Mint drop their new video titled ‘Goodbye Beautiful’. Music with a message is more important than ever in these weird times that we live in and it’s nice to get those subtle reminders from time to time. Do we listen? Sure, sometimes. Sometimes not. But the important thing is that it is highlighted.
The music is upfront and in your face in a way to capture the mind and captivate the motivation. Combined with the contemporary visuals you get a contemplative look at contemporary times. Feel the need and urge to wake up and speak up. Some people won’t listen. But some will. Get the ones that will speak up with you.
We’re as scared and angry as any other person our age. If we can provide a soundtrack for people that can relate then we have made a difference. We’re not a protest band and not every song will be a protest. We can’t afford to take a day off work and travel to London to add our voice. But we’re not just going to watch TV and read online either.
ABOUT ‘GOODBYE BEAUTIFUL’
On ‘Goodbye Beautiful’ frontman, Zak has written a song that encapsulates the diverse issues his generation faces. Memories of hearing ‘Bella Ciao’ sung by the sole Italian family in his area inspired him to write a song to voice the resentments, fears, and concerns of the young over the environment and their future, as well as wider issues such as racism, animal cruelty and societal division. In three and a half minutes, Mint channel the broad scope of the song into a high-octane imperial march towards certain doom. Guitars careen through the mix mounting to an explosive and unforgettable chorus. It is a powerful statement of intent from a group that see the emotional resonance of music as a potential platform for uniting people. The accompanying video is compiled from footage taken by a friend of the band on his travels, interspersed with suggestive images: icebergs, waste, oil spillage, animal suffering, and protesters clamoring for revolution.
As they were developing the idea, the group reached out online and contacted organizations, bloggers and social media. “It was an amazing response and took us by surprise” confirms Sam (Veggie). “Most people were delighted to be involved and all added thanks and support.” “We’re hoping that we will touch upon people enough to make them think” Zak adds. “We hope that it will inspire them to do their bit”. Fans of the song can expect a raw honky-tonk acoustic version forthcoming too.
ABOUT MINT
Mint comes from the dolorous landscape of West Marsh, Grimsby. The northern and eastern boundaries are formed by Alexandra Dock, while the western edge is subsumed into the smog of the Pyewipe industrial area. The south is bordered by impassable railway tracks. It is an area with little hope, no tourists, and the dried-up husk of a once prosperous fishing industry. Zak, Veggie, Lenny and Bambi all attended the same school, though the semantics of the word ‘attended’ is loosely applied here. They formed a close bond while locking horns over their different music tastes. Guitarist Lenny drew inspiration from the avant-garde sounds of Nick Cave, The Birthday Party, and The Pop Group, while the other three members leaned towards indie classics and the harder edges of rock. They went on to study at Grimsby Institute and the idea to form a band was soon realized and became serious in 2018.
Being half Palestinian and sporting wild hair in an area affiliated with skinheads, frontman Zak Rashid had it hardest coming up, and started to look outside of his home town. He was a young pro skateboarder and surfer by day and taught himself graphic design by night. When he is not gigging he runs the (only NE) local surf shop and designs artwork for artists such as Lucy Spraggan, Black Honey and False Heads. Lenny works in the cafe next door whilst Bambi and Veggie work shifts in soup canning factories. Mint has enjoyed UK radio support from Radio 1 and playlisting on Radio X and has performed at all major UK festivals. In mid-2019 they started to realize their sound, an idiosyncratic fusion of indie melodies set to beefier instrumentation. Recently they have begun work with award-winning production team Sugar House and taken on management.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/wearejustmint
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3P1VGtEN58XJY7P0TzIapp
https://soundcloud.com/wearejustmint
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreJustMint
https://twitter.com/wearejustmint
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Just Tommy – Playing for Likes
Just Tommy has dropped his new video for the track titled ‘Playing for Likes’. Social media has defined us long ago, so its more than fitting to have that definition captured in music by a member of that generation that bests utilizes social media. Having said that, this song is catchy. I mean really catchy. And that is the best way to capture that audience and get the message out.
ABOUT JUST TOMMY
Just Tommy, from Tempe, AZ., has a new video for his kick-ass single, “Playing for Likes”. The song and video have a message that highlights avid users of all social media platforms.
