Category: Youtube

Molly. Review: Paradise

Posted on Posted in #ilivefor, 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, ambient, Artist Bio, dream pop, dreampop, Facebook, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Instagram, Music, Oscar N, Pop, Pop Music, Singer, Soundcloud, Spotify, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Molly.

LPR Agency

@jocronin65

Editorial

I have been writing a lot about this pandemic, not to go with the current trend or to prove a point. But one thing I haven’t spoken a lot about is the word “appreciation”.

Appreciation is particularly hard to feel these days, there is a lot of hurt, anger, disappointment, and just overall negativity felt by a lot of people in the world these days. But I feel appreciation is something that needs to be more… appreciated.

I, for one, forget to appreciate my job as a mental health worker, sometimes the “thank you” and “that really helped” kind of just makes me feel good for about 1 minute and then just dissipates… It kind of feels like “awesome that worked, so what’s next?”

I never really stop and reflect how important my action was to that person.

Table of Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Who is Molly.?
  3. Inspiration Behind Paradise
  4. What’s Next for Molly.?
  5. Thank You Notes
  6. Links
  7. Conclusion

Who is Molly.?

It’s not until I feel so down that I find the time to stop and meditate when I choose to appreciate myself, and something in me says that’s not how it should be… That’s where my appreciation for my job and the people I work for needs to come in.

Right now, everyone should be appreciative of being healthy enough to read this article. Paradise, which is also Molly’s latest song, will come… And hopefully it will look somewhat like it did pre-covid. But for now, appreciate who, what, and how much you have going for your life.

Who is Molly.?

Molly was inspired to make music when she was around 14 years old, with massive influence from KT Tunstall because she loves her writing style.

She also says that her fan base changes all the time, ranging from 16-35 years old. Her fans really engage well with her, “especially around my home town I always feel that my music is appreciated. I come from the small city of Lancaster, it has a great music scene which has really helped me get to where I am today,” she says.

Inspiration Behind Paradise

I wrote paradise during the lockdown and it’s all about the unexpected journey that we all have been on. This year has had its ups and downs, so I wrote the song about how maybe next year things will be better, maybe we’ll be living in Paradise. 

Molly. (9/7/2020)

Molly’s music reminds me a lot of a mix of Florence and the Machine and Sylvan Esso, a little of funk with a touch of dream pop. I really like the mix, because although the mix is common the songwriting in each song is on point with her influences.

I will admit, I’ve never heard of KT Tunstall but I have certainly heard of her most popular songs. I am a fan now, she’s a really talented musician I can tell after only listening to half of a song.

I really enjoyed all five of Molly’s singles and will gladly add them to our Indie Unedited Spotify playlist.

What’s Next for Molly.?

I personally have found the lockdown period quite inspiring I feel the world has been going through a lot of changes and that inspires me to write songs. I also feel I have had a lot more time to concentrate on being creative as I haven’t been gigging which has given me more time to get my creative juices flowing. 

Molly.

Molly’s plans for the future are to continue to release music and reach as many people who will listen to it. She has found enjoyment in releasing singles, so that is something that she will keep doing because it keeps her audience more engaged.

“I can’t wait to get back out on the road and perform, festivals are my favorite place and time to perform so hopefully next year will bring many festivals and good times,” she adds.

Make sure you follow all or some of the links below to stay up to date with Molly!

Thank You Notes

I want to thank Lydia Reed (LPR Agency) for introduce me to Molly. She’s a wonderful talent, and I am looking forward to following her journey in the music industry.

Molly.’s links:

LPR Agency’s links:

Unedited Music Blog’s links:

Conclusion

Have a great rest of the week, and happy Thanksgiving! Very grateful for all the people who read these articles, I hope you all have a really good day. Remember to respect each other, and if you need to go into public wear a mask.

Holy Wars Review: IHATEMYSELF

Posted on Posted in alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Backstory, California, Classic Rock, dark pop, Electronic Rock, Emo Pop, Facebook, Future Star, Guitar, Hard Rock, Hardcore, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Indie Rock, Instagram, Interview, Music, Pop, Pop Music, Pop Rock, Rock, Singer, Spotify, USA, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Holy Wars

Independent

@jocronin65

Editorial

There’s a lot of bad things to say about today’s online influencers. “In this selfie world, we have layers of identities that we hide behind,” Kat mentions.

I am even falling into this whole of hiding behind a mask. When I get into a deep conversation with either my parents or friends, I almost seem to avoid talking about how I really am. I always circle back to my extreme couponing, my job, my blog.

But what I am not talking about is just how hard I am finding it to stay present at the moment. Yes I do meditate, but it’s only for like 5 minutes, although I know damn well I could do 15 minutes.

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely am living my best life. I just wish the anxieties of the unknown could just stfu sometimes, so I can just spend a good amount of time in the present moment.

Kat says, “the real truth of us is either buried or forgotten or perhaps we never even knew.  IHATEMYSELF is more like a dare to those who are obsessed with a societal opinion… to strip away the layers and own up to the essence of who we really are”.

Sometime either this week or weekend, I am going to set some time aside to really get to that layer beneath my mask. Rather it be a 15 minute meditation, watching a soccer game without looking at my phone, take my dog to the dog park, or walk the dog without listening to music… Whatever it may be, I am going to be present and let myself enjoy it without a mask (figuratively speaking!)

If you’re having a tough time hiding behind a mask, then I highly suggest you do the same.

Table of Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Who is Holy Wars?
  3. Inspiration Behind IHATEMYSELF
  4. What’s Next for Holy Wars?
  5. Thank You Notes
  6. Links
  7. Conclusion

Who is Holy Wars?

Kat tells me that she first started her career in making poetry and studying classical piano. “It wasn’t until way later though that I put my poetry to song. The first span of music had an angst piano vibe like Fiona Apple and Tori Amos but then expanded to a full band after an ex told me I couldn’t,” remarks Kat.

