Best Of The Week – Breaking R&B while racking up over 130K plays along the way. Lokre explains that “this song is about the journey towards empowerment and how good it feels to confidently say ‘Buh Bye’ to anything that was holding me back”.

Lokre (formerly known as Liz Loughrey) hails from Toronto, Canada. Last year, she released her debut single Rise Up!, a Caribbean-flavored track which received global acclaim on blogs and playlists (read all about the inspiration for Rise Up here). A writer/performer since the age of twelve, music runs deep in her family with a grandmother and mother who were acclaimed dancers, and a father who booked live shows in Ireland. Finding inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder, Sade and Alicia Keys, she shared a vocal coach with The Weeknd, and was recommended to Adrian X, a guitarist and music director for live bands like Drake, The Weeknd, and PartyNextDoor. Drawing on their shared love of R&B, reggae, international pop and elements of the ‘Toronto sound’, together they created the new sound of the LZL collective.

Check out the new video and connect with Liz below to get all her latest updates. You can download the song on iTunes and all streaming platforms today. And pick up a hat and button just in time for the weekend!

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East of Eli releases new single "Child's Play"!

Cinematic folk artist East of Eli (aka Nathan West) has released his newest single Child’s Play! Featuring his wife, actress Chyler Leigh (Supergirl, Grey’s Anatomy) on backing vocals, the new track details the feelings of falling in love for the first time. Described as an “electro-pop coming of age story”, the song details the confusion, excitement and anticipation of first love.  “The reason behind the song was to help my son navigate the next five years of his life as he winces ever closer to the ‘coming of age’ years in his life” West explains.  “I felt sharing my experience would give him much needed insight and perspective on what he may expect and also let him know he has someone on his side that can relate to on his own journey”. East of Eli is currently on the Lost Transmission global tour, in support of the brand new EP of the same name, having just wrapped the European leg and with dates upcoming in Canada and Los Angeles.

East of Eli has received widespread acclaim from People Magazine, Hollywood Life, New York Post, Hallmark’s Home and Family, and American Songwriter, which lists West as one of their Artists on the Rise.  East of Eli has also found success selling out top venues like The Troubadour in Los Angeles and New York’s Knitting Factory. Their infectious blend of cinematic folk and modern electronic sounds has landed them a dedicated fanbase all over the world, leading to sold-out shows in Paris, London, Berlin, Copenhagen. After a special performance at Liverpool’s famed Cavern Club, EOE received their ceremonial brick from the legendary venue and a future residency.  Child’s Play and the previous single release Nowhere are off East of Eli’s upcoming EP release Lost Transmission (read all about the inspiration behind Nowhere and the new EP here!). Come hear them on the Lost Transmission tour at The Roxy on July 29th and in Vancouver at The Fox Cabaret on August 5th. Listen to the new single now!

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(cover photo credit: Bobby Quillard)

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Disciples of Babylon announce new single “Freedom” and EP release!

Disciples of Babylon have released Freedom, the first single from their forthcoming album The Rise and Fall of Babylon!  The new single is now available to all fans who pre-order the album. The lead single Without You will be released the week of July 24th with and official & lyric videos soon to follow. The album was helmed by Grammy winner Andres Torres (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Alejandro Sanz), mixed by Grammy winner Curt Schneider (Augustana, Richie Sambora, Joe Bonamassa), and mastered by Dave Kutch (Bruno Mars, The Strokes, Outkast, Joe Perry). “These are precarious times we live in, The Rise and Fall of Babylon signifies something that I feel has been a long time coming,” says frontman Eric Knight. “Babylon, meaning our country (the USA) is slowly spinning out of control and entering into vast turmoil, I feel we are at the beginnings of a revolution one of which the likes we’ve never seen before. As a nation, we are no longer viewed in the regard we once were. The title reflects this shift and quite possibly a prelude of what’s to come.”

The band is familiar to WorldArts fans, after being featured last year, and having rocked the WorldArts Stage (photos). Based in Hollywood & founded in 2012, the band consists of Knight (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Ramon Blanco (lead guitar), Gui Bodi (bass) and Chris Toeller (drums). They were named one of the 2015 Top 25 Best Critiqued Bands by Music Connection magazine, and their debut single Karma was selected by Eclectic Music Blog as #75 of the Top 100 Songs of 2015. In 2016, the band played major music festivals like the Vans’ Warped Tour and launched The Story of Babylon, an original four-part series which chronicles the bands creation.

