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Music's Journey INTERVIEW #204 w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend's Latest Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''  

Music's Journey Podcast

INTERVIEW #204

w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter/ Producer 

Ann Vriend

Hosted by Kim Cyr

Presented by NOW and THEN Magazine

www.musicsjourney.com

https://www.nowandthenmagazine.com

Music's Journey INTERVIEW #201 w/R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend's Latest Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''

Ann Vriend

New Single

‘’If You Were Here''

feat. Jory Kinjo

Music's Journey INTERVIEW #201

Music's Journey Interview #204 w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend New Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''

Canadian artist AV (Ann Vriend) is an internationally recognized singer-songwriter, musician, and producer, whose effortless blend of Blues, Roots, and Soul has recently landed her a nomination in the Keyboardist of the Year category at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre in January. Her latest album, "Everybody Matters", has sold thousands of units worldwide to date, ranked #28 on Alberta's CKUA Radio Network's Top 100 Albums of 2022, and reached #20 on the Earshot National Chart. 

AV performed at the event that took place at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre Theatre on Monday, January 30th, 2023.   AV has twice been the recipient of the Cobalt Music Prize at the Maple Blues Awards, an annual event celebrating Blues music across the country and honouring outstanding achievements in the field.

With radio play around the world and on commercial radio in Germany, currently sitting at #2 on VHR's "International Hits", AV's soulful, socially focused project is continuing to have an impact across the globe. The two-time "Cobalt Music Prize" winner at the Maple Blues Awards has also taken home the "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" Award at the Edmonton Music Awards and has played some of the world's most coveted music festivals, including SXSW and Reeperbhan, along with having her music featured in Elle Magazine, CBC Radio, CTV, and Global News.

As AV prepared to take the stage at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards in Toronto at the end of January, she had just released a brand new video for "If You Were Here" from "Everybody Matters" - a soulful and haunting ballad that features AV's powerful, longing vocals alongside the rich and rough-edged voice and bass playing of well-known Calgary artist Jory Kinjo. Kinjo has toured with B.B. King and a long stream of other legendary Blues artists, as well as many well-known Ska and Reggae groups. 

Music's Journey INTERVIEW #204 w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend New Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''

AV - Wish You Were Here Official Music Video

About "If You Were Here":

“If You Were Here”, is a lonely, haunting, Blues duet based on a wordless chorus sung in harmony about longing, wandering, and what keeps people in relationships. Originally released in 2012, the song was co-written with Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Epp while at a Folk Alliance conference in Memphis. The tune was initially penned in dedication to Jeff Buckley, who drowned in the arm of the Mississippi River AV and Epp could view from the conference hotel. The stand out, somber harmonies for the track were crafted in the hotel stairwell, where the natural reverb and constant stream of musicians chiming in as they went past was the initial musical inspiration for the song's vocal hook; a long stream of people wandering in hope of finding something more.

From AV: "My first tour since the pandemic was in Western Europe, and many audience members told me it was their first outing and concert in more than 2 years. You could see the toll that being apart from other people had taken, but also a new-found appreciation and joy of being together socially again. Many refugees were in the audience, being billeted with families who'd taken them in due to the war in the Ukraine. Many of the refugees were teenagers and young adults, away from their parents and families, and though they were grateful for the hospitality, the stress of the war and being apart from people they loved was very evident. People really seemed to connect then to this haunting duet about being apart.  

For me the song mirrored what I felt myself; after such a long hiatus of not touring and performing with the people who have become close friends, and not seeing so many people on the road, many of whom also have become close. But also it resonated back home; as I live in a neighborhood in Edmonton that has a high population of displaced people:  recent refugees from war torn or dangerous countries world-wide, as well as Indigenous people who have been moved time and time again since colonialism began.  There are many shelters in my neighborhood of many varieties, so daily I see a flow of people wandering past my window, many with all their belongings in bags or in shopping carts, and it's especially hard for folks in the winter.

So, for all these reasons I wanted to sing this song again right now, because though it is a song about loneliness and separation and longing it is also a duet-- and it is about human connection that I hope transcends past barriers, politics, and passports and reminds us of our commonality and humanity." - AV

Here is a part of my interview with singer-songwriter Ann Vriend.

KC: What were your influences musically in your life that impacted the kind of songwriter you wanted to be?

AV: Hard to say in retrospect because I was just a kid but probably a major contributing factor that I was read to a lot from a very young age, by especially my dad, probably got an ear for storytelling and language through that. And also I started music lessons quite young, and chord progressions and melodies have always come fairly easily to me— of course songwriting is storytelling put to music, so it kind of combines that.  There was never really a conscious decision to become a songwriter— I was just always doing it.  But listening to what other songwriters were doing— I would try to see if I could write in their style, so that inadvertently affected my own songwriting style, I am sure.

KC: Do you remember a song that you heard that stands out in your mind that made you want to write and pursue music as your career?

AV: There isn’t a certain song.  But I did see a band at a club in Edmonton at a “battle of the bands” contest, and I LOVED the band that was the winning band— a funk band— and I found out that they were attending this music school in town, and I told my roommate that night that I needed to go to a music school where I could meet and play with people like that.  So the next day I lined up an audition and said that if I got in I would drop out of university— the audition went horribly but something I got in anyway, and at that school— Grant MacEwan College (now a university) was really a major critical changing point in my life. I had to face a lot about myself in learning how to be a performer, and of course, learned a LOT about music.  But by the end of the 2-year program, there was no turning back— I had the bug and I did meet a ton of musicians, many of whom I work with to this day.

