London based singer/songwriter Ollie Trevers studied at Leeds College of Music and ICMP. He started writing and performing music at fourteen years old, harboring artistic aspirations from the very beginning. A veteran of the band circuit, Ollie released his first solo EP Saucy Naughty Rubbish in 2018.
Stylistically, the record saw Ollie exploring a powerful and energetic blend of post-punk and classic rock. His musical direction has since evolved into the five songs you hear on his new EP Cordelia. It is a kaleidoscopic meeting of styles, channeling punk, alt-rock, prog, blues, folk, and psychedelia. Ollie takes inspiration from artists such as Led Zeppelin, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and David Bowie.
Having only performed with his new band since March 2019, Ollie toured in the South of France a few months later. He plans to tour Britain, Europe, and Nashville throughout 2020.
LINKS:
https://www.ollietreversmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/ollietreversmusic
https://soundcloud.com/ollie-trevers
https://www.instagram.com/olivertrevers
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Grieves – A-Okay
‘Running Wild’ has a modernized sound that is lush and intoxicating, pairing punchy drums with thick layers of synths and warm bass lines. Whether dark and moody or upbeat and jazzy, Grieves navigates the soundscape, penning verses that range from vulnerable and confessional to carefree.
Recorded in Stockholm alongside Swedish producer Chords (aka rapper Jens Eric Resch Thomason), the fifteen tracks on ‘Running Wild’does exactly what the album title would imply.
Tracks like ‘Gutz’ and ‘No Sleep’ are classic Grieves ruminations on anxiety and romantic bust-ups, then others such as ‘Faded’ and ‘RX’ experiment with fluttering trap beats, whilst ‘What it Dew’ and ‘5,000 Miles’ offer the rich guitar tones and humming organs more commonly found in classic soul.
The record offers a clear openness, both sonically and thematically which presents a new side to Grieves and his creativity as an artist. It showcases his dueling impulses to have a good time while staying true to himself. This artistic progression in Grieves offers a refreshing development in his overall sound, lyricism, and a unique journey for the listener.
When asked if he always knew he would end up being a rapper, Grieves can only laugh. “Oh no, not really, I was in bands and stuff, but grew up listening to Punk. It wasn’t until I got a little older that Hip-Hop really started to happen for me.”
When Grieves first heard artists such as Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan, he remembers being drawn to their sound. “Hearing all the samples from records that I heard my dad play when I was a kid… You start to hear the connections. When I discovered people like Atmosphere, it was like hearing somebody speak their truth in a way that related to me. That’s when I first started to think about Hip-Hop as a way to really talk about what was happening in my life. Hard to believe that now, over a decade later, that’s actually what I’m still doing.”
While his previous efforts such as 2011’s ‘Together/Apart’, and 2014’s ‘Winter & The Wolves’ might have leaned heavily in the direction of darkness- taking on subjects such as addiction, heartbreak, and poverty, the new record introduces some much-needed levity to the proceedings.
At a time when the notion of the “album” is often summarily ditched in favor of records that are little more than a collection of previously released singles, ‘Running Wild’ is very much an album, and intentionally so. “I really wanted this to be a real record,” says Grieves, “I wanted it to work front to back.”
“I’ve been touring for over ten years at this point, people have seen my show. They get who I am as a person and an artist, the serious and the lightheartedness. Until now I haven’t felt comfortable releasing a record that divulges this, to project what you’re experiencing live, and what you have come to expect from the records, all in one!”
Coinciding with the tour, Grieves has also dropped his next video from the album for the track ‘A-Okay.’ The video centers around a character who seems unable to cut loose and enjoy the good times and the company he ‘s surrounded by.
Grieves said, “Life is way too short to be mad at other people’s enjoyment. Go out and live a little, rent a hot tub boat, get your butt touched, whatever… Just smile!”
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://rhymesayers.com/artists/grieves
https://twitter.com/Grievesmusic
https://www.facebook.com/Grievesmusic
https://www.instagram.com/grieves -
State of Illusion – Blind
Life is often comprised of our reactions. Often, negatives can be turned into positives through the way we look at situations or how hard we are willing to work for what we love. At least, that’s the philosophy that Greenville, SC-based rock band State of Illusion has adopted.
Though the rock act has had many successes, including memorable performances with artists such as Staind (hand-selected by vocalist Aaron Lewis), Chevelle, Flaw, Smile Empty Soul, Austin John Winkler (ex-Hinder vocalist), Like a Storm, Failure Anthem, and Stitched Up Heart, along with functions for Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil, etc., State of Illusion has faced more than its fair share of adversity.
After releasing their most recent studio album, Aphelion (self-produced, self-engineered, and self-released), State of Illusion took another dose of their well-documented bad luck (see the documentary One More Song – A Decade of State of Illusion from their brand new DVD, State of Illusion – Live) through the loss of core-members. Though beautifully crafting Aphelion with only two members (Jacob Porter on vocals, guitar, piano, pedal steel, engineering, and editing and Josh Breland on bass, drums, guitar, and piano) and seeing a top 100 worldwide rock chart release, the immediate post-Aphelion lineup was not meant to be.
