Quasi Qui - Abby Sage - Iceblynk - Astralux

Photo - Maxime Imbert

Quasi Qui - Terminal 5.

Since the announcement of their signing to microqlima records (Isaac Delusion, L’Impératrice, Pepite, Fils Cara), things have moved fast for British alt-pop duo Quasi Qui. After playing a number of tastemaker festivals in France (Pete The Monkey, Coconut, Love Letters..), and the release of the singles 'Directorial Debut', 'Epoch' and '10 years', the duo is back with 'Terminal 5'. A dense and colourful number, much like the forthcoming album Downloading A New Operating System, which is set to be released November 4.

Together, Yehan Jehan and his sister Zadi are Quasi Qui. In the dystopian / utopian sci-fi reality that they envisage on their new album, the earth has split into two, and it’s up to you to hitch a ride on the parallel universe of your choosing. The duo are not only reimagining how to make great pop music on their debut album, they’re also remodelling the future and imagining a civilisation that works for us all. Such confident prognostications are certainly welcome right now.

The concept for Downloading A New Operating System came to Yehan Jehan periodically, by way of a recurring dream. He describes those dreams as like “a collage of cinematic films”, which formed the basis of ‘City Mashups’, the assured opening track that imbues the spirit of Quincy Jones in widescreen. ‘City Mashups’ sets the tone for the rest of the record, which passes through personal experience, present experience, and then, according to Yehan: “future aspiration and a new hope or innocence.” Their debut is suitably audacious and teeming with musical invention, offering a roadmap out of our current collective malaise by imploring us to dream big and open up our imaginations.

Yehan has turned heads with his production nous, making a plethora of bands sound more expansive and technicolor, though he’s more than just a slick producer: “The modus operandi was to make sure the songs were strong,” he says. That marriage between melody and production is felicitous on tracks like new single ‘Terminal 5’, where breakbeats, sub-bass and sequencers form a nexus with catchy melodies.

======================================================================

Abby Sage - High Five.

LA/London based alt-pop artist Abby Sage shares her sophomore EP The Florist via Nettwerk. The Florist EP represents a dynamic shift, an evolution in Abby Sage’s artistry. The 5-track collection is fueled by Sage’s love for character sketches, with each song becoming a tiny play or narrative. The songs off The Florist gently flow through the different phases of early adulthood—from the uncertainties and complexities of daily life to those moments of pain and joy that shape us in who we are and who we want to become.

Abby Sage shares this about her EP, “‘The Florist’ I leaned heavily into a ‘fly on the wall’ mentality. I was spending a lot of time alone but surrounded by many people in transit. I wrote the project with others in mind; others and their experiences and stories, particularly struggles people face through the various stages of life. For example, ‘Pool Party’ really zeroes in on moments of youth feeling unprepared, overwhelmed, and a bit out of sorts. To contrast this, I included a conversation I had with my Nanna (the interlude “Irene”) where she speaks on the troubles she faces and her overarching feeling of falling behind, regarding technology in particular. I think we really glorify youth and there are a lot of pieces of work out there that focus on ‘firsts,’ such as first love, first heartbreak etc. My Nanna really inspired the project because I wanted to get both sides of the timeline. The beginning and the end, that’s what I wanted to capture with The Florist.”

Brand new track “High Five” is a celebration of solitude. Co-written with fellow Nettwerk artist, LA singer/songwriter Miya Folick, “High Five” highlights Sage’s reposeful vocals, buzzing alt-pop melodies, and gentle drum beats. “High Five” casually blends nostalgic fueled lyricism with sonically trippy vibes. “‘High Five’ came to me when reflecting on the importance of alone time. I’ve always been a more reserved person who enjoys my space and my own company,” says Abby Sage. “I came to the idea of high five as an homage to that. Waking up alone and going to bed alone with all of those special moments in between. It feels like a beautiful secret between you and the morning hours or you and the night. Only you heard that bird sing or that car passed, only you saw the glow of the streetlight. It’s intimate. I don’t think there’s any better feeling than that.”