KC: When you started this journey in music, everyone has a set idea of what they thought success is to them.  What was that idea for you at the beginning of your career and has the idea of success changed for you today?

AV: Oh man that is a great question.  I think, like many if not most people, at first I had this idea in my mind at first that it is this glamorous life of fame and adoration because of course that’s what we see in the media and magazines.  When you actually get into it and start paying your dues at the bottom you rapidly learn it is not like that for the vast majority of musicians lol. Which disillusions a lot of people. This is why the ones who stick with it I think have to define success differently than that.  A friend of mine who’s an AMAZING musician once posted something when she won one of her many (deserved) awards that mentioned “external gratification.”  And that term really made me think.  I realized unless I was happy MYSELF about what I was producing— in the studio and on stage— I would always be seeking things from other people and that that is such an insecure, terrifying space to live in because of course no one has control over that— or at least I don’t.  So since then, I’ve just been trying to really be proud of what I do, regardless of what other people have to say about it— and weirdly that has resulted in things going better than when I actually was trying to obtain accolades or approval or money or things like that.  So— I’m sticking with that approach :)

KC: With your parents encouraging you to have a voice, caring about your surroundings, your communities around you…tell us about drawing on those inspirations for writing and how the gospel and soul styles of African American culture and 70’s folk/pop that stuck with you as the kind of music you wanted to be… 

AV: Well musically I think the emotions and rhythms of that music put together with some amazingly strong singers can’t really be topped.  So that’s the first thing.  But also of course the injustices and struggles that are told in soul and RnB are ones that people all over can relate to more or fewer degrees— definitely, my own neighborhood has a lot of struggles that are similar and so my love of the music and listening to social commentaries like Superbly by Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone— basically pretty much all soul artists — it just seemed to go together.  70s folk/pop artists from the colonial side were also kind of coming to terms with their own materialist culture and starting to question things like the Vietnam war and other things like that— beginning to realize some of the propaganda they had been fed.  So— growing up on that music made it seem normal to be a writer and thinker who questioned the status quo, I guess.

KC:  This album is almost completely self-written. The album features you and only three other musicians that appear in this project. Tell us about deciding to do a project completely stripped down …utilizing less to create more approach…with only keyboards, vocals, and drums.

AV:  In 2019 I toured for 7 weeks in Europe with that instrumentation, minus drums— mostly for economical reasons—  and people would ask at the merch table if there was anything to buy that sounded like what they exactly had just heard. And at the time I had to say that no, sadly I didn’t.  So when I got back from the tour I decided to make something for those fans, and stay disciplined with the sonic palette that I could use; to stick to only what you listed, and play all the bass lines on the keys, for example. 

KC:  What was it like working alongside esteemed engineer and producer Chris Birkett on this album? 

AV:  Chris is a gentle and very talented musician who knows a lot about engineering and is great to produce vocals with, too.  He is young at heart and it was fun getting to know him to make this album.  And man he has a lot of stories and has worked with quite a few heavy hitters.

KC:  The songs speak to the real, raw life issues that people face every day.  What does this album mean to you and giving these issues a voice with your platform as an artist?

AV:  Well in the real world things can be harsh, especially in my neighborhood, and the album is inspired from there— people who have not received a great hand if you liken life to a card game.  In living there for the last 15 years I have had a lot to think about, including my social and economic position in relation to that, and the long way our society has to go before there is proper justice and human rights for even the very unlucky in our society— including those who have come from other places, or broken homes.  in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “No one is free until everyone is free.”

KC: What has been the most amazing story about one of the songs on this album that a fan has shared that really moved you?

AV:  There have been quite a few— but I guess what sort of sticks with me isn’t really about a fan, but more about the immediate context of the album, and the album cover, which depicts a chair with a purple and gold blanket draped over it, hung in such a way that the chair looks like a throne.  It’s a chair outside under a very graffitied bridge and is a photograph shot by photographer Pieter de Vos, who is a local photographer from Edmonton, who did a series on homes in the Edmonton river valley of houseless people and how they decorated them to make them feel like a home. 

When the first batch of my CDs was delivered to my doorstep some of the boxes were stolen before I could take them inside, so I went around the neighborhood to look for them, showing people the album cover and offering a cash reward no questions asked to anyone who could find the stolen ones.  It was tough because they had been stolen by someone in a gang, so though everyone said they’d seen the CDs not a single person said they knew who had them, though most I asked were homeless and in need of money.  One of the people I showed the album cover to was a young woman who I recognized from a year earlier, where I had seen her living in a tent next to a bike trail I was on, during the height of the pandemic.  She had asked me if she could go to the hospital to visit her mom.

This time she was sitting with some other young women, across the street from the supervised injection site, about a block from my house.  While I was talking to them, they were casually injecting themselves in various parts of their bodies without seemingly even noticing.  The young woman I recognized was very taken aback by the album cover because she said: “Oh, that was MY place!”   She was very surprised to see it and recognized it immediately.  So— it was her throne, her chair, her blanket, her home, under that bridge in the river valley.  “How long did you live there?” I asked.  And she said, “About a year.” And I said, “Even in the winter?”, as it gets below minus 30 degrees Celsius here some nights.  “Yes,” she said.  She said she liked it because it was pretty safe, and no one bothered her there. 

