With melancholic guitar and the loveliest vocals, Zanna Black lets out into the world her latest single, ‘This Town’ and its wistful music video on February 7th.
Zanna Black as a solo act has been sharing her tenacious tunes with the world since 2022, but she’s been active in the musical space for years, touring with her various bands around Brisbane where they rule live venues. Her sweet tone and dreamy songwriting has led to her music being used in TV and movies, with 'Down To The Waterside' used in the Canadian TV series ‘Hockey Wives’ and the 2016 film ‘Burns Point’.
Her latest single, ‘This Town’ is nothing short of magical, a wistful indie afternoon. The song takes on layers reminiscent of singing in a round, echoing and mingling together in a summertime haze, Zanna Black’s sweet voice seeming angelic, her Australian accent playing wonderfully with her sweet voice to contribute a folksy serenity to the song. Weaving throughout the song is Zanna Black’s skillful, moody guitar that brings everything together like pieces of a puzzle.
The bittersweet music video captures the feeling of summer in a small town. Though the song is peaceful and tranquil, it’s tinged with sadness. A paper boat is carried around, contrasted against imagery of rolling waves until it’s finally set free on the water, barrelling down a brook as Zanna pilots the ship, her band playing behind her.
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Here it is! The follow-up to one of the most exciting releases in the ska/reggae scene over the last 5 years, 2021’s Strength in Numbers by the powerhouse all-star musical collective Smoke and Mirrors Sound System! Return of the Numbers features bandleader and ska scene legend John Roy of the long-running San Diego, CA, band Unsteady, bringing us a strong collection of 10 tunes. And like in Strength, he has scoured the ska, reggae, and rocksteady scene worldwide to assemble a mind-blowing roster of talent.
Forty-eight (!!!) different musicians make up the rotating lineup of this project. Live favorites include Roy’s longtime Unsteady bandmates Kevin Hewitt on the Hammond organ and Doug Shaffer on trumpet, as well as Mobtown’s bassie Jeffrey Govan. From East Coast players like Agent Jay Nugent (Slackers) and Buford O’Sullivan (Scofflaws, Skatalites, Easy Star Allstars), to West Coast musicians like Fritz Zar (Steady 45s), Korey Horn (Aggrolites, Gogol Bordello), Robert Sotelo (Allentons, Arise Roots), and Roger Rivas (Aggrolites), and even down to Brazil with the legendary Victor Rice of the Scofflaws and New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, as well as his own solo work. The guest list is truly staggering. Just take a look at these credits!
Return of the Numbers runs the gamut of traditional ska, rocksteady, early reggae, roots, and lovers rock, all with the soul that infuses the songs you remember from Unsteady and the previous Smoke and Mirrors releases. It’s all here, from the uptempo, scorching ska of album opener “Eight Hours a Day” to the reggae of “Gettin’ Through It” featuring a blistering trombone solo from Scott Kisinger! Side one closer “Mala Salud” even incorporates Latin flavor to their roots sound and features spaghetti western guitar from Brian Jordan, tenor sax virtuosity of Dave Hillyard (The Slackers), as well as accordion from Ali Culotta (Stop The Presses, Rude Girl Revue)—not an instrument commonly used in Jamaican roots music, but it all fits together so organically.
Side two opener, “Nothing to Lose,” is a beautiful roots reggae tune featuring East Coast ska legends Dunia Best (Agent 99, Rude Girl Revue) and Mark Lyn (The Slackers), as well as former Stubborn All-Stars bassist Sheldon Gregg and West Coast stalwarts like The Allentons' Chris Stoefen on trombone. The soulful reggae of “Scroll On By” is another highlight here, featuring a wonderful vocal performance by I-Peace Unikue (Eastern Standard Time) as well as guitars from Agent Jay Nugent (The Slackers) and Andrew Bauer (Steady Ups). Kelly DiFilippo (The Loving Paupers) sings the fantastic tune “Motive,” one of your humble narrator’s favorite tracks on the album. The hits just keep coming nonstop on this record.
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Country pop songstress Remy Garrison releases the official music video for her buzzing single "Delusional," Crafted alongside frequent co-writers Shane Yoder and Mark Siegel, "Delusional" delves into the familiar plight of romantic misadventures and the comedic yet fruitless efforts to fix a flawed partner. Known for her sharp songwriting and engaging narratives, Garrison transforms an everyday story of misguided affection into a relatable and spirited anthem.
Garrison describes the track's theme, saying, “For me, being a bit 'Delusional' in love feels universally relatable. It seems many of us, especially women, have found ourselves with the unmistakably wrong person yet stayed, thinking 'we could fix 'em, right?' This song is my tongue-in-cheek self-reflection.”
The release of the "Delusional" music video brings a visual dimension that perfectly captures the song's lively essence and emotional resonance, making it an essential addition to Garrison's burgeoning repertoire. The video serves as a vivid showcase of her evolving artistic identity and her ability to blend lyrical depth with infectious rhythms.
Garrison has been named an Artist To Watch by both Sweety High and LADYGUNN, signaling her rising status in the country music industry. Since her impactful debut with the EP “Southern Luxury” in 2023, which has accumulated over three million streams, Garrison's unique sound and authentic storytelling have captivated an ever-growing fanbase.
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Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.
Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.
Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.
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Santa Cruz's sensational soul stompers The Inciters are back with an exciting new release on Pirates Press Records! This time around, the band have a new recording of the title track from their acclaimed 2023 full length Bring Back the Weekend, backed with the combo putting their unmistakable stamp on Nolan Porter's 1972 Northern Soul classic, "If I Could Only Be Sure."
The single is available for pre-order now on 7” Colored Vinyl, and the band have just released the video for the A-side, directed by Matt Eskew of Generation X Ray! Click here to watch the video.
Not only that, this fabulous new single comes with a special edition 12-page full color comic book companion, with the lyrics to the A-side represented in vibrant illustrations courtesy of tattoo artist Gerald Stryker, in collaboration with The Inciters' Rick Kendrick!
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