Artist Spotlight
“Rainbow Family” by Dryadic evokes a luminous folk-pop anthem of mutual bonding
“Rainbow Family” is a hallmark composition by the folk ensemble Dryadic, co-founded by Zora McDonald and Joanna Dziecelska, who previously achieved acclaim with The Tatsmiths. Since its establishment in 2017, Dryadic has cultivated a singular sonic identity that resonates profoundly with individuals who identify as outsiders. This track is a mesmerizing tribute to the resilience of interpersonal bonds forged through adversity, focusing on themes of chosen families, misfits, and unanticipated communities articulated in a sonic landscape that feels particularly poignant on a chilly evening.
Composed during a lockdown period, Zora McDonald conceived “Rainbow Family” while living on a canal boat in rural Gloucestershire. The piece delves into the transformative aspects of isolation and the pursuit of solace amidst trying circumstances. The single’s introduction features a complex melodic framework that gradually envelops the listener within a rich acoustic tapestry. The instrumental is meticulously constructed, incorporating intricate fiddle lines, a grounding double bass, and stomp percussion that evoke a dynamic sense of motion akin to a flowing river.
Lyrically, the song is steeped in authenticity, effectively capturing the intricate nature of human connections within a fragmented social milieu. Zora’s heart-soaring vocal execution showcases vulnerability and assertiveness, imbuing each lyric with considerable emotional resonance. The accompanying music video, highlighting members of her queer community, visually reinforces the thematic core of love, resilience, and chosen kinship.
Musically, Dryadic draws from an eclectic array of influences, notably the stylistic echoes of artists like The Levellers, while weaving elements of European folk traditions into their compositional approach. This intermingling demonstrates how folk music transcends temporal constraints, embodying narratives that reflect historical inclusivity and evolving cultural stories. “Rainbow Family” emerges as a meticulously crafted anthem for marginalized communities, inviting listeners to unite, celebrate shared identities, and collaboratively foster a sense of belonging. This track is a must-listen for those seeking deeper connections within their communities, embodying the notion of finding a home through one another.
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Artist Spotlight
“Subterranean Homesick Blues” finds a new direction through Ghost of Panama
Rearranging a song that carries six decades of cultural weight is a creative challenge, but Ghost of Panama approaches “Subterranean Homesick Blues” with clear purpose. The rock band radically reworks Bob Dylan’s counter-culture hit, reshaping its identity while keeping its rebellious spirit. It’s a tribute to musical heritage and a statement of artistic independence all in one.
This new interpretation is very much shaped by the production, made at Ghost of Panama’s home studio in West London. The setting allows an intimate approach to reinterpreting a familiar song and lets the group engage directly with the material, taking it in a new artistic direction.
“Subterranean Homesick Blues” centers on the tension between conservation and transformation. Ghost of Panama is true to the song’s rebellious spirit without adding to its legacy, and this approach gives the release an adventurous feel, grounded in countercultural energy but driven by a desire to see what the composition can become in a different musical context.
Their version of this 60-year-old classic shows that respecting a song’s history can also mean breaking the rules and finding new ways to express its spirit. Fundamentally, “Subterranean Homesick Blues” presents Ghost of Panama as artists who want to engage with the past without being tied to it. The release’s strongest identity is a familiar heritage reimagined through a singularly forward-looking creative vision.
Artist Spotlight
“NO MORE” by Amanda Holley connects healing, awakening, and survival
“NO MORE“ carries that kind of emotional weight, and some songs feel like they come from lived experience but reach for something bigger. Amanda Holley blends R&B and soul, turning a lifetime of survival into a vision of healing, awakening, and the determination to move beyond what caused the pain.
“NO MORE“ is a healing anthem for people who have gone through bad experiences and reached a place of higher awareness, but it’s also an emotionally charged protest. The duality is introspective and outward-looking at the same time, turning personal survival into a broader declaration that some experiences, conditions, or cycles should end.
Holley had a premonition of the song six months before the world went into global shutdown. In the vocal booth, working out melodies with her collaborators, she pictured people in the streets. Those images were hard to imagine at the time, but subsequent events would make them painfully familiar.
“NO MORE“ is given a particularly contemplative underpinning by the context. The identity of R&B and soul leaves room for emotion. The song’s themes link survival, awakening, resistance, and the need for change. Amanda Holley is an artist using music to process personal endurance and a broader sense of social awakening. It’s got a complicated significance, and its release feels like a glimpse of a moment when personal intuition and public reality collided in an unexpected way.
Photo Credit: Yulia Shusharina
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