Abby Sage · High Five

======================================================================

Iceblynk - Seen Gone.

Queens, NY-based indie-pop trio, Iceblynk, made up of Andrea Lynn (vocals) and brothers Martin (guitars, bassVI, mellotron-D) and James Newman (bass, drums, lapsteel) release their debut, self-titled EP Iceblynk via A Secret Brand. 

To accompany the EP release, the band highlights their latest single “Seen Gone,” which features guitarist Martin Newman cleverly layering hypnotizing and dreamy guitar plucks over a 12-string guitar throughout the track. From there, a solid drum groove and silky-smooth Fender BassVI steps in to lead the listener into the crescendo. 

“‘Seen Gone’ was originally recorded for Iceblynk’s straight-to-vinyl limited release as ‘Seagulls,’” explains vocalist Andrea Lynn. “I insisted not only that we include it on the EP, but that it should be highlighted as one of our singles. It’s one of my favorite songs to perform and in some ways, departs from our previous singles. 

It’s more of an emotionally charged slow burner, with gently hypnotic guitar leading us in and soft vocals that reference the sensations of flowing like a dream and floating away. All of it beckoning us to lean in and listen closely. From quiet beginnings, “Seen Gone” eventually bursts forth, intense in every sense with fevered layers of guitar and soaring vocals. Moments later, the rising tide recedes with all elements circling back to the beginning as we slowly drift back into silence.”

======================================================================

Astralux - Desert Dream.

Rock n Rollers Astralux are back with a music video for their single "Desert Dream." The video showcases the Los Angeles band as they drive out to the desert and set up to perform. 

Shot in Joshua Tree, California, the video perfectly complements the overall free-spirited vibe of the song. 

Thrilling, powerful, and enigmatic, the "Desert Dream" is a sonic journey through the surreal and inspiring places we travel to when the “Sun goes away.”

======================================================================

Worldcub - Abby Sage - Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds

Worldcub - Look Through The Keyhole.

Worldcub share new single ‘Look Through The Keyhole’ and announce concept album  ‘Back To The Beginning’ & Accompanying EP Worldcub invite you into the time warp of their pulsating new single ‘Look Through The Keyhole’ on the 21st of October, a hypnotic, West Coast tinged, surf inspired jaunt through past lives and memory. The track is part of a concept titled Back To The Beginning, a collection of tracks which has since developed into an album of the same name slated for release in 2023 and a supplement EP titled BTTB Series 1 released on the 4th of November via Ratl Records.

Worldcub’s Dion Hamer adds "...’Look Through The Keyhole’ is about a magic door to a time warp where you can step into a past life. It’s all about revisits, we do it all the time, we revisit our passions, memories, old haunts, old Elvis collection, last night’s Pizza, it’s never the same experience. The song in itself is a revisit, the first version of the track was written 10 years ago."

Worldcub, are a group from North Wales piloted by brothers Cynyr (guitar & vocals) and Dion Hamer (guitar & vocals), they began their musical journey under the name CaStLeS, taking influence from 70s/80s Paul McCartney and DIY ‘Fantastic Man’, William Onyeabor. They produce material from their home studio on the hills of Eryri, splicing together elements of surf guitar music, kraut-rock grooves and hypnotic psych tinged Cymru vocal harmonies.

Their self-released, site-specific themed debut album Fforesteering gained coverage on major platforms such as The Guardian and UNCUT Magazine, with air time on BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Cymru & Wales. The band also earned their debut performance slot on the BBC Introducing stage at Reading & Leeds Festival back in 2016 and found success playing shows as part of the 'Horizons 12' scheme; which included a recording session at the historic Maida Vale Studios in London.

Worldcub · Look Through The Keyhole

======================================================================

Abby Sage - Backwards Directions.

Today, LA/London based alt-pop artist Abby Sage shares her new single “Backwards Directions” and its accompanying music video directed by Aidan Dick (they/them). The release follows last month’s announcement of her forthcoming EP The Florist out October 21st via Nettwerk.

