Artist Spotlight

Michael Love Michael – Richard

Michael Love Michael, the genre-blurring, independent New York City-based pop artist, returns with a new single, “Richard,” following their last release, July’s “Have,” a simmering folk duet with an iconic rock musician, Chelsea Wolfe. MTV called the collaboration “liberatory,” a song with weight and a “sweltering gloom punctuated by rage.”

“Richard” is the next single from Michael’s upcoming second album, and was co-written and co-produced by Michael with Reuben Butchart. Its groovy, slick R&B sound is a departure from previous work, which has been steeped more in the alternative pop and rock genres. The song’s catchy, “doing the butterfly” chorus is a reference to a childhood spent dancing in their living room to their grandmother’s favorite funk and soul records.

The song’s video, capturing Michael’s joie de vivre, was filmed in Paris in July 2021, primarily in the city’s popular Montmartre area, complete with breathtaking views of the city.

Says Michael of the track, referencing Paris’ famous Wall of Love: “Richard was a very special person in my life who I did not take the time to know well. He was a profoundly lonely person. If I could say I love you to him in 250 languages now, I would. The point is: Give people you love their roses while they are here. Dance with them and take their picture. I regret not doing this while Richard was here, but this song is my rose to him now.”

All of Michael’s music, including their debut album, “XO,” released in 2020, is out now on all streaming platforms.

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Artist Spotlight

Shoketta gives jazz a new voice on latest release “Summer time”

Shoketta kicks off “Summertime” by reimagining it with a deep, jazz-filled bass line built on Richie Goods’ acoustic bass. The arrangement announces its character right away, with Clarence Penn’s drums opening up the musical space and Andy Ezrin’s Rhodes adding bright, scattered color. And then percussion from Daniel Sadownick adds another layer of rhythm in the lower registers, before Shoketta’s vocals finally come in.

Shoketta makes the standard her own, taking a familiar composition and treating it like a modern jazz vocalist, with her own phrasing and expression. The performance doesn’t rely on the song’s pre-existing identity; instead, the singer’s interpretation becomes an integral part of the experience. But the musicians around her leave enough space for the track to breathe, keeping it jazz-centered.

The biggest surprise comes when Nozomi Yamaguchi’s electric guitar takes the arrangement in a more unexpected, adventurous direction. That change adds a discovery element to “Summertime,” pulling the performance out of its original jazz context. Shoketta’s voice remains at the heart of the piece, and the musicians continue exploring possibilities around it. The result is a thoughtful interpretation that stays true to tradition while still pushing the music in a new direction.

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Artist Spotlight

François Marius & Bérénice hit the big stage with latest release “Chasing Dreams”

“Chasing Dreams,” by François Marius & Bérénice, is an ode to ambition, to movement, to the need to leave the known for something bigger. This song is about leaving the country life behind and heading to the city with the dream of making it to the big stage and showing the world what they can do. It’s very much about, you know, seizing an opportunity, not waiting for an opportunity.

A smart suit, a smart look, the latest trend, all of this helps to paint the picture of someone ready to step out into a bigger world. The song has a clear goal in mind: success, recognition, and the chance to shine bright, with the idea of seeing their name up on a billboard.

“Chasing Dreams” is effective because its message is simple. It’s about being afraid of what’s to come, taking a chance, wanting more. François Marius & Bérénice, from the yard to the city and to the big stage, make personal ambition the heart of the song. The result is an inspiring story of believing in a bigger future and having the courage to go for it.

Connect with François Marius & Bérénice on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube