Connect with us

Music

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.

Advertisement

Artist Spotlight

Fanny Alexandra explores emotional recovery and self-discovery on “Ceasefire”

Fanny Alexandra

Not every fight ends a relationship, and there could be long-term emotional damage, with questions about identity, attachment, and the difficult path to moving on. “Ceasefire” is a ghostly alternative rock ballad in which Fanny Alexandra navigates difficult terrain, exploring emotional dependency and the search for selfhood after a toxic relationship.

“Ceasefire” is full of sad melodies and hints of atmospheric rock, making it a dark, cinematic listen. The song’s alt-rock pivot provides an emotionally charged foundation, and it’s about the internal battle, especially when your identity has been so tied to another person.

Fanny Alexandra’s ethereal vocal approach suits the song, lending real emotional weight to the exploration of self-loss and internal tension. “Ceasefire” is a reflective track, with atmospheric instrumentation and deeply personal songwriting that capture feelings that can linger long after a tough chapter closes.

It’s about finding yourself again, and its emotional arc moves from openness and dependence to the hard-earned discovery that personal freedom is more than just walking away. Fanny Alexandra’s love for dark, emotional alternative music inspired “Ceasefire.” Her art is about intimate storytelling, cinematic atmosphere, and making music that explores the quieter struggles people tend to keep inside. In this record, she turns the fallout from a toxic relationship into a meditative reflection on the long road to selfhood.

Advertisement

Connect – Spotify | IG |

Continue Reading

Artist Spotlight

Stephani Ezatoff honors Elvis Presley’s legacy on powerful new single “Run On”

Stephani Ezatoff

Gospel-rooted music carries emotional weight, especially when it explores the tension between faith, love, and accountability. With “Run On,“ Stephani Ezatoff combines these into a rock version of Elvis Presley’s famous 1967 version of the traditional African American gospel hymn.

Ezatoff doesn’t simply retrace history but surrounds it with a unique atmosphere of powerful vocals and an ever-intensifying arrangement. The single was recorded at the legendary Sound Shop Studio on Music Row in Nashville and has an interesting connection to Elvis Presley’s own recording history. The studio session was located a stone’s throw from RCA’s Studio B, where Elvis recorded his own version of the hymn.

This adds another layer of meaning to an already meaningful release, placing Ezatoff’s take within Nashville’s musical heritage. Aaron Minick’s arrangement plays on the contrast between divine love and judgment, which is central to the track’s identity. The production builds slowly, and the song becomes a dramatic, cinematic experience. Ezatoff also makes a unique contribution by singing all the vocals herself.

The story of how the recording was made adds to the poignancy of “Run On.” This is one of the last releases made at Sound Shop Studio, which hosted artists like Dolly Parton and Brenda Lee, but closed for good just days after the session. For Stephani Ezatoff, “Run On“ is a vital link between generations of musicians preserved in a recording that’s a piece of Nashville history.

Advertisement

Connect – Website | Spotify |

Continue Reading

Video Of The Week

Trending