Music

Sun King Rising Releases Official Music Video For “Free Will In China Blue”

To accompany the nationwide radio release of his single, “Free Will in China Blue,” Sun King Rising has also released the song’s official music video.

Drawn from his debut album, “Delta Tales,” and directed by Dante Ludovici, the video is a visually spectacular feast of the Sun King Rising Band performing the song in a studio setting with dancer Meghan Greenwood playing the role of “The Temptress.” It also features aerial footage of the artist performing the song on a picturesque farm that serves as the ostensible setting of the story.

Sun King Rising’s John Blangero said, “Director Dante Ludovici has ably captured my cinematic vision of the story and its underlying tension, with the lovely Meghan Greenwood dancing and entrancing throughout the story, costumed in a flowing China blue dress. Produced and filmed in Pittsburgh, the day was a total blast, with most of the SKR Studio Band who played on the ‘Free Will’ single and on the upcoming ‘Signs & Wonders’ album performing the song in the video.”

This song itself has been garnering 5-star reviews around the world. “The record sounds freakin’ fantastic…tons of personality, tons of charisma, the vocals are beyond brilliant, and his entire sound, style, and vibe are massively memorable,” wrote one critic.

Recorded live in a studio just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, “Free Will in China Blue” features a full complement of A-List horn players, backup singers, and studio players. No loops, no samples, no autotune. This is true of the entire 11-song album.

Watch “Free Will In China Blue” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtjvHmhsoXo.

The creation of songwriter/singer John Blangero of Port Isabel, Texas, who composed most of its songs, and produced by Pittsburgh’s Ace Acker, the single and the album strongly evoke the imagery and feel of a somewhat mythical, yet very real land centered in the fabled area along the Mississippi River called “The Delta.” If William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams had been songwriters, they might have written songs much like those of Sun King Rising.

Filmed largely in a Pittsburgh, PA studio, the video metaphorically tells the song’s tale of temptation, sin, and redemption through the sensual interaction of Blangero and Greenwood, accompanied by the 10-piece Sun King Rising Band.

Video Production Credits:
Steve Acker: Line Producer Sun King Rising
Production Design/Management: The Video Standard, LLC
Dante Ludovici: Director/DP/DIT/LD Sequencing/Editor/CGI
Daniel McMullen: Jib Operator
Thomas Vandevander: Key Grip/Camera/BTS
Ryan Peters: Motion Control Camera/ First AC
Andi Smalley: HMU

Website: https://www.sunkingrising.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunKingRising
Bandcamp: https://peacocksunriserecords.com/project/sun-king-rising/
PSR: https://peacocksunriserecords.com/sun-king-rising/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3VYK4IV3S5JS6m2y8D9Q1y

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Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

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Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.