It was a strange way to have met the person whose home decorating style caught the eye of the photographer whose photo spoke so loudly to me when I was looking for the album artwork. (Later I did get all the CDs back— that’s a story for another day). 

The whole point of the photography series, and my album, is to remind us all of the individual importance and worth of each person— so it should not have surprised me that yes, this throne was attached to a real person in my neighborhood, whom I’d met already once, who is someone’s daughter, and just like everyone, they matter.  I hope our society stops viewing humans as disposable and dispensable because no one wants to feel that way.  Not you, not me, not anyone.  It is a reflection on our society if that is still happening, more than it is on those who are treated that way,

 I gave the woman the copy of the album that I had in my hand and said thank you for inspiring this photographer.  She didn’t know what to say to that.  I don’t think people in her position get thanked a whole lot.  But it was the first copy of the album that anyone got, which seemed appropriate.  I have no idea where it is now, but if she still has it I hope it’s in a place she continues to decorate, that is warmer and that has the dignity any person with any illness deserves.

KC:  Do you have a favorite or a song that was really important to you to release on the EVERYBODY MATTERS?

AV:  Well, I guess that’s like asking someone to choose between their children haha.  I am currently really promoting the song and video for “If You Were Here”, and I’m really happy with how especially the remix for it turned out and excited to get some huge radio play for it in Germany leading up to the tour that we’re doing in Europe currently. 

Burning Questions Portion of the Show

KC:  If you could suggest only one of your songs for someone to listen to that describes the artist you are today, what song would that be and why?

AV:  Any of the songs on the new album really— but since “If You Were Here” is the single we’re promoting— a duet with Jory Kinjo, who is playing bass and singing backup vocals on the tour I’m on— then I suggest people start there :)

KC:  Favorite storytelling song of all time?

AV:  Oh geez.  There is an Americana song called “The Flood” by Canadian singer-songwriter Jack Marks that is one of the best in that genre, I think.

KC:  Favorite international artist on the radio today?

AV:  Oh boy.  I’m a fan of Anderson Paak. Bruno Mars.  Digging the new Miley Cyrus song.  Also listening to a lot of hits on Latin radio.

KC:  What is one song that brought out the emotions that moved you the most that you wished that you had written?

AV:  Oh man— there are quite a few.  So, so many.  I can’t list them in one interview :)

KC:  Favorite live stage performance of any artist past or present?

AV:  I think Michael Jackson in London is pretty hard to beat.  Stevie Wonder at Aretha’s funeral.  Stevie was in Europe also, when he was super young.  Miriam Makeba In Zimbabwe singing the South African National anthem at a Paul Simon concert, while in exile from South Africa.  Prince at the Superbowl.  Aretha in the Netherlands.  I of course haven’t seen everything there is to see so it’s hard to know what I’ve missed. 

To hear the full interview and music with Ann Vriend, go to www.musicsjourney.com or click on the link below.

Music's Journey INTERVIEW #204 w/R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend Latest Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here"

Biography:

Canadian artist AV (Ann Vriend) is known most for her virtuosic, soaringly powerful vocals, and not far behind that for her multi-award-winning abilities as a songwriter -- and she ain’t too bad at the piano, either. She has been delivering her undeniably unique brand of old-school, inner-city soul to audiences around Europe, Oceana, Asia, and North America throughout her under-the-radar but a consistently award-winning, critically acclaimed career. 

Growing up in a household that encouraged critical thinking and challenged the status quo, AV has always written songs about confusion, searching, and questioning -- of herself, and the culture around her. The outcome is what she half seriously, half-jokingly calls “existentialist gospel": drawing musically from the emotionally intense and rhythmic gospel and soul styles of African American culture, as well as from her parents’ vinyl ‘70s folk/pop collection. 

It is with a huge, respectful nod to her influences that AV addresses the social issues that face her and her community of her somewhat notorious inner-city Edmonton neighborhood of McCauley;  in which there is a high concentration of people suffering from extreme forms of trauma and abuse; often resulting in addiction, mental illness, stigmatization, neglect, and further abuse.  AV's own self-examination in response to this is the subject matter of her newest album and its title track, "Everybody Matters."

AV and the Inner City

Music's Journey INTERVIEW #204 w/ R & B Singer/Songwriter Ann Vriend New Single and Video ‘’If You Were Here''

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03/22/2023

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Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW #124 w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover”  

Music's Journey Podcast 

INTERVIEW #124  

w/ Juno Award Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter 

'Sean Jones' 

Hosted by Kim Cyr 

www.musicsjourney.com 

https://www.nowandthenmagazine.com 

Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover” 

Sean Jones 

New Album 

''Weekend Lover'' 

Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover” 

TORONTO, ON – JUNO award-winning R&B singer-songwriter Sean Jones is back with a brand-new album titled Weekend Lover. The album features a set of songs that are reminiscent of 90’s R&B and will be released November 5 via all streaming platforms.  

Produced by Murray Daigle (Keshia Chante, Serena Ryder, BRDGS), the album has something for everyone with its mix of fast and mid-tempo tracks and just the right amount of awesome slow jams added to the mix. Love Will, a bass-heavy mixture of classic house and 90’s R&B, written by Jones, Daigle, and Adrian X, was the first release from the album and speaks to the theme of love in a real and honest way.  

