Celebrating 300!

Mike Clifford

Today is a cause for celebration! Mike Clifford of "Close To Cathy" fame has checked in at 300 views of his latest, a cover of The Carpenter's hit "Close To You." Woot!

If you haven't heard iit yet, give it a listen. All the popular people are doing it...peer pressure!!!

Honestly, it's good! All you have to do is read the comments on it to know Mike has scored another crowd pleaser...

Don't be shy, hit the video after the jump! I double dog dare you!

Mike on the WWW - 

https://www.facebook.com/MikeCliffordsWonderfulWorld/

https://www.facebook.com/MikeCliffordsWonderfulWorld/   

"Afraid To Love"

David Archuleta 
Photo:
Shaun Vadella 

David Archuleta continues his recent onslaught of new music with the official release of the brand new music video HERE for his latest single, “Afraid To Love” HERE

“This song is about celebrating and getting people to dance. I wanted something that you could hear at a dance club or to get you jamming late at night in your house.  I’ve been learning to accept myself as I am and to not be afraid anymore of what people think of me. Letting go of any hate and declaring to everyone I’m not going to fear what people think of me for loving whoever I love.”

And, working with director Brad Hammer on the video concept was truly a new experience for me and so fun  incorporating super vibrant colors and dance elements into my video, something that I have shied away from in the past.”   states David.

 

David recently spoke about what’s on the horizon musically with Entertainment Weekly – “Up” it’s kind of like the prelude. It’s meant to tie where I’m coming from, my past, my history — but it’s also coming from a place where I was at the bottom of that, at the end of that path. I’ve lived out the end of this, and I don’t know where else to go. This is continuing down a very dark place, and I need to get out of it now. So, this is me saying, I’m accepting myself as I am, as a queer person, and letting myself be seen, every aspect of myself. And I’m just letting all of me be seen now. And not being so afraid of hiding myself and being afraid of what people will say if people find out. I’m just like, you know what, now they know! And now it’s just moving up, and I’m gonna have fun. There’s no need to hide anything anymore — just have a good time.  There are some really fun songs that are gonna get people dancing as well, that I’m really excited about. And there are still some classic ballads. I feel like these songs are more about love, something that I always shied away from before because it was something I didn’t relate to. I don’t think I ever really experienced love the way everyone talks about in songs and novels and all that. I’m talking about what it’s like for me to experience it for the first time really and fully. I’m excited to share that, in fun ways, dance ways, and also in ballad-y ways. I’m excited to share this new chapter and these new songs with everyone leading to a full album release later this year.   

Check out the evolution of David thru his songs and videos:

 

Faith In Me: HERE

Movin’: HERE

OK, All Right: HERE

Up All Night:HERE

 

Follow David Here:

https://www.facebook.com/davidarchuleta/

twitter.com/DavidArchie 

instagram.com/DavidArchie

https://www.tiktok.com/@davidarchie?lang=en

https://www.youtube.com/user/theofficialarchuleta

www.davidarchuleta.com

 

Tatum Lynn "Let Your Hair Down"

Tatum Lynn
Photo:
Sergio Garcia

TATUM LYNN RELEASES PARAMORE COVER “STILL INTO YOU”

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

  LISTEN TO BALLAD VERSION HERE   

"LET DOWN YOUR HAIR" ALBUM RELEASES MARCH 5,2021 

 No Doubt's "Just A Girl" Cover Available HERE 

 "CLOSER" LYRIC VIDEO HERE

LISTEN HERE

“Later Baby, XO” HERE SOARS OVER 1 MILLION VIEWS

Tatum Lynn is not your typical “new artist.” Yes, she’s about to release her first album, Let Down Your Hair on March 5 2021, which features 14 tracks of pop paradise, but there aren’t too many people who can claim a chart topping first single before their record even drops. From the time she was ten years old, Tatum showed a dedication and savvy unlike most, giving her all in to developing herself as an artist; in late 2019, at the age of 19, that commitment paid off as “Later Baby XO” HERE broke in to the Billboard Top 40 and has garnered over 1 million views. Tatum hasn’t looked back since.

