Press Releases For October: Here Are The Artists
Hot Flash Heat Wave, Davion Farris, Phillip-Michael Scales, The Mary Veils, Tank and The Bangas, Daisy, Astrologer are among these press releases for October.
Hot Flash Heat Wave – “Vampires”: A melancholic and catchy melody with plenty of guitars, lush synths, and a result a bit reminiscent of The Strokes. This is the new single from San Francisco-based indie trio Hot Flash Heat Wave whose new album should drop in early 2022. On the single, Hot Flash Heat Wave says: “‘Vampires’ spins off of the musical cautionary tale, the narrator punning around the theme while warning a young idealistic listener that ‘the world will drain you.’ The lyrics jab at consumerism, pop-media-enforced party culture, and the societal system that pushes us away from our youthful ideals toward well-trodden career paths and empty materialism, alcohol, and drug abuse. The song uses a fantastical theme to veil its critique, its sonic landscapes pulling from new wave and goth influences to match the lyrical tone, illustrating a dark expansive world filled with vampires.” The trio of Adam Abildgaard, Nick Duffy, and Ted Davis have built a loyal following and constant buzz over the last several years, with the 2019 EP “Mood Ring” standing as their most kaleidoscopic work to date. Merging the quintessential melodies of pop’s past with contemporary touches to forge something truly unique, Hot Flash Heat Wave is just starting to create their own sonic world.
Davion Farris – “Sometimes”: A soulful falsetto soaring over a peaceful and cinematic piano-driven soundscape. Hailing from Inglewood California, two-time GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Davion Farris has previously written with and for artists such as Mary J Blige, Tyrese, Trey Songz, Ginuwine, Jill Scott, SiR, and more, but he is now ready to step into the spotlight with the release of his debut single “Sometimes” via Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Records/Def Jam Recordings. “Davion is a timeless artist,” said Lena Waithe. “He isn’t afraid to be vulnerable in his music. And that’s why he stood out to myself, Albert, and Tebs as an artist we wanted to sign. He’s been a fantastic collaborator and we can’t for everyone to hear what we’ve been cooking up. “Sometimes is for those of us who give our best and still get knocked down. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone,” said Davion Farris. “This song is about strength in vulnerability. It’s ok to acknowledge that in certain moments, you’re not ok.”
Phillip-Michael Scales – “Your Love’s Working Me To The Bone”: A classic tone for a slow finger-clap bluesy number, showcasing Phillip-Michael Scales’s powerful vocals. This is the smoldering new single from his forthcoming LP, “Sinner-Songwriter,” set for release on October 29th via Dixie Frog Records. What began as a beat in a bedroom was finished with Tres Sasser (Will Hoge) and Joe Costa (Ben Folds, Amanda Palmer). It’s about a draining relationship where the narrator laments having to do all of the emotional labor in the relationship—one they don’t want to leave but know it’s probably for the best. Growing up, Phillip-Michael Scales had an uncle who played guitar for a living. He knew it was a big deal but didn’t understand the significance that his uncle’s name was B.B. King. Even though Scales played guitar, he shied away from soloing and most things blues-related. Instead, he fell in love with songwriting when an English teacher told him “A great writer can make their reader identify with anyone.” The trouble was he couldn’t find his story in the blues. Born with a fierce independent streak and a passion for performing, Scales fronted his own indie bands, wrote and recorded his own music, and worked to make a name for himself on his own terms. All the while, his uncle just smiled a knowing smile and encouraged him to “stay with it.” As he began to discover “the blues” in his private and personal life, their relationship grew closer. It wasn’t until his uncle passed away that Scales began incorporating more of it into his music. “These days I’m finding more of my story in the blues,” he explains. “A lot has led me here—between politics, my identity, and of course: Legacy.”