“I am so excited about this record. This album is a coming home of sorts for me. While I have truly enjoyed creating and performing music in multiple genres over the years, 90's R&B has always been my first love. This record is just an extension of my heart. There is no filler. Every song is special and unique in its own way. And the tunes will undoubtedly take you back in time. Murray and I made sure to add in just enough modern-day elements to keep this fresh and in line with the sound of music today. I am super proud of this body of work. If you are a lover of 90's R&B I can most certainly guarantee that you will not be disappointed.”  

Opening with the album's title track, listeners are immediately transported to a nostalgic scene of young lust and seduction. “Weekend Lover” is a throwback anthem that sets the album’s tone, bringing it back to Sean’s roller-skating days. “Drink” is an infectious earworm and this entrancing track flutters through the materialistic wonders of life, and lands on the remaining fact that staying grounded in what is really important - the human connection - is the key to living a meaningful life.  

Weekend Lover has been in the works for quite some time, a fact that is especially evident with “Hooked”, the song marking the halfway point of the album, featuring a rhythmic guitar progression that was written by Sean back in 2010. It took just over a decade for Sean to find the right melody and lyrics to accompany the track, preciseness that is indicative of the singer-songwriter’s dedication to his craft.  

In 2015, Sean became the first artist to secure a solo summer residency at the historic Casa Loma in downtown Toronto. The Monday night revue titled Soul in The City gave Jones and his nine-piece band, The Righteous Echo, the chance to showcase his original songs as well as their take on popular old-school R&B and soul hits. The show would also give emerging artists a stage to share their talents.  

The night's overwhelming success led to WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, handpicking Sean to create a musical experience for the passengers aboard their flights. For the project titled, The WestJet Boarding Sessions, Jones recorded new versions of classic Canadian hits such as These Eyes by The Guess Who, The Weight by The Band, and Angel by Sarah McLachlan and flew across Canada to interview some of these cherished musical icons.  

“Growing up, my parents played all the classics, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, The Supremes... the list goes on and on. I loved all of it then and to this day. However, the music of the late ‘80s and ‘90s is what sparked my interest in performing. There was something about the musical energy of that time. The R&B/Pop songs were infectious and well written. I was truly missing that vibe and started writing songs in that vein. It’s taken a couple of years to finish, but I’m excited to start sharing it with everyone.”  

Sean continues his long-time working relationship with manager Laura van Leest of Bellefair Artists and will spend the better part of 2022 promoting the new album, performing select shows across Canada, and continuing to grow his acting resume with Hero Artists.  

Sean Jones - Weekend Lover Track Listing  

Weekend Lover  

1. Rub  

2. Drink  

3. She Is  

4. Body To Love  

5. Love Come Down  

6. My Love  

7. Hooked  

8. Black Diamond  

9. Puttin In Work  

10. All Fall Down (feat. Storry)  

11. Sweet Wine  

12. Make Love  

13. Love Will  

14. I Do 

Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover” 

SEAN JONES - WEEKEND LOVER (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 

Sean Jones - Love Will 

WestJet Boarding Sessions Ep. 1: Sean Jones

WestJet Boarding Sessions with Sean Jones

ABOUT SEAN JONES  

Sean Jones is a JUNO award-winning R&B singer/songwriter determined to bring a fresh and contemporary vibe to the classic soul sound that has inspired him in the past. His 200+ live renditions of soulful ballads, funky R&B workouts, and original material have consistently left audiences breathless. Sean has enjoyed a distinguished career that has seen him perform on the shores of Monaco, in the islands of Hawaii, at London’s historic Trafalgar Square, at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Centre. Most recently, Sean has had the honour of opening for Ellen DeGeneres at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. 

Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW w/ JUNO Award-Winning R&B Singer/Songwriter Sean Jones Releases New Album “Weekend Lover” 

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11/12/2021

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TheWeeknd Releases A Curated Album ''The Highlights'' To Celebrate SuperBowl Weekend! Pre-Released Video! Check It Out!!! 

XO / REPUBLIC RECORDS RELEASE THE HIGHLIGHTS, PROJECT CURATED FOR THE WEEKND’S UPCOMING PEPSI SUPER BOWL LV HALFTIME SHOW PERFORMANCE  

THE WEEKND IS THE FIRST EVER CANADIAN ARTIST TO SOLO HEADLINE THE SUPER BOWL  

ANNOUNCES HIS RETURN TO THE GLOBAL STAGE WITH AFTER HOURS WORLD TOUR, TICKETS ON SALE FEBRUARY 8th  

WATCH “THE LAST MEAL BEFORE THE SUPER BOWL” NOW  

TEAMS UP WITH POSTMATES AS FIRST EVER ARTIST TO HIGHLIGHT BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS IN NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CAMPAIGN

06 FEBRUARY 2021 (TORONTO, ON) - The Weeknd and XO/Republic Records/Universal Music Canada, the country's leading music company, have released a special project curated specifically for his upcoming Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show appearance. Given the vast mainstream audience of the Super Bowl, The Highlights album is a way to present some of The Weeknd’s most notable works in one place.  While this isn’t a “Greatest Hits” album it does provide a new listener a rich foray into some of the iconic artist’s best and favorite work.  

