TANDM - T.G. Shand - Jay Wood - Cara Hammond - Moving Into Tucson

TANDM - Sirens (Album).

On the surface, they’re charming in their sweet simplicity – effortlessly compelling thanks to graceful melodies, heartfelt lyricism, and syncopated synergy. But the deeper you dig, the more Toronto duo TANDM’s songs seem to transcend time, place, and even stylistic categorization. The core duo of vocalist/guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin first met in their mid-teens and quickly united over a unique creative chemistry.

Their new collection, Sirens, finds the duo teeing up their most engaging and enveloping output to date – a potent distillation of the magical individual components that comprise TANDM’s masterful take on alternative pop but with a newfound polish and elevated production style. The rhythms are entrancing and engaging, drawing the listener into a warm, dreamlike world of stirring melodic dynamism and delicate-but-dauntless vocals.

The title track, “Sirens,” blasts the hopefulness and excitement of youth, with lyrics referencing the Greek myths of Odysseus and Icarus. TANDM describe the painful truths of growing up, independence and severing the connection from family.

“I have always tried to tell a lesson or a story in our music,” says Maxine. “With our first two EPs, the majority of our songs were about teenagehood, with many of the themes touching on negative experiences of growing up. With this upcoming EP Sirens, the music is much more about the transition, post teenage angst. The upcoming songs are about the progress and the ‘moving on’ of past troubles, and how we overcame them. Consider it a sequel to our previous chapter.”

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T.G. Shand - Cinnamon (E.P).

New Zealand based dream pop artist, T. G. Shand, known for her ethereal soundscapes, is announcing the release of her highly anticipated sophomore EP, ‘Cinnamon’. The EP is set to captivate listeners with its meticulously crafted tracks and mesmerizing sonic landscapes.

Released on Friday 28th July, ‘Cinnamon’ showcases T. G. Shand's evolution as an artist. Written and produced by Annemarie Duff (Miniatures), the EP features five tracks that have been developed over the past three years. Building on the success of her previous releases, T. G. Shand's ‘Cinnamon’ EP elevates her signature dreamy sound to new heights. Mastered by Bevan Smith, the EP takes listeners on a journey filled with unforgettable melodies and evocative lyrics.

Lead track, ‘Cinnamon’, stands out as a quirky and driving tune that showcases T. G. Shand's sugary vocals, leaving a lasting impression on listeners. With the rest of the EP featuring a range of musical experiences, from the intro track that evokes a floating sensation to some heavier shoegaze numbers and a captivating electronic closing track.


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Jay Wood - Initial Pulse.

West Australian alt-indie acoustic singer-songwriter, Jay Wood unleashed her eagerly awaited single, 'Initial Pulse' on Friday, July 28th, 2023. This release marks the second single from her upcoming EP, 'Respire,' scheduled for release on 1st September. Jay Wood's latest single promises to captivate audiences with its heartfelt lyrics, soothing melodies, and profound messaging.

Produced, mixed, and mastered by the talented team at Norman Solander Studios, 'Initial Pulse' holds a special place in Jay Wood's heart as it represents her personal journey of rediscovering life and falling in love. “This song was the first song I painstakingly managed to write after a long-time re-learning how to play my instruments post-accident” – Jay Wood

After a long period of re-learning to play her instruments following a life-altering accident and a Catastrophic Traumatic Brain Injury, Jay Wood poured her emotions into this song, depicting the joy and excitement of new love, with ‘love’ representing a deeper meaning of life itself. The title 'Initial Pulse' symbolises those first beats of the heart when encountering someone who sparks a newfound love and rejuvenates life—a fresh start filled with hope and anticipation.

Jay Wood's music is an embodiment of her life experiences and her unique ability to connect with listeners on an intimate level. Her skilful lyricism, passionate vocals, and humble demeanour allow her to effortlessly tug on heartstrings - offering insight into her own soul as well as encouraging reflection upon one's own life experiences. Jay's unique thoughts about love, life and everything in-between come alive through honest yet unconventional and at times "in your face" lyrics which touch audiences deeply.