She now has a multi-generational fan base that cares deeply for her and the band, and she is grateful to have known and conversed with a lot of them. “I have been very open about the loss of my parents and I think maybe in some small way it gives our fans a chance to get to know me better beyond the music and share their lives with us as well,” she says.

Inspiration Behind IHATEMYSELF

When I first wrote IHATEMYSELF, I wrote it therapeutically in a moment when I was feeling pretty crappy, and as I was starting to write this song that was like an open vein… I realized at that moment that I orchestrated everything that I was struggling in. I know this sounds a little like self-help verbiage but in lyrics like ‘I’m making enemies, all the bullies in my mind, they try to hurt me but it was me the whole time’…  that in a nutshell describes it all.

Kat Leon

There’s a glaring comparison with Holy Wars and Phantogram, but Holy is most definitely more of a heavy alternative. Rather it be the vocals or the alternative heavy rock, there’s something dark about both of these bands. It’s different. It’s raw. It grabs you, and it never lets go.

I love music that grabs your attention. If it makes me feels like the 1st minute lasted 3 minutes, then it’s a solid a$$ song. Some of Holy’s songs do that, such as Welcome to My Hell, IHATEMYSELF, LITTLE GODZ, BORN DARK, and Back To Life (aka their top 5 songs on Spotify). I would absolutely love to hear more songs like these!

The rest of the songs are nice, but I feel like they don’t grab as much attention as the songs I just mentioned above. However, Orphan, Cruel World (also the title of my favorite Phantogram song), and Legends are notable songs from their earlier collection.

Opening for Papa Roach is definitely up there (with the coolest thing we’ve done as musicians) as well as the NAMM show Schecter after party. But also right before I started my first band, I was on a show with Alice Cooper and after hearing me sing, he talked to me about the business and encouraged me to start writing and start a band and his words and encouragement gave me confidence to do it all. I really have him to thank for that initial push.

Kat

What’s Next for Holy Wars?

Kat tells me that, “I usually tend to be all over the place in what I like and want to say in music. The next few releases are going to have a little more piss and vinegar as I feel many of us feel like we want to bitch slap 2020 – so my head is there currently”. So the future will be that, but also carry on their honesty and cross genres.

We can expect more alt-rock music too!

“We plan to release a lot in the coming months and head into 2021 with our second album with plans of European tour if that is still going to be possible with our current global state. In the meantime, we will keep writing music and playing some online live shows because we really miss playing our music live,” says Kat.

Thank You Notes

I would like to thank Kat and the Holy Wars band for waiting for this review and connecting with me on Instagram. They have a bright future, and I’m really looking forward to working with them on their journey.

Holy Wars’ links:

Unedited Music Blog’s links:

Conclusion

Have a great rest of the week, and remember to respect each other no matter what. We are still in a pandemic, so if you’re sick then stay home and if you need to go into public wear a mask.

IHATEMYSELF (2020) by Holy Wars

Waiting for Smith [unedited] Music Review

Posted on Posted in #ilivefor, 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Australia, Backstory, California, Chill, Chill Rock, dream pop, dreampop, France, Good Vibes Only, Guitar, In-person, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Indie Rock, Inspirational person, Instagram, Interview, Music, New Zealand, Pop, Pop Music, Pop Rock, Rock, Singer, Soft Rock, Soundcloud, Spotify, Sweden, UK, UKViral50, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Waiting for Smith

Independent Artist

@jocronin65

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, in 2008 and 2010 thirty six lives were taken by avalanches. 36 is the most recorded deaths in one year.

To say the least, I wouldn’t be surprised if the number of people injured caused by avalanches are higher than those deaths. Avalanches are probably one of the scariest and most unpredictable natural hazards.

Harry Lloyd was a ski instructor before he started his solo career. At some point he broke his back in two places during avalanche training. It was when he was airlifted by a helicopter when he decided to dedicate his life to music.

After spending a year in bed recovering and learning how to play the guitar, he started Waiting for Smith.

It all started at a Rolling Stones concert when Harry knew he was meant to be a musician. He joined his first band at age 11 with his best friend Danny.

Now he’s a singer-songwriter with fans across the world. VH1 featured Lines of Love at one point, and Song for Grace was featured in Vis a Vis on Netflix. His main fanbase seems to be in London, Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Hamburg, and Amsterdam.

When these old dudes came on stage I looked at Danny and was like; what’s this all about? Then they starting playing ‘Get off of my Cloud’ and I was instantly hooked. The bouncer saw we were having such a good time, so he lifted me up to the stage and I high fived Ronnie Wood, the crowd went crazy! I will never forgot how loud it was, how they could bring joy to so many. As my feet touched the floor I knew I’d never be the same again.

Harry Lloyd (8/21/2020)

I genuinely really like listening to Harry’s music, because I find it different in a weird way that kind of pushes boundaries of soft pop and singer-songwriting.

I love the song Meditation, and honestly I am surprised it wasn’t either used in a TV or movie production. It has that sound that would be great in a modern western or action movie. I think a lot of his songs follow the same sound so I wasn’t surprised to hear that at least two have been featured in something like that.

I also really appreciate how positive these songs are, it’s been really hard to stay positive people across the world so I think this is music that is much needed now a days!

Most if not all his songs will be added into our Indie Unedited Spotify playlist.

It was very clear to me that music was what I should be doing the minute everything was taken away from me. I experienced this amazing sense of clarity. When you think you might not make it, it becomes so obvious what’s important. It’s not like you have time to go ‘maybe I’ll take up painting tomorrow’. 

Harry’s answer to why a near death experience inspired him to start making music again.