Listen to The Highlights HERE  

In addition, The Weeknd recently announced the After Hours World Tour. The 104-date global tour will kick off on January 14th, 2022 in Vancouver at Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena with stops in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, London and more, before wrapping November 18th in Glasgow at SSE Hydro. The announcement comes just days ahead of the multi-platinum singer’s headlining Super Bowl performance, and also includes a handful of rescheduled dates shifting from 2021 to be a part of the After Hours World Tour in 2022. Tickets go on sale beginning Monday, February 8th at 10AM local time at Ticketmaster.com. Full routing can be found HERE.  

As another gift to the fans, The Weeknd dropped a video entitled “The Last Meal Before the Super Bowl.” In the video, The Weeknd can be seen enjoying a final feast on the field. Check it out HERE. 

The Weeknd - The Last Meal Before The Super Bowl

Lastly, to honor the first day of Black History month, The Weeknd announced a collaboration with Postmates and their Black-Owned national merchant collection. Postmates users will see the collection of local options at the top of their feed when using the Postmates app. To kick the collaboration off, The Weeknd chose a local Tampa black-owned restaurant, Mama's Southern Soul Food to feed the frontline healthcare workers at AdventHealth Carrollwood (nearby the Stadium where the Superbowl will take place) who received 150 meals delivered by Postmates, to recognize and reward their tireless efforts to save lives and keep their community safe.  

The Highlights tracklisting:  

  1. Save Your Tears  
  2. Blinding Lights  
  3. In Your Eyes  
  4. Can’t Feel My Face  
  5. I Feel It Coming (With Daft Punk)  
  6. Starboy (With Daft Punk)  
  7. Pray For Me (With Kendrick Lamar)  
  8. Heartless  
  9. Often  
  10. The Hills  
  11. Call Out My Name  
  12. Die For You  
  13. Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)  
  14. Love Me Harder (With Ariana Grande)  
  15. Acquainted  
  16. Wicked Games  
  17. The Morning  
  18. After Hours 

The Weeknd - Starboy ft. Daft Punk (Official Video)

The Weeknd - Die For You (Official Audio)​​​​​​​

The Weeknd - Acquainted (Official Audio)

The Weeknd - Save Your Tears (Official Music Video)

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02/06/2021

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Celeste New Single ''Stop This Flame'' Pre-Order Album Now! 

Celeste 

New Single 

''Stop This Flame'' 

MEET: Celeste, an alluring, soulful singer from England

Pre-Order Album HERE

Born in Los Angeles, Celeste moved to England with her mom when she was three. In a conversation with Interview Magazine, Celeste reveals that her singing prowess was identified an early age. At nine, Celeste was offered a scholarship to practice singing at a performing arts school, although she only attended for one year. Still, Celeste maintains that she always wanted to have a career in music.

''Strange''

When she was 16, Celeste uploaded a song on YouTube. It got the attention of a prospective manager, who eventually ended up arranging studio sessions for Celeste at the infamous Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London. Several legendary artists have used the studio to song write and record. That includes the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Clash, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney. According to Dummy Magazine, the people who ran the studio were so impressed with Celeste’s songwriting that they kept giving her more time there.

Celeste’s career took off from there. She released various songs over the next few years, including the single “Daydreaming.” The song is consistent with Celeste’s body of work, with sweet, soaring vocals over a laid-back instrumental. According toi-D Magazine, the song was written while Celeste was working at a local pub. Celeste says that she was “pulling pints” while imagining she was performing in the infamous Carnegie Hall in New York City. If that “daydream” became a reality in the near future, we wouldn’t be surprised. Check out a riveting live performance of the song here:

Celeste’s family played an important role in developing her musical influences. Her grandparents exposed her to classic singers like Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald at a very early age. In her interview with i-D, Celeste reveals that the first album she ever listened to front-to-back was an Aretha Franklin tape. Her grandad used to play the tape while driving Celeste around in his cherry red Jaguar. Celeste remembers those moments fondly, saying that her face “lit up” upon hearing Aretha Franklin’s voice for the first time. 

In a slightly unexpected way, Celeste’s father, who had remained in California when she moved, also influenced her. A few years after his untimely death, Celeste discovered a wardrobe full of his vinyl records while rummaging through his room in Los Angeles. She brought the records home with her, and used them to discover new music and search for possible samples.

As for more modern inspirations, Celeste mentions Frank Ocean, Solange, and Kanye West as some of the musicians she emulates. Celeste also lists Kanye as one of the artists with whom she would most like to collaborate. She’s a huge fan of Kanye’s classic album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” When she was 18, Celeste says that she listened to the critically-acclaimed record three times a night. She enjoyed the fact that the music felt “free and experimental,” but could also be played “at a bus or at a party”. We could say the same about her music!

When talking to Interview Magazine about her writing and recording process, Celeste says that she often spends time listening to music that inspires her beforehand. She then goes to the studio and begins to develop melodies with one or two piano players. Celeste explains that sometimes the songwriting process can be strenuous and time-consuming. Other times, the songwriting process is quick. An example is her song “Chocolate,” which was nearly complete within 10 minutes of first hearing the instrumental. That’s an impressive feat, especially when considering how refined the song sounds. You can check it out here:

 

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08/27/2020

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'Trevor Daniels,' 'Selena Gomez' And 'Lil Mosley' Adding A New Dimension To Dreamy Remix Of ''Past Life'' Out Now! 