 

To celebrate Valentine's Day, Tatum has recorded a stripped down ballad version of Paramore's hit song, "Still Into You."  Watch the video for "Still Into You" HERE and stream the track HERE  “Still Into You” is one of my all time favorite songs. I have covered it before, but none of them are like this. The piano version brings out raw emotions that you wouldn’t get from the upbeat version. Hopefully I make Hayley Williams proud!!" says Tatum

In advance of the March 5 Let Down Your Hair album release, Tatum has released two album cuts including, "Closer" HERE along with a special live studio performance HERE and the lyric video HERE.  Additionally, Tatum released her first single & video “Let Down Your Hair” HERE (directed & choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance famed dancer/choreographer Benji Schwimmer) and is available on all formats HERE. 

Photo:
Sergio Garcia

While the whole album explodes with surprises, there are some tracks that deserve to be put on repeat:  It will be hard not to get up and dance when “Let Down Your Hair” comes on.  Tatum worked with producer/songwriter Joey Barba and Lauren Christy on the track.  The song is a clarion call for optimism and strength, Tatum encourages people to rise above the noise and just be yourself as she states here: “I have many fans and followers that shared with me their experiences and frustrations of being bullied on and off social media.  “Let Down Your Hair” was written to give them courage and the confidence to not let this get you down, and to keep on trying and smiling. Social media can be brutal, I have experienced it firsthand. The world is full of fakers and haters, so making sure we remember who we are, and to let down your hair is so important.”

 

Work on the album Let Down Your Hair Pre-Order HERE started in California, where Tatum, armed with her journal, began writing with A-Level talent. “I’ve been very comfortable writing with other people. We talk about what’s happening in our lives, ideas we want to touch on, and then we just go.” For the album, Tatum collaborated with Lauren Christy (Avril Lavigne, Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson), who was part of the award-winning Matrix writing trio, celebrated writer/producer John Fields (P!nk, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers) producer Joey Barba and Jon Levine (Meghan Trainor)

 

While choosing songs, she knew the stakes were high and worked hard to make sure the songs were accessible, smart, fun and meaningful. “What I like to say about this album is that there’s a song on there for everyone. Whether it’s losing a friend, going through a break up, trying to figure out where you stand, or even celebrating differences, you can come find a song for you.”

 

Tatum’s new album Let Down Your Hair is set for release March 5, 2021. 

  

Check out Tatum’s cover of  No Doubt's "Just A Girl" HERE

Check out Tatum’s cover of Post Malone’s “Hollywood’s Bleeding” HERE

 

Follow Tatum Lynn here:

Instagram  - https://www.instagram.com/tatumlynnmusic/

Facebook  - https://www.facebook.com/TatumLynnMusic

Twitter - https://twitter.com/tatumlynn

Official website: https://www.tatumlynn.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tatum+lynn 

Strictly Elizabeth

STRICTLY ELIZABETH SECOND RELEASE IN NEWLY LAUNCHED

FULL MOON SERIES PREMIERES TODAY

 

Both the Video and the Track “These Little Things (I Get From You)” is the Latest Installment of This Monthly Full Moon Series  

 

Strictly Elizabeth, announced today the launch of her second track from her monthly Full Moon Series, with the release of “These Little Things (I Get From You)” available now via all digital platforms. This is the second installment of new music to be released on the full moon since it launched last month.   

 

Produced and Mixed by musician Ira Ingber, “These Little Things (I Get From You)” is a previously unreleased song of her own composition released via her own Data Water Records with virtual distribution by Dash/Go. The video for the song can be found on the Strictly Elizabeth YouTube page.

 

“We launched the Full Moon Series in the spirit of releasing what is complete to make room for new creative action and collaboration,” said Jessica of Strictly Elizabeth. “This month’s track, “These Little Things (I Get From You)” is about the person you become through habit and patterns of behavior.”

 

This is a deeply personal track for Jessica, who started to see that she was imitating the men she was in love with and wrote this song about that piece of self-discovery. She found that although she is much more aware of it now, it’s still a deeply ingrained pattern from childhood. The video for this song explores this theme.

 

The Full Moon Series next installment will be released on the next full moon, February 27, 2021 and subsequent full moons throughout the year. This series is a platform to release what’s complete and make room for new creative audio and visual pursuits coming from Strictly Elizabeth this year.  

