Phoenix, AZ indie/pop/rock band Weslynn has released their new video “Black” from their 2016 EP Black + Champagne. It’s the second single – you can check out the video of the first single “Strange Feelings” and my exclusive premiere of the track.
“Black” is a slick and sexy track with the hook “I love it when you wear black.” Is it about the woman who gave them strange feelings? Or perhaps they have just met an alluring femme fatale. I really like the video – you never see her so she could be anyone you imagine.
Founded in fall of 2013, three Arizona State University schoolmates and long time friends (Jared Geyer, Greg Olin, and Kevin Holmes) started to play music under the band name Weslynn. They started gaining a fan base in their hometown of Phoenix, AZ by playing coffee shops, cover gigs, and releasing original home recordings online. The following year they released professionally produced 5 track EP titled Dark Days.
In a statement to Cronkite News at ASU they said, “Everything we have been through has brought us closer together. We have individually had so many personal trials, that when we start playing music, it all fades away. The world is constantly changing and throwing tragedy into our lives, but Weslynn has given us the opportunity to rally around each other and made us even closer friends. This music is a direct response to those hard times of love and loss.”
Weslynn draws their inspiration from bands such as Augustana, The Rolling Stones, John Mayer and Queen. With smooth vocals, haunting harmonies, and grooving guitar vibes, their mature sound and style reaches people of all ages.
Nashville-based singer Holly Elle is an amazingly versatile independent artist whose remarkable voice stands out on her new single “How a Heart Breaks.” With soul infused pop as a point of reference – and the mantra “No labels, no rules, no limits” – Holly arrives with verve, vision and vibe.
There are complex dimensions to Holly’s ever-evolving artistry. Whether fronting a full throttle band, commanding a concert stage with electronic tracks or in an intimate venue accompanied by only an acoustic guitarist, she is equally enthralling. “The whole point of making music is for me to connect,” she confirms.
Originally from Chestermere, a small community just outside of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Holly’s earliest musical influences were nurtured by her parents’ house parties as a community of European immigrants shared the sounds of their respective musical heritages. Extended car trips with the family introduced her to a soundtrack of Sixties and Seventies classics and the Brit-pop brought back from England by her brothers who were studying abroad provided a modern melodic counterpoint.
Holly’s journey to Nashville reminds me of one of my favorite films, “The Thing Called Love.” Samantha Mathis travels from New York to Nashville as a fledgling singer-songwriter whose first stop from the bus station is the open mic at the Bluebird Cafe. Holly’s story is quite different, but there is an amazing community of artists in Nashville creating in Music City, which Holly has joined.
Classically trained with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Winnipeg, Manitoba and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business at Nashville’s distinguished Belmont University, Holly has performed at clubs, showcases, and writer’s rounds in the fabled music capitol.
Holly appreciates both her career as an independent artist and her adopted city. “I love the feel of Nashville,” she says. “It helps me to take a breath and to slow down.” The connecting theme in all Elle’s work is a flair for theatrics that sets her apart from other pop artists.
For her latest single, “How A Heart Breaks,” Holly returns to her musical roots of R&B and continues on the path she set out on to release a string of solid singles instead of projects, to bring passionate music right to the listener as it’s happening.
Holly puts her own spin on my favorite subject of song, the broken heart, in “How a Heart Breaks.” It’s aching yet not over-dramatic. Holly’s voice is pure and evocative and her passion comes through the lyrics.
From song to stage to video and beyond, Holly celebrates all of the elements in her escalating career and her goals remain simple and sincere. “Loving music, continuing to make it, and finding an outlet,” she concludes.
Rising star Kylie Odetta is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter whose classic pop sensibilities fall somewhere between the indie nuance of Lana Del Rey and the pristine acoustic pop of Corinne Bailey Rae.
Kylie has always found sanctuary in her music and shines on her new EP High Dreamer. It is a decidedly stripped down release and a deliberate move to highlight the young songstress’ innate gifts. “This time I made a conscious decision to let the passion in my vocals speak for me and not hide behind production,” Kylie reflects. Asserting that the reason she is pursuing this is not to hear herself on top 40 but to simply connect with others, Kylie adds “I want to remind people of the glorious moments, that there is power in vulnerability, of the beauty in choosing to feel deeply, and of the satisfaction in taking a leap of faith”.
While the EP is imbued with strong hints of indie, pop and blues, it is Kylie’s classic sensibilities that shine through. It is a more mellow and organic vibe than she has released in the past, focusing on the piano and vocals as well as selected elements to create a dreamy atmosphere for the listener.
The title track “High Dreamer” is sensual and dreamy pop. “Sweet Innocence” has a Colbie Caillat-like sound. My favorite track is the EPs surprise ballad “Can’t Erase It.” It was a result of a little studio magic. Picked to be included after the engineer and producer heard Kylie singing it as a warm up. “Everyone kind of stopped what they were doing and decided it had to be on the EP,” recalls Kylie. “We immediately recorded a couple takes of the song and the best version was picked for the EP.”
The video is gorgeous and “Can’t Erase It” evokes a love lost beautifully.
The High Dreamer EP will be released on February 12th. You can preview three of the tracks below.