Trevor Daniels

''Past Life'' Remix

(Feat. Selena Gomez and Lil Mosley)

It’s the song that keeps on giving. Selena and Trevor paired up for the soothingly dreamy remix of “Past Life” a few weeks ago, and now they’ve recruited Lil Mosey to add some more flair and dimension. It’s a collaboration that we didn’t see coming, but are extremely grateful for. The young rapper, who’s been killing it with features and releases of his own brought a trap-inspired sound and a couple verses that we’re already trying to memorize. Listen to the latest remix HERE.  

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08/15/2020

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R & B Singer Songwriter ''Rashida Z'' Releases New Single 'More'  

Rashida Z  

''More'' 

     Rashida, the name meaning righteous; wise; knows her own way is the true description and introduction of the great independent artist Rashida Z. Emit Radio describes Rashida Z’s sound as a mix of the late, great Whitney Houston merged with Alicia Keys in the R&B category of Adult Contemporary with a hint of pop.  Prolific songwriting is her claim to fame and it is evident the moment you hear her thought provoking, unapologetically honest lyrics intertwined with her original, hitmaker style that makes her melodies so memorable and will have you singing along right away.  

     Rashida Z’s new song “Colorblind” has been described by music industry professionals as a “Hit and a Half”. With its racially inclusive lyrics, Colorblind is a stunner reminiscent of music that is fit for the big screen. Colorblind is Produced by Branden Burch who also Produced India Arie’s “There’s Hope” and her latest “He’s Got That Magic”. As if that was not enough Colorblind is topped off with a hint of music royalty with Andrew Debarge from the beloved Debarge family on guitar.  

     Rashida Z’s songs receives daily radio airplay and  have been played on major broadcast radio stations within the United States, with Beasley Media Group’s WPEG Power 98 in Charlotte NC being the first to play her song Colorblind that is truly fit for these racially unstable times. The DJ at Power 98 described Colorblind as “Dope” and a song that “caught him off guard”. He played it on air within a few days of receiving it. Recently making the Hot Adult Contemporary Charts Spotify Playlist, this song is becoming a favorite of many listeners.  Communique Magazine of the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia Area featured Rashida Z and the lyrics to her song Colorblind in their latest August 2020 Special Youth Edition Issue as a tool to help bring understanding in the discussion with kids aged 8-18 about the complexities of racial tension in our world. Her song "Ask Me Again" is an R&B smasher and her latest ballad "More" is an honest and vulnerable "tell all" about a relationship that although everything seems right, marriage does not seem like it will happen, which relates to the statistics of so many couples in relationships but not married today.  

Taking nothing for granted, her focus with her music is to touch hearts, change minds, tell the truth through song with the intention that her music relates to every person who is experiencing life and all of its complexities and to put life changing music to our everyday experiences. Rashida Z says, “We’re all going through similar situations in one way or another and I want my music to be an outlet that people can use to make this grand gift of life a little more understandable and meaningful.”  

Watch Colorblind

Watch More Here

You can check out Rashida Z’s latest releases anywhere digital music is streamed, downloaded and sold.  

Also, find out more about her and her music at www.borntowritesongs.com  

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08/02/2020

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TORONTO R&B ARTIST ''SAVANNAH RÉ'' MAKES HER MARK AS ONE OF MUSIC'S ELITE RELEASES NEW SONG 'WHERE YOU ARE' FROM HER DEBUT EP 'OPIA'  

Savannah Ré  

"Where You Are"  

Toronto R&B artist and songwriter Savannah Ré has released the first single from her much anticipated debut EP Opia today. A flawless blend of Ré’s expressive honey-hued vocals and the intoxicating vibe of the Boi-1da/Allen Ritter beat, “Where You Are” showcases the effortless runs and intimate songwriting Savannah Re’s artistry is known for.

Written by Savannah Ré and Marcus Semaj (dvsn, Snoh Aalegra) and produced by Grammy Award winning producers Boi-1da (Drake, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar) and Allen Ritter (Cardi B, Kanye West, Rhianna, Travis Scott), "Where You Are" serves as the follow-up to her recent releases "DVP" and 2019's "Best Is Yet To Come" which was selected as one of the 100 Best Songs of the Year by Apple Music.

Of the song, Savannah Ré says: 

"Where You Are" truly feels like the beginning of my story. “Best Is Yet To Come” was the intro and this record here is the start of the conversation. We started the song in L.A. at Record Plant recording studios and it was just such an amazing experience. I still get nervous every time I work with Boi-1da even though he’s the nicest human being ever. It’s honestly been a dream of mine to also work with Allen Ritter so it was all just so surreal. “WYA” is about my own experience of having to be away from my man, literally in different countries, for sometimes months at a time. Marcus Semaj helped me paint the full picture and we brought forward something that is so real and relatable. It’s actually wild that this song was pre-quarantine because it’s almost eerie how relevant it is now."

