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Neither singer or songwriter, Jerry Collins is a freelance lyricist that allows studio musicians to provide melody and vocals to create his lyrics into hit songs. One musician is a music teacher from London and the other is a well known recording artist.
Jerry Collins, a FedEx employee and ghost hunter, is a difficult person to review. Jerry is neither a singer nor a songwriter. In essence he is a newbie lyricist who finds studio musicians to sing and complete his artistic visions and put them into song. So how do we judge Jerry’s’ work? Do we look for brilliance, creativity and imagination in words. Are the lyrics a poem set to music? Do they perfectly blend and influence the music? Do they compel the heart and the mind? Jerry’s content is so deep, real, and sincere, listening to him feels like exactly how we imagine a relaxed, candid conversation with him would go. No pretentiousness. No fakeness. This is not even outright poetry – Just pure, God-given talent. Jerry on the other hand has captivated me with his story about the love and discovery of his music. It is such a joy to listen to him rhyme in simple prose that can be easily understood by anyone on any level. Again, if we go back to the standard judging criteria and components of good lyrics, we’ll see that they consist of the Hook, Originality, Appeal, Focus, Phrasing and Form. But we like to look beyond that when appreciating a lyric sheet or its lyricist. So when listening to Jerry Collins’ lyrics, we ask ourselves the following: Do the lyrics move me, draw me in, pull on my heartstrings, make me laugh, cry, think, or react? Do they entertain me? And ultimately, are they believable? We have already positively answered all those questions. Jerry has raised the bar with each release. This album definitely represents a journey towards a much more melodic sound and is full of depth and texture. Once again the lyrics are deeply meaningful, and yet with every line he keeps it clever and fresh. I think you can hear some major growth and refinement from Jerry Collins with each new release.
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NTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED MALAYSIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER VANESSA MOSES SHARES A TASTY SWIRL OF POP, LATIN, BLUES, COUNTRY AND JAZZ ON HER LATEST EP, ‘DANISH COOKIES IS MY NAME’
A true musical citizen of the world, award winning Malaysian singer-songwriter Vanessa Moses has performed in Korea, Hong Kong, China and throughout Asia; became the first Asian songwriter to break into the country music scene in Tamworth, Australia; won second place for songwriting in the Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest; and has received airplay throughout Australia and Europe. Now, taking her career to a sweet and empowering new level, she follows her successful international debut My Secret Page with the cleverly titled EP Danish Cookies is My Name, her highly anticipated debut on the independent label Senate Records. Produced by label owner and veteran blues/rocker Joey Stuckey, the six track set builds upon the stylish pop/jazz vibe of Vanessa’s first release with an infectious hybrid style she calls “an acoustic pop/blues/country style with a jazzy vocal twist.” Her signature song, the spirited, high energy pop-Latin driven title track “Danish Cookies Is My Name,” originally appeared on the popular compilation Joey Stuckey Presents: Ladies of the South. Stuckey signed her after hearing tracks from My Secret Page online, and chose to include “Danish Cookies…” on the compilation to pave the way for the release of her new EP. He remixed her original version, added new instruments and gave it a sizzling Latin vibe with musicians he works regularly with in his hometown of Macon, Georgia. “I wrote ‘Danish Cookies Is My Name’ a few years ago when I was in India and recording the final bit of My Secret Page,” Vanessa says. “I remember feeling very exhausted from six months of hard work on the album, traveling heaps and doing band trainings. That very day I received a wonderful gift, a tin of Danish cookies. I felt as good as those cookies. They made me feel inspired. I wanted to express how strong, sexy and motivated I felt as a woman working towards her dreams. My guitarist/partner (and now husband) created the riff, and the lyrics and music came to me very quickly, and my drummer Joeboy created a fresh beat for it, while I played piano, with bass and keys by my friend Louie Martin. It was like a party in the studio. The song gained a lot of interest from labels