With little more than a beat up car and a suitcase of unfinished songs, singer-
songwriter Keith Longo packed up his life in Boston and headed to Los Angeles in
search of change and inspiration. With art and creativity around every corner, the leap of faith proved to be just the inspiration he needed.
He found a like-minded guitarist in So-Cal native Chris Santillo, and subsequently in Mark McKee, a keyboardist and fellow newcomer to LA by way of Raleigh, NC. Through this collaboration, what began as seeds of ideas, grew into a collection of finished work. The result is the infectious sound of Flights Over Phoenix.
Rich in melody, layered in rhythm, and deep in emotion, Flights Over Phoenix’s
debut EP, Runaway California consists of four songs that will take you on a full
tour of your musical senses.
As an east coast girl who has always wanted to live in Southern California and spend her afternoons rollerskating along Venice Beach, I especially appreciate the unreleased video for their debut single “Runaway California.” The band takes in the beautiful beaches and cruises around in a convertible and it’s filmed casually as if it were using a lo-fi filter. I love the video and wish I could share it with you but it’s currently private.
I can share with you the official video of “Runaway California.” Flights of Phoenix are unique in that they shape their sound in the studio where they mostly self-produced their EP. The video also highlights Longo’s sensitive singer-songwriter lyrics and a voice rich with anthemic sound.
Flights Over Phoenix were originally named Lights Over Phoenix as a reference to UFOs, but they made the change to be unique. And maybe get played in airports. When I first tried to analyze the band’s name I imagined Phoenix as the rising figure who soars from ashes and the band rising higher. Since this is such a great band with a unique sound that you’re not hearing in most pop music, perhaps my analysis rings true for the fast rise of the band’s popularity.
One of the places I have always dreamed of going to is LA’s Hotel Cafe. It’s a fantastic venue and Flights Over Phoenix will play at show at the Hotel Cafe on December 8th at 8 pm. In my opinion, that’s a sign of a band on the rise in the LA music scene. Hopefully they will pop over east for a tour because I think they’d be amazing to see play live.
Baby I don’t know if I’m in love with you
Or if it’s the thought of you that’s got be falling like a fool
but the weather’s getting grey
we swear that wed be better if we runaway
if we just runaway
We can’t afford a ticket so we gassing up my chevy
pack a bag good and heavy
baby just get ready for a better change
yea i hope this california sun is gonna bring a change
gonna bring a change
We been going out our mind
driving all around the world
down all these empty streets
trying to find a place that we know
a place that we know
we been going out our mind
running from the world
up every empty street
trying to find a place to call home
a place to call home
cause we don’t wanna
Don’t wanna run away no more
dont wanna run away no more, no no
Don’t wanna run away no more
dont wanna run away no more, no no
and yea it’s kinda hard when you gotta leave behind
that bed you rest your head
keep the pictures in your mind
time it doesn’t wait, and we swear that we could change
if we runaway, if we just runaway
and someday we’ll know if it’s love, if it’s love
or something else entirely, maybe friendship, maybe lust
right now its what we need
maybe this west coast scene can be a california dream
we been going out our mind
running from the world
up every empty street
trying to find a place to call home
a place to call home
cause we don’t wanna
Don’t wanna run away no more
dont wanna run away no more, no no
Don’t wanna run away no more
dont wanna run away no more, no no
and when you sleep are you lonely?
and when you speak are you lonely?
When you’re with me are you lonely?
are you lonely?
Don’t wanna run away no more
dont wanna run away no more, no no
Don’t wanna run away no more
dont wanna run away no more, no no
Hello dear readers! Last night I posted my 100th blog post and I’m quite excited. I love milestones!
Despite starting jillypopmusic in 2014, I didn’t really resume blogging until I took the Blogging 101 course. The best thing about it was connecting with other wonderful bloggers.
The readers of this blog mean literally the world to me! I have listed the countries/views since my blog began.
Thank you to all my readers and here’s to the next 100 posts!
Top Views by Country for all days ending 2015-06-01 (Summarized)
Country Views
United States 1,676
United Kingdom 549
Australia 139
Canada 77
United Arab Emirates 52
South Africa 29
India 28
Italy 24
Russia 24
Philippines 23
Sweden 21
Germany 17
Netherlands 12
Singapore 10
Spain 10
Pakistan 9
Japan 8
France 8
Puerto Rico 7
Indonesia 6
Switzerland 5
Czech Republic 5
Mexico 4
Ireland 4
Hungary 4
Croatia 4
Albania 4
Norway 3
Denmark 3
Panama 3
Lithuania 3
New Zealand 3
South Korea 2
Poland 2
Belgium 2
European Union 2
Thailand 2
Georgia 2
Malaysia 2
Qatar 2
Hong Kong SAR China 2
Dominican Republic 2
Taiwan 2
Greece 2
Argentina 2
Colombia 1
Austria 1
Costa Rica 1
Saudi Arabia 1
Chile 1
Vietnam 1
Bahrain 1
Sri Lanka 1
Cyprus 1
Turkey 1
Nigeria 1
Finland 1
The first part of a series of new indie songs that will brighten up your summer. Enjoy while you’re basking in the sunshine of longer days and warm nights.
jillypopmusic 