"Savannah Ré has released a flawless blend of Ré’s expressive honey-hued vocals and the intoxicating vibe of the Boi-1da/Allen Ritter beat, “Where You Are” showcasing the effortless runs a.nd intimate songwriting Savannah Re’s artistry is known for. Incredible singer/songer that has it all to run with the best in her genre''.- NOW and THEN Magazine

  

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08/01/2020

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SOFIA CARSON & R3HAB PREMIERE VIDEO FOR LATEST SINGLE “MISS U MORE THAN U KNOW” 

SOFIA CARSON & R3HAB PREMIERE VIDEO FOR LATEST SINGLE

“MISS U MORE THAN U KNOW”

01 JULY 2020 (TORONTO, ON) – Recording artist Sofia Carson and R3HAB premiered their new video for “Miss U More Than U Know” today. The video, directed by miles & AJ, brings R3HAB’s hypnotic beats to life and tells the story of heartbreak while following Sofia through the picturesque streets of Paris during Fashion Week. The video premiered on MTV Live and MTVU, and is now streaming on VEVO. 

Listen to "Miss U More Than U Know" and watch the video HERE 

The single, out now via Hollywood Records/Republic Records/Universal Music Canada, was instantly added to dozens of playlists worldwide, and quickly became one of the Top 10 most added songs in the world, already amassing over 2M streams in its first week. 

“Miss U More Than U Know” tells the story of a broken heart wrapped around a hypnotic beat highlighting Sofia’s gorgeous vocals. The universal theme of having to let go of someone you love, and the ensuing emotions of loss and missing that person, more than they’ll ever know, is resonating with hearts around the world. 

“Miss U More Than U Know” is Sofia’s third collaboration with R3HAB, following “Rumors,” and their most recent hit "I LUV U,” which was the #1 Most Added song worldwide on New Music Friday playlists on Spotify with 39 countries, plus Top 20 placement in 26 countries and over 28M streams. Earlier this year, she performed “I LUV U” on the #1 morning show ABC’s Good Morning America.  Sofia has also collaborated with Alan Walker, Galantis, and Grey. 

In addition to releasing new music, Sofia, a Global Ambassador for Revlon, unveiled the Revlon x Sofia Carson Collection this week, an exclusive collection of her favorite Revlon lip products and nail polish, all in her signature shades. Recently, Sofia starred in the Netflix feature film “Feel The Beat,” available now for streaming on Netflix (www.netflix.com/feelthebeat). The hit film continues to be one of the Top 10 most watched movies in the world on Netflix. 

With over 18 million followers on social media, over 1.5 billion streams of her music, a over 2 million subscribers to her YouTube Channel, Sofia Carson is a force of nature, rising to the top of all she endeavors with grace and style in the world of entertainment.  Sofa’s music career has garnered her a #1 Billboard album, two RIAA Gold-Certified Albums, and numerous award nominations. Sofia was named the first global ambassador to the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.  She serves as a global ambassador to Revlon as well. Sofia is involved in multiple philanthropic organizations including UNICEF, Make-A-Wish, the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and WE Movement.  As an actress, she is best known for her role of “Evie” in Disney’s global phenomenon “Descendants” and the critically acclaimed Freeform television series “Pretty Little Liars:  The Perfectionists.”  Sofia Carson is a fashion icon; constantly topping the most prestigious best dressed lists and showcasing her feminine yet fierce style at fashion week shows worldwide. 

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07/02/2020

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August Brodie Releases His World Premiere New Video For ''Long Distance'' Tonight On MTV Request Show Live On YouTube.Com/MTV 

WORLD PREMIERE OF  

AUGUST BRODIE'S  

NEW VIDEO FOR "LONG DISTANCE"  

TONIGHT ON  

MTV REQUEST SHOW LIVE STREAM  

WATCH TONIGHT AT YOUTUBE.COM/MTV  

July 2, 2020 - Ontario, CA - Ontario based genre-bending artist August Brodie is excited to announce that his music video for recent single "Long Distance" will be premiering tonight on MTV Request Show Live Stream between 5 - 8p ET. The release of "Long Distance" saw an enormous amount of support from Spotify Editorial playlists such as, Fresh Finds, New Music Friday Canada, Fresh Finds: Pop, The Scene and New Punk Tracks. Following the success of the release, the song caught the eye of MTV/TRL Host Kevan Kenney.Fans can check out the video premiering with MTV at youtube.com/mtv  

On the new video August Brodie shares,"'Long Distance' is one of my recent singles and was inspired by current times (COVID). The song was completely written and recorded in quarantine and we mixed, mastered and shot the video while social distancing. The video itself features some amazing nature features of Northern Ontario Canada where I've grown up!"  

August Brodie is a Canadian solo artist with a modern sound that blends pop-punk, hip-hop, and alt-rock styles to create unique emotion-filled anthems. Touching on themes about relationships, love and loss, and coming of age, August Brodie's lyrical content and melodic approach creates a nostalgic yet refreshing soundscape for the listener.  

Originally starting out as a hip-hop artist, August developed a talent for wordplay and flow that helped him quickly gain traction in the music scene. August has since transcended his sound to embrace inspirations of 2000's emo and pop-punk styles, while still keeping his hip-hop influenced edge and lyricism.  

After recently reaching over one million streams on Spotify, August Brodie is quickly gaining momentum as well as a passionate fan base. With several new singles on tap and a debut project in the works the future is bright for this young artist. 