“I love lots of different styles, the next set of tracks have a bit of everything I like in there. But it always seems to come back to a strong desire to make people come away feeling hopeful,” he says about what the future holds for Waiting for Smith.

At the moment, Harry is planning to stay positive, “I believe our mindsets have a huge impact on everything.”

So for now he is going to live his best life, and help lift other people’s spirits…… “If that doesn’t work there’s always pizza,” he says.

I would like to thank Harry Lloyd for patiently waiting for this article, as indicated I interviewed him about 3 months ago so it’s been a while. If you would like to keep up to date with Waiting for Smith, then you can click any or all the links below!

Waiting for Smith’s links:

Unedited Music Blog’s links:

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and remember to respect each other out there, and if you have to go out into public then wear a mask please!

Lines of Love (2020) by Waiting for Smith

Overall: 4.9/5

Lines of Love: 5/5

Long Life: 5/5

So Much Love: 5/5

Peace in Greece: 4.8/5

Songs for People I Loved: 4.9/5

Windy Cities of the Sun: 5/5

Meditation: 5/5

Trade It In: 5/5

Monkeys in my Head: 5/5

Roma: 5/5

Top Song: Meditation (2019)

Ebony Buckle [unedited] Music Blog

Posted on Posted in #ilivefor, 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Backstory, dark pop, Emo Pop, Facebook, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Inspirational person, Instagram, Interview, Music, Pop, Pop Music, Singer, Soundcloud, Spotify, UK, UKViral50, YoutubeTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Ebony Buckle

LPR Agency

@jocronin65

According to an article by YouGov.com, 20% of Americans say that ghosts definitely exist, and 25% think they probably exist. I personally fall under the “definitely exist”, because I have my reasons…

One reason coming not too long after my Papa died… I was asleep in my bed with my bedroom door closed. In the middle of that night, I was awakened by my bed shaking. I woke up screaming, and noticed my door was wide open before my parents came to my room.

I don’t know why, but I immediately thought it was my Papa. I thought that he was just making sure I knew he was there still… Just to let me know that he was my gaurdian angel… And to NEVER forget that he was there (hence why he shook my bed).

I think that people like myself believe in such paranormal things because we want to know that our loved ones are still there, even if we can’t see them. In Ebony Buckles case, her loved one wasn’t dead… But he wasn’t there. However, she could smell his scent on her clothes… Feel his presence when she closed her eyes… She did whatever possible to not allow distance to steal his energy away from her.

So what is the difference between a ghost and a gaurdian angel? To me they are the same. A gaurdian angel is a ghost that watches over someone they care about… I know this may sound silly, but it may also chillingly true to others…

Who knows… Papa might be looking over my shoulder right now, reading every single thing I am typing…

Ebony wrote poetry and songs for as long as she can remember, but “it was only in the last 5 or 6 years that I actually thought I could let other people hear my music though,” she says.

Now she writes with her husband, sharing her music with a “really lovely and supportive community,” Ebony says. She mainly share her art on Patreon, which you can subscribe by clicking the link below! 

(My husband and I) were separated for nearly 2 years when my marriage visa was refused and it was really really tough. (Ghost) is about being stuck in limbo and trying to keep hope alive. 

Ebony Buckle (8/17/2020)

At first, I couldn’t help to think… Is Ebony an Irish folk singer… “I think I agree! I grew up listening to and singing a lot of Irish folk music. I really loved all of folklore as well. My favourite movie as a child was The Secret of Roan Inish. I have a song called The Selkie Song which was inspired by it. I think perhaps I am drawn to the magic in the stories. A lot of my music is very story-based,” replied Ebony.

In other words, not entirely. But her music is very different, and has a beautiful magical touch of playfulness or uniqueness. One song may attract one crowd, as opposed to another song that may attract another crowd. So it makes sense why I prefer listening to Dark Place and Ghost, versus quirky songs like Susan and The Mermaids Said No.

I really do hope Ebony explores her more dramatic and serious side of songwriting, and even tries to tie it in with her whimisical style. Either way, I’ll be supporting her music because I truly believe she’s talented in her own way.

I am so grateful that Nick and I are in the same country this time. We have our music and we are working really hard on creating our first album. It feels like the whole world is experiencing a kind of limbo. 

Ebony Buckle

For now, Ebony is excited to “keep expanding my music and create a world around it. A place for people to escape to and let their imaginations run free,” she says.

She is currently working on a lot of music releases, recording, and filming music videos. Again, follow her Patreon to see what she’s been up to!

If you don’t… Then follow all the links below to make sure you don’t lose sight of what’s to come!

I would like to thank Lydia Reed from LPR Agency for connecting me with Ebony Buckle, she’s a great talent and amazing addition to the Unedited Music community.

Ebony Buckle links:

LPR Agency:

Unedited Music Blog links:

Have a wonderful week, and remember to respect one another. If you’re in America, you can vote early depending on where you live so do so if that is more convenient for you. Remember when you go into public to wear a mask!

Susan (2019) by Ebony Buckle

Overall: 4.75/5

Ghost: 5/5

Susan: 4.7/5

The Mermaids Said No: 3.5/5

Dark Place: 4.8/5

Top Song: Ghost (2020)

YVR [unedited] Music Review

Posted on Posted in 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Backstory, California, dark pop, dream pop, electronic, Electronic Rock, Emo Pop, Facebook, Future Star, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Instagram, Music, Pop, Pop Music, Soundcloud, Spotify, USA, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

YVR

Gramophone PR

@jocronin65

Today marks 3 years, 1 month, and 1 day since my last relationship ended. I have worked very hard on myself during that time, but there’s no doubt that being single for this long is something I’m not used to.

It’s been lonely at times, but it’s also been a time of self-discovery. I also realized that I don’t always have to be with someone, but I realized that I don’t always have to be single too.

