Following in the footsteps of musicians whose histories are shrouded in mystery comes Lartist Yan, an extraordinary singer about whom almost nothing is known. Echoing the lives of other enigmatic, reclusive musical heroes such as William Onyeabor and Rodriguez, beyond his birthplace of Congo and his current assumed residence in Russia, details of his life are seemingly non-existent.
Following the success of his previous single, “Dream”, Lartist has just dropped the stunning video for his latest track “Comme une reine” featuring soaring vocals and accompanied by soulful rhythms – the track highlights Lartist’s vocal virtuosity, musical instinct, and impressive style.
Lartist has apparently lived and worked in Moscow for several years and it was here he first made his early steps as a singer. A reported winner of a number of Russian talent contests, he won over audiences with his stunning, expressive voice, as well as being able to sing in multiple languages – Russian, English, French, Lingala. His current location, however, is unknown…
Comme une reine is taken from Lartist Yan’s forthcoming multilingual album, Second Chance. With tracks that cover genres and styles including hip-hop, blues, afro-beat, reggae, funk, soul and rumba, this is world music in the truest sense of the phrase. Whether Lartist Yan is even his real name is unknown – his age, background and current location are shrouded in mystery.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Lartist-Yan-Music-Fan-Club-296972357808488
https://www.instagram.com/lartistyan
https://open.spotify.com/track/3QEeTG0C9ZoQQmEJEz438s?si=aryt225MRMKbE4bDUwQImA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8SOwlW-O0f_9dTd-vdFGA
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Bentley Jones – I Could Be Your Girl
Bentley Jones has just dropped his new video titled ‘I Could Be Your Girl’. Bentley is one of those artists that, when he releases something, I quietly think to myself ‘About time…’. I say this because he is a constantly and truly evolving artist. Each release is somewhat of a reinvention of both the artist and the music. This is just as true with ‘I Could Be Your Girl’.
The video is at times hypnotic and captivating yet gives that sense of solace and yearning. A dark longing for love and romantic closeness in a time of social distancing lending to that certain something we all feel at times, especially these times, in that we all need someone. I hear the words ‘Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’ when I first watched this video and now those words have a meaning to me. This is a message to the world that beauty is more than sexual and sultry; it’s something we all have, and by knowing that you can get the deeper meaning of the music.
to me, Bentley is an artist who deserves everything he’s worked for and worked very hard for. Now entering his tenth year as an artist, he is just as fresh and new as ever and it shows.
ABOUT BENTLEY JONES
Bentley is continuing his reign as an independent pop pioneer by wrapping up his 10th anniversary before launching a brand new 2020 album. He has single-handedly amassed over 40 million sales and gathered remix credits for the likes of Madonna, Britney Spears, Kygo & Whitney Houston, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga (who also follows him on Twitter).
If that wasn’t enough, he’s contributed scores to some of the world’s best-known franchises like “The X-Files”, “Tekken”, “Sonic the Hedgehog”, “Gradius”, “Titan Wars” and “QQ Dance”. With a taste of international success as a producer Ben looked further afield to make his debut as a recording artist before planting his roots – unintentionally – as far away from home as possible.
After taking a risk signing the first-ever British artist to release a Japanese album on a major label, EMI-Universal tested audiences with the debut single “Sunaoninaretara FINAL NIGHT”. Without any promotion or radio play, Bentley sold over 30,000 copies placing the song in the top 5 of Japan’s International Chart and cemented his stature as an international breakthrough artist.
Bentley continued his success in Japan with various projects including the 2012 album “UPGRADE 1.0” which saw him collaborate and perform with native artists for the first time including May J. She was enamored by Ben’s sound and called on him to write and produce for her next album. Ben’s work also caught the attention of May J.’s record label AVEX who signed him to their management arm as he became the first-ever foreign writer and first-ever foreign producer to join Japan’s biggest music company. Ironic that it was also the same management label of Ayumi Hamasaki who offered her personal approval of Bentley’s debut at the start of his Japanese career.