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07/02/2020

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TEYANA TAYLOR’S “THE ALBUM” DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD R&B ALBUM CHART, #1 ON THE BILLBOARD 200 

 

TEYANA TAYLOR’S “THE ALBUM” DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD R&B ALBUM CHART,  #1 ON THE BILLBOARD 200 

TEYANA “SPIKE TEE” TAYLOR WINS BEST DIRECTOR AT 2020 BET AWARDS

LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE 

 

30 JUNE 2020, (TORONTO, ON) - Riding high off her Best Director win at the BET Awards, Tenaya Taylor captures the second #1 debut of her career today, as The Album takes the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The Album enters the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart at #8, the highest debut of Teyana’s career. 

The strong critical and commercial reception for The Album is a sweet coda to Teyana’s special announce­ment two weeks ago of her and husband Iman’s pregnancy with their second child. Teyana revealed the news in her new video for "Wake Up Love" (premiered June 12th) featuring Iman, daughter Junie and their special guest. 

With features from Erykah Badu, Missy Elliott, Future, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Quavo, Rick Ross, Big Sean, and others, THE ALBUM was tapped by Pitchfork as one of the “most anticipated albums of the summer.”  In addition to "Wake Up Love," Teyana’s masterpiece includes her new graduation anthem "Made It,"pegged by NPR as a “a triumphant, isolation-proof anthem for the Class of 2020,” as well as the Janet Jackson-approved viral sensation "Bare Wit Me," the Kanye West-produced "We Got Love" featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill, and "How You Want It? (HYWI?)" featuring King Combs. 

The Album is the highly anticipated successor to K.T.S.E. (June 2018), Teyana’s second album, one of the five G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam albums produced by Kanye West during his 2018 sojourn in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  K.T.S.E. (acronym for Keep That Same Energy) set off an 18-month chain reaction for Teyana, starting with its summer­time Top 10 R&B smash “Gonna Love Me.”  She performed “Gonna Love Me” (in a medley with “Rose In Harlem,” another K.T.S.E.track) on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.  Hip-hop audiences embraced the "Gonna Love Me" remix featuring Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Raekwon, whose video was directed by Teyana. 

K.T.S.E. spun off a hot new single and video for Teyana in early 2019, the explicit "WTP (Work This P***y)."  The video was nominated for “Best Dance Perform­ance” at the 32nd annual BET Soul Train Awards. The third single from K.T.S.E. was the evocative "Issues/Hold On."  After slaying the audience with the song live on Ellen in April 2019, Teyana was surprised on-air when Ellen presented her with the RIAA gold award plaque for “Gonna Love Me,” bringing it all full circle. 

Since the release of K.T.S.E., Teyana’s star has continued to rise; from her successful career as video director and continued investment in her production company, The Aunties, to her acting and modeling career, to a string of scintillating self-directed singles and videos, including “Morning” with Kehlani. The Album is poised to take Teyana to the next level. 

About TEYANA TAYLOR: 

Being a jack of trades has enabled Teyana Taylor to become a master of all. From her smoky melodic vocals to her dynamic dance moves, the R&B superstar entertainer dips in dives between her talents as singer, songwriter, producer, director, dancer/choreographer, actor, fitness guru, model, and mother. When it comes to describing herself, the Harlem native can only think of one word: Everything. 

“I literally can do everything. I never look at anything as being impossible,” she explains. “I exhaust all options to make what happen when I need to make happen.” Her mantra made her an early favorite to artists like Pharrell, who she signed her first deal with, and later choreographed videos for artists like Beyoncé and Jay-Z. In 2014, Teyana’s love for the arts and R&B earned her the title of the first woman signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. 

Between R&B’s identity crisis in the 2010s, Teyana dropped her debut album VII in November 2014, which included “Maybe” (featuring Yo Gotti and Pusha T) and the sultry “Just Different” shaping her musical persona. The critically acclaimed album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 2014, cementing her position in today’s modern R&B field. “I fought for that raw, hood necessary R&B and now I feel like it's better than ever,” she says. 

After spicing up the R&B charts, Teyana was blessed with the arrival of her daughter Junie with husband and NBA star Iman Shumpert in 2015. “I do all of this for my baby. She's who I do it for,” she says about Iman “Junie” Tayla Shumpert Jr., her main source of inspiration. “I always show her how to be a leader and a businesswoman. I want her to believe that she can be anything she wants to be and it not be a shocker that she's a female doing it all.” Soon after, Teyana went on to star in the internet-breaking video for Kanye West’s “Fade,” and scored her first MTV Moonman for “Best Choreography” at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. 

But it wasn’t until the release of her second album project K.T.S.E. (released June 2018) that the world caught up with Teyana’s talents. With her all-female production company The Aunties, Teyana self-directed videos for “WTP,” the RIAA gold-selling single “Gonna Love Me,” (whose remix features Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Raekwon), and recently, “Issues/Hold On.” Teyana has also directed videos for her peers like T.I. (“You”), Monica (“Commitment”), and Lil Duval (“Pull Up” featuring Ty Dolla $ign) with fans like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Elton John praising her boss moves. 

Part of what makes Teyana stand out from the rest is her ability to move with precision and poise in everything she does. From the studio to the stage, every idea is a project with the singer front and center with a vision all her own. With her musical inspirations like Aaliyah, Teena Marie, Mint Condition and Janet Jackson speaking to her soul, Teyana is aware her mission is larger than life. “I’m working on me every day and I think that’s my purpose,” she says, comparing her life to a never-ending book. “I’m still going, still mastering and being a better me.” 

Follow Teyana Taylor: 

Website | Facebook |  Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

 

07/02/2020

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