DOB incorporates key stylistic elements of all the rock greats to create a large stadium-worthy sound. The individual members of DOB are all seasoned musicians, who prior to joining forces, accumulated several national releases independently, along opening for legends like Aerosmith, KISS, The Dave Matthews Band, and Kid Rock on numerous global tours. The band is off to a big 2017, having just played the Gladiator MMA Championship Series with a performance at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Sports Coliseum, and performing on the Mountain Dew extreme sports Dew Tour. They’re incredibly engaged with their fans on social media, so be sure to connect with them below for all their latest updates. Listen to Freedom now and pre-order the new EP today!

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Pontea releases new single & video for "Come Over"!

Singer/Songerwriter Pontea has released her first ever video for her brand new single Come Over! The new song is her second single, following the release of Unpredictable in April.  Both tracks are making waves in anticipation of her debut EP Unpredictable, due to drop on August 18th with a live release party in L.A.!

This Socal indie artist is quickly making her mark on the musical world with her perfect blend of R&B and soulful electro-pop, infused with both rhythmic beats and ambient synths. Her love of music and the arts began at a young age, however it wasn’t until after she graduated from UCLA that she chose to break from her family’s Persian-Jewish cultural upbringings, societal norms, and expectations to fully commit to going after her dream. Pontea is part of a new and liberated creative community pushing the boundaries of cultural limitations and obstacles for women in the music world. As she pursues her passion, she hopes to inspire other women to do the same.

Her raw emotion and the modest sensuality of her vocals, along with impromptu beat boxing and a magnetic stage presence has made her a new fixture in L.A. clubs. Having graced the stage at venues like The Hotel Café, House Of Blues, The Federal, and Genghis Cohen, she is poised for her star-turn in 2017 and beyond. Her upcoming EP marks a defining moment in her evolution as a songwriter, as she continues to step outside her comfort zone while remaining authentic and true to her voice. You can see her live at her EP release party on August 16th at The Resident DTLA in Los Angeles at 9:30 (21+). Connect with Pontea below for all her latest updates, and download Come Over and Unpredictable on iTunes and all platforms today!

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Jenna Kalista releases new single “Phoenix”!

Vocal/Pop artist Jenna Kalista has released her first single Phoenix! Teaming up with producer/engineer Allerdyce (aka Andi Inadomi), Kalista’s new single is a passionate anthem about finding the resilience to rise up again after being knocked down. Its powerful narrative is a fearless, yet earnest story that is both inspiring and reflective, set against a catchy dance beat. The song relates that as messy and challenging as life can be, there is beauty in the chaos and in the toughest circumstances. With a chorus of “You can throw your stones/Go on, give me your worst blow/I’m not gonna crumble”, her raw vocal strength is on full display, culminating in a simple yet triumphant bridge declaring; “I’m Alive”.

Based in Los Angeles, Kalista is a trained concert singer whose electrifying vocal performances have breathed life into the works of the great masters of classical music and opera. A graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music, she has been a prominent feature of the USC Chamber Opera and numerous USC Opera productions, singing under the instruction of Maestros James Conlon and Brent McMunn. She has won awards at multiple vocal competitions, including the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition, leading to performances at storied venues like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and onto several European tours. Although a relative newcomer to the pop scene, Kalista’s versatility and classical training have made her an in-demand background vocalist for artists like Philly K., Vanessa Bejine, and One Hundred Paces. Her sound has transcended classical and operatic contexts, crossing over into folk, indie, jazz, and musical theatre. Having already shared the stage with the likes of Idina Menzel, Jason Robert Brown, Neil Berg, Anna Schulze, and Bitter Blue, you can also hear her on the recent EP release After the Flood by Noam Katz and the upcoming release We Will Overcome by Charlie Kramer.

Listen to Phoenix and connect with Jenna below to learn more!

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Photo Credits: Creme background: Kevin Donnelly Green background: Emery Becker Album Artwork: Tess O’Connor

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Ryan Riback releases new single “One Last Time” feat. some chick!