“Backwards Directions” sees Abby Sage continuing to amaze with sheer sonic beauty alongside an earnest vision that draws listeners deeply in. While Abby effortlessly delivers relevant and profound alt-pop songs, she does so in disparate ways, allowing for little comparison and much originality to shine brightly through. “‘Backwards Directions’ is about constantly making the same mistakes, not moving forward as planned, and asking for forgiveness or at least a sense of understanding for wrongdoing and lack of growth,'' says Abby Sage.

The track’s music video is taut and transfixing, showing off Abby’s metaphorical expression through the pairing of her intimate sound and director Aidan Dick’s arresting visuals. The video was shot backwards, adding an artistic layer to a song that digs deep into the human psyche by asking yourself for peace in order to move forward again.

On the “Backwards Directions” music video, Abby Sage expresses:“Aidan & I knew we wanted to shoot this video backwards and reintroduce a movement piece with Ryan Brennan (who was also in the ‘Force of Habit’ music video. I wanted to bring back Ryan to emphasize the message of the song. Ryan & I move through this video with frustration and a sense of dissonance. I wanted to portray two people falling back into each other despite a growing mental divide. It’s one of my favorite videos because I really do think it tells the story of backwards directions in a beautiful way.

======================================================================

Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds - Cruel.

This song is about desiring a woman even though she's "Cruel" to you, and the heartache that ensues.

There's a mix of pleasure and pain. You have fun together, but know it will hurt afterwards. The drums and bass have an up-tempo disco funk feel, balanced by a melancholic and almost eerie vibe from the horn melody. So it's sexy and dancey, with somber undertones.

The title of this track is also the title of our first full-length album, filled with nine soulful songs mostly about "amour" and heartbreak in a mixture of English and French. "Cruel" is a word that works in both languages, an essential choice for us as bilingual artists. Produced by Murray Pulver, the LP is recorded 'live off the floor' to capture our vintage soul aesthetic and live performance energy.

Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds · Cruel

Lukka - Abby Sage - The Fades

Photo - Jen Meller

Lukka - Life In Reverse.

Lukka, the brainchild of German-born, New York City-based artist Franzi Szymkowiak, released her latest single “Life In Reverse” this week, from her sophomore album, Something Human due August 26.

Discussing the track, Franzi noted, “‘Life In Reverse’ talks about the end of a close relationship, as both partners realize that time has changed them. And that one shouldn’t be afraid of that change… 'only a matter of time and you get used to it’” - watch + share “Life In Reverse” via YouTube.

Something Human speaks to both the head and the heart. The album’s essence is perfectly captured in its first two singles “Wisdom of the Sun” - a yin-yang ode to finding positivity in even the darkest of situations, and “Life In Reverse” where Lukka finds herself closing one chapter, to start the next. At once an escapist psychedelic synth-rock odyssey and a timely shot of science-based spirituality, the 10-song LP wraps messages of oneness and self-determination inside multi-layered melodicism, cultured retro-electronica, and tastefully effected guitars. “Transmitting the message of love and oneness through music is very important to me,” stated Szymkowiak.

In essence a solo project supported by a semi-fluid band, Lukka’s sound is rooted in Franzi’s early influences growing up near Dresden, Germany – the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin – and, more recently, David Bowie, early Brian Eno, Flaming Lips, and Deerhunter. Extensive busking and performing around the world included four years in Australia, where she embraced that region’s new wave of psychedelic synth rock, including Tame Impala, Pond and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

============================================================================

Abby Sage - The Florist.

Today, LA/London based alt-pop artist Abby Sage announces her forthcoming sophomore EP The Florist out October 21st via Nettwerk. The announcement arrives with the release of the stunning title track single. 

Abby Sage’s upcoming EP is fueled by a love for character sketches, with each song becoming a tiny play or narrative. Take the new single “The Florist,” and its depiction of a woman who can bring beauty to the lives of others. “I’m someone who’s so protective of their friends,” shares Abby. “When something is broken, I want to fix it. And a florist is someone who through their actions makes a room prettier – because flowers always manage to do that.”