What began as a rag-tag group of hired-guns pulled from other local acts to fill in on an opening show for an early musical influence in the band Flaw, a mixture of hard work, dedication, positive outlooks, and a love for the music turned bad luck into the strongest line-up State of Illusion has ever had. Former guitarist Cameron Price, drummer Bryce Chism, and Solarist vocalist/guitarist Tom Carden on bass stepped up to help Porter when State of Illusion needed it most.
This line-up continued to assist State of Illusion throughout 2017 as, one by one, these temporary members dedicated themselves as permanent members of the band. While filling in admirably, Carden knew that he needed set his focus back on Solarist and allow room for a permanent bassist to cement themselves into the lineup. His parting gift was former Solarist bassist Brandon Rodgers.
Once the 4 piece was solidified, State of Illusion sought the creative minds of Silent Flight Productions’ director Erez Bader (The Contortionist, Veil of Maya, The Dear Hunter) and VFX supervisor and producer Casey Crescenzo (vocalist of The Dear Hunter) to bring a visual representation of their single “Blind” (remixed by Greg Macklin of Ordinance) to life. The moody result is a perfect fresh start for State of Illusion, who plan to use this opportunity to introduce Aphelion to a new set of listeners they couldn’t reach before.
Aphelion stands out amongst its contemporaries. The album is complete, in every sense of the word, with its many textures and range of sonic landscapes. With soaring anthems, such as the radio-ready singles, “Blind” and “Find Yourself,” to heavy-yet-melodic tracks, “Over” and “The Price You Pay,” to quiet moments, highlighted in the reflective “Reach the End,” Aphelion covers a full spectrum of emotion.
State of Illusion, seasoned with experience, a solid and energetic line-up, a reinvigorated approach, and having met success on the road for the past two years, have just released their first DVD, State of Illusion – Live, and are hard at work writing the highly-anticipated follow-up to Aphelion.
LINKS:
http://www.stateofillusionmusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/StateofIllusion
http://www.twitter.com/stateofillusio1
https://www.instagram.com/stateofillusionmusic -
Araya – Color Palette
Araya has dropped his new video for the track titled ‘Color Palette’. A smooth groove mix of gazed out guitars and a lazy swagger, ‘Color Palette’ gives that laid back bravado with a suave sense of the feels and everything in between to make this a feel good track for this year of healing.
ABOUT ARAYA
Araya is a Brooklyn based, Thai-Chilean singer & songwriter, whose introspective lyrics covering themes ranging from inclusivity to identity coupled with his serene vocal ability has already garnered the attention of various blogs and magazines, (Paper Mag, Fashionably Early), distribution companies (United Masters flagged Araya as an emerging artist and featured him on their collaborative Apple Music and NBA playlist, Base:Line), and playlisting placements (TIDAL Rising: Pop, was made the cover of Dummy Mag’s R&B, Pop & Soul Spotify Playlist).
Araya’s main focus this past year has been perfecting the musical aspect of his artistry and more specifically, working tirelessly on his debut LP, Atlas, which is slated for release in January of 2021. The lead track ‘Color Palette’, a track that pays homage to the importance that design plays in Araya’s world, will be available on all digital streaming platforms on January 5th. The 14-track album includes released tracks ‘Gemini’ and ‘World’, as well as tracks such as ‘Baby’ and ‘Muay Thai’ which take the listener on a journey of introspection.
Born and raised in Long Island, NY, Araya has long dreamt of pursuing a career in music. Having written songs from the age of 10, Araya uses music as a medium to comprehend and channel his emotions into reflective tales of self-acceptance and understanding.
“I think my music is mainly inspired by curiosity to forever learn and further investigate certain parts of myself that have led me to a deeper understanding of my place here. I think music has provided me a space to dissect my thoughts and experiences in an organic way that is lasting. The drafts of both my perspective and choices come to represent me and my journey.”
After a brief stint attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, Araya came to the realization that although his time in college had allowed him to form meaningful relationships with like-minded creatives and hone his artistic talents in fields outside of music such as photography and graphic design, ultimately remaining in a college environment wasn’t conducive with Araya’s lifelong ambition of sharing his sound and identity with the rest of the world.
“Atlas is my personal map/guide to self-discovery; each major event, revelation, and freedom has led to furthering ever-changing versions of both myself and my art. As the project neared completion, I had felt like a weathered superhero amongst my own set of avenger accomplices; I had just felt so comfortable, confident, and able. It wasn’t until I stepped out of the way of my own self; put my worries and anxieties aside to nurture my dreams that I felt able to feel an honest safety in myself and my people. Finding this sort of “Eden” right under my nose in my own strengths and special qualities is the first major thing I hope to pass on to my fellow humans floating through this universe. It’s all inside of us and we’ve always been enough, that’s how I and my art feels existing right now.”
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Arayaworld-104328554948857
https://twitter.com/arayaworldly
https://www.instagram.com/arayaworld
https://apple.co/34glWgV
https://spoti.fi/2EJN5QF
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtBuKK69DJosstwWifv7nEw