EDM producer, DJ, and remix artist Ryan Riback has released his new original single One Last Time featuring some chick! The track has already been featured on Spotify‘s New Music Friday playlist in the U.S. and Europe, and earned a place on the coveted Dance Brandner playlist. The track is distributed through RBCK Records in North America along with Kontor, Spinnin, Discowax, Happy Music, and BMG. “One Last Time was originally an acoustic guitar-based record, but something about the vocals grabbed me” says Riback. “The vibe helped me translate the acoustic style into an upbeat dance tune. Lyrically, it’s a breakup song, but it doesn’t focus on the negative side of breaking up—which I really liked. I think it has the same energy as my remix for Call On Me, but with some fresh elements. Plus, it’s a song I can call my own.”

Riback has made major waves since remixing Starley’s Call On Me in early 2016 which has hit over 400+ million streams, and gained support from heavy hitters like Tiësto and Kygo. His single All That She Wants gained 4+ million streams, while his Terror Jr’s Come First remix notched 1.75 million. His remixes of Fifth Harmony’s That’s My Girl (2.5 million streams), Maroon 5’s I Don’t Wanna Know (5.96 million), and Andy Grammer’s Fresh Eyes (2.29 million) have solidified his spot as a new creative force of 2017. A native of Johannesburg, Riback’s electro sound has earned him an eager global audience. Now from his home base in Australia, he’s played Aussie fests like Goodlife, Breakout and Summadayze, as well as international performances with Chuckie (and their collab on Who Is Ready To Jump), Tiesto, Pete Tong, Chris Lake, BBC Radio 1, and Club G Plus in Shanghai. His song Work Money Party Bitches with Lowkiss, hit the #5 spot on ARIA, and his collaboration on Superhouse reached #15. His solo Make Me Go nabbed the #13 spot on the DMC Buzz Chart.

Nylon Magazine describes his newest track as “future ‘90s house magic” that upholds “the original’s coy playfulness”.  Building on an acoustic sample, One Last Time joins Riback’s other tracks a certified dance floor hit.  Hear it now and download it on iTunes today!

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Matt Koelsch releases new single ‘Incomplete’!

Singer/Songwriter Matt Koelsch has released his brand new single Incomplete in advance of his upcoming EP Thinking of You dropping on July 14th! The new single features catchy vocals, warm cello and melancholy melodies.  Koelsch (pronounced ‘kel-sh’) has built a musical career around stirring lyrics, percolating rhythms, and soaring vocals, that are inspired by the highs and lows of his life growing up in New Englad. During the height of the recession, Koelsch took a leap of faith from steady job in finance, to leap into the turbulent music industry and has been pursuing his passion as a full-time recording and performing artist from his new home in Los Angeles. Koelsch recalls feeling a transforming moment when he left his prior life to embark on his journey as an artist saying, “I walked out of the doors of the financial building in Post Office square, I had this feeling of an enormous sense of relief, freedom and uncertainty”.  His passion and talent was rewarded soon after with a scholarship to the renowned Berklee College of Music. Since leaving the financial world behind, he plays around 170 dates a year, sells thousands of CDs, and has shared the stage with members of legendary bands like REM, Pink Floyd, and Toto.

Thinking of You was co-produced with Eugene Toale (Kanye West, Las Cafeteras) and is a product of Koelsch being across the country from his old life and now in the City of Angels. “Being in this setting during my late 20’s early 30’s has affected my writing because it has made me more vulnerable” says Koelsch. “There is more time and space to explore and discover when you are in a completely new and foreign setting, removed from the comforts of your close network of relationships”.  The new EP also features the single Perfectly Aligned, which showcases Koelsch’s catchy vocals and upbeat melodies for a perfect danceable summer jam. Thinking of You is a romantic ballad with yearning lyrics and simple guitar melodies and soothing rhythms that highlight his own unique interpretation of the indie/folk/pop genre.

Listen to the new single and connect with Matt below for all his latest updates. Download Incomplete and the new EP on iTunes on July 14th!

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Haneri releases 'Burning Up' single and video!

Pop artist Haneri has released her latest single along with the new video for Burning Up! The track debuted at #44 in the iTunes Top 200 Tracks, and is currently featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists in ten countries around the world. The song continues to ‘burn up’ global playlists, as it quickly approaches 50,000 streams on Spotify. The new single (and video directed by Ryan Tan) marries 80s beats with a cool new electric feel and deals with themes of addiction and toxic, abusive relationships. This L.A. & Singapore-based artist is passionate about shedding light on these often silent struggles in today’s society. “I hope this song will remind people going through similar struggles that they aren’t alone”, she says.