With 'Initial Pulse' and her 1st September forthcoming EP, ‘Respire’, Jay Wood invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Her music serves as a reminder that we each possess the power to shape our own destinies and find fulfilment no matter the obstacles life presents us with.

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Cara Hammond - America.

'America' is Cara Hammond's second self produced single of 2023. Influenced by Lana Del Reyand Fleetwood Mac, America is a summer anthem about what happens after theAmerican dream. Country guitar slides, gospel organ and 60s girl group harmoniesblend together in creating a classic Americana sound that slowly disintegrates viaharmonic shifts.

I wrote America after returning from showcasing at SXSW 2022. At the beginning of 2022 I’d been dropped by my label & left my management, so when I was invited to play this huge festival in Austin, Texas, I couldn’t have been happier.

I spent all my time practicing, planning and emailing industry in the lead up that I didn’t give anything else much thought. SXSW was a dream so when it ended, I landed home with a bump. The weeks after that I felt very lost and unsure what my next step was. Luckily songwriting held the answer and America was born on a rainy day in Dolgellau, North Wales.

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Moving Into Tucson - Moving Into Tucson.

Hey, come along. We are Moving Into Tucson. There is no stopping us, so join us on our trip. All we wanna do is bring joy, happiness and good music to this world. Now, who can argue with that? No-one can! Not even your most bitter critic.

And here it is. Single number 3. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old. Anyone will dig the message. This tune is just to cool to ignore. The beat is wild, the harmonies are high. Mr. Tambourine Man is going to get ya. Just think of the Byrd that wouldn’t fly and it all makes sense to you. So, if you ever thought about Moving Into Tucson, this is your chance!

Moving Into Tucson is for fans of: REM, Lemonheads, Sugar, The Posies, Buffalo Tom, Teenage Fanclub and the Counting Crows but also reminiscent to bands as U2 or The Police. Contemporary indie pop rock with an early 90s sound, sometimes dark, sometimes mysterious, or vague, but with depth in the music and certainly in the lyrics.

TCBYML · Moving Into Tucson - Moving Into Tucson

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The Money War - TANDM - Endless Forms - The Kut

The Money War - I Don't Hear You Anymore (E.P).

Known for their innate talent for crafting beautifully written songs, the Western Australian-based duo, The Money War, was just released their heartrending new EP 'I Don't Hear You Anymore' on Friday, June 23.

Infusing their music with unwavering sincerity, Dylan Ollivierre and Carmen Pepper skillfully blend elegant pop purity with the resolute spirit of indie rock and folk, resulting in captivating melodies and refined production that eloquently capture their intricate experiences.

In 'I Don't Hear You Anymore', The Money War demonstrates their adeptness at navigating tender stories of love, loss, change, and the desperate need for self-expression. This collection of songs, which is both authentic and relatable, allows The Money War to express their innermost thoughts and emotions as they navigate the challenges of raising three young children. Each track on the EP offers a unique and heartfelt experience, beautifully encapsulating the duo's emotive lyricism and undeniable talent, and showcasing their profound artistic depth.

Speaking about the tracks on the EP, Dylan Ollivierre notes, "The songs are special to me because they remind me of moments in the last year where I felt desperate to express myself." As a full-time producer who is consistently occupied with other people's music, time dedicated to The Money War is limited. Ollivierre further explains, "Every now and then, I have this insatiable desire to create something that embodies my own vision and expresses Carmen and me as The Money War. In the past, we often had numerous songs to choose from, but nowadays, with three young kids, our time has significantly decreased. Therefore, a song only progresses beyond the 'idea' stage if it strongly demands to be realized."

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TANDM - 2quick2trust.

On the surface, they're charming in their sweet simplicity – effortlessly compelling thanks to graceful melodies, heartfelt lyricism, and syncopated synergy. But the deeper you dig, the more Toronto duo TANDM's songs seem to transcend time, place, and even stylistic categorization.

Their forthcoming collection, Sirens (out July 26th), finds the duo teeing up their most engaging and enveloping output to date – a potent distillation of the magical individual components that comprise TANDM's masterful take on alternative pop but with a newfound polish and elevated production style.

