Airports Review: U FEEL IT 2


Airports

LPR Agency

@jocronin65

Editorial

Depression is like a snake haunting its meal in the middle of the night. Thoughts of not being good enough is the snake, and when you realize that you’re depressed is like that snake eating its meal.

As a mental health worker I knew that my field is heavy, and that’s why I go to a therapist on a weekly basis… That and for my anxiety and seasonal depression.

My seasonal depression began about 5 years ago, and when winter comes around I have recently found it hard to talk to my therapist. The past couple of sessions have been me just sitting there and not wanting to be there. That’s not like me at all, because on a normal day it’d be hard to get me to shut up.

Airport’s song, U Feel It 2, is about being trapped with your feelings or a vice. And those therapy sessions have definitely made me feel trapped. But I also know as a mental health worker that sometimes silence can help too. I don’t know why, but it does, so I allow myself to sometimes just sit in silence.

So maybe that’s what people who feel trapped need sometimes…

Silence?

Table of Contents

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

Who is Airports?

Aaron Lee is the mastermind behind Airports, the Sydney based DIY hip hop, punk, electronic, and pop artist who has garnered attention from independent streaming productions (including Triple J) and global music productions (including Universal Music and Capitol Records). He is an advocate for personal development in mental health, following two life-threatening illnesses and the rollercoaster of being a musician.

Through the journey, Aaron has garnered what he calls an “inspired and understanding” fan base. He says they are “people who understand the journey and want to be part of it!”.

After taking on two life-threatening illnesses and the ups and downs of being a full time creative, AIRPORTS is an avid voice for personal development in mental health. With his eyes set on influencing listeners while traveling the world, the Sydney dwelling artist isn’t afraid to take a non-conventional approach.

LPR Agency (Airports Press Release)

Inspiration Behind U FEEL IT 2

Airports mix of multi-genres are so different, unique, and… Different. Like you can’t put a finger down on who he sounds like.

I love the top 5 songs on his Spotify library, but I am interested to know more about what Mum is about. It’s most likely about his mom or a person who was like a mother figure in his life. Either way the song sounds very sentimental, but I still would like to know who it’s about.

Just about all his songs that I rated 5/5 below will be added to our Indie Unedited Spotify playlist, but I am still trying to figure out if I like Cheddar… My current opinion is it’s a really weird song… Probably going to add it EDM Unedited at some point…

The visuals for “U FEEL IT 2” were filmed during a unique time stamp in history where most of the world is in the same situation, so AIRPORTS decided to invite anyone and everyone to submit videos of themselves answering questions he’d given them about their personal loves and struggles. Aaron explains, ‘The intention of the video was to show that everyone walks the tightrope of this duality in their own lives, no one is exempt from happiness nor suffering.’ The heartfelt video emits a sense of unity and togetherness.

LPR Agency

What’s Next for Airports?

Right now, there are no known releases that are coming up, but future releases will have a little funk and punk in them.

The plan for now is to keep releasing music, and when the pandemic allows for shows then that will come next.

Thank You Notes

I would like to thank Lydia Reed (LPR Agency) for introducing me to Airports, he is an unique talent that has a very bright future.

Airport’s links:

LPR Agency’s links:

Unedited Music Blog’s links:

Conclusion

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, and remember to be respectful of everyone. If you have to go into public, then wear a mask because we are still in a pandemic. Thank you for reading!

Party All the Time by Airports (2020)

Holy Wars Review: IHATEMYSELF


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

YVR [unedited] Music Review


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)



Elliot Lee Review: Bubble Gum Pop

Elliot Lee

Shore Fire Media

@jocronin65

Photo taken by Shervin Lainz

Editorial

This month I have focused on musicians who are passionate about mental health. If I could give a megaphone to them, they’d all speak strongly in these subjects that they believe in.