Commanded by a pillowy production, deliberately impassive vocals, and a skittering drumbeat, “The Florist” is an appetizing slice of soulful indie goodness. Gentle and quiet songwriting is at the forefront, with labelmate Boy Willows providing a hand in co-writing a portion of this beautiful and sweeping track that enthralls with notable and radiant power.

Abby Sage’s The Florist EP is a follow-up to her 2021 debut EP Fears of Yours & Mine, a collection of songs that was just the beginning in showcasing her commanding sound and precarious outlook of the world around her. Abby expresses, “The last project was a very personal take of what I was immediately experiencing at the time while this project feels a bit grander scheme and observational. I had nothing that was immediately bringing me either intense pain or joy (I normally experience things in extremes this way), there was something about this period that felt over looming and bigger than myself. I was in London taking the tube from session to session and felt like a sponge. One time there was a particular group of kids next to me and I listened to their conversation for the duration of the journey along with a few other snippets of chatter around me. I wanted to write about the experience of others, the unfamiliar coinciding with the familiar.”



============================================================================

The Fades - You Follow Me Around.

London based post punks The Fades are back with a new album - You Follow Me Around is the first cut from it & a taste of what’s to come. With DJs like Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy & Marc Riley supporting various releases & glowing write ups in Louder Than War, Fresh on The Net & alike, The Fades are a band who’ve consistently turned adversity to their advantage, finding the best in life while not taking themselves too seriously.

Recorded in Brixton, South London using an array of analogue equipment, You Follow Me Around is a raucous indie post-punk blast of alternative pop, recalling the time when lead-singer Dave Lightfoot was stalked by both an ex-partner & his own cat clambering for affection at home - a sort of dual experience of enforced attention from very different sources. “The song was written at a very difficult time when this ex-partner was seriously harassing me” says Dave. “It made me ill & I lost so much weight but in the usual ‘Fades’ way, I managed to make light of it by linking the song to my cat, who was also harassing me but in a much more loving way. Basically, I took the positive approach to a very stressful situation & then a song came out of it”.

In true punk DIY style, The Fades recorded their debut single above a chip-shop on the Staines Road in West London. It was quickly picked up by Steve Lamacq who played it on national radio & soon a buzz was building around the band. Then explosive gigs with bands like Ocean Colour Scene, Bloc Party, The Mystery Jets & German rockers Art Brut gained them a reputation for raucous mayhem, including a penchant for multi-band clothes swapping on stage! Next up, US indie label Cranky Girl Records arranged for an East Coast tour of the States alongside some American releases, which all culminated in a whirlwind of gigs, parties & scintillating scotoma!

Buoyed on by a new-found enthusiasm when they sold out of their 2020 vinyl album Ragnarok & embracing the ‘new reality’ of working from home during lockdown with many a remote writing session, the band went back into the studio to record upcoming LP Night Terrors, from which You Follow Me Around is taken.

============================================================================

Sterre Weldring - Vision Video - Abby Sage - SPECTRA*Paris

Sterre Weldring - The Best. 

Yesterday singer-songwriter Sterre Weldring released her new single 'The Best'. Sterre Weldring's new release is a special one: for the first time, she's releasing a cover of "The Best," a song originally by Nashville-based artist Josiah and the Bonnevilles. Encouraged by none other than Josiah, Sterre decided to record an acoustic version of 'The Best', one of her favorite songs. "'The Best' is a sad and melancholic song, but will most of all bring comfort to those who recognise themselves in its story" says the artist.

Sterre Weldring is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Amsterdam. Her music can be described as 'melancholic indie-pop', a genre in which she writes songs about all kinds of love and relationships, with the  aim of comforting others.