There are times I’ve wanted to reach out to my ex-girlfriend, but I know that wouldn’t be healthy. She wasn’t healthy for me, and I wasn’t healthy for her… That’s just how it is. It’s for that reason that I refrain from reaching out.

“’How Have You Been’ looks back at the impact that our past loves had on us, how even after years of moving on we still carry pieces of them with us. Not in a romantic way, but in a curious, caring kind of way,” (YVR’s press release from Gramophone Media PR).

Prior to releasing their first EP (Night Days) in 2019, Courtney and Stephen Stahl worked with international acts as Jenae (Courtney Stahl) and Buddro (Stephen Stahl). Courtney wrote numerous songs for major acts like Red Velvet, EXO, and Amber Liu. Stephen produced with the likes of Chris Daughtry, Blasterjaxx, and Morgan Page.

The married couple that call themselves YVR have been making music for others with a resume that includes 4 million records sold and a combined ten #1 singles, but are now starting their own journey together as a duo.

What is your fan base like?

“They are fierce, fun and fabulous.”

Songwriting for me has become very personal over the years. Stephen and I have the best songwriting chemistry of anyone I’ve worked with.

Courtney Stahl to American Songwriter (4/20/2020)

Three things that make a 5 star song in my book are: great songwriting, catchy melodies, and an authentic sound.

Basically every YVR song achieves all of these things, which is no surprise seeing Courtney’s success with writing and Stephen’s success with producing. How Have You Been is a great song that adds on to the depth of their music collection.

To narrow down my five favorite songs, I’d have to say Heartless, Unique, Pay, Talking In Your Sleep, and How Have You Been are my top 5 songs.

When a relationship ends, you always hold a place in your heart for that person, regardless of who ended it. The lyrics in (How Have You Been?) reflect on how breaking someone’s heart can sometimes hurt worse than being heartbroken.

YVR (8/14/2020)

Right now, there are currently no releases that I know of that are planned to be released. Whatever direction they make, however, they say they want to be “completely authentic to ourselves in our music.”

If you want to stay up-to-date with future releases for YVR, make sure you follow and like the links below

I would like to thank Brittany Bowler (Gramophone Media PR) for connecting me with Courtney and Stephen Stahl. It took a while, but I am very happy to review YVR.

YVR Links:

Gramophone Media PR links:

Unedited Music Blog links:

Hope everyone has a great week, and remember to stay safe and wear a mask if you have to go out into public. Also, respect each other out there, it’s really not that hard.

How Have You Been? by YVR (2020)

Overall: 5/5

How Have You Been?: 5/5

Night Days: 5/5

Top Song: Heartless (2019)

Trish Discord Review: Educational Rock

Posted on Posted in 2020, alternative, Artist Bio, Backstory, Classic Rock, Dogtooth, Facebook, Guitar, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie Rock, Instagram, Interview, Music, New York City, Pop Rock, Rock, Singer, Soundcloud, Spotify, USA, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Trish Discord

Independent

@jocronin65

Editorial

One of Trish‘s favorite bands is Green Day, not that there newest music is great… Because it definitely isn’t. They definitely are notable for their amazing debut album Dookie. If you listen to a lot of their most famous tunes like Basket Case, Longview, Brain Stew, and Welcome to Paradise talks about something on the lines of what Billie Joe Armstrong opened up about when he was 20.

According to many sources who quoted Billie directly, he felt a form of mid-life crisis were he genuinely thought he was going to die at an early age. That thought process has been in his head ever since.

So as a result, he made music that reflected his thought process. One could even make a case that he was making music about something that he was about, because most of the time that’s all he thought about for a good period of time in his life.

That’s exactly what Trish Discord did when writing her debut album Is This my Mental Breakdown. She took two of her passions, psychology and music, and combined them into a hybrid.

Table of Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Who is Trish Discord?
  3. Inspiration Behind Is This My Mental Breakdown?
  4. What’s Next for Trish Discord?
  5. Thank You Notes
  6. Links
  7. Conclusion

Who is Trish Discord?

In the beginning Trish started to write music in order to release emotions and connect with other people. After studying psychology in college she realized she had a unique opportunity that allowed her to intertwine the world of mental health into her music.

So quite literally she took the mother f***ing DSM V and made songs about some of the most commonly known diagnosis.

Trish has garnered (my new favorite word) a large audience of musicians and 90’s rock fans to, because afterall Trish‘s music does sound like something the Cranberries would make back in the day.

I started to write songs as a way to release my emotions and decided I could connect with others. I also knew I had a unique background having studied psych so I could write songs about that.

Trish Discord (8/1/2020)

Inspiration Behind Is This My Mental Breakdown?

Although Trish says it wasn’t hard too hard to use the DSM as a reference to make the songs on her first album, “it was actually hard to get the emotional part correct with each song because I knew it had to be realistic and also factual.” As a result she leaned on most of her friends who have struggled with some of these diagnosis in the past.

The human mind is a fascinating thing, especially to a large majority of people who decide to make a living out of helping people just like Trish and I. I definitely applaud her for taking her passions and molding it into a new way of raising awareness for a subject that has been stigmatized for way too long.

I, myself, have already shared about my struggles with anxiety, a horrible terrible beast that can sneak up on someone at any point in their day or life. Now I could give you the definition of anxiety according to the DSM, but lets be honest… No one wants me to because everyone genuinely knows what anxiety is. However, as common as it is, anxiety is just as stigmatized as every other mental disorder.

People who do not fully understand anxiety think it’s not an actual medical illness, even though it is a common diagnosis given by a doctor or professional.

People also think that people with anxiety can just snap out of it if they want to. However, I doubt a person having an anxiety attack can just snap out of it they want to.

I find that the DSM can be very misleading if you are trying to look for answers on why you behave the way you do. I’m not saying that people with depression are depressed because the DSM told them they were. What I’m saying is… That’s not what it’s there for.