The first week I wrote about Sarabean. Sarah is a 16-year-old musician from Florida, and has been open about her struggle with depression and loneliness in her music. She wants to make music that other people her age and/or are lonely too, and let them know they are not alone.

The second week I wrote about Trish Discord. After Trish graduated from college with a degree in psychology, she integrated her love in psychology and music by making songs that talk about mental disorders. She did this by writing about what people with a certain mental diagnosis go through both symptomatically and emotionally. She did this as a way to raise awareness for those disorders.

Last week I wrote about Seepeoples. After Will Bradford and the band decided to halt their music journey in 2011, Will went into rehab because he was struggling with addiction. When he came out of rehab and decided to return from Seepeople’s hiatus, the band continued to be a voice for their fans who have very different opinions and views than most of the society. The band stood for something that others are afraid to stand for, just like how so many who struggle with mental health are afraid to stand up for themselves.

This week I am writing about Elliot Lee. Elliot stands for a lot. She stands for mental health, stigmas, and much more. If you browse through her Instagram, she has been very vocal about standing with the Black Lives Matter movement too. Her music is for the masses as she says in her song Dirt, and if I could give the megaphone to anyone of these musicians I’ve mentioned above.

I wouldn’t hesitate to give it to her.

Table of Contents

  • Editorial
  • Who is Elliot Lee?
  • Inspiration Behind Elliot Lee’s Music
  • What’s Next for Elliot Lee?
  • Thank You Notes
  • Conclusion

Who is Elliot Lee?

Music has always been a huge part of Elliot‘s life for as far back as she can remember. “My earliest memory is of laying in a red flyer wagon & listening to music on my portable CD player while my mom pulled me around the parking lot on a warm, humid night in Hawaii,” she tells me.

As a child she had to move on from many homes and friends who were her people/things to lean on. At one point she found it hard to open up to people and kept everything bottled up inside her. According to American Songwriter, Elliot said that “I started listening to music that really spoke to me and I realized that I could use music as an outlet for myself”. As a result, she pulled out her ukulele and put her thoughts and feelings on paper as she played various chords.

Today Elliot doesn’t only have music to help her with her baggage, she also has fan base that is like a family. “It feels like life put us through so much & one of our rewards for surviving so long is this comfortable little community of fellow misfits, a place where we can finally feel understood & safe. That’s what it is for me, at least. I hope others feel the same,” Elliot says about her fan base.

(At one point) I went through a really dark time in my life, music felt like the only friend I could turn to. I started using songwriting as a means of venting & coping with my experiences. Since then, creating music has kind of become a survival tactic for me.

Elliot Lee (8/5/2020)

Inspiration Behind Elliot Lee’s Music

There are many people in society that struggle to keep a smile on their face without masking their emotions. There are also many people in society who don’t struggle to keep a smile on their face without masking their emotions. But what music does for everyone rather they like it or not is so powerful. Music finds that happy medium.

Elliot explains that Upside Down is “a deep dive into what it feels like to go through hardships & continually struggle to get out of bed while grappling with all the ‘what if’s’. What if l didn’t care so much about others’ opinions? What if l didn’t always feel inadequate? If I didn’t struggle with all of this, maybe 8 would be strong enough to lead my bubblegum soldiers to the top of the world, but for now I’m content with keeping them company down here. :)”

Music like hers is why so many people like myself consider music as an essential piece of their life, if there was no music then there is no coping strategies, no meaning to life, no purpose to share our thoughts or opinions, etc. This is why I admire her so much, and even the word “admires” doesn’t do the justice of how much her music means to me and so many others.

Four years ago I saw so few reasons to live. I felt like my voice wasn’t worth being heard, so I kept everything behind a closed door. But since finding this outlet, I’ve been able to help people, and that alone is my new reason to live…. I want people to hear my music & know that they deserve to be heard too.

Elliot Lee

What’s Next for Elliot Lee?

Elliot wants to continue making music that allows her listeners to have a safe space, but she also wants to try new things as well. “I sort of just plan to go in whatever direction feels fun & true to who I am as a person!” she says.