Formerly known as Daphne Khoo, she burst onto the scene in 2004 after being named 3rd Runner Up on Singapore Idol. A name change to “Haneri” came about from her desire to delve deeper as an artist, and seek an honest, no holding back approach in her message and music. Her ‘Idol’ breakout led to performances at renowned shows like Singapore Day in Melbourne, the Esplanade Recital Studio, and the Mosaic Music Festival. 2006 saw Haneri fronting the Singapore indie-rock group, West Grand Boulevard, at Singapore’s biggest indie festival, Baybeats. Their debut album Waiting For You led to a Best Breakout Band of the Year nomination at the Power 98 Singapore Music Awards, and included the hit singles Fight and Backwards, which were co-written by Haneri. In 2007, she released her debut solo album, Desperate, which brought home the Best Breakout Solo Artist for her at the Power 98’s Singapore Music Awards in ‘08.  In 2012, Haneri released two singles Rooftop and Carry On both of peaked at #4 on Singapore’s 98.7FM international charts.

2014 marked her second EP release Wonderland and its lead single, Weak which was featured in YouTube sensation Wong Fu‘s short film After Us. The EP release led to a 19-show Starbucks tour across Singapore.  In 2015, she crossed over into the EDM scene with the release of Louder with Paul Van Dyk and Roger Shah, and also collaborated with 150 Swedish producers on the track Believe for Avicii‘s charity House for Hunger.  Her credits as a songwriter also include the single Wave that hit #1 on the K-Pop charts as part of a collaboration between R3hab and f(x) Amber and Luna. Haneri’s talent, heartfelt lyrics, and cross-genre versatility have her poised for a another big year, so connect with her below to stay up to date. Check out the new video and download Burning Up today!

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Kaitlyn Gold is our July Spotlight Artist!

Our WorldArts Spotlight Artist of the Month is Kaitlyn Gold! This indie rock goddess hails from Atlanta, but now calls the West Coast home with her band. Her new single Buried Alive just debuted on the radio and should only be listened to when you’re properly ready to kick ass. Check out our exclusive Q&A with her to learn about how she got her start, how she navigates the music world, and how she’s used difficult times in her life to create inspiring music!

1) Tell us about how you got started in music?

I’ve really been surrounded by music throughout my life. I grew up in a rather musical family so I did it all…multiple instruments, musical theatre, even songwriting from an early age. I vividly remember the first song I wrote at the age of 8…it was actually not terrible! “Exceptions” ha. I really still structure my songs the same way I did back then, when I think about it.

2) What inspiration(s) do you draw on when you create music?

I really take from my own life. I write about my personal experiences and some topics that make people uncomfortable but they all have a happy ending …they’re more about overcoming and less about anger or complaint. I have a good number of songs that are really about domestic violence and it’s really helped to make that a topic people are open to discussing and I do believe it’s important that we talk about these kinds of things …in the future it may help men or women that are experiencing it to speak out and feel comfortable asking for help.

3) What was the music scene like in your hometown of Atlanta when you were growing up?

It actually is very similar to what the Hollywood music scene has become since I’ve been here. It’s such a familial and supportive community. People go to each other’s shows to go see a good rock show, not to stand back and see how much better they are and be able to say they went. Everyone pushes for the success of each other because they’ve realized that we can all succeed together.

4) If you could go on tour with any artist (past or present) who would it be?

Dude, I’d love to go on tour with Kesha. My friend, Jesse, and his band the Eagles of Death Metal recently did some recording with her and I was so bummed/pissed that I didn’t know until after. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall….or just sitting quietly ha.

5) What’s your ‘go-to’ karaoke song?

Oh man, it’s been years but the first song that comes to mind is River Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turner.

6) If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I kinda love the whole wild wild west vibe we have going on in the industry these days. Our careers are more in our hands than ever and it’s a very cool time for music. We’re breaking all the rules. It’s funny how many times I’ve done something, like releasing raw demos, and my older friends in music will just freak out, “Oh, you should never do something like that!” I just smile because things that used to be considered career killers are just bold moves now. Ha. I mean it was an impossible feat to get your song on the radio without a record label…two weeks ago “Buried Alive” hit FM radio in the UK and I’ve pretty much just been a one-man army. The possibilities are very exciting. I think the changes we needed in this industry are really being implemented.