Monday Motivation

Click Your Heels Together Three Times & Say...
John Duff

While surfing the WWW I spied this fun photo and it reminded me that I need to clean my place and made me a smile at the same time. "Yes" this is giving me all sorts of Monday Motivation to break out that vacuum and mop, strike a pose there's nothing to it, clean!

Upon further examination I found out this is a publicity shot for an out singer named John Duff. His current single is titled: "Do It" -

Hence I went to his, what else? Instagram page to see more...John is quite the cheeky dude with some cool beats. Who claims Paula Abdul called him "strange" in 2011. Well if you know anything about Ms. Abdul that's, uh, really saying something.

So a big Thank You to John for giving me Monday Motivation to engage in the act of housekeeping and for putting a grin on my face at the same time. It's like a unicorn, magic!!!

John on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnduff/?hl=en  

"Whisky, Woman & Me"

Country Music Stand-out Vonn Kiss Releases Latest Single "Whiskey, Woman & Me"

Country music singer/songwriter Vonn Kiss keeps the fire lit with a new heartwarming, traditional country tune. “Whiskey, Woman & Me” premiered by Country Sway, resonates with those who may be experiencing hardship and pain, providing a lyrical shelter for the brokenhearted in search of comfort. Vonn writes through personal experience in hopes to illustrate the idea that suffering can sneak up on you and shoot when least expected but songs like “Whiskey, Woman & Me” help heal the wound. The new single is available now on all streaming platforms.

“Life can be a broken body, a broken soul, and sometimes both. You search for the answers as to why and it often takes the deeper realization of someone else's pain to give you strength and know that you are not alone; though different, it is pain nonetheless,” shares Vonn.

This American country staple artist relentlessly continues to craft country classics that resonate with those who hold their hearts on their sleeve. Vonn’s genuine grit, determination and passion reflect a strong desire to deliver songs that leave a lasting impact. “Whiskey, Woman & Me” provides the listener with lyrics that parallel a pill that; though hard to swallow, is just what the doctor ordered. As Vonn Kiss releases one stellar single after another, fans will not want to miss what this rising star has in store for the coming months.

You can stream Vonn Kiss’s new single “Whiskey, Woman & Me” directly on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. This single along with others are to be dropped in the coming months contributing to a highly anticipated fall album release.

Visit his website and socials linked below to keep up with future announcements and releases.
 

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

"Cheap High"

Danielia Cotton

FIERCELY AND DEFIANTLY, DANIELIA COTTON

RELEASES ‘CHEAP HIGH’ MUSIC VIDEO TO CONFRONT

ADDICTIVE POWER OF WEALTH IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES  

Premiering Now at American Songwriter, Socially Distant-Shot Video from 5/29 Album Release A Different War

Finds Widely Acclaimed Blues-Rocker Addressing the Isolation that Comes with Addiction

RadioWoodstock 100.1 WDST Celebrates Album Release Day with ‘Sofa Sessions’ Livestream Concert Event, 5/29 @ 7 p.m. ET

"Danielia Cotton has not had it easy. But lucky for us, she channels her pain and suffering into kick-ass musical creations we can all enjoy.” - Guitar World

The music video for widely acclaimed blues-rocker DANIELIA COTTON’s new stomping anthem, CHEAP HIGH, from next week’s album release, A Different War, premieres today at American Songwriter, noting how “Cotton’s raspy voice is tinged with anger and frustration, but she channels her powerful vocal delivery into a cathartic triumph by the song’s end.”

Cotton drew on childhood memories of surviving as a poor multi-racial youth in an upper middle-class New Jersey community. While creating the video, she was astonished witnessing the addictive power of a “cheap high” surge through our communities during the pandemic, further highlighting our economic disparities. 

“Right now there are so many people in their homes with no money coming, yet they’re frantically ordering all kinds of items online,” says Cotton. “It’s still going on. It’s even coming down to buying ridiculous things like designer brands for masks. It’s crazy. And then there are those who wear masks made from a handkerchief because that’s all they’ve got.”