But for now, the pandemic is quite literally putting a pause to everything. She wants to meet her fans, but right now she’ll have to wait. However, that is not stopping her from writing and other creative things.

I implore everyone who enjoy her work as much as I do to click on the links below, and keep an eye on them for more content in the future!

Thank You Notes

Not to make Elliot feel bad, but this article literally took over a year to prepare. The reason why it took so long was because Elliot had a lot of moving pieces happening within that year. Long story short, I eventually tracked her down through her record label (Photo Finish Records). Who may I say are very nice and professional people! At the end of the day, everyone including myself is happy, and I wouldn’t of had it any other way.

Elliot Lee’s links:

Photo Finish Records:

Unedited Music Blog’s Links:

Conclusion

Have a wonderful week, and remember to respect other people and to stay safe. If you feel sick then stay home until a doctor or medical professional clears you. If you have to go into public also remember to wear a mask.

GoodBadUgly by Elliot Lee (2020)

Sarabean Music

Sarabean

Independent Artist

@jocronin65

Editorial

“I know I am 16, but I feel very deeply (for people who are feeling lonely)… I wanted (I Don’t Mind Being Alone) to be received (like) I’m okay being alone BUT you know it’d be nice (to be with someone),” Sarah told me when we were talking about that song that stuck out to me when listening to Careworn.

“The second verse was about a guy friend I really liked, and then I didn’t do anything about it. And (that was a year ago) and I’m still writing about his a$$,” admits Sarah.

I want to mention a few people I’ve been in touch with on Instagram that are under the age of 18.

Zach (IG: @apollo_zach27), he is 16 and makes wallets from scratch and sells it on eBay as well as his own website. He also just celebrated his first year anniversary with his girlfriend yesterday. He runs his business all on his own, sells his wallets all on his own, and even runs his own ambassador program ON HIS OWN.

Kelsie (IG: @kq_656), she is 15 and struggles with Tourettes. With over 1k followers, Kelsie stands for a lot. On her Instagram page, she raises awareness for Tourettes, Black Lives Matter movement, and the LGBTQ+ community. She feels strongly that racism in America is real, just as much as the stigma around mental health and other things people struggle with around the world. Also, she has a girlfriend and she’s really happy with her.

And of course, Sarah (IG: @hollandsaravh). She is 16 and is the musician I am writing about tonight. She makes her own songs on GarageBand, and promotes her songs and everything else on her own. She is lonely, and she hates this quarantine. But she doesn’t let loneliness stop her from dreaming and doing what she loves.

Table of Contents

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

Who is Sarabean?

I wanted to mention these young people because they are the reason I see a lot of hope in the future. The next generations don’t have to look far to find role models amongst each other.

At age 9, Sarah started writing her own lyrics and playing piano. “Listening to other artists through my headphones for the first time when I was younger made me feel safe and I organically just started to do the same and made my own music,” she tells me.

However, it was her Music Technology and Production class she attended in High School as a Freshman that inspired her to start producing her own music. The class taught her more about recording, which she previously tried to learn on her own but never was successful.

Sarah has so far released 2 singles and an album all produced through GarageBand. She has garnered a small fan base that is slowly growing, and she is grateful for everyone of them. She says, “most people I talk to are so lovely. I read every message on Instagram even if I don’t respond! They have made me feel like putting my songs out isn’t completely pointless. It’s my mini community of people who connect with my music. And I cherish it!”

Inspiration Behind Sarabean

(Flux) was (written at the) beginning of quarantine for me and just feeling very sad. Repeating everyday the same it was a very very low point… I would find myself sleeping so much and just feeling very out of it all the time like it was a hobby. I slept constantly because I didn’t want to be present. I like to tell myself that I just had to live life simply for some reason that helped.