7) WorldArts is all about giving tools and opportunities to artists. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

It’s actually because of WorldArts and others like WorldArts that I’m able to climb these mountains on my own…I’m not really working alone. It makes me feel like I do have a team. It’s really pretty incredible and it makes me tear up answering this right now. I don’t really know what I’d be doing or how far along in my career I would be without having people like you doing what you do for artists. There’s really no rule book on what steps you should take in being a musician…I feel like we’re all just kind of winging it as independent artists. Every time I feel lost or I start to feel overwhelmed I get a call or email from one of these companies and I’ve got another radio station picking me up…or I’m a featured artist. Just really don’t give up…and use these tools. It really does so much..even if you don’t win it keeps you improving your art and then eventually you do start to see the change and get the wins. I really feel like I’ve come so far as artist just by having people in my corner, like yourselves. WorldArts actually got me my first radio play ever and I’m forever grateful for everything you’ve done.

8) What is the best way you’ve found to market yourself as an artist?

Social media is a wonderful tool…it’s really cool how we kind of are our own publicists now.  Really social media and WorldArts etc have been the main tools that I’ve used. That and working with smaller growing magazines or really any business having anything to do with music. Ha….it’s beautiful to see the way people are really coming together and helping each other which in turn helps further yourself.

9) Tell us about your latest single “Buried Alive” and the inspiration behind it?

Buried Alive is actually about an ex and really the house that we lived in..it’s always the visual I get. It was a horribly abusive relationship, physically and mentally, and I had almost come to terms with the possibility of not making it out alive, when I got out. The song goes into some of the real life horrors I endured on a daily basis but that if he was going to bury me, he’d have to bury me alive. It takes a lot more than six feet of dirt of to keep me down.

10) What’s next on the horizon for you?

I have three new songs that I’m planning to record this summer with my incredible producer, Skyler Lutes, and my Atlanta-to-L.A. drummer from another mother, Zak Nash.  I’m going to release an EP including Buried Alive hopefully by late fall.  This is Kaitlyn Gold: the Orphan Age.

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Ballerina Black releases single off new EP “East Linus”!

Ballerina Black has released the new single Amode from their latest EP East Linus! The new EP from the L.A.-based indie-pop group is a “collection of songs (that) are a piece of an emotional landscape; a psychological destination, if you will” says lead singer Bobby Moynahan. “The songs explore a sort of sonic purgatory dealing with fear, loss of love, the terror of death and transition, and of course the energy, courage and aggression to let go and push through what lies ahead.”  The band’s sound echoes a resurgence of post-punk romantics, such as The Cure and New Order, which explodes on the new single. “Amode was a rehearsal idea that evolved with these concepts and feelings early on in the recordings of East Linus” explains Moynahan. “It’s a breaking point in the record. The song is like a comet, in the sense, that it’s velocity and intention begin with a force; perhaps a blind fury, before exhausting itself and falling to earth. Much like the times we set out, adhering to an idea or plan, then realizing along the way, that there is an easeful new direction and way of thinking about things.”

Co-founded in 2008 by friends Moynahan (vocals) and Scott Eton (keys/guitar), they began making music out of a necessity to create. “We learned our instruments together and just kept evolving.” Moynahan recalls. “Scott liked the stuff I was coming up with, and he complimented it; sonically better than anyone else, simple.”  Grave Wave is the self-titled genre they feel most fits their new sound incorporating 80s, synth-driven landscapes, Eton juxtaposes, around Moynahan’s morose dialogues, and 3-D lyrics which evoke an almost eulogistic feel.

After releasing their first full-length Cattle Arithmetic in 2010, the band became a favorite on local L.A. radio stations, leading to opening shows for bands like Silversun Pickups and Interpol at famed L.A. Greek Theater, and culminating in a tour of the U.K. The band continues to evolve by embellishing their ‘mope rock’ sound with expansive synths and experimental guitar effects. The band has established itself as a creative force with their newest EP, which follows a stellar series of EP releases starting in late 2012 under the division titled Injureless. Listen to the new single and connect with the band below!

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Sam Clark releases new video for “Out Of Reach”!