In my personal opinion, the DSM is there for two things… 1. For medical personal who are required to diagnose DMH clients, and 2. to show that other people in the world also suffer from these symptoms in more or less the same way.

So while Trish Discord’s album is a great way to raise awareness for mental health, I highly suggest that people stay away from diagnosing themselves for various reasons that can lead to various thinking patterns.

Social is about depression and the stigma that people with it face from their close circle and society.

Trish Discord

What’s Next for Trish Discord?

So what is next for Trish Discord? “I want it to stay indie and if I could achieve something where I could live off my music or make a profit while connecting with a fan base that would be the dream,” Trish tells me. 

While that’s a basic goal for a lot of musicians, it quite honestly isn’t a goal that is often achieved. For that reason, she is pushing as hard as she can to get her music as much exposure as it can get.

She is also aiming to continue raising awareness for mental health in her music. Trish plans to release in the near future another album talking about how the 2016 election had affected people and herself personally.

While she is trying to save up to produce and record this album, you can follow the links below to stay up to date on the progress she is making towards this next album.

Thank You Notes

I would like to thank Trish Discord for keeping in touch with me up, she is a great person, and I am looking forward to working with her in the future.

Trish Discord links:

Unedited Music Blog links:

Conclusion

Have a wonderful week ahead, and remember to respect each other no matter your differences. When you go out wear a mask, and if you’re sick then stay home… You know the rest, I’ve said it many times before!

Is This My Mental Breakdown? (2020) by Trish Discord

Lorena Leigh [unedited] Music Review

Posted on Posted in 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Backstory, Chocolate, dark pop, dream pop, dreampop, Facebook, Folk Rock, Good Vibes Only, In-person, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Instagram, Interview, Ireland, long interview, Music, Pop, Pop Music, Singer, Soundcloud, Spotify, Texas, USA, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lorena Leigh

Independent Artist

@jocronin65

Photo taken by Jessica Waffles

These next three articles (including this one) will be showcasing musicians who use their art to showcase their other talents. Lorena is a perfect example of how much a single person with a little help can make.

I find multi-talented musicians are very underappreciated in the music industry, most musicians who are of this kind literally do everything you hear. They write the music, sometimes they play all the instruments, sometimes they also pull all the pieces together to make the song. The little help they get most of the time is when they send the demo tracks to a producer to mix it.

But Lorena Leigh does more than that, she doesn’t only create the sound from scratch… But she also creates what you see AND hear. In other words, if you watch any of her music videos then you’d be as surprised as I was to hear that she composed them all.

“I started out just because I’m a super low budget independent musician. But then like it started to become (something bigger than I thought it would be), and I actually can’t even afford the proper editors that I would trust to be like, here, take this. And trust that it’ll be awesome. Like I’ve tried free editors but I ended up being really disappointed. So then I just learned how to do it myself,” Lorena says.

I bring this up because I know exactly how stressful running things on your own can be, because this blog is ran entirely by myself with very little help.

Therefore, I find myself really appreciating small businesses, independent musicians, and people who are their own boss.

They might not always have the time to talk to others, but you definitely do get a chill down your spine when they say “yeah I made all that on my own”.

After dropping out of college at the University of Alabama following her first semester and attending a community college in Texas, Lorena found herself studying dance in New York at Alvin Ailey. She studied dance for a year, but had to have surgery after she injured her foot. “During that time a guy my sister was dating and was a musician gifted me a ukulele. I love songwriting and now I have a little portable instrument to write on all the time,” she says.

After recovering from her surgery she ended up finishing her degree at Pace University in Manhatten. She lived in New York for a total of 8 years.

She then went on tour with her music for a while. And was going to for a total of 2 years. But she decided to settle down and get her business of the ground. She moved back home in Fort Worth, Texas where she also visited her family in Ireland. And then… She met someone in Ireland, who she most recently married. “I just got married during quarantine because he came over like two days before they shut down borders because he was coming to visit and I was supposed to play SXSW in Austin and he was going to come for that to just like drink beers and go on the road with me. But obviously, he got stuck here. So we’re already engaged and we were like, let’s get married,” Lorena tells me.

All the while, Lorena has attracted an audience mostly in New York, Texas, and her hometown in Fort Worth with some fans in Ireland.

“I’m so grateful. I’m living at home and now I’m here with my family because I think back to when I was living in New York and paying rent and working two jobs, and with all (the coronavirus) situation, I just can’t imagine the stress levels (in the City). So I’m pretty lucky.”

~Lorena L.

I am very willing to stand on top of a soapbox and cause a scene in front of people who do not know about Lorena Leigh. I guess you could say I am a huge fan of hers if you want to label me as a “top fan”.

For the one’s who follow my social media pages, Lorena’s name probably sounds familar. That’s because I posted a teaser of her latest music video Tired to the Bone. I wanted to send that out because when I watched the music video that she sent me, I was so inspired by it.

Tired to the Bone started off being a “self soothing lullaby” when she started writing it in 2013. She didn’t add the bridge until the first time she started working with her producer Renesto Valenzuela. “I went to the studio and it was like our first night, like, OK, we’re going to start the album. We’re going to work on this track. And it was actually the night before the solar eclipse in 2017,” she tells me.

After recording the bridge, Renesto felt the song needed more. “Then I started playing around, and he was like… ‘What is that, it is super cool.’ And we were like okay let’s record it. And then it’s actually that demo that we did that we ended up using on the track for the album,” Lorena said.

When the track was finished the song became something more than just a lullaby. “At that time, I was going through a lot of heartbreak and I felt super crazy. I think it’s kind of like I was also living alone. And now that’s the first time in my life I didn’t have roommates,” she says.