Sarah (8/2/2020)

I assume that GarageBand, a production tool that is available for free on all iPhones, isn’t the best way to produce music. However, you can not say that Sarabean’s production quality is very good. If you ask me, she is very talented.

“As a teenager making music right now, I’m trying to get an early start in my career. I want to learn and do as much as I can,” Sarah says.

Lo-Fi is slowly growing on me, and Careworn is one of those albums that is starting to convert me into a Lo-Fi fan. My favorite songs from the album would have to be Purple, I Don’t Mind Being Alone, Flux, and Are You Mad.

The album is unique, as it touches on frustrations of being young and mental health as a whole. If you listen to anything when you are relaxing or just getting ready for bed, then you should really listen to this album.

What’s Next for Sarabean?

I’ve been listening to more artists that have made me start to experiment with synthesizers and more bass in my songs. So far I like it a lot more than any of my previous projects that have much more simplicity to them, (so) my upcoming music will have more instruments and a bigger production.

Sarah

Sarah is curently working on more music, as mentioned in the quote above. She is planning in the direct future to go live on her Instagram page more as well as putting out more videos on YouTube and chatting with her followers. For the long road she wants to improve her musical and production skills.

Keep a close eye on our social media pages for updates on her music and such! Links are provided directly below in the conclusion of this article.

Thank You Notes

I would sincerely like to thank Sarah for keeping in touch, and I honestly can say that she has been a great friend ever since she and I connected on Instagram. Thank you for being such a good genuine person Sarah, and also being so supportive of Unedited Music Blog as well.

Conclusion

Have a wonderful week, stay safe and respect each other no matter what. If you feel sick please continue to stay at home and away from others and if you have to leave the house wear a mask. Thank you for reading and supporting!

Careworn (2020) by Sarabean

Cooper Phillip [unedited] Music Review


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 InstagramFacebook, 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

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

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)


Zilla with Her Eyes Shut [unedited] Music Review


Zilla with Her Eyes Shut (Accidental Records)
Zilla with Her Eyes Shut
(source: Accidental Records)

I was told for years that I always talked in my sleep, and most of the time the things I would say were the most bizarre things ever. I was always interested to hear what I said, so I downloaded an app that records what you say in your sleep. I had it for years, and caught a lot of funny moments.

But then one night I had a horrifying nightmare…

I never heard myself scream like I did in that recording, it was like I saw something that would effect my life in the worst way possible. I cried as I heard myself crying in fear, and I shut the recording off immediately.

I deleted that app after I captured that, and I haven’t downloaded since… And I probably won’t ever again.

Zilla with her Eyes Shut’s song Sleepwalker is about her own sleep talking and her own adventures with sleepwalking.

Based around the artist’s own sleepwalking adventures and even featuring her own ‘sleeptalking’, the track takes on an almost dub vibe at times, laced with heavy beats, deft vocal work and a penchant for the strange. It does well to delve into the singer’s fears as she opens up about anything and everything these night terrors can bring out in her: ‘I’m scared of who I might become if I never wake.'” ~(Vinyl Chapters)


Zilla’s musical path begun by learning classical music with a piano teacher in Paris, France. She quickly discovered her true passion was to make music, “I’d always been into painting as a kid and writing poems but piano hit me really hard. That day I knew I had found my passion,” she tells me.

In the beginning, she was only learning and playing classical piano, wanting to learn as much melodies and compositions. “There’s something surreal about playing someone else’s piece to the point where it becomes part of you and the experience never leaves you, it’s like biting a piece of the composer’s memory and intentions and adding it to your psyche,” she says.

She naturally progressed into writing music, because that “is what songs do, they travel with you, get you through pain and joy and they compliment your psyche,” she says.

Her music is about what happens whenever she dreams, what she calls her “creative gifts” that come up when she’s asleep. These things that come about in her dreams more often than not could be related to whatever trauma she endured in her childhood.