The song, “Playing for Likes” is loosely about social media and the role it plays in our lives today, but it could be applied to other aspects of life as well” says Just Tommy, and “The concept started with a question: What drives us to share the things we do on social media with our friends, family, followers, strangers, and the world?
Just Tommy says, “The inspiration behind the video for “Playing for Likes” is in the name. Originally, I’d planned on having a bunch of people submit tiktok-style videos, and then my dude would stitch them together and make a sick video. Because people are people, that plan zero percent worked, so I went to plan B and just shot a music video and had some fun with my family. The kids in the video are my cousins.”
The “Playing for Likes” video was shot in Phoenix, AZ. The single was produced by super Producer/Engineer Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Tantric) at legendary Pearl Sound Studios (Asking Alexandria, Eminem, Filter).
LINKS:
http://www.iamjusttommy.com
https://twitter.com/iamjusttommy
https://www.facebook.com/imjusttommy
https://www.instagram.com/imjusttommy -
Beauty in Chaos – Temple of Desire (Box Cutter Mix)
Beauty in Chaos has just released their new video for the remix track titled ‘Temple of Desire (Box Cutter Mix)’, from the new album ‘Out Of Chaos Comes…’.
Marked as much of a departure in the video style as much as a stylistic shift in music for Beauty in Chaos, as a project, ‘Temple of Desire (Box Cutter Mix)’ not so much amps up the beauty in said chaos but takes it completely out of the box and the norm. Almost to the point that it is unrecognizable. This is what I love about groups such as Beauty in Chaos; the first rule is there are no rules.
While the video may have more of a stripped and down to earth feel, the music goes in somewhat of a different direction by combining beat driven effects and an enhanced groove with Rafe Pearlman’s lush and gorgeous vocal track combined with Tyler Bate’s groove/melodic guitar.
Divergence never felt so unifying.
‘Out Of Chaos Comes… is now available on vinyl (8 tracks), CD (14 tracks), and digitally (27 tracks). The full digital version is included with an LP / CD purchase. Limited-edition colored vinyl also includes an exclusive cover-art poster, signed by many of the artists involved. It can be ordered in its various formats on their official store HERE.
Check out our other features with Beauty in Chaos HERE.
ABOUT ‘OUT OF CHAOS COMES…’
As ‘Beauty Re-Envisioned’ was the counterpart to Beauty In Chaos’ debut release, ‘Out Of Chaos Comes…’ is the counterpart to ‘’The Storm Before The Calm’. 27 diverse remixes and reinterpretations by an equally diverse and talented mix of producers, artists, and deejays. The second video/single from the album is Tyler Bates’s Box Cutter Mix of “Temple Of Desire”.
BIC’s curator, Michael Ciravolo adds “I really enjoyed the process the first time of handing over the keys and seeing where others took those songs that I was so close to, so I figured why not give it another go!”. In addition to Tyler Bates; BIC enlisted The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell, Marilyn Manson’s Paul Wiley, former Mission, and Peter Murphy guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite, and John Fryer of 4AD fame among others for ‘Out Of Chaos Comes…’.
“Tyler has been a dear friend for over two decades and is one of the most talented hardest working people I know. I guess if there is a silver lining in the Covid-world we are currently in, it would be that Tyler had the time to do this remix. We had talked about it for ‘Beauty Re-Envisioned’ but the guy has major movies stacked up to complete.”. I really love what Tyler did with the remix as he both condensed and expanded it!
When I came into the studio and played the original idea of the song to Michael Rozon, he immediately said we need to get Rafe to sing this one. Both he and Tyler had worked with Rafe in the past … and I trust both of these guys beyond. I could not be happier with what Rafe brought with this song. Musically it is a bit different from what I usually write, an odd alternating of major and minor chords; which takes the write vocalist to not only hear that but to enhance with their melody. Rafe hit it out the part’
Videos are really important to Beauty In Chaos, as we are not a typical ‘live’ band, so the videos are indeed the ‘face’ of BIC. I really strive to have each one unique and different from its predecessor. It’s certainly undeniable this new video is almost a polar opposite to ‘A Kind Cruelty’. Honestly, it’s sort of understated, lighthearted visual is way different from any of our other videos and I love that! It certainly sets up the pendulum to swing back hard on the next one which we plan for a December release. Hats off again to Vicente Cordero for making this one happen.”.