Australian pop singer/actor Sam Clark has released the new video for his latest single Out Of Reach!  The track was produced by fellow Australian, Andrew Furze (ARIA awards, The X Factor) and his team at TAG Music, and was co-written with Grammy award-winner Bill Grainer (Jennifer Hudson, Kimberley Locke). Sam says he felt an instant connection with Grainer, and that “despite us being from opposite sides of the globe, we immediately hit it off and knew we were onto something special.  We’ve been writing as a team between L.A. and New York under the moniker ‘The Long Losts’ ever since”.

This Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter from Adelaide has already achieved top 40 ARIA chart success and #1 spot on the ARIA physical singles sales chart with his debut release Broken.  He also recently starred in the five-time Emmy winning Grease Live!  He shot to fame as an actor on the hit Australian TV program Neighbours, where he was credited in over 850 episodes of the internationally successful show. Sam went on to star in his first feature film Mental (Toni Collette, Liev Schreiber) for which he also wrote and performed several original songs, and was nominated as Cleo Bachelor Of The Year (Cleo Magazine) and Most Popular New Male Talent at the TV Week Logie Awards (Australian Emmy).

Out Of Reach is a pop anthem that pairs a melodic arrangement, with Sam’s honest and meaningful lyrics.  It’s a love song to authentic romance that’s both relatable and heartfelt. “I want my songs to be catchy without compromising their lyrical content. If I had to choose a single theme that runs through all my songs, it would be love”, he says.  The new video follows Sam on his adventure discovering multiple forms of love.

Renowned for his live looping skills, Sam is a seasoned performer having played hundreds of unique and engaging, one-man shows around the world. Connect with him below to see him live all around Los Angeles and download the new song on iTunes today!

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Kylie Odetta releases video off new EP “Undertow”!

Singer-Songwriter Kylie Odetta has released her latest EP Undertow! Currently on tour throughout the south in support of the project, she has also released the video for her latest single You Don’t Love Me off the new EP. The inspiration behind this track came from her sadness over a best friend’s heartbreak. “I wrote this last year after I got off the phone with one of my best friends.” she recalls. “Her story inspired the lyrics as well as inspiring the urge inside me to go punch the guy who broke her heart! But like all things, time heals and wounds mend and what we think was the worst thing in our life is transformed into something new and beautiful.”

Kylie has been called an old soul with a powerful, yet dreamy sound that draws the audience in. A pianist with a mellow but passionate voice, this indie artist incorporates her Greenville, SC roots with a hint of jazz, soul, and pop to create an organic and refreshing sound. Her new EP has a heartfelt “live music” feel while conveying elements of jazz, R&B, and pop. Kylie says she “created many of the songs sitting behind piano keys pouring out my soul, letting go, experiencing, loving, freeing myself of what was inside.” She is on a mission to share her music with others and truly connect with people through her lyrics, in hopes that the audience will “listen to that journey and put (their) own experiences to the songs.”

Having already released previous EPs The Waiting Game in 2014, Breaking Habits in 2015, and High Dreamer in 2016, this prolific artist has already penned over two hundred songs. Her work ethic extends beyond the studio, where she has done hundreds of her own solo show across the U.S. and opened for stars like Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat, Mat Kearney, Austin Mahone and Kellie Pickler. People, everyday life, and the emotions that we all feel inspire her. “My goal is to create art that moves people deep inside their souls, brings love to light, and enhances the beauty and power of emotion” she says. “I love how lyrics and melodies can express the inner most parts of a heart and I hope we can connect through music together.

You can stream the new EP and download it on iTunes today. Be sure to snag a new Undertow t-shirt & CD just in time for summer!

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Liz Wiegard is our June Spotlight Artist!

Our WorldArts Spotlight Artist of the Month is Liz Wiegard! This up & coming Los Angeles-based indie singer/songwriter specializes in solo acoustic/folk-pop. She’s been honing her versatile talent since picking up the guitar in middle school and now her first EP is on the horizon. Check out our Q&A with her to learn about the inspiration behind her latest single, her journey as an artist, and who her own ‘Mr. Miyagi’ is (we all have one).

1)  Tell us about how you got started in music?