Their diss track, "2quick2trust," was inspired from negative experiences in their music and personal lives, where they felt that many people have tried to take advantage of them. From having people try to steal their music, take advantage of their band, take advantage of them as humans, TANDM wrote this track as a response.

When we started TANDM, our kindness, generosity, and innocence was taken advantage of, and that put us in a really bad place for confidence and trust in the music industry. This track is a confident clap back at those who have wronged us in the past, proving that all they were to us was 'nameless' and 'song material.' – frontwoman Maxine Beck-Sinderby

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Endless Forms - Make Me Feel Too Much.

Endless Forms was started by writer and producer Justin Allen in 2015 with the release of his debut album ‘Lazarus’ – a thoughtful album reaching out for a cathartic answer to life’s looming existential questions. Endless Forms’ subsequent releases – 2017’s ‘If There Were Water’, 2020’s ‘More Than Candy’ and 2022’s ‘Electric Heat Hypnotized’ each dive progressively further into the fractal, sonically evolving with each release into a dreamy marriage of deep atmosphere, layered rhythms, and earnest lyrics.

‘Make Me Feel Too Much’ is the third track taken from his pending album ‘The House of Love’ – the most intimate and personal album Allen has ever released. A somber, slow-building song that encapsulates the feeling of life “getting large and the stakes start getting high”. The track highlights the feeling of when things become too much, you almost start to feel numb.

He said of the new single: “I always imagined that ‘Make Me Feel Too Much’ could be played live entirely by four people. So many of my recording sessions get really out of hand with tons and tons of tracks, and I wanted to make something that could be played by some kind of Frank Sinatra-esque backing band. I was also listening to a lot of Aphex Twin at the time, and was really inspired by some his weird reverbs, where it sounds like you are inside some impossibly massive metal building. I wanted it to feel like it was in a space like that.”

“Lyrically, the song is a great microcosm for the whole album…There’s a Carl Jung quote that goes “the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” What if that massive, scary pool of emotion is actually a sort of gateway into something extremely real and beautiful? How might we have to change in order to let ourselves sink into that pool?” 

DRRT Records · Endless Forms - Make Me Feel Too Much

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The Kut - Runaways.

The Kut is back with her latest single 'Runaways'. Written around a rolling bass-line, it’s a feel-good track about spending the summer outdoors.

Well it certainly seems to have been for good reason… ‘Runaways’ is the sixth single to release from her sophomore album ‘GRIT’ - a record that reached Number 1 in the Official UK Rock Albums Chart, after years of grassroots touring.

So it’s all the more sweet that ‘Runaways’ releases on the back of tours she and the collective played supporting US rockers Electric Six and Japanese punk-pop band Shonen Knife in the last few months.

The single animation shares a glimpse of the frustration, determination and hopefulness of an independent band on the road.

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Typical Light - Laura Marie - Tilia - TANDM

Typical Light - Imaginary Ride.

Boston MA USA: record label H1 Massive will release the first full length album from Typical Light. Hailing from Paris FRANCE, the duo creates dreamlike, cinematic synthpop. In 2020, Hélène (vocals, synthesizer) and Hakim (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, synthesizer) joined forces over their mutual love of indie pop, rock, and shoegaze.

Hakim began his musical journey, playing the piano and guitar at 10 years old. “My parents exposed me to a lot of music when I was young, and I wanted to be like the artists they listened to.” Hélène states, “Music has always been a passion for me. I worked as a cultural journalist for several years and putting out this album fulfills a long time dream.” Their first EP SWEET was noticed immediately by French magazine KR Home Studio, because of their catchy melodies and the way Hakim and Hélène weave their silky vocals together.

Typical Light have picked up the baton from French synth pop compatriots M83, and taken it in their own direction. Imaginary Ride is one of those albums where love and disenchantment intertwine, while lyrical imagery and instrumentation playfully interact. Between immersion and introspection, the songs lead us on a wistful guided tour of romance and longing.

“We created Imaginary Ride as a timeless journey, the soundtrack of a slice of life, where joy, sadness and nostalgia mix together. Simultaneously raw and sensual, organic and synthetic sounds interlace to offer multiple dimensions and directions. Images and sounds respond to each other in a dreamlike way.” says Hélène and Hakim.

