Artist Spotlight
Macy Rodman Releases a Sugary Single & Music Video “Love Me!”
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, artist, and showgirl Macy Rodman announced her newest album Unbelievable Animals, out August 27 via Shamir’s Accidental Popstar Records. The massive, sugary, propulsive sound of the record — confession and heartbreak set to club-ready beats with ‘90s radio rock inflections — is decidedly not the sound of quarantine or isolation. It is the opposite — the sound of reemergence, of rebirth, the return to the dance floor. Liz Phair, Faith Hill, Cher, Madonna, and more heroes of that era spiritually inhabit its tracks, where slick pop production and the sneering punk attitudes of Marianne Faithful and PJ Harvey mingle at the ‘90s New York nightclub.
Premiered on PAPER, the first taste out today is the electro-thumper “Love Me!” single & video. Macy explains: “‘Love Me!’ is about getting back with an ex who you know is bad for you. No matter how poorly they’ve treated you in the past, they keep charming their way back in and you just want them to love you.” She’ll be celebrating with a New York show at C’mon Everybody on July 2.
Moving to New York from remote Juneau, Alaska to initially pursue her dreams in fashion, the underlying trans rage of repressed youth — searching for a space of belonging, reaching through media for escape — becomes a theme of the Brooklyn resident’s work, though her media landscape these days is populated by pop stars and rom coms. Couple this with the absurdism of fantasy, a purposeful schizophrenia of a slew of characters that inhabit her songs, and you get closer to her new album. “The title ‘Unbelievable Animals’ prevailed because while writing the record, I saw my life in past loves laid out in front of like a Discovery Channel special and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my feelings. We are all just Unbelievable Animals,” Macy says.
The new record, chopped down to 12 tracks after challenging herself to write 20 songs in 30 days, is therefore a turning point, one that leaves her more vulnerable than ever before. The stakes are higher because it is real in the way her previous work has not been, where personas emerge in order to analyze and get over the breakup that left her reeling. It becomes a balancing act of finding a continuity with her previous work and using this project as the vehicle to recover from the baffling heartbreak, not to mention the conditions of the pandemic. It is a personal risk, but a logical next step for a delightfully unpredictable artist.
Macy creates worlds that are not surreal, but hyperreal — where everything is false so everything is true, where the relativity of truth becomes defined by the ecstatic moment of performance and experience. Evident from the release of first her EP HELP (2016), and subsequent albums The Lake (2017) and Endless Kindness (2019), she forges avenues of escape, works that viscerally grab you, but you can’t believe it’s happening. Much like the films of David Cronenberg, her favorite filmmaker (“long live the new flesh” is tattooed on the inside of her left arm.) But that’s the joy of Macy’s work, the constant turmoil of self discovery that accompanies such a disconnected world, where anyone could see themselves reflected — if only they turn away from the world’s endless hall-of-mirrors long enough to take a look.
Photo Credit: Pvssyheaven
Stay updated! Click the Google News follow button for more news and updates.
Follow on Google NewsArtist Spotlight
Ironic Sweden drops its synth-laden anthem with “Media Whore”
IRONIC SWEDEN serves up a satirical slice of synth-pop goodness with their latest single, “Media Whore.” Comprised of the talented trio Dan, Stefan, and Tezz, this Swedish trio’s synergy is palpable as they deliver an introspective sonic experience, having honed their craft together for about a year.
Drawing inspiration from the pulsating rhythms of the pop pantheon, Ironic Sweden delivers a punchy commentary on society’s relentless pursuit of fame. “Media Whore” beckons listeners to ponder the lengths they’re willing to go for their fleeting moments of notoriety, all while questioning the enduring repercussions of such pursuits.
Recorded in their studio in the southern reaches of Sweden, the single boasts a polished sound production that will captivate listeners from the get-go. It was produced by the esteemed Melville brothers, spearheaded particularly by the acclaimed Callum Melville, known as Calibeats in the UK.
With its infectious beats and thought-provoking lyrics, this must-listen dynamic single, “Media Whore” is a reminder of the consequences that fame-seeking can entail, making it a standout addition to any playlist for synth enthusiasts. Ironic Sweden’s mission to elevate the appreciation of synth to unprecedented heights is achieving its desired result with this captivating musical finesse that shines brightly, undoubtedly cementing its place in the pop pantheon with this electrifying single.
For more information about Ironic Sweden, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Ironic Sweden’s “Media Whore“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Ironic Sweden | Facebook |
Artist Spotlight
An Intuitive Conversation with Love Power the Band’s Ananda Xenia Shakti
Ananda, congratulations on the release of “Songs From Source”! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this twin release and what listeners can expect from the two tracks, “Are You Looking For Me” and “Hare Hare Dance”?
Hey, thanks so much it’s been really a total labour of love, every project is every song feels like you’re birthing another piece of your heart, but this one especially feels that way to me. The songs are inspirational life-affirming tracks that are EDM style, and that something really new for our band, but it just came naturally with the songs
We understand that “Are You Looking For Me” draws inspiration from the 15th-century Indian mystic poet Kabir Das. How did Kabir’s poem influence the creation of this track, and what elements did you incorporate to capture its essence?