Her passion for this music started around the age of 15, when she discovered British singer-songwriter Jake Bugg and experienced how much comfort she could get from music herself. At the age of 18, Sterre therefore decided to study in Brighton at the BIMM (British Institute of Modern Music). One of her other idols, James Bay, had attended the same school. She developed her own sound within Brighton's vibrant music scene. A comparison with Amy Macdonald and Florence + The Machine is often drawn.

Back in the Netherlands, Sterre settled in Amsterdam where she studied philosophy. A study that taught her to look at life in a reflective way, something that is also reflected in her songs. The search for answers has a therapeutic and comforting effect, both for herself and for her audience. It has already brought her to the Popronde and the final of the Grand Prix of the Netherlands in 2019. Last year she released her debut EP 'Lost Lights'.

Revanche Records · Sterre Weldring - The Best

============================================================================

Vision Video - Beautiful Day To Die.

Athens, Georgia based Vision Video return now with “Beautiful Day To Die,” a remarkably vibrant single from the post-punk/gothic quartet, through which they announce their sophomore album, Haunted Hours, for an October 11 release. The band premiered a video for the track via Post-Punk, and they head out across the Eastern half of the U.S. starting tomorrow night in Nashville [all dates below]. Watch + share the video via YouTube. Pre-order Haunted Hours here.

Led by songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Dusty Gannon, who served two tours of Afghanistan in the Army before becoming an EMT with the Atlanta Fire Department, channels these experiences of the horror of war and trauma into his music. Discussing “Beautiful Day To Die” he noted, “I wrote this track about my experiences as a paramedic and firefighter seeing a lot of death first hand, and how you become well acquainted with it in a very surreal, yet comfortable way.

It’s about how I had to become friends with the concept of mortality because I was around it so regularly. The shock of seeing bodies becomes more pedestrian, and you’re even able to see beauty in some situations; like when families come together over loss, or the stories people will tell you about the deceased.

This song is about celebrating the frailty of life. We do not get to decide how, or when we will die, but it is all the while certain. While that can be somewhat existential-dread inducing, I like to think of it as a clarion call to appreciate what time we are afforded.”

============================================================================

Abby Sage - Pool Party.

LA /London based alt-pop artist Abby Sage shares her new intimate and thought-provoking single “Pool Party,”accompanied by an experimental music video directed by Aidan Dick. The visuals exemplify how often young adults must hide behind an invisible mask to get through the day-to- day runnin' around that no one prepared them for. Both honest and utterly relatable, Abby Sage arrives with a new perspective on the contemporary world, for better or worse.

“Pool Party” was written during a writing trip to London and produced by British producer duo MyRiot (London  Grammar,  AURORA,  Halsey). On her  latest  effort, Abby  Sage  offers up a hazy  alt-pop world that ties together nostalgia and the uncertain future. Sage has always had a knack for clever songwriting  that touches upon wistfulness and  modern malaise and “Pool Party” is a shining example. The production contains many sonic layers hoisted by her mesmeric vocals and intricate alt-pop  infused  guitar  strumming.  In  addition,mild  drum  beats  and  fuzzy  bass  lines embody the temple of the track. “Pool Party” follows the release of her dreamy effort “Force of Habit,”released this past spring and serves as the first glimpse into her forthcoming project out later this year. 

Speaking about her new single, Abby Sage shares this: “Pool Party is a metaphor for kids not being prepared for the world. ‘Pool party kids can’t swim they ask nobody just sink to the bottom and think (off the deep end).’ Kids are dealt a tough hand, having such a vast amount of information at their fingertips with nobody to guide them or explain what it all means. They have to drown to learn.”

============================================================================

SPECTRA*Paris - Indigo Cypher.

Enigmatic Italian singer Elena Alice Fossi has released the next fascinating single, 'Indigo Cypher', which is taken from the forthcoming new full-length of her dark electro project SPECTRA*Paris. The fifth album of that band is entitled "Modernism" and has been scheduled for release on August 26.