Writing CHEAP HIGH, now active at Triple A radio, made Cotton think a lot about the things she didn’t have as a kid – like running water, which she went without until she was in high school. And not having traditional heating, instead having to chop wood for the stove with her sister when they came home from track practice. And being laughed at by the other kids in junior high for wearing cheap supermarket sneakers. The result was that spending became a formidable drug for her that substituted for other substances she found less desirable. The song speaks not only to personal unhappiness arising from greed but also to the dangers of a society mired in an economic disparity that even the pandemic cannot break.

“We haven’t had such a disparity between the rich and the poor like this in a long time,” she says. “Showing off things to prove you have money is a cheap high. That’s where we all are right now. Spending is an epidemic in our country, but what makes you truly happy in life is people and love.

The pandemic shutdown limited filming inside her Manhattan apartment and on the building’s roof deck, just her and videographer Ray Foley, socially distanced from each other during the entire process. Fittingly, the song is about isolation − the isolation that comes with any addiction, such as spending, and when one is besieged by self-doubt. The video forcefully conveys that sense of isolation and emptiness, courtesy of COVID-19.

CHEAP HIGH is the second single from A Different War, her most politically charged album in a widely heralded career that has drawn praise from the New York Times, Billboard, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and USA Today, among many others. Set for release May 29 on all major digital platforms through Cottontown Music, the album will be celebrated that evening by RadioWoodstock 100.1 with a Sofa Sessions Livestream Concert Event at 7 p.m. ET. Watch it here.

A Different War finds Cotton, whose voice gives her songs “stunning power” (No Depression), speaking to these extraordinary times by unloading her sin while the world around her is gripped in a turbulent spin. Cotton frames the six-song opus by confronting race, gender, and wealth − deeply personal and pervasive issues that have plagued folks like her for an eternity.

A Different War will be available May 29 at Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and where music is consumed on-line.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube  

California Dream

Tom Sless

NEW AMERICANA ARTIST TOM SLESS DRAWS HIGH PRAISE FOR ‘ASSURANCE, CRAFT AND CONVICTION’ ON ‘UPLIFTING’ DEBUT ALBUM, ‘CALIFORNIA DREAM’

Live Quarantine Concert Series, California Dream: Melodies and Remedies, Continues Each Wednesday to Also Help Musicians Battle Adversity

California Dream, surveys Sless’s soulful ride down the winding roads of life and love from Jersey Shore and Baltimore roots to Los Angeles with celebratory country rock, nod-and-a-wink humor, and rough-hewn folksiness.

“[California Dream’s] assurance, craft and conviction belie the fact that [Tom]’s a novice or a newcomer of any kind. … Great stuff indeed.” - American Songwriter

Critical acclaim is mounting for LA based Americana singer-songwriter-guitar slinger TOM SLESS as the media continues to discover and embrace his new debut album, California Dream.

Released just as the COVID-19 pandemic in late March forced postponement of live Album Release events at home in Los Angeles and plans to tour across the country, California Dream receives high praise in the current edition of American Songwriter as an “uplifting” work that is “Great stuff, indeed,” offering an “assurance, craft and conviction” that belie Sless’s status as “a novice or a newcomer of any kind.” The song “Astronaut,” the magazine continues, “asks the question, ‘Will anyone remember me?’ Based on the evidence offered here, the answer is an emphatic yes indeed.”

Americana Highways hailed California Dream for its “wealth of good musical touches [with] style & a commercial charm that’s not too sweet,” adding that the “superb rollicking” guitar-driven track “Gimme the Breeze” – also featured in the Los Angeles Post-Examiner and Baltimore Post-Examiner – is “worth the price of the CD” alone. That rock-fueled energy, the review continues, is beautifully countered by the “sweet and dynamic” cut “Too Much On My Mind,” a looping, Grateful Dead-like, exploration of a musical theme driven by the pedal steel of — no relation — Barry Sless (Phil Lesh, Chris Robinson) with “excellent lyrical imagery.”

Midwest Record joyously noted “it’s always a treat to stumble across a singer/songwriter that knows how to make sensitive, personal songs without stooping to bleeding gums music,” adding that Sless “captures the wanderlust” in creating an album that’s “a dandy ear opener throughout.”

Sless likewise earned high marks from New Jersey Stage (“refreshingly honest”), Short and Sweet LA/NYC (“a songwriter not to be deterred” with “an insidious way” of “getting our feet tapping while he delivers lyrics of substance”), and Exclusive Magazine (“[he] immediately gets our attention, and as we progress, his musical messages carry us along on his rich journey”). Elmore Magazine and Nashville.com are among others planning coverage.