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Laura Marie - Too Sweet: Songs For Setting Boundaries.

Laura Marie's latest project, Too Sweet: Songs for Setting Boundaries, is a chronicle of pivotal points in one trauma survivor's lifelong struggle to navigate life, love, and relationships. Each song is an intimate conversation in singer-songwriter style that follows Laura Marie's path from self-betrayal to self-empowerment through fierce acts of self-love. This five song EP, accompanied by a book of the same name, is a deeper dive into the "one lesson learned on repeat" referenced in her earlier work ("Honest" Stars Apart , 2016) that further explores the frontiers of self-awareness. From the playful sensuality of the title track to the heart wrenching depiction of loss from drug addiction in "Painkiller" to the joyfully combative "Shadows," Too Sweet is a genuine, wholehearted, and unrestrained confessional that lays bare the inner workings of a sexual assault and suicide attempt survivor through relationships.

The idea of a project centered around creating healthy boundaries came to Laura Marie after several years of working to extract herself from several unhealthy relationships that temporarily derailed her career as a songwriter and just a few months before the pandemic that made healthy boundaries a survival necessity. The instrumentation was recorded remotely at SuperLegal Studios in Brooklyn by Laura Marie's longtime friend and collaborator, producer/arranger Jake Owen for DO Sounds. Owen then flew to San Antonio to record Laura Marie's vocals in a homemade PVC and acoustic blanket vocal booth built by the artist and her husband for her home studio. The EP features Owen (Augustana, BoDeans, Goldspot) on guitar/keyboard/programming, Mauro Refosco (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Atoms for Peace, David Byrne) on drums, and a string quartet arranged and conducted by Owen for the song "Why."

Too Sweet: Songs for Setting Boundaries is set for release in May 2023 as a standalone EP, followed by a book and EP set. The book is a memoir and account of events that inspired the songs on the EP. Laura Marie maintains that her songwriting has always been an effort to heal and an essential element for her survival. She wrote the book in the same spirit and to empower survivors in and out of the music industry to overcome the often debilitating consequences of trauma and sexual abuse.

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Tilia - Ever Ever.

Dream Pop artist Tilia returns with the new single Ever Ever. With her first two albums Focus (2014) and Patterns (2017), the Zurich-based artist received numerous airplays in Switzerland, Germany and Austria and is still present in some playlists.

After two tours in Germany and Switzerland, she took some time off and now returns with a suitcase full of new songs that hold some influences from jangle pop as well as dream pop. A first new EP will be released in the fall.

With her new songs Tilia builds on her proven strengths, but knows even more how to pack timeless melodies into catchy songs and sound independent at the same time. Ever Ever is a wonderful example of this. The song was created together with the Basel producer Philippe Laffer.

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TANDM - The Man in the Sea.

Toronto duo TANDM's songs seem to transcend time, place, and even stylistic categorization. The core duo of vocalist/guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin first met in their mid-teens and quickly united over a unique creative chemistry. Their influences are as subtle as they are diverse, weaving tinges of genre-bending modern innovators from Alvvays to Regina Spector to even Vampire Weekend into their work.

New track, "The Man in the Sea," was originally written by Maxine as a poem for an assignment in high school. The poem was inspired by a story told to her as a child by her grandmother; the tale was whimsical about how a giant man in the sea would stir a giant spoon and make the waves. "My inspiration was to convey the sensation of a childhood belief/fantasy, that then shattered from discovering the realities of the world."

The video made by continuing collaborators with TANDM, Akash Jones & Bronte Brazier, uses dreamlike stop motion visuals to accompany the haunting tune. The single is a highlight off the group's dynamic upcoming EP Sirens.

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Kristiane - TANDM - Karen Bishko - Amaunet

Kristiane shares 'Wish I Could Be Your Girl' and it's a very catchy indie pop song where the vocals exude fragility and emotion. ===== Earlier this week we featured 'Earthworm' by TANDM and I am pleased to be able to share the full E.P 'Reflections Remastered' with another four gorgeous songs. ===== Karen Bishko video for 'My Name Is Karen' adds a little more to this lyrically brilliant song, there is nothing wrong if your real name is Karen (simply nothing). ===== From Amaunet we have the new song 'All About Us' which is a vibrant and flowing indie rocker, the vocals and rich musical backdrop beautifully spar with each other.