SPECTRA*Paris comment: "Memories of a life that does not belong to you…", singer, composer, and lyricist Elena Alice Fossi muses. " If you don't feel at least a bit like a fish out of water in this grotesque theater that is humanity, then this song is not for you! We were born in deception and there we stay until we realise that real life is running elsewhere. 'They' shape us in order that we make our own lives and that of others worse. 'They' mold us to obey slaves and to become slaves ourselves. 'They' shape us so as to love our family even when it has nothing to do with us."

Charismatic, enigmatic, and absolutely outstanding, singer Elena Alice Fossi, who is best known for her work with Italian electro-trailblazers KIRLIAN CAMERA, presents "Modernism", the fifth album of her eclectic project SPECTRA*Paris.

"Modernism" is transfiguring electronic music through the prism of Elena’s voice and several collaborations with other musicians into a beautiful kaleidoscope of stylistic colours ranging from EBM, future pop, dark electronic, art pop, and various influences more.

============================================================================

The Kut - Reptaliens - Roni Bar Hadas - Melted Wings - Abby Sage

The Kut - ANIMO.

Rock solo artist The Kut (PhD) has announced a US distribution deal with Amplified (Alliance / AMPED / MNRK), for her hotly anticipated second album and released a brand new video single ANIMO.

Meaning ‘courage’ or ‘spirit’, ANIMO and the accompanying music video were released yesterday and funded by Arts Council England. Dubbed by NYC Takeover as ‘the revolution waiting to erupt’ the latest Kut single is fierce; pepper sprayed with haunting melodies, driving beats and unapologetically packed with grrrl power.

Written in support of recent women’s rights demonstrations in the UK, the single is the first of a series of releases, leading up to The Kut second album, due June 2022. The forthcoming album features all seven members of her collective of women in music, with the ANIMO single featuring Diana Bartmann (drums), Jennifer Sanin (bass/vocals) and Alison Wood (guitar/bass) performing alongside The Kut.

The Kut’s debut album ‘Valley of Thorns’ was produced by James LeRock Loughrey (Skindred, White Zombie, Bjork) and spent two weeks in the UK Rock Albums Chart (No.7) and No. 18 in the Independent Albums Chart. The album was distributed via Cargo Records, who stay on as UK & Europe distributor.

Her latest single hit the UK Sales Chart on Christmas Day (No.65) and spent four weeks in the Physical Chart (No.10).  These releases have spawned significant interest in the UK and USA, including support from Kerrang!, BBC Introducing, Total Rock, Hard Rock Hell, Planet Rock, Metal Hammer, Sirius XM, AAA, College stations, with videos selected for playlist by MTV USA, MTV-U, LATV, AXSTV & Music Choice.

==========================================================================

Photo - Dan Crayonton

Reptaliens - Like A Dog.

Portland band Reptaliens announce its new LP Captured Tracks with the single & video "Like a Dog" The video is a homage to 90s tv tropes and public access television.

Reptaliens are ready to be direct. After exploring surreal realms of high-concept synth-pop across two acclaimed albums, the Portland, Oregon, duo found newfound clarity in a stark, grounded approach. That may seem unexpected for such a colorful act—known for heady lyrics about conspiracy theories and transhumanism—but Cole and Bambi Browning have streamlined to the lean, propulsive essentials on their self-produced new LP, Multiverse.

Shelving the dreamy synths altogether and working without their other bandmates due to lockdown, Reptaliens reset, picking up their guitars and emphasizing the catchy attack that’s been there all along. Drawing inspiration from the spontaneous energy of the ’90s alternative canon, the pair hit a surge in momentum after a casual-turned-revelatory listen to Jane’s Addiction’s 1990 classic “Been Caught Stealing.” Without even aiming to make a Reptaliens song, they wound up penning the set’s lead single “Like a Dog,” a sun-soaked groove-bomb that’s blissfully unencumbered by sonic baggage. “That really kicked it off,” Cole recalls. “It was so fast and easy and fun that we said, ‘Let’s do more like that.’”