The music she creates lacks a description, and defies any boundaries of a specific topic. “I’m inspired by so many things, moments of the day, sounds around me, people’s accents, there is flow everywhere. I like to call it surrealist pop because I layer unexpected vocals with unexpected sounds of unexpected objects,” she explains. She equally values a fan base that likes to be surprised, but is unclear if this has been achieved.


“Instead of denying my trauma, I tend to embrace it through music and even celebrate it. There’s no other way to get over it for me. I recorded myself sleeping talking and sleepwalking. We used objects that are related to the songs as instruments.”

~Zilla with her Eyes Shut (4/20/2020)

I am absolutely inspired by Zilla’s music and songwriting, especially since I can relate to having such vivid dreams and nightmares myself. The fact that she finds her dreams to be a source of musical inspiration is very unique, and makes me want to explore this on my own.

Whisper Whisper was written “when I was about 10 I started hearing whispers when I played the piano, it was really scary until I turned the whisper into my imaginary friend that would help me go through sh*t,” she says. It’s really cool to see that Zilla could take a really scary scenerio and make it into a very unique song that looks on the bright side.

If you’re a fan of Billie Eilish and Bjork, then Zilla’s music is definitely a must listen to. Her style of music is definitely a mix of those two artists, but more.

There definitely is a storyline in each song, it’s just a matter of time until the whole story is told. But not everyone needs to know everything about everyone… But I hope this article can provide more clarity to her story.


“Although the inspiration is my trauma, it’s so important that it is not a self pitying song, the trauma made me strong because I accepted it and turned it into something else. It’s an explosion of innocence and control.”

~Zilla

At the moment, Zilla is working on songs that take a brand new approach. She wants to maintain a sense of surprise for her listeners, but is not to compelled to release any more music at the moment.


I would like to thank CEO of Independent Music Promotions Inc., James Moore, for connecting me with Zilla. I would also like Zilla for answering my questions and also staying in touch through Instagram.

You can follow Independent Music Promotions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can stream their playlists on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Youtube. Also, you can follow Zilla’s record label (Accidental Records) on Facebook, and Twitter. Stream Accidental Records on Spotify, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud.

You can follow Zilla with her Eyes Shut on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also stream her music on Spotify, and Bandcamp.

Finally, you can follow Unedited Music Blog on Instagram and Facebook . You can also stream our playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud.


Zilla with Her Eyes Shut [self-titled album] (2020)

Overall: 4.7/5

Zilla with her Eyes Shut: 4.7/5

Top Song: Sleepwalker (2020)

The Mowgli’s [unedited] Music Review

~ The Mowgli’s ~
Katie Jayne Earl (vocals), Joshua Hogan (vocals/guitar), Matthew Di Panni (bass), David Applebaum (keyboard), and Andy Warren (drums)

People who really know me probably also know that I’m a proud sad song fan. For instance, my favorite band is Linkin Park and my favorite song by them is either Keys to the Kingdom or When They Come For Me. If that isn’t emo enough, then I also like to listen to a lot of Blackbear, Bea Miller, Sasha Sloan, Chainsmokers (I am actually a top fan for them on Spotify… Very proud of that), and Twenty One Pilots (|-/).

I infamously live by my motto, which is to listen to music that makes me sad so I can balance it out with a happy life.

With that being said, I am sure 99% of those people who know me would be surprised to hear that I am a fan of The Mowgli’s, American Authors, Magic Giant, the Elovaters, and other bands that make a lot of uplifting music.

Sometimes I just need music to make me look on the bright side of things. Especially during these very crazy times. Sometimes, I think I need this positivity in my life. In fact, I think we all need positivity in our lives. That’s why I wanted to take a break last week and start writing this week about The Mowgli’s… That and also I was excited to review a band with over 200 million streams on Spotify.


¨My favorite band’s growing up made the whole concept of being in a band seem really fun. I never considered it a possibility really, but once I got into it, I realized how many influences were deeply ingrained in me,¨ says vocalist Katie Jayne Earl. The Mowgli’s are a 5 member band from California that have seen a lot of success with over 200+ million streams on multiple platforms including Spotify.