and fans, and I was thrilled. Then when Joey mixed it with his amazing musicians from Georgia and added that Latin vibe, the party just got bigger and more exciting.” Other key tracks on the EP include “Hey You,” a Carrie Underwood inspired pop country gem that expresses a woman’s weakness that turns into strength for a man she is in love with; the beautiful unabashed love song “Under One Sky,” which revels in the bursting joy of new lovers being connected no matter their physical distance; the country ballad “Would You Have Me Back,” and the pop/blues track “Emotion For You,” which was featured on the All Star Independent Album nationwide in Australia and Europe and received a great deal of airplay. Vanessa also does a playful pop version of Stuckey’s song “Bad Dreams.” In the years since the release of My Secret Page, Vanessa’s flexible songwriting skills have earned her numerous unique career accolades. Her song “Dance Cowboy Dance,” a co-write with renowned country singer Sandie Dodd of the band Ruckus, was a finalist in Tamworth’s Best New Songwriter Awards. The song also earned 3rd Place in the Victorian Country Music Professional Division and Contemporary Country Award finalist at the Victorian and National Music Awards Whittlesea; finalist for Best National Victorian Group; and 2nd place for songwriting and recorded section in the Tasmania & New Zealand Songwriting Contest. Vanessa’s later track “I’m a Bleeding Love Song,” co-produced with rising Euro talent DJ Li, was released by indie label Li Empire and became a sensation at clubs and venues throughout Eastern Europe. This success earned Vanessa an array of interested collaborators and producers. The Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia based singer, whose influences range from American country legends (Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson) and 80’s and 90’s pop to French music and Malaysian vocal greats Sheila Majid and Zamal Abidin, is also a successful vocal coach who works with students in various schools and private lessons. “I really enjoy songwriting, and I feel like I will be doing that for the next 30-40 years or even more,” she says. “The most rewarding thing in my career is the response of my fans throughout different regions that connect to the lyrics I’m writing and their expression through emails and messages really keep me going in this path of my music career. The breaks I’ve had in these couple of years from performing has really allowed me to grow as a songwriter and recording artist. With all my heart, I’m looking forward to sharing my EP with the world in 2017. It’s like I’ve been nurturing my babies and now they’re ready for the world!” Formed in Manchester in 2013, Partisan are a Rock band who are committed to their cause. Their punchy, bold and unflinching anthems are taking authentic Rock back into the mainstream, evidenced by their ever increasing fanbase. The band are Stuart Armstrong (lead vocals and guitar), Dan Albon (bass) and Leo Stanfield (drums). Founding member Armstrong's previous band Six10Repeater established him as a force to be reckoned with; the band won coveted support slots with the likes of Nine Black Alps, Babyshambles, The Damned and Status Quo and appeared in Pro Evolution Soccer. Xfm (now Radio X) named them as Best Unsigned Band 2009, and their supporters included BBC 6 Music's Mark Radcliffe and the BBC Introducing team. Partisan have worked with notable producers Jim Spencer and Mike Bennett, they've gigged extensively across the UK and played iconic American venues Pianos in New York and Whiskyagogo in Los Angeles. International airplay has marked them out as one of the UK's hottest exports and 2017 sees them ready to take their career to the next level. New single 'Ashes' is a vital slice of strong guitar riffs, driving beats and infectious melody, raising the stakes when it comes to today's contemporary Rock scene. Live Dates:
10th March - The Underground, Bradford 30th March - End of the Trail Records at The Castle, Manchester 6th May - West Street Live, Sheffield 31st March - Dublin Castle, Camden, London 26th May - Big Barn Rally Festival, Stockport 23rd June - Factory, Manchester 14th July - Zanzibar, Liverpool 11th August - Support Syrian Refugees, Fire Station, Carlisle
Oslo producer Coucheron takes pleasure in unexpected delights. Behind every corner on the 23 year old’s impressive debut LP, you’ll find something different - from playful synths to slow-burning melodies and energetic basslines, it’s better to just let Coucheron guide you through his world, because you never know what you’re going to find.