Oregon natives Bambi and Cole started Reptaliens in the mid-2010s as a multi-faceted vehicle for their most adventurous urges. Across their first two Captured Tracks albums —FM-2030 (2017) and VALIS (2019)—they established themselves as dedicated dreamers and deep thinkers, filling their wooly, homespun synth-pop with meditations on outré science fiction and philosophy. With some help from friends, they’ve been able to tackle big questions and explore vast sound worlds. Tapping Julian Kowalski (guitar), Bryson Hansen (synth), and Tyler Vergian (drums) for their previous albums and shows, Reptaliens have bewitched crowds during extended national tours with STRFKR, Turnover, and Turnstile.

==========================================================================

Roni Bar Hadas - Fear.

Roni tells us: "I have always had a complicated relationship with putting my own self care needs before others' expectations or demands of me. Suffering from writer's block last year, I found myself with a new focus to liberate myself from self-criticism."

"Fear" has a deliberate air of empowerment and was written from a place of happiness, breaking my cycle of only writing during low periods. Recording it at home allowed me to go in with greater freedom of mind in a more relaxed setting - free to create something I could dance to.

If I decide to try being healthy, it better be because of me.

This lyric signifies my understanding and constant striving to remember to be mindful of my own needs, so that the motivation for my self care stems from within myself.

==========================================================================

Melted Wings - Capture Love.

Melted Wings is the multi-genre musical project of Michael Wynn, guitarist and founding member of bands Trains of Winter and Vicky von Vicky, who were active in the Kingston and Toronto music scenes in the 90’s and early 2000s.

After several years of not making music, Melted Wings has had a prolific output of songs since 2017, releasing multiple singles and EPs, along with a new album set to come out in early 2022. It all began after playing a handful of songs for a friend of his late father’s in 2017, who encouraged and challenged Wynn to keep making new music. From this initial boost, Melted Wings was born, and the first EP, The Bane of My Existence, was completed and released.

Each album and EP has had broad musical and genre-twisting influences. From folk, country, rock, pop, funk, disco, and alternative, to new wave, electronic, and EDM. From Johnny Cash, Pixies, ABBA, and Grease, to Handsome Furs, Depeche Mode, and TRST. The songs have gravitated lyrically towards love, unrequited love, broken relationships, social issues, and the impact of human existence. Wynn tends to latch onto catchy and quirky phrases, such as “You are the fire that fuels the flames of all my fears,” in “Bane of My Existence,” or “Oh when you run don’t slip and fall, you’ll scrape your skin, bare bums and all,” from the streakers in “Rolling Night.”

==========================================================================

photo - cloudytots

Abby Sage - Fever Dream.

Today LA-via-Toronto singer/songwriter Abby Sage shares her EP "Fears of Yours & Mine."

The 6-track collection is a weighty emotional journey inspired by the trajectory of a relationship from start to finish. Here, Abby plainly expresses her feelings and anxious state of mind, an inward exploration that ultimately leads to self-love and discovery. Created with the help of producer Jeff Hazin (glaive, renforshort, Anna Sofia), the EP emanates quiet confidence and pulls at the details.

"I called the project 'Fears of Yours & Mine' because the whole thing plays upon fears and moments of doubt that l held within a relationship and the path I was on as a whole," Abby shares of the record. "Fear kept me from continuing one journey but pushed me directly into another. Part of that was the creation of this project. 'When I Leave,' 'Fever Dream,' and 'Space for Me' all touch on various problems and doubts within the relationship whereas 'Wasting Away,' 'Smoke Break,' and 'Residing in the Sky' speak on the ending of it all and the ultimate rediscovery of self."

The EP's focus single"Fever Dream" is a moody affair that finds Abby reaching through hazy synths for reassurance in a relationship that's not there. It's a song that burns with hushed intensity as we see Abby peering into a situation where things aren't reciprocated. "Maybe I need you like you don't need me," she intones.

"'There’s a fire in your mind I can’t deny the way it burns me too.' This line is my favorite because it encapsulates the feeling of trying to fix someone knowing the damage it is ultimately causing yourself," Abby shares.

==========================================================================