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Alysia Kraft Finds Solace Through Hardship With Debut Solo Single “Cold Mountain”

“Cold Mountain” is an earthy folk tune acknowledging the immensity of pain, loss, and struggle as a first step toward healing and making a change.

Singer-songwriter Alysia Kraft delivers a striking performance on her debut solo single, “Cold Mountain,” out February 18th. As the first song from her upcoming record First Light, out later this year, “Cold Mountain” introduces the project with a sonic breath of fresh air. The Wyoming born artist has made a beloved reputation for herself in the Wyoming and Colorado music scenes; “Cold Mountain” showcases a different side of Kraft’s artistry following her work with Whippoorwill and The Patti Fiasco, inviting listeners to experience the ethereal whimsy inherent to this track’s lush, bioluminescent folk soundscape. Fans of HAIM, Waxahatchee, and Kacey Musgraves will find themselves right at home immersed in Kraft’s lush vocals and melancholy-steeped poetry. “Cold Mountain” is set to make an emotional appearance in the short film, Be Still, premiering at the Front Range Film Festival in Longmont, CO, on February 19 for which it recently won the Indie Short Fest award for “Best Original Song”.

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“Cold Mountain” came to Kraft like a breath of fresh air; having grown up in rural Wyoming, this song finds it’s roots in the same grandness of the windswept plains the queer artist took refuge in while enduring various struggles for acceptance and understanding throughout life. Kraft wrote this track “in a moment of fully feeling how brutal and beautiful life can be all at once.” For her, “Cold Mountain” is an exploration of the ways in which we “find the space to feel both the grief and hope we need to keep going.” As co-producer, Kraft made it a point to create something that felt true to the place and emotion of the song. In collaboration with J. Tom Hnatow (producer, mixing engineer) and Justin W. Craig (producer, mixing engineer), Kraft brought her vision to life as a brilliantly multi-dimensional final product. Alysia Kraft partnered with SonaBLAST! Records to create this project, adding her captivating artistic signature to their acclaimed catalog.

Fans can stream “Cold Mountain” on all major streaming platforms on February 18th. 

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Having amassed devoted regional followings for projects Whippoorwill and The Patti Fiasco as a celebrated songwriter and incomparably magnetic frontwoman, Kraft has sold out most of Colorado’s big stages and directly supported icons Bon Jovi, Blondie, Nathanial Rateliff and Bonnie Raitt on significantly bigger ones. Embracing the complexities of growing up queer on a cattle ranch in small-town Wyoming and choosing to love within a landscape that didn’t always love back, “First Light” is a triumphant homecoming and a defining solo debut. Smart, retro-influenced indie pop and lush, bioluminescent folk will find crossover appeal with fans of HAIM, Sheryl Crow, Sharon Van Etten, and Waxahatchee. Enlisting close collaborator J. Tom Hnatow & Grammy-nominated Justin Craig to produce and mix and acclaimed engineer, Sarah Register to master, “First Light” is open-hearted and thoughtfully hook-adorned– with soundscapes as dimensional as Kraft’s western upbringing and the liberated narratives contained therein.

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Artist Spotlight

Janiq’s ‘Dior’ Brings Smooth Vibes and Unmistakable Swagger

Janiq

Janiq‘s latest single, “Dior,” showcases a masterful blend of confidence and smooth sonic energy, drawing listeners into a realm of auditory luxury. The track encapsulates the essence of an upscale nightlife experience, characterized by a polished production that features a captivating amalgamation of rhythmic elements and melodic lines.

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The instrumental backbone of “Dior” is driven by a moody, laid-back arrangement, fusing soft keyboard textures, a robust bassline, and precision-engineered percussion. The production quality is pristine, allowing each sonic layer to breathe while providing ample space for Janiq’s vocal articulation to shine. His delivery is characterized by a sophisticated execution that effortlessly transitions between melodic verses and infectious hooks, creating a seamless listening experience.

Janiq encapsulates themes of luxury and self-assuredness, utilizing imagery that bridges high-end aspirations with relatable experiences. His lyrical narrative evokes a sense of ambition and swagger, resonating with listeners drawn to the excitement of dressing up and stepping out into the night. Each line is crafted to elevate both the artist’s and the listener’s confidence.

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“Dior” serves as an ideal auditory backdrop for moments of self-expression and stylish escapades. Janiq’s recent release encapsulates embracing personal confidence, reveling in life’s finer moments, and immersing oneself in the music’s intoxicating vibe. With its smooth vocal delivery and undeniable groove, “Dior” is poised to be a repeat favorite, prompting listeners to elevate their volume and fully engage with the experience.

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Music

Trav Torch’s ‘She’s Calling Me’ Delivers a Midnight Groove You Won’t Forget

Trav Torch

Trav Torch is again with any other sultry R&B anthem, and this time, it’s given late-night time cravings written all over it. “She’s Calling Me” is a clean, contemporary, sluggish jam that draws you in from the very first note. With Trav’s signature velvet vocals paired over a lush, overdue-night-time beat, this tune is crafted to seduce the ears and ignite the senses.

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The track kicks off with moody, sensual synths and an unmistakable bassline that sets the suitable environment. Trav Torch’s vocal presence is simple—every word and sigh includes an intimate one that feels extraordinarily private. Lyrically, he faucets into the familiar push-and-pull of choice and temptation, painting a story as relatable as it is interesting. The manufacturing shines in its simplicity, leaving lots of room for Trav’s voice to carry the burden of the narrative.

“She’s Calling Me” captures that unique combo of nostalgia and new-age R&B—a song that feels as excellent to bop slowly to as it does on a solo force through the city. There’s heat, enveloping nice to the manufacturing that makes you want to position this on repeat, particularly in the vulnerable hours of the night.

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Trav Torch has continually had a knack for capturing the romantic and the raw, and “She’s Calling Me” is no exception.

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