The Mary Veils – “ Home Video”: A hook in repeat but disappearing behind a dense veil of static and fuzz. This lead single perfectly showcases the band’s evolving sound and announces the forthcoming EP from the Philadelphia garage punk 4-piece. “Somewhere Over the Rowhome” will be out November 5th on PNKSLM Recordings. Drawing inspiration from The Dickies, BLURT, and ’60s Texas garage punk, “Home Video” is a song about self-realization behind a pulsing riff and electric vocals. On the single, the band said, “‘Home Video’ was the first song we ever played together at the very first practice we had in this lineup. It just came to us in that way you hope all songs come to you and immediately felt complete. It was the nod we needed to know that this could work. It made sense to us that this song should be the first release.” Taking their cues from the classic punk of New York Dolls, and Johnny Thunders, the sheer energy, and inventiveness of “Over the Rowhome”’s four tracks also brings to mind the more contemporary likes of Osees and Hot Snakes. “We’re just throwing everything we think is cool into the pot and trying to cook up something with a similar flavor,” says drummer Evan Wall. “Somewhere Over the Rowhome” was mixed by Cory Hanson and seasoned Philly producer Jeff Zeigler
Tank and The Bangas – “Big”: A multi-voiced and high-energy hip hop delivery over a buoyant and playful track, a New Orleans vibe mixing funk, rap, rock, and gospel. Big” is the latest song to be revealed by “Best New Artist” Grammy-nominee and critically acclaimed band Tank and The Bangas featuring Big Freedia. “This song boasts big energy from two talented New Orleans artists,” notes drummer Joshua Johnson. “Tank effortlessly twists and turns lyrics at will during the verses only to open the stage for Big Freedia to join her on the hook. Anytime Tank and The Bangas and Big Freedia get together it’s a banga but this time it’s a BIG one!” The band released their major-label debut, Green Balloon, in 2019 on Verve Forecast to widespread critical praise. In 2020, the band released their latest EP Friend Goals, featuring numerous musical contributions from CHIKA, Duckwrth, and PJ Morton. Throughout their career, the group has performed “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Austin City Limits” and “TODAY.” The group has toured non-stop selling out venues both stateside and abroad, including festival appearances at Coachella, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Newport Jazz Festival, and more.
Daisy – “Eastside”: Daisy Hamel-Buffa’s rich and effortless vocals over a song that blends the frontiers between pop, jazz. R&B and soul. This is the new single from the Los Angeles-based band. Produced by bassist Alex Kasvikis, the track was the first single from their forthcoming E.P. “S.O.M.E.,” which was released this month. The E.P.’s title stands for “suck on my energy,” a phrase frequently used by the band to describe feeding off the positive vibes of friends and loved ones, and the music video reflects this mantra, which sees the band contently enjoying each other’s company. On the release of the EP, the band says: “We love this EP so much, we’ve never been so excited to share music with the world. We feel like we’ve found the perfect crystallization of us as a creative family. We’re back and better than ever. Suck on my energy!” The genre-bending band is fronted by the multi-disciplinary artist who is also known for her solo material under the moniker DAISY WORLD. Most recently she appeared as a featured artist on Tyler, The Creator’s “Rise!” from his critically acclaimed 2021 album “Call Me If You Get Lost.”
Astrologer – “Mania”: A High energy one-chorded punk-rocker saturated by angry vocals and fuzzed-out instrumentation. This new proto-trance-punk is a single furious rant-track, that is ready to crash and it comes off Astrologer’s upcoming 7-track debut EP. “Legerdemain (L)” comes out later this year on Lolipop Records and was produced by Wyatt Blair at Lolipop’s Savannah Studios. On “Mania,” Astrologer said, “‘Mania’ is my attempt at a song that captures the feeling of hypomania. I tried to make something that reflects the frenetic energy and fragmented thought processes… Something demented and unrelenting. And it’s all sincere and true.” The video accompanying the song was created by Salvador Cresta and Candy Caballero and “takes on an avant-garde, colorful approach that sees the singer-songwriter singing his way through the song as a series of cool footages and clips overlap or are feature alongside.” Featured artists on the upcoming EP include Candy, Wyatt Blair, and Don Bolles of the Germs & 45 Grave, who is also featured in the “Mania” video. Astrologer said, “The video was made pretty much as an excuse to hang out with out friends and act silly.”