Michael Ciravolo“Music is very personal to me, so it’s rare that I remix or re-imagine another artist’s music. But after decades of sharing our musical experiences through friendship, I was thrilled when Michael Ciravolo urged me to create a new expression of “Temple of Desire,” that is truly my own. The original song is already amazing, so the bar was a high mark to reach, but. Rafe Pearlman’s evocative lyrics and soulful vocal performance inspired me to explore a new dimension for this track. I love both versions!”
Tyler Bates (musician/Film-TV composer).“I love the blend of passion and coolness with a good dose of humor and lightheartedness. makes it a bit more real and honest. and the covid masks are hilarious. sets it in this whacked moment in time. Stoked to be a part of it”.
Rafe PearlmanABOUT BEAUTY IN CHAOS & ‘TEMPLE OF DESIRE (BOX CUTTER MIX)’
The ‘Box Cutter’ remix takes the song in a more condensed and esoteric direction, while the video offers an introspective, behind-the-scenes look. Tyler Bates, who also scored the music for Guardians Of The Galaxy, John Wick, and The Watchmen (among other films), notes,” Music is very personal to me, so it’s rare that I remix or re-imagine another artist’s music. But after decades of sharing our musical experiences through friendship, I was thrilled when Michael urged me to create a new expression of ‘Temple of Desire’ that is truly my own. The original song is already amazing, so the bar was a high mark to reach, but Rafe Pearlman’s evocative lyrics and soulful vocal performance inspired me to explore a new dimension for this track. I love both versions!”
Beauty in Chaos is curated by guitarist Michael Ciravolo, who also happens to be President of Schecter Guitars. With the original version found on ‘The Storm Before The Calm’ LP, this version also features producer Michael Rozon (Ministry) on keys and Gil Sharone (Marilyn Manson) on drums. Directed by Vicente Cordero of Industrialism Films, this video was filmed on location at Tyler Bates’ Abattoir Studio in Studio City, CA.
“I always strive so that each of our videos has a different look and feel. I love the simplicity of this video, which is further accented by Vicente’s use of black & white. It is certainly the polar opposite of our last video ‘A Kind Cruelty’ (The Sinistrality Mix)’, says Michael Ciravolo.
“I’ve known Tyler since his days in Pet and he quickly became one of my best friends. Along with BIC producer Michael Rozon, Tyler is one of the best all-around musicians I know. It has been a joy to watch him become one of the biggest composers in film and television. I give them both all the credit of introducing Rafe Pearlman to our BIC Family. I didn’t know what to expect from Rafe in this video as a performer, but he proved to be quite expressive and engaging. I think this video captures an element of fun in making music. Hell, even the name of the remix is a bit of an inside joke! About the next video, it will be out before the holidays and the pendulum will swing 180!”
On the ‘Out of Chaos Comes…’ LP, BIC turns the creative reins over to an extremely talented cast of producers, artists and DJs, including Tim Palmer (The Mission, U2, David Bowie), John Fryer (Cocteau Twins, HIM, Depeche Mode), The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell, EDM star Bentley Jones, and Marilyn Manson guitarist Paul Wiley.
Earlier, Beauty in Chaos previewed Tim Palmer‘s ‘A Kind Cruelty’ (The Sinistrality Mix)’, featuring Curse Mackey (Pigface, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Evil Mothers) on vocals and an appearance by guitarist Simon Hinkler (The Mission).
The full 27-track collection (available on CD) is deep and diverse and includes a few surprises. Ashton Nyte’s gorgeous acoustic version of ‘The Outside’, Cinthya Hussey (whose beautiful painting also graces the cover) does a beautiful rendition of ‘The Delicate Balance Of All Things’, and an acoustic/mellotron drenched ‘Memory Of Love’ from Human Drama’s Johnny Indovina. You will even find some new and fantastic guitar moments from The Mission’s Simon Hinkler, Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses), Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy. The WonderStuff), and Nick Johnston.