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Kristiane - Wish I Could Be Your Girl.

Kristiane is an LA-based singer/songwriter who has spent the last few years developing an eccentric, jarring approach to pop/rock. Her new single “Wish I Could Be Your Girl” is out now independently.

“Wish I Could Be Your Girl” is an intimate tale written by Kristiane on the floor of her apartment late one night over our quarantined summer.

“I couldn’t sleep and wanted to call somebody, but convinced myself it would be burdensome. So, I wrote “Should I call / Don’t wanna bother / Am I the deadbeat father never on the way”, and then I picked up my guitar and the track wrote itself”

This song to me isn’t about literally wanting to be somebody’s “girl”, but rather wanting to fit the archetype of the kind of partner that’s easy to be with, uncomplicated. I think as someone who struggles with mental health it’s easy to demonize your emotions, instead of embracing that it’s okay to be someone with a complicated history/emotions” - Kristiane

Kristiane tapped producer Jesse Munsat to bring the track to life the way she dreamed it would sound, pairing fuzzy guitars and dreamy synth pads with Kristiane’s melancholic vocals.

With her quarantine-written debut EP on the way, Kristiane promises more songs a la "Wish I Could Be Your Girl" for early 2021, filled with nostalgia and self-awareness.

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TANDM - Reflections (E.P Remastered).

Lead vocalist and guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin met serendipitously at a music studio in high school. The duo have since released two back-to-back EPs, titled “Reflections, Vol. 1” and “Reflections, Vol. 2”; achieving them features on CBC Radio, and City TV’s Breakfast Television Toronto.

The duo has developed a signature sound marked by Maxine’s silky vocals and catchy reverb-filled guitar riffs, driven by the energy of Thomas’s drum flourishes. From personal pleasures and conflicts to the flaws in society encountered in young adulthood, TANDM's upbeat sounds, vivid narratives and captivating melodies create a bittersweet and memorable experience.

Having recently signed with Popguru Sound & Vision for Worldwide SYNC representation, the band has remastered their five favourite tracks from their two EPs for potential use in film, television, advertisements, and video-games.

TANDM · Reflections (Remastered)

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Karen Bishko - My Name Is Karen.

Karen was working as a portrait artist when Gary Kemp and Jess Bailey from Spandau Ballet, heard some songs she had written.

“Jess Bailey and Gary Kemp heard two songs and liked them. They produced them and encouraged me to write more and I became more confident. I got a band together and started gigging. Paul Burger, (ex-President of Sony Music Europe) became my manager. He was the person who encouraged me to write for musical theatre.”

Karen worked in the studio with Yoad Nevo (Sia, Goldfrapp) and Stephen Lironi (Jon Bon Jovi, Hanson).

In 2007 she opened for British band Take That at Britain’s largest arena, the London O2.

Seeking a novel way to present her heartfelt songs, in 2009 Karen left for New York to develop her musical, Therapy Rocks. The musical was staged at NYMF 2010 (The New York Musical Theatre Festival) with a cast of five and its performance run not only sold out but was extended.

Karens musical Single was set for a production at The New Wolsey Theatre in the UK in September 2020. It has been postponed until 2021 due to Covid-19. For more information see projects.

Karen was hired to write an 80’s version of the much loved existing show Menopause The Musical which is set for launch in 2021 in the US. For more information see projects.

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Amaunet - All About Us.

Amaunet are back with their upbeat, dance-worthy single "All About Us"; out everywhere now and taken from their upcoming debut EP, to be released by Lövely Records in November. The single is the perfect upbeat, 90s inspired indie-rock tune with catchy hooks and fast drums.

"All about us" is the last single from Amaunet's upcoming, debut EP. A hopeful, happy track with an energetic beat and 'indie-rock band goes pop' feel. It features catchy choruses, fast drums and roaring guitars - creating a track that makes you want to dance around the kitchen or long for the dim lit dancefloor of your nearest alternative nightclub. The single's released alongside a music video; a homemade video filmed by the band during the pandemic.

