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RubyGld Smoke Finds New Purpose With Sophomore LP ‘Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams’

There is a certain level of focus that comes with maturity, and for TL & Dani Jo of RubyGld Smoke, the focus has honed in on an incredibly heartfelt, soulful and unique sound heard throughout their sophomore LP, Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams, out November 5. The title itself immediately brings a renewed sense of purpose. For Dani Jo, it was her mother and her late uncle who inspired her to follow her dreams. “They always knew I would be singing and writing even before I really did.” For TL, it’s about carrying on an important legacy of love. “My mother and father are both musicians who are very supportive of me and what I do.”

Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams will be available for streaming on November 5.

Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams will be available for streaming on November 5.

The new album displays a renewed focus in RubyGld’s sound. Live instrumentation is the backbone of the project. Dani Jo plays bass & percussion on select tracks as TL plays guitar, bass, keys, and percussion. The album is led by the first single, “Somebody Wants Your Love,” released earlier this summer. The track is a smooth, sexy pop offering reminiscent of early Sade & late Marvin Gaye. Other notable tracks include “Higher Love,” with its internationally uplifting feel; and “Getting In Love’s Way,” a powerful ballad displaying the band’s full prowess. Fans should expect more intimate and acoustic live sets to support the new music. “We want to get closer to the fans and have more one-of-a-kind experiences with them,” says TL. “We plan on capturing those live moments as well, for they are also beautiful bodies of work people can go back and listen to and enjoy.”

“With learning who you are, comes learning what you truly want to be remembered for.” -RubyGld Smoke

Entertaining the masses with their retro pop music and making marriage look sexy again is only a slice of what this iconic power couple has to offer. Terrance and Dani Jo Williams (RubyGld Smoke) are the entrepreneurs of Quiet Kingdom Recordings and Quiet Kingdom Media Group (film company). The duo is also the founder of Symphony Of Change Inc. – an arts education organization dedicated to equitable arts enrichment programs throughout the US. When Dandria “Dani Jo” Williams met her husband T. L. Williams in early 2014, it was clear from the jump they were made to do something big together. Their undeniable chemistry was evident even as T. L. embarked on an initial solo career, garnering over 3 million streams with hits like “Gettin Mo Money Than You” and “Melanin”. Meanwhile, Dani Jo was a behind-the-scenes contributor through the entirety of T. L.’s 6 album solo run, co-writing songs and adding vocals. The couple, feeling like it was finally time, has now come out front together with an eclectic mix of pop-soul energy a la “Rose Royce”. Fans can stream RubyGld Smoke’s debut album entitled Revolutionary Love, which was released under their label Quiet Kingdom Recordings in November 2020.

Chicago fans have the special opportunity to attend an album release party hosted by RubyGld Smoke on November 5.

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Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

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The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

Connect with Aptøsrs on Website | X | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify |

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Artist Spotlight

LAST ALEX! balances precision and pulse on the electrifying track “Plus 1”

LAST ALEX!

LAST ALEX!, a Chicago-based artist and producer, comes out with “Plus 1,” a high-energy release that combines technical prowess with an undeniable melodic instinct.

LAST ALEX! puts both craftsmanship and creativity on display here. The song’s strength lies in its balance, in detailed execution without sacrificing feeling, and in complexity without losing momentum.

LAST ALEX! doesn’t fully lean into the cold technique or loose emotion, but finds the sweet spot where skill and soul meet. This yields a polished, vibrant, and musically confident track.

Connect with LAST ALEX! on Spotify

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