Artist Spotlight
Chapell’s “The Underground Music Show”
There’s nothing quite like Chapell’s The Underground Music Show in the modern musical universe.
I assert that this is a good thing. We don’t need any more cookie-cutter singer/songwriter fare full of quavering sensitivities. Nor do we need paint-by-numbers noise merchants peddling oh-so-indie guitar albums that wear their oddities on their sleeves. Chapell is, unashamedly, himself and nothing more.
The Stamford, Connecticut-born performer and songwriter discovered initial notoriety as a fifteen-year-old prodigy working with Dirty Dancing producer Jimmy Ienner. He later led the East-West fusion outfit Kalki. His tenure with that band served notice that Chapell wasn’t content with finding fame as a garden variety song and dance man. He had bigger fish to fry.
The peak of his musical journey so far comes with the formation of the band bearing his name. Chapell’s 2016 debut, The Redhead’s Allegations, produced by Talking Heads’ Jerry Harrison, illustrated Chapell’s mammoth growth as a songwriter and human being. Two successors, Soul Man and Love in the Summer of Trouble, solidified his direction and garnered him a loyal following.
I believe it bodes well for the album’s remaining songs when an artist leads off with the title track. There’s a long tradition of this kind of track listing signaling a wellspring of self-assurance. It’s justified in this case. “The Underground Music Show” sets the stage for everything following it. One of its primary merits lies with the vocals. Chapell has an idiosyncratic voice, and further strengthens the singing with The Crush Boys’ backing vocals. Marrying thoughtful lyrical content with the pop predilections of this opener establishes a template that Chapell won’t desert.
However, I’m glad to report there are ample variations. He doesn’t follow a single path. The bright piano-laced pop balladry of “The Space Between Us” is an excellent follow-up to the opener. He builds the song from relatively restrained beginnings into a robust march that simmers with energy. Chapell continues indulging in anthemic pop with the album’s third cut, “When the Music Plays Again”. Violinist Lorenza Ponce is one of the underrated musical forces driving many of these cuts and plays with great confidence throughout this track.
I wondered going in if Chapell was covering John Lennon with the plaintively titled “Grow Old with Me”. However, it’s another outstanding original. He pursues a jaunty trajectory that eschews the anthemic tendencies of the preceding songs in favor of an irresistible pop bounce. “I Used to Say This Could Never Be Me” steers The Underground Music Show into different textural waters. He scaffolds his lyrics about the ironies of getting older around a loping tempo with a surprising amount of swing. It’s one of his best vocals on the release, and he tosses in several understated moves into the imaginative arrangement.
The relaxed gait of “When Sally Left” juxtaposes nicely against a nuanced and often vigorous Chapell vocal. This tune packs an unexpected punch and comes at an ideal place in the album’s track listing. “Like We Just Met” is The Underground Music Show’s penultimate tune, and its hypnotic piano motif supplies an important musical hook for the song’s success. It’s another of the vocal high points with a strong central performance from Chapell and astute multi-tracking scattered throughout the cut. Chapell’s The Underground Music Show harbors a bounty of rewards that listeners won’t readily exhaust. I advise you to check it out today.
Skyler Voss
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Artist Spotlight
Qymira unveils the authentic maze of navigating life’s truths in her new single “Labyrinth of Life”
Composed and meticulously conducted by Qymira, whose upbringing spanned Hong Kong, San Francisco, and the United Kingdom, “Labyrinth of Life,” her latest single, brings an eclectic blend of influences that exemplifies a remarkable achievement in cinematic music. This track features a distinctive amalgamation of commanding vocals characterized by clarity and an expansive orchestral score that encapsulates the essence of existential awakening and reinvention, extending its resonance beyond its duration.
From the initial musical bars, the collaboration, brought forth by members of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, immerses the listener in a grand auditory landscape. Qymira’s musical artistry is evident through the intricate string arrangements and powerful crescendos, which reflect the emotional complexity of transcending societal illusions. Her musicianship, rooted in classical training, allows each note to serve as a vital component of the song’s rich tapestry, showcasing her ability to bridge the gap between the fantastical and the tangible.
Lyrically, Qymira’s work possesses an anthemic quality that encourages audiences to confront societal facades and navigate intricate mazes. Her lyrics serve as poignant reminders of the importance of courage in the pursuit of truth. Phrases such as “Shadows fall as the mirrors break, revealing the light within” convey profound insights, guiding listeners through a reflective and soulful odyssey.
What distinguishes “Labyrinth of Life” is its vulnerability, presented within a framework of depth and accessibility. While the orchestral grandeur appeals to classical music enthusiasts, the engaging melody and relatable themes render it an anthem for individuals confronting contemporary complexities. The collaboration includes rapper ItzDvn and producer Eddie Craig, who is recognized as one-half of the electronic dance duo The Wideboys and has collaborated with prominent pop stars such as Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, and the Pussycat Dolls.
Qymira’s multicultural background and multifaceted artistry converge to create a piece that transcends genres and cultural anticipations. More than a song, “Labyrinth of Life” represents a dynamic work of art, a guiding light for those seeking authenticity in a world filled with illusions. This exceptional fusion of classical sophistication and contemporary experience merits repeated engagement and exploration.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Qymira’s “Labyrinth of Life“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Qymira | Instagram |
Artist Spotlight
“Still Here” by Kristin Venae inspires a soulful anthem of survival with resilience and love
In a landscape often fraught with uncertainty, Kristin Venae unveils a profoundly resonant tribute to love’s unwavering presence in the newest single, “Still Here.” Even amid life’s most brutal challenges posed by stage II breast cancer, which temporarily interrupted her musical endeavors, Venae stirs a harmonious fusion of pop and R&B that embodies both warmth and nostalgia while simultaneously offering a fresh perspective on the unbreakable bonds and connections we hold dear.
Venae, an accomplished Australian actress and producer, pours her heart into this track, weaving a narrative that transcends distance and adversity. The song is a poignant reflection of her journey, functioning as a heartfelt anthem of perseverance and an enduring love letter to a partner and to life itself. It speaks of showing up emotionally and physically for those who matter most, regardless of distance or obstacles encountered. Her velvety vocals effortlessly glide over a polished arrangement, exuding vulnerability and strength.
The understated yet soulful instrumentation provides an ideal backdrop to Venae’s vocal dynamism, adding a profound layer of intimacy to “Still Here.” Following her battle with breast cancer, Venae re-emerges with renewed purpose, committed to inspiring others and raising awareness through her music. The single represents more than just a comeback; it attests to her indomitable spirit, a gift to her audience and cancer survivors worldwide.
The upcoming music video, co-starring Antonio Sabato Jr., alongside a documentary by Citigraphica Media, further amplifies this release’s excitement. Both projects promise to enhance the song’s message, blending artistry and advocacy in a way that is uniquely Kristin Venae.
As a precursor to her anticipated debut album, ‘Black Widow,’ “Still Here” cements Venae’s place as a versatile and influential artist. It constitutes an anthem of love, survival, and unyielding hope, reminding listeners of the transformative power inherent in simply saying, “I’m still here.”
For more information about Kristin Venae, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Kristin Venae’s “Still Here“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Kristin Venae | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |
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Artist Spotlight6 hours agoQymira unveils the authentic maze of navigating life’s truths in her new single “Labyrinth of Life”