This alternative pop band has been around since 2013 and additionally sold out tours across the nation. The band is known for their hits like I’m Good (2015) and San Fransico (2013).

Just to summarize their success, the band has appeared at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and other shows, venues, and festivals.

On top of that, the Mowgli’s were honored to write and record the title theme song for Disney TV‘s #1 animated show Big City Greens. “We’ve all been raised on Disney” says drummer Andy Warren. “So, having them ask for a classic, vintage Mowgli’s song was kind of a dream come true. It was amazing how fast it came together and how well it fits with the opening montage!” (Quote taken from press release)


¨I think now more than ever, we are all realizing how important ´essential workers´ are to the continued normalcy of our day to day life, but these people were out there grinding long before COVID, keeping our world turning. So I sing it to them now, from the safety of our living room, while they’re on the frontlines.¨

-Katie Jayne Earl, Vocalist for The Mowgli’s (4/28/2020).

Being an essential employee for Riverside Community Care, I was grateful for Katie’s kind words in her quote above. And yes, we definitely deserve a vacation when this COVID-19 crisis ends. But I feel like I’m speaking for the masses when I say that musicians are also essential to our daily lives, because I couldn’t imagine what life would be like without music.

I grew up listening to I’m Good and San Fransico thinking the Mowgli’s were just a bunch of borderline hippies and kids madly in love with each other to a point that is almost unhealthy. But after reading about them, listening to more of their music, and getting to know them a little more… I find that’s not entirely true. They are more like a group of best friend’s who go through up and downs just like every band… They are human, and they celebrate that in every way possible.

I personally love their newer music more than the older music, despite what some fans say about their newer music. These guys have really stayed true to their positive vibes and I really hope this never goes away, cause like I hinted at in my intro, I really need that positivity and so do other people in this world! Especially nowadays!

Speaking of the times, I asked Katie what they are doing to keep in touch and stay connected with their fans. ¨We have been using an app called Community to text directly with fans. It’s been really great! We have also been using Twitch to play music for fans and we’ve had a lot of fun playing Animal Crossing with fans too!,¨ she told me.


¨I swear I dream of waking up,

To find the future scream.

But I’ve been sleepwalking so much,

I don’t remember dreaming.¨

Clean Light (2013)

Right now the band is trying to embrace the positive sides of these times, using Twitch to stream gig sessions and interact with fans. Playing Animal Crossing on Nintendo Switch, texting fans through Community, and just trying to keep themselves occupied the best they can. It’s actually really cool that they and other bands like Magic Giant and American Authors are doing this!

¨We want to make music that is true to who we are, and make sure we say things that matter to us.. other than that, we are open minded and open hearted about ´where´ we take our music,¨ says Katie.

Keep an eye on Unedited’s social medias for updates on the band in the future!


I would like to thank Scott Brown for connecting me with The Mowgli’s, I have been a big fan of these guys way before I even started this blog. For the record, I discovered way more songs by them while preparing this article.

You can follow The Mowgli’s on Facebook and Instagram (@themowglis), as well as listen to them on YouTube, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

You can follow Unedited Music Blog on Facebook (@uneditedmb) and Instagram (@unedited_music_blog), and listen to other musicians I’ve reviewed on Spotify.

Since 95% of us don’t have anything else to do, go on Twitch and follow @theMowglismusic and make sure you tune into their streams! Have a great week. Stay home and don’t be stupid!



Overall: 4.8/5

Vacation: 5/5

Weight on Me: 5/5

Wasting Time: 5/5

Fighting With Yourself: 5/5

American Feelings: 5/5

Where’d Your Weekend Go?: 5/5

Kids In Love: 4.5/5

Waiting For The Dawn: 4.8/5

Top Song: San Fransico (2013)