With coronavirus consciousness for his fellow musicians and followers in mind, Sless continues his weekly live streaming quarantine concert series “California Dream: Melodies and Remedies” also designed to help battle adversity through music and discussion. The interactive series premieres new episodes every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Pacific/10 p.m. Eastern on Instagram Live at www.instagram.com/tomsless with on-demand archived episodes at www.soundcloud.com/tomsless.

“California Dream: Melodies and Remedies” includes under-the-hood discussions of the inspiration for each week's featured song from the new album, an interview with a key contributor to the song's production, and an audience-Q&A round table focused on self-help strategies applicable to the pandemic, such as dealing with anxiety, maintaining motivation, and “finding joy in the little things.”

Co-produced by the Jersey Shore native with John Bottrell (Christina Perri, Mike Posner) and recorded live in the studio at comp-ny in Glendale, CA, California Dream carries us along Sless’s soulful ride down the winding roads of life and love with a vibe that alternates between the celebratory country rock of Luke Combs, the nod-and-a-wink humor of Sturgill Simpson, and the rough-hewn folksiness of Donovan Woods. Through canny lyrics and infectious tunes, California Dream captures Sless’s love of LA, the highs and lows of his decision to move there from the Baltimore area after college, and his struggles to embrace the past and push forward. Like Steve Earle, Sless displays bracing honesty in his songwriting, and like Jason Isbell, has a knack for creating a world in which our souls struggle to define themselves. With ceaseless creativity, Sless possesses an ear for the just-right melody and lyric, and a passion for songs that evoke his disappointments, hopes, joys, and loves.

Sless still plans to host album release events on the West Coast and East Coast once the live music terrain gets more clearly defined.

“This album is a huge step toward a realization of myself as an individual and a creative artist,” he says. “It’s a jumping off point into a world in which I can fully express myself as a human being. There truly is no better feeling.”

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Dreamland II

For The Winn
Billy Winn

Billy Winn Awakens Dreamland II, The Final EP of His Two-Part Series

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II releases everywhere on August 9 and it picks up where the first album left off.  Thematically, at least.  Both EPs tell stories from the perspective of a queer kid of color who has had his heart broken.  “It’s the only position that I can write from and it’s one that I can’t recall ever hearing in pop music,” Winn explains.  “My hope is that regardless of where you come from, who you are now, or who you are becoming; you’re able to find something in these songs that resonates and makes you want to play them over and over again.”

Billy Winn was listening to a lot of TLC and Janet Jackson while he was working on Dreamland II.  “Specifically, Crazy, Sexy, Cool, Fanmail, and Janet’s Velvet Rope album.  At the same time, I was listening to artists like Flume, Owl City, Robyn, and Tove Lo; trying to find a place musically where they could all co-exist or become something completely different altogether.”

He was also inspired by a series of circumstances in his life, including the death of his father.  “He and I weren’t close but at the end of his life, I was asked to return home to take care of him and my family.  It was an extremely emotional situation, and definitely something that I’m still healing from.”

It is one of the reasons Dreamland II is angrier than the first album.  While Dreamland I explored life as a perception of fantasy and guilty pleasures, Dreamland II reveals more pain beneath the surface.  There is an overriding theme throughout that it’s all fun and games until someone catches feelings.

Billy Winn is a Billboard-charting singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer whose music ranges from high energy dance records to emotionally charged EDM.  Some of his most popular singles include “Seal It with a Kiss”, “Crash,” and “Future X Boyfriend.”

Dreamland I was a major turning point for the young artist and its success allowed Winn to tour and expand his fan base.  It has also taught him to not doubt or second guess himself.    “I’m trusting my instincts a lot more these days and I have to admit I’m pretty confident in the road ahead.” 

Billy Winn released “Another Broken Heart,” the debut single from Dreamland II, in June.  The next release from the album, “Tell Him,” is scheduled to release in early fall.

 

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II is being distributed by Ferocious Music and OneRPM and is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms.  For more information, visit BillyWinn.com or follow him on Facebook.