“TEMPLE OF DESIRE” (Box Cutter Mix) was created by TYLER BATES
written by R. Pearlman / M. Rozon / M. CiravoloIntro interlude written by Tyler Bates
Rafe Pearlman: vocals
Michael Ciravolo: guitar
Tyler Bates: guitar, synth, guitar viol
Tish Ciravolo: bass
Gil Sharone: drumsDirected by Vicente Cordero / Industrialism Films
Filmed on location at Abattoir Studio in Studio City, CAThe original version of “Temple Of Desire” appears on ‘The Storm Before The Calm”; available from 33.3 Music Collective – 33rpm.org
recorded, mixed, and produced by Michael Rozon.LINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://www.instagram.com/beauty.inchaos
https://twitter.com/MichaelCiravolo
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/music-store
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/bic-blog
https://soundcloud.com/33-3-music-collective
https://beautyinchaos.bandcamp.com
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/finding-beauty-in-chaos/1436694940
https://open.spotify.com/album/7cmbwIpDm9aAXS4vVjcq4U?si=LZ_9_Bi1SzaZyN7wOIRCvw -
Small Town Titans – Dragonfly
York, PA heavy rock band Small Town Titans have released the Official Music Video for their heartrending single, “Dragonfly”. “Dragonfly” is vocalist Phil Freeman’s celebration and memorial of his mother’s life and tragic passing.
“This song was written for my mother. She passed away in February of 2017 after a three-year battle with cancer. She loved dragonflies which happen to have deep spiritual significance in many traditions and cultures, representing love, freedom of spirit and compassion. She embodied all of these qualities…The intent of this song is to celebrate her life and bring a little light and love to anyone who may be dealing with the grief of losing someone to illness. She was and is an amazing soul, and I hope this song captures a tiny glimmer of her spirit for the person listening to it.”
– Phil FreemanThe Small Town Titans are a power trio from York, PA who love to constantly create, as well as play live. Gone is the notion that a rock band should only release 10 songs at a time every 2 years. In a world where music fans crave new content constantly, the Small Town Titans aim to deliver their brand of art all of the time, drawing inspiration from a new wave of rock bands such as Highly Suspect and Royal Blood, and rock legends such as the Foo Fighters, Audioslave, and Deep Purple. Thanks to their efforts at assembling their own studio in a basement, STT can create and release songs, podcasts, live online concerts, and more with no rules. This artistic change in attitude stems from touring for the better part of 2 years, and realizing how difficult it really is.
After coming home from their last 30-day run, the band had made $4,000. After repairing their vehicle, restocking their merchandise and more, the band was left with $1,000. After putting most of that back into the band’s funds, as usual, each member took home $150. This startling reality made STT take a step back and evaluate themselves as a band, a brand, and a business. After firing their manager, the boys soldiered on with the help of their team at Round 2 Records. They began to truly treat Small Town Titans as a legitimate small business more than ever before. Unnecessary expenses were cut, and more creative and innovative sources of new revenue were explored, such as utilizing the direct to fan creation platform Patreon, where the band is currently making $200 every time they release a new song on YouTube.
Instead of trying to make a million fans, STT is focusing on the fans they already have. With a love for playing live, a Small Town Titans show has evolved into more than a concert. It’s an event, with a setlist that’s decided right before the show, and plenty of stage banter in between songs. The band simply hits the stage to deliver an energy driven show using guitars, drums, and their voices. Nothing more, nothing less. This approach to their live performances has led to them sharing the stage with acts such as Highly Suspect, Papa Roach, Black Stone Cherry, Pop Evil, and more.
By focusing on their engagement with social media and managing themselves, Small Town Titans are growing like never before and having more success as a business and a brand. The band just wrapped up a weekend-long recording session at Hybrid Studios with friend Kevin Soffera, drummer for Seether on the 5x platinum selling record Disclaimer II, and who STT also recorded their last album Reflection with. Six brand new songs were recorded live in the studio, as well as professionally filmed by Springwood Productions at the same time. These new songs and videos will be released throughout the rest of 2017 and 2018. Songs range from the hard-hitting “Me, Myself, and Monster” and “Wreck” to the ballad “Dragonfly”, an emotional song written in memory of Phil’s mother, who passed away earlier this year due to cancer, performed live with just one voice and an acoustic guitar.
Small Town Titans are actively forming a team of like-minded individuals in the new music business who are just as driven and passionate as they are, rather than waiting to be discovered. As the band continues to grow their fan base online this year, they will also hit the road, this time with a smarter game plan, a stronger fan base, and a passionate team behind them.
LINKS:
http://smalltowntitans.com
https://www.facebook.com/smalltowntitans
https://twitter.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.instagram.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.youtube.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.patreon.com/smalltowntitans