“I feel like me as a kid, understood life and was more wiser than me as an adult who has gone through so many things. And then you forget what life is all about because you’re like you start to go crazy… (Tired to the Bone is) also super spiritual… Like trusting what your path is. Letting God help you figure it all out.”

~Lorena Leigh via Skype (5/16/2020)

For such a creative mind, the one question that comes to my mind is… What’s next?

“In February, I was in New York with my friends who played in my band, and we recorded a bunch of new stuff. So I actually have like two remixes coming out at the end of this month and then two singles coming out in July and August and then like three more singles in the fall is the release plan right now. So a lot of new music is coming up that is currently being mixed. And I’m planning some music videos for hopefully soon. But yeah, a lot of new stuff is coming out,” says Lorena.

So in other words, the grind continues.

But I don’t actually know what to expect, so keep your eyes peeled to Unedited and Lorena’s social medias so you don’t miss out on what the future looks like!

I would like to thank Lorena Leigh for keeping in touch with me, and I actually really enjoy talking to her. If you haven’t figured it out, the featured photo is of her legendary dog Oakley.

Lorena Leigh’s links:

Unedited Music Blog’s links:

Have a wonderful week, and remember to respect other people and stay safe. If you feel sick then stay home, and/or if you go into public wear a friggen mask.

Water Theory by Lorena Leigh (2019)

Overall: 5/5

Water Theory: 5/5

Headstrong: 5/5

What’s Up: 5/5

Top Song: Girls Like Me- J.Prep Remix (2020)

Cooper Phillip [unedited] Music Review

Posted on Posted in #ilivefor, 2017, 2018, 2019 Pop Music, 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Backstory, California, dream pop, electronic, Europe, Future Star, Good Vibes Only, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Inspirational person, Instagram, Interview, Music, New York City, Pop, Pop Music, Remixes, Russia, Singer, Soundcloud, Spotify, USA, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Cooper Phillip

According to Coalition for the Homeless, in April of this year there were a total of over 60 thousand people who were homeless in New York City. Just over 19 thousand were single adults. But that only counts for the people who live in homeless shelters.

There is very minimal to no information on the percentage of people who were homeless and then proceeded to live a more productive life. But if you ask me what that percentage would look like, I would tell you probably pretty small.

Fortunately, Cooper Phillip is one of those extremely lucky people to rise from the burden of homelessness in a city where the homeless population is the worst in the country.

She came into the situation with endless possibilities. She knew she could accomplish whatever she set out to do, because her mother who was a successful musician saw a lot of talent in her daughter.

“I believe we underestimate ourselves often and our fear takes over. My goal is to show people that they are stronger and can do much more than they think they can”, Cooper says.

Phillip’s story is nothing short from inspirational. And the fact that she is using her story to inspire her listeners makes her one of the up-coming role model figures of today.

Cooper was born in a small town in Russia, raised mainly by her grandmother and Aunt. Her mother was rarely ever around as she was touring the world as a master violin player. With the absence of her mother, Phillip found comfort in music and more specifically Ella Fitzgerald’s music. She taught herself every Fitzgerald song in detail.

As a kid Cooper grew up in an opera house, watching a lot of classic ballets, operas, and classical music. “Growing up in musical theater inspired me to continue learning music,” she says. Not too long after, she enrolled in the well-known Moscow State Classical Academy, where she worked tirelessly on her voice and other musical skills.

When her mother realized her daughter’s pure talent she quit her own career that was flourishing and took her daughter on tour with her across Russia.

At age 17, Cooper moved to New York City with very little money. However, she was determined to pursue a successful career in international music just like her mother. She hustled and worked, performed at weddings and clubs, and slept in the storerooms of restaurants she sang in. She was relentless and set on her goal.

When offered to perform at an important performance in Los Angeles, she didn’t hesitate to take it and never looked back.

With music underlying themes of strength, grace, and empowerment, Cooper has already attracted 10 million followers online with her previous singles. “They love music that makes them feel a certain way,” she says.

“(Living on my own in New York) was a rough experience, but it was so vivid and full of life, so I think it’s one of the best periods of my life. I think it inspired me so much because I saw how many opportunities I can explore. Also, I found a true character in myself because I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone I just found my true self.”

~Cooper Phillip (6/23/2020)

Cooper’s music is a mix of catchy and inspirational pop, there’s a lot to like about her. Thank You Heartbreak really stuck out to me when I was listening to her music, the two parts of what her music usually is were present in this song. The song’s verses were about her story, her chorus was catchy, and the song ends in an empowering way.

Phillip doesn’t really hold anything back in her songs, and seems to be the kind of writer that gets genuinely bothered by holding back something. Her most recent single, Not Perfect, is another example of expressing her true emotions. The song talks about the importance of self-love and confidence.

She hopes this single and her story help people find their own confidence.

“As soon as the lockdown is over I’m going on a world tour.”

~Cooper P.

Cooper tells me that she wants her musical direction to stay honest. “I want my music to speak the truth about me and how I feel about the world,” she says.

She didn’t speak of any more music to be release at any point soon, so I am not expecting much on that end. But nevertheless as always keep your eyes glued to our socials, which you can follow below.

I would like to thank Alex High for connecting me with Cooper Phillip for this week’s article, I am very honored to review such a confident woman and musician.

You can follow Cooper Phillip on Instagram, and Twitter. You can stream her music on Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube.

You can follow Unedited Music Blog on Instagram,  Facebook, and Twitter. You can listen to our playlists on Spotify, and SoundCloud.

Have a fantastic week, and please remember to respect the ones around you and stay home if you don’t feel well. The pandemic feels like it’s settling down, but it isn’t so please stay safe!

