Music
This Jazz Arrangement Of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ Is A Fitting Lead-In To Tomorrow’s Run-Off Election
Lift Every Vote and CivicGeorgia have teamed up for a reflective rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” ahead of Tuesday’s run-off election. …

The pivotal Georgia Senate runoff election, which will decide whether the U.S. Senate remains in Republican control under Mitch McConnell or switches over to the Democrats, is fast approaching. And by fast approaching we mean it’s tomorrow. This means if you’re planning on lending a helping hand in some way — be it by phone banking, posting support to social channels, or donating (or voting, if you’re a Georgian) — now is the time to get to it.
In a call to action for Georgia voters, Lift Every Vote, a collective of musicians and creators teamed up with the BIPOC-led Georgia-based non-partisan group of organizers CivicGeorgia for a special campaign focused on boosting voter turnout and raising donations for grassroots civic engagement, specifically relating to the Georgia runoff. The campaign features a fitting and dramatically reimagined rendition of the Ray Charles classic “Georgia on My Mind,” arranged and produced by Grammy Nominated bass clarinetist Oran Etkin.
A cover of “Georgia on My Mind” while everyone in the country is literally obsessing over Georgia might seem a little too on the nose, but Etkin switches things up here playing with the song’s harmony and melody and leaving plenty of space for his remote jazz group (consisting of players from LA, NYC, Miami, and Georgia) to express themselves.
“The video is structured as a flowing series of musical conversations — oftentimes between a vocalist and an instrumentalist because I think what we want to do is promote open conversation around the issues our country faces,” Etkin says. “I wanted to create something fresh and new out of the familiarity of ‘Georgia on My Mind,’ so this arrangement plays with the harmony and groove of the original song and leaves room for all of the wonderful artists to add their own voices. I hope this can be an inspiration to create something fresh and new within our political system that can give everyone room to lift their voices.”
Check out Etkin’s arrangement above and make sure to vote. If you’d like to donate to CivicGeorgia, visit the organization’s website here, and keep in mind that while CivicGeorgia is non-partisan, it is not a 501(c)(3), meaning your donation is not tax-deductible.
Indie
“Kiss” by Zekiizo sparks a feisty dance with the moody charm of a tumultuous love vibe

Zekiizo’s new single, “Kiss,” tells a candid story that is anything but sweet or straightforward as it dances into an intoxicating whirlwind of emotional chaos when a fresh romance collides with the ghosts of the past, leaving audiences eager to hit replay. What makes “Kiss” unique is its fearless embrace of the imperfections and complexities in relationships, all wrapped in an infectious and irresistibly pleasurable sound.
With feel-good production and an upbeat rhythm, “Kiss” might initially come across as a perfect anthem for a late-night drive. However, a closer listen reveals its moody grit and unapologetic honesty. This is not your average love song; it explores the mutual rewards that keep a connection alive, even if it’s built on a shaky foundation. Zekiizo dives into the complicated aftermath of heartbreak, capturing the dynamic thrill of transitioning from an old relationship into something new, and examining the emotionally charged space where lust and intimacy often overshadow logic.
There’s a gritty edge to the song, conveying a confident, almost self-centered frankness that feels refreshingly honest; neither party emerges entirely innocent or unscathed, but this lack of perfection adds to the charm. The lyrics hint at something more unsettling, pulsing with playful intensity, while the beat grooves with electronic-meets-indie influences, precisely the genre-blurring signature that Zekiizo is becoming known for. It’s seductive, a little off-kilter, and knowingly problematic, which is what makes it resonate so deeply.
From her Boston roots to the creative sprawl of New York City, Zekiizo has carved a unique niche for herself that defies easy categorization. “Kiss” feels like a culmination of her bold sonic vision: emotionally unfiltered, sonically vibrant, and dripping with attitude. Whether you’ve just come out of a breakup or are in the middle of a fling with someone new, this track will strike a nerve of exhilarating yet unsettling nature of new love.
Feisty, flawed, and utterly addictive, “Kiss” encapsulates the sound of reckless rebound energy wrapped in a perfect pop disguise. Zekiizo isn’t just creating music that vibes; she’s vividly narrating the complexities of love, pushing sonic boundaries while delivering stories that resonate on a human level, reaffirming her status as an artist to watch, and we’re here for it.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Zekiizo’s “Kiss“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Zekiizo | Instagram | TikTok |
Indie
Secret Garden Gathering triumphantly dazzles with its newest release, “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn”

Welcome back! Thirteen years after disappearing into obscurity, Secret Garden Gathering reemerges like an enchanting dream with their hauntingly beautiful new single, “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn.” Drawn from a part of their upcoming live EP ‘Is-Y-Deri’, a name whispering of ancient forests and introspective revelations, marks not just a revival but signifies the reckoning sound of a band that has been both reborn and weathered by time. It serves as a cathartic tribute to life’s intricacies, celebrating something beautifully bruised and defiantly resilient amidst struggle, making every moment of silence worthwhile.
Recorded in a frostbitten cottage nestled deep in the Welsh mountains, the setting feels deeply integrated into the essence of the track. From the opening chords, “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” envelops the listener in a spectral intimacy that is delicate, cinematic, and entirely immersive. The arrangement showcases a raw vulnerability, blending jazz-soaked rhythm with folk-rock undertones, as if the band is gently revisiting and illuminating fragmented memories.
The song unfolds like a story being retold, beginning with a quiet and contemplative ambiance that gradually escalates towards a thunderous crescendo, fronted by soaring vocals that convey deep emotional resonance. This is further enhanced by gritty, grunge-inspired guitar layers that encapsulate the ache of nostalgia and the strange nature of melancholy. The piece symbolizes the transition from summer to twilight, reflecting the enduring impact of lost love.
Secret Garden Gathering has not just made a return; they have revitalized something exceptional, a rare artistic voice. “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” illustrates that time away has not weakened their creative expression; instead, it has broadened their artistic palette. The result is a dream-rock ballad characterized by a cinematic scope, deeply rooted in the complexities of human experience, poised to stir even the most subdued aspects of the soul.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Secret Garden Gathering’s “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Secret Garden Gathering | Instagram |
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