Are you looking for me? Is the name of one of Kabir‘s most famous poems and and in essence what he’s talking about is our confused seeking for divinity when in reality, it lives right inside you it is the person who’s sitting next to you You can never be separated from it.
I used a number of lines from his poem for the lyrics of the song and then I heard some new ones that I dared to add. I feel like he would be really happy that I did that. Because he was all about breaking form and bringing in what’s fresh and new. He lived in India at a time when tradition was basically the whole experience of life, and he broke it over and over again, because he saw a different truth.
“Hare Hare Dance” is described as an adaptation of an ancient Krishna chant into a modern dance song. Can you share more about the process of transforming this traditional chant into a contemporary musical experience?
When I’m living in India, I live in a city called Vrindavan. It was the home of Krishna and his consort Radha when they were embodied and it is the home of Bhakti yoga, the path of devotion. In the path of devotion, as our acts of prayer and meditation we sing and dance. Mostly we sing what most people call the Hare Krishna mantra. Its constantly going through your mind because you’re hearing people chanting it and singing it everywhere you go.
You recorded “Hare Hare Dance” in Vrindavan, India, during Krishna’s birthday celebration. How did the atmosphere and energy of the city during this time influence the recording process, and what was it like to capture that magic in the studio?
Krishna’s birthday in Vrindavan is a massive celebration and this past year it actually fell on my birthday, which I happen to be alone in India for. To celebrate I was singing and dancing in a traditional way, then I started to hear some beautiful tunes coming through, then the vision laying them down on top of dance beats activated. I got so excited about what I was hearing that I contacted the engineer that I usually record with and asked him if he j happen to be free and he said to come right over When I told him it was my birthday too, he was so excited, in India birthdays are really special. So there we were Krishna‘s birthday and my birthday, I told him what I was hearing and we started to create it was pure magic. It over flowed with love and it was the easiest track we have recorded together
As the lead vocalist and primary composer for Love Power the Band, how do you approach songwriting and composition to create music that embodies the band’s message of love, joy, and gratitude?
The music that I write, for the band is inspired by the Intuitive Readings, and the Angelic Realm guidance that I receive for people in their healing journeys. I hear certain pieces of wisdom being shared from the subtle realms, and they start to turn into songs.
It happens out of pure love, an inspiration. It’s never a sit down effort. The songs birth out of joy, and hopefully they inspire joy and others!
Your background includes a successful career in the punk scene, touring with bands like the Clash and singing with Blondie. How has your journey from the punk scene to Bhakti yoga influenced your musical style and approach to performance?
Having been a performer in the height of the punk world, with world famous acts I was used to performing in large venues to a lot of people. I was used to performing in ways that were really high energy and innovative and I was used to the music creating a very dynamic vibe with the audience. I was also used to what I consider to be the unfortunate dynamics of fame, and the separation that it creates out of idealization.
Love Power The Band concerts are described as unique happenings where the audience becomes part of the interactive music experience. How do you create this sense of oneness and connection between the performers and the audience during your live shows?
So with Love Power I wanted to do some thing different. I wanted us to be high energy, but I wanted to include the audience as a true part of the music because what I’ve come to understand since those Punk days is that we are the music. Therefore separation between audience and performer is adding to the disempowering pain of separation , which does not awaken new consciousness. To me a musicians obligation at this time in the world is not to merely entertain it’s to awaken the music within those that come to share that sacred space with them.
Could you share a memorable experience from one of your live performances where the audience’s participation truly enhanced the energy and atmosphere of the show?
Every time we play an interactive show, the smiles on peoples faces when they start to drop into the fun of it is so inspiring I can’t put it into words. They never want it to end, and either do we !
What do you hope listeners will take away from “Songs From Source” and the music of Love Power the Band as a whole?
I truly hope that our music inspires listeners to enquire within for their wholeness for the connection to divinity and to awaken a communion with Oneness and the festival of life. I hope their hearts and lives are led by the beautiful melodies rising from within them directly from source frequency. This is really what the title songs from source means
Finally, where can listeners find “Songs From Source” and stay updated on your upcoming releases and live performances?
Songs from source can be found on all of the major platforms and fans are invited to join our You Tube
Quantum Awakening & Love Power the Band to see our beautiful music videos And have access to many quantum healing posts. And follow us on Insta @lovepowertheband
-
Artist Spotlight11 hours ago
An Intuitive Conversation with Love Power the Band’s Ananda Xenia Shakti
-
Featured13 hours ago
Eric Schroeder Releases Album
-
Music16 hours ago
Chris Harris & Erin Newman shares a heartfelt farewell song, “Goodbye Darling”
-
Artist Spotlight6 hours ago
Ironic Sweden drops its synth-laden anthem with “Media Whore”
-
Artist Spotlight17 hours ago
“Luna Azul” by Love Ghost stirs the melody of solitude