The band effortlessly blends melodies and hooks inspired by ‘60s hits with the Britpop swagger & guitar roar of the ‘90s. Amaunet are heavily inspired by bands such as Oasis, The Beatles, The Stone Roses and Kings of Leon, creating their own unique nostalgic sound. Their debut EP "Amaunet" involves a mix of chill indie-rock and faster indie-pop, filled with everything from vocals that are equal parts rough, sweet, and soaring to smooth guitar riffs. The EP is perfect for fans of Kings of Leon, The Vaccines, Oasis and Coldplay.

"All About Us" is out everywhere now. Taken from the band's upcoming EP "Amaunet", released digitally by Lövely Records on November 20.

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TANDM - Elliott Waits For No One

TANDM have shared 'Earthworm' (2020 Remastered) and it's a refreshingly upbeat indie pop song with melodic hooks and vibrant vocals. ===== Elliott Waits For No One have shared a superb video for 'You Can't See Through Me' along with the release of their self titled debut album. The song is one of thirteen tracks on the new album and gives a good feel for this beautifully crafted collection, where attention to detail is matched by some notable creativity and clear passion for their resulting musical output.

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TANDM - Earthworm (2020 Remastered).

Lead vocalist and guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin met serendipitously at a music studio in high school. The duo have since released two back-to-back EPs, titled Reflections, Vol. 1 and Reflections, Vol. 2; achieving them features on CBC Radio, and City TV’s Breakfast Television Toronto. Maxine’s undeniable musical talent runs in her family: her uncles are Grammy-winning Canadian musician Jason Beck known to the world as Chilly Gonzales and prolific Hollywood film composer Christophe Beck, known for his Emmy-award winning work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and blockbuster films Frozen, Frozen 2, Ant-Man and The Hangover. 

Franklin honed his craft first with international touring jazz drummer Bill Ransom in the US, and then with renowned Toronto musician Anthony Michelli. Both jazz and classically trained in multiple instruments, Franklin and Beck-Sinderby started writing and performing their music in Canada and Sweden; and both graduated in June 2020 from Toronto’s York University, with Bachelors of Fine Arts Honours in Music.

In early live performances their instrumentation was minimal, and they soon developed a signature sound marked by Maxine’s silky vocals and catchy reverb-filled guitar riffs, driven forward by the energy of Thomas’s drum flourishes. Drawing inspiration from the likes of ALVVAYS, The Black Keys, Foals, Of Monsters and Men, and Daughter, TANDM’s music weaves stories around the complexities of life. From personal pleasures and conflicts to the flaws in society encountered in young adulthood, TANDM’s upbeat sounds, vivid narratives and captivating melodies create a bittersweet and memorable experience for the audience that echoes long after a first listen. 

TANDM · Earthworm (2020 Remastered)

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Elliott Waits For No One - You Can't See Through Me.

Elliott Waits For No One (EWFNO) have released their self-titled debut album on Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal.

VP of Entertainment Owen Cotter of McGill Media & SciFiction.com says Elliott Waits For No One's new single and music video is a must to checkout! With a mix of Asimov sci-fi style robots dancing in a nature dreamscape combined with alternative rock tunes what’s not more to want. This new single rocks and I highly recommend it!

Tim Roth, director of the video adds, "The first time I heard "You Can't See Through Me" by Elliott Waits For No One, I was immediately struck with images of a slow-motion ballet dancer, dancing among ruins. The haunting, evocative cello, the dark vocals, and the beautiful melody, made this a video that I felt could be quite compelling and poignant, and I was eager to take on the project.  Unfortunately (or serendipitously), no models were willing to work in-person due to the pandemic. 

I then turned to resources that I knew I had ready access to...Computer Graphics. Actors were replaced with 3D models and landscapes were only limited by what I could find online. All four seasons were now at my disposal. Once the smoke finally cleared from the Northern California fires, I was also able to venture out and capture some of the beautiful landscapes that I needed for the "hero" shots. It also didn't hurt that my brother Nick Roth is an ace graphic artist and was always available to answer technical questions...and there were many."

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