I’ve been playing music since I was a little one. In 5th grade, I joined the band, and I played clarinet (which I played up through high school in various symphonic ensembles). Then in middle school I learned to play guitar, because to be honest, I thought it would make me seem cooler. So I started playing electric guitar in the jazz band. That spawned a genuine love of guitar that I could never shake. I’ve always been a singer, but only when I was alone and couldn’t be heard. Up until a few years ago, I had the biggest case of stage fright you ever saw. But once I had a realization that music is really what makes me happiest, I forced myself (through practice) to get rid of that stage fright. It’s probably one of my proudest accomplishments.

2)  What inspiration(s) do you draw on when you create music?

Anything and everything! When I listen to music, I become a sponge. I absorb every little detail, and consider closely how I could use a technique or a style or whatever to make my own music better. When I write, it’s usually just a sudden flash of inspiration that I then jump on and flesh out. Sometimes it starts with a melody, a rhythm, or a lyric.

3)  What was the music scene like in your hometown of St. Louis when you were growing up?

I lived in a small suburb of St. Louis called Arnold, where it was mostly just high school garage bands. I wish I could say I was more involved in the music scene in St. Louis, but I didn’t really discover the yearning to perform and participate until I moved to L.A. I just remember moving here and being so totally inspired by the people I met who were following their own dreams so passionately. It made me realize that I hadn’t ever tried before because I pessimistically assumed nothing could ever come of pursuing music. But I saw these people doing it for no other reason than their own enjoyment, passion, and fulfillment, and I realized that music makes me really, really happy, and that I had been silly to not just go for it.

4)  If you could go on tour with any artist (past or present) who would it be?

There’s so many artists that I admire that I would just die to tour with. I think though, I’ll narrow it down to two: Ed Sheeran and Florence and the Machine. Ed because he’s the absolute epitome of the solo singer-songwriter genre. He’d be the Mr. Miyagi of songwriting and acoustic performance. And for Florence, as far as I’m concerned, she’s doing something that no one else does. No one really sounds like her. Her songs are so huge and incredible, and she performs with such a fire, I’d just want to absorb it through proximity.

5)  What’s your ‘go-to’ karaoke song?

I usually do 90’s pop songs. Backstreet Boys or N’Sync. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I was taking myself too seriously.

6)  WorldArts is all about giving tools and opportunities to artists.  What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Don’t get discouraged. It’s incredibly hard to not get beat down by it. I’ve played to empty rooms (still do!). I’ve worried about not getting enough likes and listens to generate any kind of heat. It’s an impossible mountain to climb. But you’ve just got to remind yourself why you do it. I do it because at the end of the day, I just really, really, really love to sing. I really, really, really love music.

7)  If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I wish it wasn’t so damn hard to make a living with music. I have friends who have had incredible success with music. I know people who have toured Europe, who have thousands upon thousands of fans etc., but who still have to work a day job to make ends meet. This industry is basically pay-to-play. Unless you’re under a label, you have to finance your own career. Kickstarter is great, but you can’t do one for every single you put out, every EP you want to release, every music video you want to create. You have to fund these things yourself. And you get next to nothing for the finished product.

8)  What is the best way you’ve found to market yourself as an artist?

I think my strength lies is my live performances. I feel like I often play for strangers who’ve never heard me before, and turn them into fans. But aside from that, it’s really a game of networking, both online and in-person. It’s important to recognize the tools you have at your disposal, and also to seize any opportunity when it arises.

9)  Tell us about your latest single “I’ll Remember You” and the inspiration behind it?

I’ll Remember You is, as so many songs are, about a boy. Actually two boys. The first part is about someone I used to date, who I was so excited about. I thought the chemistry and attraction were so there, and that his feelings were in-line with mine. But then he kind of ghosted me. It was just disappointment honestly. But the second part is about the one who came after. That’s my current boyfriend, who ended up being everything I wanted and more. He makes me more happy than I’ve ever been.

10) What next on the horizon for you?

I’ve got a pretty solid plan for what I’m going to do in the immediate future: Firstly, I’m going to finish the EP that I’ve been working on (off-and-on) for about a year. I’ve finally got the resources at my disposal to finish it to my satisfaction. Secondly, I’m going to put a heavy focus on street performing. I feel like it’s a great way to just make myself heard by people who would otherwise never know who I was. Also, maybe get some cash tips to put towards my music? Sure!

Check out her performance of I’ll Remember You on The Neon Sessions!

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