His first independent English EP “So Much More…” including the title track which was featured in the number 1 selling video-game “SEGA All-stars Racing”. It also featured 1 of 3 songs that received a staggering 1.1million streams in just 5 days after a promotion with the US social network Gaia Online. The sequel album “TRANS//LATION 2” made Bentley the 19th most viewed musician on YouTube the week of its release and his adaptation of the theme from “Devil May Cry 4” has accumulated 1.7 million streams.
Realizing he could continue his success as a fully independent artist, Bentley unleashed 2015’s “The Rebellion” to critical acclaim; “Articulate, brilliant and haunting.” (BuzzJack) “The must-listen-to album of 2015.” (Muzikman) “Let this album be an inspiration to us all.” (J-Wave’s 25 Best Indie Albums of 2015). 2017’s “Unravelling” was also a smash with critics being described as “powerful and meaningful… Bentley has bounced back better than ever!” (Essentially Pop) and became his highest-earning independent album at the time with over 310,000 sales.
Bentley’s 10th anniversary has been the colossal celebration we’ve come to expect from such a reputable artist. Proceedings kicked off at the end of 2018 with a live performance on Japan’s prestigious music show “Nodojiman THE WORLD!” (12.1 million viewers) which coincided with the release of his Japanese single “Lay Down on My Heart”. The song was premiered in the UK by BBC Radio and was the first-ever J-pop song broadcast by BBC Introducing leading to Bentley being awarded the “Sound of 2019” (BBC).
His 10th-anniversary album “Translated” – a celebration of his Japan debut – gained 270,000 sales during its summer release resulting in his decision to reside in Japan where he headlined at the Tokyo Summer Bon Festival. He’s even found time to compose music for the upcoming “Titan Wars” video-game, the theme song for From Aqua Mineral Water commercial, the main theme of the AVEX Influencer Academy as well as continue working with Asian artists such as Carrie Lai and DJ KOO (TRF).
ABOUT ‘I COULD BE YOUR GIRL’
‘I Could Be Your Girl’ cover.
Following acclaim from Billboard Japan (“a must-listen-to artist”), BBC Radio (“incredible”, Sound of 2019) and Miami Beach Pride (“an LGBTQ+ icon”), independent pop juggernaut Bentley Jones is finally delighting fans with lead single “I Could Be Your Girl” (out now) – a delicious slice of sultry, sexy pop R&B that (according to Jones) “was composed almost entirely in a dream.”
His bold new image – an enticing amalgamation of muscles, stilettos, lace, and skin that celebrates his fluidity, sexuality, and defiance – is a telling statement of the difficult journey he’s been on to get here.
Bentley has enjoyed a considerable amount of success in Japan, which is why last year he turned his entire life upside down and moved to Tokyo. At first, he flourished; performing on the prestigious TV show “Nodojiman THE WORLD!” to 12.1 million viewers and headlining the Tokyo Bon Summer Festival.
However, the company promising to sponsor his visa – as well as provide promotion and touring for a new album – suddenly about-turned and began pulling their support from a contract they had been negotiating for months. As Bentley explains in a video blog, the company said he was “too controversial” and became “worried about what people will think”.
Ben made the heart-breaking decision to walk away from the contract and return home to the UK.
“After working so hard and risking everything, it was soul-destroying,” Ben expresses. “But this album and these songs are fundamental to who I am and what I stand for. It feels amazing to finally start releasing them exactly the way I intended.”
Last month Ben helped raise over $14,000 for community aid performing at Pride Collective – a virtual festival formed by the several US Prides. Miami Beach Pride was so impressed they selected Bentley to represent them at Global Pride on June 27th where he will make the first-ever live performance of “Girl” alongside such legends as Adam Lambert, Kesha, Todrick Hall and more.
“I Could Be Your Girl” is out everywhere now, with the music video following on June 19th.
LINKS:
http://www.bentleyjones.com
http://www.facebook.com/BentleyJonesMusic
http://twitter.com/Bentley_Jones
http://www.youtube.com/BentleyJonesMusic
http://www.soundcloud.com/BentleyJones -
Dirty Machine – Further From You
Los Angeles based Nu-Metal band Dirty Machine has released the official music video for their single, “Further From You.” Directed and edited by Ron Underwood from 9Electric, “Further From You” was produced by Ulrich Wild (Deftones, Static-X, Pantera, White Zombie, Breaking Benjamin, Limp Bizkit) and was mastered by Gentry Studer (Incubus, Deftones, 36 Crazyfist, American Head Charge, Otep).