Not Perfect (2020) by Cooper Phillip
Not Perfect (2020) by Cooper Phillip

Overall: 4.8/5

Not Perfect: 5/5

Speaking in Tongues: 5/5

Exceptional Feelings: 4.5/5

Thank You Heartbreak: 5/5

Low Key: 5/5

Party By Myself: 5/5

Silence: 5/5

Top Song: Party By Myself (2016)

The Coronas [unedited] Music Review

Posted on Posted in 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, Artist Bio, Britpop, Facebook, Hard Rock, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, indie playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Indie Rock, Instagram, Interview, Ireland, Music, Pop, Pop Music, Pop Rock, Republic Media, Singer, Soft Rock, Soundcloud, Spotify, UK, UKViral50, YoutubeTagged , , , , Leave a comment
The Coronas (2020)
The Coronas (2020)

I remember telling my parents that when I graduated from college I wanted to go to Ireland. I am half Irish, and I have a few relatives living in Ireland, so I wanted to meet them.

On May 5th I graduated from Dean College in 2018, and on May 24th I arrived in Ireland. We landed in Dublin, and we traveled across Ireland. We went to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, I kissed the Blarney Stone (but still am not as a smooth talker as I want to be), and we visited my family members who live in Killarney.

The one thing that stuck with me when I came back home were the musicians on the streets of Dublin. It was there where I met a trio who call themselves Stray Melody.

Music already established a huge part in my life, but when I walked the streets of Dublin… Irish music created a new appreciation in my life.

Irish music is different than any other music in the world, just like American music is different than Indian music. In my opinion, what makes them different is in the song writing. All I Want by Kodaline makes you feel something stronger than Let Her Go by Passenger. Yes, the Passenger song makes you cry, but the Kodaline song makes you cry and then it sticks with you… In a way that is special only to you.

That’s what The Coronas music does to you too. Especially Lost in the Thick of It, which is their most popular song. The song is a special song just like every well known Irish song, because it touches on the fragile times during the beginning of a relationship. Additionally, “it’s about needing space to sort your own head out before you feel comfortable talking about what’s on your mind,” they tell me.

Formed when they were just 15 years old, Danny O’Reilly started The Coronas. “I grew up around music, my mother is a singer, so she encouraged me at an early age to write my own songs. It was very cathartic for me in my teens and then it was bands I loved like the Frames, BellX1 and Snow Patrol that made me want to be in a band,” says Danny.

Over the past 17 years, the Coronas have grown a family-like fan base. “They sing with us, and are very loyal and proud to be followers,” they say.

“‘We haven’t even thought about (changing our name),’ replied O’Reilly. ‘We’ve been around for five albums and this is a new disease. It’s having a big effect on everything and it’s a hard one to judge. If we were a brand-new band I’d say, ‘absolutely of course’. We haven’t considered re-branding. Who knows what effect this will have?'”

~Danny O’Reilly to NME (May 13th, 2020)

The Corona’s name have been the topic of a lot of questions lately, and rightly so… After all we’re in the middle of a Coronavirus pandemic right now. I will let you read about this and form your own opinion on this subject, just Google “the coronas review” and a bunch of articles about their name will come up. But in my opinion, they have the right to do whatever they want to with their name that was made a good 17 years before the pandemic.

As far as their music, it’s nothing short to unique and memorable. If you’re a fan of Kodaline, Snow Patrol, and Picture This, then you’ll definitely enjoy The Coronas music.

I find their 2014 album The Long Way to be a hidden gem, it’s a great album that is explosive. If Oasis and The Verve would make a modern rock album today, it would probably sound something like this album.

However, Lost in the Thick of It is my favorite song at the end of the day. It’s a song I’ve listened to 10 times now, and yet I’m still singing along to it without an ounce of annoyance.

“(This quarantine has taught us) that no matter what happens, we’ll be alright. It’s made us realize how lucky we are to do what we do and put everything into perspective.”

~The Coronas (7/1/2020)

Future for the Coronas, just like every musician, is unknown at the moment. But they are keeping their fingers crossed that they’ll be back on the road soon. Until time allows that, they are focusing on releasing new music. The next release is for their next album called True Love Waits which is due to be released on the 31st! (Click album cover below to pre-save now!)

Their direction is guided by whatever songs come out of them, they say. “As we’ve grown our songwriting has naturally evolved so hopefully that will continue,” says the band.

I would like to thank Asher Alexander (Republic Media Group) for connecting me with The Coronas, I was very excited about this review and hope to set something up with them when they come around to Boston.

You can follow The Coronas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also stream their music on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Deezer.

You can follow the Republic Media Group on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also listen to their What’s on the Stereo playlist on Spotify.

You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also listen to our playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Have a fantastic week, and remember to not be stupid and were a mask in public! Remember to be kind to everyone, and treat others the way you’d expect to be treated.

Pre-save True Love Waits (Album) by The Coronas
True Love Waits (album) by The Coronas [Click Photo to Pre-Save]

Overall: 4.8/5

True Love Waits: 5/5

LA at Night: 5/5

Reprise: 4/5

Trust the Wire: 5/5

The Long Way: 5/5

Closer to You: 4.5/5

Tony was an Ex Con: 4/5

Heroes or Ghosts: 5/5

Top Song: Lost in the Thick of It (2020)

Tia Gostelow [unedited] Music Review

Posted on Posted in #ilivefor, 2017, 2018, 2019 Pop Music, 2020, alternative, Alternative pop, ambient, Artist Bio, Australia, Backstory, Chill, dark pop, dream pop, dreampop, Edits, Emo Pop, Facebook, Indie, indie music, indie music playlist, Indie pop, indie pop playlist, Inspirational person, Instagram, Interview, Live Session, Lullabies, Music, New Zealand, Pop, Pop Music, Soft Rock, Soundcloud, Spotify, YoutubeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Tia Gostelow | Psycho
Tia Gostelow | Photo taken by Jeff Andersen Jnr. (2020)