“Even when ‘Further From You’ was in its early stages, we knew we had something special. It impacted everyone in the band in a different way. Any time a song does that you, you know it means something. Then when you throw producer Ulrich Wild in the mix, it’s game over.”
– Dirty MachineBuilt to last and refusing to follow the Indie music scene that has been dominating California, Dirty Machine has tasked themselves with bringing homegrown American Nu Metal back to the forefront of the industry. Based out of Los Angeles, the crowd this band draws has been moshing to their down-tuned rhythm since 2012. Consisting of David Leach (frontman), Darren Davis (guitar, vocals), Arnold Quezada (guitar), Ben Jovi (Bass). NIGHTMARE (percussion), and DJ Ecusa (turntable); the members of Dirty Machine have brought together their eclectic musical backgrounds to form a powerhouse group that will not be fading away anytime soon.
Whether it is progressing forward with their music or thrashing around on stage, Dirty Machine is always in a state of constant motion. This is a band that does not believe in standing still. With a passionate enthusiasm for their craft which is rarely seen in today’s music, the members of Dirty Machine can make even the most standoffish crowd start headbanging. Every live performance is a wildly spirited event.
Dirty Machine has done everything from headlining the Jägermeister stage at the 2016 Kansas City Rockfest to playing a sold-out show at the House of Blues Sunset Strip and Viper Room. They have opened for acts such as P.O.D., Hed PE, Otep, Metalachi, Orgy and toured with Insane Clown Posse on “The Great Milenko” tour. Although they are based out of California, they are getting regular airtime on the leading Kansas City rock station 98.9fm and have been taking the state of Missouri and Michigan by storm. Dirty Machine is steadily conquering America one state at a time through their street team, rabid fan base, and the far-reaching scope of internet radio.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
http://dirtymachineband.com
https://www.facebook.com/dirtymachine13
https://twitter.com/TheDirtyMachine
https://www.instagram.com/dirtymachineband -
Swansea Sound – Live at Rough Trade East
Swansea Sound has given us the absolute privilege of premiering what this world so desperately needs at this very moment: a live show! What makes this show so very, very special is the fact that this is purely from the perspective of the audience. Capturing every moment from the perspective of those in the crowd. Each song captured in it’s own unique live environment, as they were meant to be heard. And what makes this such a breath of fresh air is that this not only gives me that tingly feeling when I see a great band live, but it fills my heart with hope. We are leaving the pandemic behind. No matter what you hear or see on the news. Life is going on. And, people are enjoying it. They are into that sound. That live sound. That Swansea Sound!
About The Show…
Swansea Sound play six songs from their debut album ‘Live At The Rum Puncheon’, live at Rough Trade East, London, 10 December 2021.
Filming was by audience members. On their phones, for their own personal use. They didn’t know we would ask them to send in their snippets, or that they would be used in this way.
The film is scruffy, witty, anti-corporate fun. Just like the band itself.
Swansea Sound live are: Hue Williams, Ian Button, Rob Pursey, Robert Rotifer and Amelia Fletcher. They are playing more shows in 2022:
- Friday 4th February – Bristol, Zed Alley
- Saturday 5th February – Newport, Le Pub
- Friday 18th February – St Leonards, The Piper
- Saturday 19th February – London, Hope and Anchor
- Friday 4th March – Manchester, The Talleyrand
- Saturday 5th March – Leicester, Firebug
The album was released on 19th November 2021 by:
SKEP WAX (Vinyl, CD, Bandcamp)
LAVENDER SWEEP (Cassette)In North America, it is released by:
HHBTM (Vinyl, CD)
AUSTIN TOWN HALL (Cassette)In Indonesia, it is released by:
SHINY HAPPY RECORDS (Cassette)In Japan, it is released by:
HAYABUSA LANDINGS (CD)The album will not be released on streaming sites.
You can buy the album here: https://linktr.ee/skepwax or www.swanseasound.bandcamp.com.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/swanseasound
https://swanseasound.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/soundswansea
https://twitter.com/SoundSwansea