“Mr. Hutchinson, 36, had not been seen since the early morning hours on Wednesday (May 9th, 2018), when he left a hotel in South Queensferry after sending two cryptic messages on Twitter. He wrote: ‘Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones,’ and ‘I’m away now. Thanks.'”…

“‘Depression is a horrendous illness that does not give you any alert or indication as to when it will take hold of you’ the (Hutchinson) family said. ‘Scott battled bravely with his own issues for many years, and we are immensely proud of him for being so open with his struggles.'”…

“Scott Hutchinson, the lead singer and songwriter of the Scottish folk-rock band Frightened Rabbit, was found dead on Thursday (May 10th, 2018) near South Queensferry, Scotland, the Edinburgh police confirmed, after a days-long search for the musician, who was said to be in a ‘fragile state’… The police could not immediately identify the cause of death, but said it was not being treated as suspicious”. ~New York Times (May 11, 2018)

I remember reading this article not too long after it was published, and I am almost in tears just revisiting that day. I knew Scott Hutchinson battled a lot of demons, but I don’t think any Frightened Rabbit fan or anyone close to him were or would ever be ready for that day he was found dead.

Scott stood for so much, and he meant just as much to every one of his fans, band members, and family. He will and should never be forgotten.

“I have to say I didn’t really know who Frightened Rabbit were when the offer came through, but I definitely learnt very quickly that they were very important for the music scene worldwide. They were such lovely people and it was really nice to tour with them and be able to appreciate watching them live,” says Tia Gostelow. 

On March 9th, 2017, Tia opened for Scott and his band Frightened Rabbit at The Triffid in Brisbane, Australia. 1 year and 1 day before he was found dead due to suicide in Scotland.

At around 7 or 8 years old, Tia was inspired at a young age by Taylor Swift. She taught herself how to play the guitar, since T-Swift played that instrument. “I remember just being so in awe of everything about her, how she looked, the music she made and how confident she is. After that I remember forcing my parents to sit down and listen to me play Love Story over and over again,” she says.

Taylor Swift’s fans have always been loyal and supportive, and fast forward to 2020 and Tia Gostelow has an equally caring and faithful fan base. “I feel like they’ve been with me for such a long time and are watching me grow as an artist and also as a person. I love messaging back and forth with them, it feels really important to have those connections,” she says.

“(Psycho) forced me to really think about the situations and relationships I’ve been in where I have experienced gaslighting and how it made me go f—ing crazy. I constantly thought I was the issue, that everything was my fault and I kept apologizing for things that I later realized weren’t my fault at all.”

~Tia Gostelow (6/17/2020)

I need to clarify one thing before I go forward, as emotional as that intro was on my end… It wasn’t necessarily meant to focus on Scott’s death. Instead, the last paragraph is why I wrote that whole introduction. It was a way to start connecting the dots between these two musicians I personally think mean a lot to the music industry.

I’ve always loved listening to the top modern musicians from Australia, such as Malrat, G Flip, 5 Seconds of Summer, Amy Shark, etc. One thing I find quite similar with most of these artists are their sound and songwriting, almost a chill pop sound with catchy but also mature and creative lyrics. Tia definitely carries this unofficial tradition amongst Australian musicians, especially with songs like Hey Friends (2018), Phone Me (2018), and That’s What You Get (2018).

At the start of 2019, Tia started writing Psycho with her friend Aidan Hogg. “Going into the session I felt like I really wanted to write a song about something that was really prominent in the media at the time and was also something personal to me,” she says.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, gaslighting is “manipulating (someone) by psychological means into questioning their own sanity”. There’s a high chance that you probably will be gaslighted in your life, especially if you’re in a toxic relationship. Please do your research if you’re in a position that could make you feel gaslighted, some great articles to read are from Vox, Pyschology Today, and ABC.

“I felt like I was turning into this psycho person and it seemed like nobody else saw where I was coming from. However, seeing all of these other people speaking up about it, made me deal with my emotions that I had just ignored and I finally felt like I could put all of my anger and frustration and hurt into something that means something,” explains Tia. She hopes Psycho helps people the same way hearing others stories of gaslighting did for herself.

Far before the release of her debut album Thick Skin she has attracted a massive audience from all around the world and even established her own record label (Lovely Records). 4 of her 5 top songs on Spotify hitting 2-10 million streams, and her newest release Psycho is certainly on its way to that milestone as well with close to 200 thousand streams to date. The Queensland Music Awards winner of Album of the Year for Thick Skin has certainly made her name heard, loud and clear.

“I really wanted this next record to be inspired by 80’s electronic music but still keeping my style in there. It’s definitely a lot more danceable than my previous music and I’m really excited about that.“

~Tia Gostelow

Fans should expect Tia’s next album, that’s coming out later this year, to be heading into a more indie-pop-electronic direction. It sounds like we should expect songs that Oh Wonder, Sylvan Esso, and Marian Hill would make. But I am not too sure, and I could be very wrong.

If you enjoy listening to Tia Gostelow, I encourage you to keep your eyes peeled to our social media for updates. I will keep in touch with Tia and her PR agents, and as soon as I get word of new music I will update everyone as soon as possible.

I want to thank Kershona Mayo of Mora May PR for connecting me with Tia Gostelow (Lovely Records)! She is such an amazing musician who I look forward to setting something up with when she comes touring through Boston.

You can follow Tia Gostelow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as stream her music through YouTube, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

You can follow Mora May PR Agency on Facebook, and Twitter.

You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and stream our playlists on SoundCloud and Spotify.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable extended weekend in the States, and a happy 4th of July! To everyone else, have a great weekend and stay safe.

Psycho (2020) by Tia Gostelow
Psycho (2020) by Tia Gostelow

Overall: 4.9/5

Psycho: 5/5

Rush: 5/5

Get to It: 5/5

Thick Skin: 4.8/5

Top Song: Phone Me (2018)