Releasing his debut EP “Playground” in 2015, Coucheron caused a stir with his collaboration withKehlani. Their track, “Alive” warranted a Grammy nomination for “Best Urban Contemporary Album”, placed #27 on FADER’s 107 best songs of 2015 and earned a nod of approval from Taylor Swift who included the track in her “Songs That Will Make Your Life More Awesome” playlist. Coucheron has gone on to garner tens of million of streams off a handful of tracks, was selected by Spotify as a“Spotlight Artist” for 2015 and produced and knocked out official remixes for the likes of Mayer Hawthorne, B.o.B, CeeLo Green, Charlie Puth, Nick Jonas, Pitbull and Noonie Bao. Now, the producer is ready to continue his winning streak with his debut album, “You/Me,” via Toothfairy. Sebastian Kornelius Coucheron-Gautier Teigen, otherwise known as Coucheron, spent his childhood in Oslo listening to an eclectic collection of music. “I was always going through stages with music,” explains Sebastian, as he remembers his listening habits changing rapidly, starting off with radio pop, easing into metal and hardcore, and eventually finding himself immersed in kicked back electronic tunes not unlike the ones he makes today. With an unexpected fondness for listening to gypsy jazz in his downtime, you can imagine that each track on Coucheron’s album is as different as the one that precedes it. It was during his punk and metal phase that Sebastian began to get more hands on, playing in bands with his friends, but realized he wanted to be able to work with more aspects of the music - not just the guitar parts. "I found this software called Fruity Loops Studio, and it gave me opportunities to control and program the sounds in brand new ways. I didn’t intend to go towards dance music, it just naturally happened since I was making music on my computer, and was heavily influenced by artists like Justice and other French house acts.” By the time he was 18, he had ditched the guitars and was releasing electronic music as a solo artist, but decided to retreat. He spent some time on some demos, and started drawing attention from major labels based in Los Angeles, so thought it was time to make the move. When he first arrived, although not immediately taken by the city’s backdrop, Coucheron’s fondness for collaboration was re-born. “It’s definitely more isolated in Oslo, and it’s not that one of them is better than the other, they are just different. When I left Oslo a few years ago, it felt like there wasn’t much of a culture of collaboration. And then I arrive in LA, where I would collaborate every other day, pitching tracks out to other artists - and that’s just not something that I was doing back home.” Coucheron would never pick a side - “I like both here and there- the isolation of a tiny studio out in the suburbs of Oslo. And I also love being here, having people all around who are doing the same thing you are,” explains Coucheron who currently shares a house with fellow Norwegians, Lemaitre. On “Barely Floating,” the second single from the album, Coucheron enlisted Norwegian artist Matildaon vocals, after an older song of hers popped into his head on the way to the studio one day. “We really hit it off and finished ‘Barely Floating’ over the next couple of weeks." And yes, you can probably expect gypsy jazz covers of a few cuts of the album. Watch this space. Tustin, Calif. - The Sony Music subsidiary record label, OC Hit Factory, releases an empowering single, “Born Free” this Friday, Feb. 17. The song voices the importance of unity and loving all types of people.
During an OCHF advanced songwriting camp in November 2016, Jessica Cabral, an “American Idol” top finalist and OC Hit Factory master vocal instructor and songwriter, wrote the “Born Free” lyrics to a piano track composed by Thomas Barsoe and Magnus Funemyr. Cabral had just returned from a trip to the Middle East to a country that was divided over the presidential elections. Many Americans were feeling hopeless and scared because of the color of their skin and religion. Inspired by all the racial issues rising to the surface, she felt compelled to create something that reflected and encompassed everything happening in our nation. Cabral began the songwriting process by identifying the person who has had the most impact on the social justice movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. The first line of the song echoes King’s quote, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” From there, “Born Free” evolves into a story about different types of people, who are experiencing inequality across the world. In a verse, she highlights the growing number of refugees that exist worldwide, 60 million. “It is very hard to sing about things that are frustrating to you without also sounding very frustrated about change,” says Cabral. “It comes from a frustrated, angry point of view but is still hopeful about what our generation and next generation can do it make it better,” says Barsoe, Sony Music executive producer, OCHF owner, and platinum recording artist. “Born Free” calls people to take action and responsibility for their part in loving all kinds of people. Instead of blaming people or making a political statement, it focuses on the duty of human beings to do the right thing and stand up for personal beliefs. Cabral adds, “I believe that we can do it if we put ourselves in each other’s shoes. It starts right here with you and me.” Following the launch of OCHF’s urban division last week, Barsoe and Paul Najera co-produced and mixed the song to have a fresh, urban sound. The single was mastered by Grammy winning producer and mastering engineer, Lucas Pimentel. To fully embrace this message of unity, OCHF’s top vocalists were chosen to be featured on the track: Jessica Cabral, Adanna Duru, Carsia Zhavia, Robbie Dean Crebar, Cloi Crider, Jada Northington, Marcus Miles, and Jackie Hishmeh. While these artists have different backgrounds, religions, ages, and experiences, the music proves the power unity by coming together as one. Vh1 Top 10 Artist Oliver Sean gives fans first listen to his new single 'First Move' on the WOAFM99 Radio Show, hosted by the artist himself and across various radio shows and podcasts worldwide all this month, ahead of the official launch. Leicester United Kingdom - 24th Jan 2017 - His last single and music video 'New York' was released worldwide last October with an exclusive music video on Vh1 International and various other channels, achieving an unprecedented 150,000 downloads in less than a week. MTV EMA Nominee Oliver Sean now announces the launch of another single titled 'First Move' exclusively to radio and broadcast media before the official iTunes release date of the single. "This is a song that will make you feel like it is Summer" says the Vh1 Top 10 Singer Songwriter Oliver Sean, "It has a very happy sound, which I guess is turning out to be my signature and might be a good way to forget about the cold winter we are having" The single, reminiscent of today's Acoustic Pop Rock sounds like Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz is scheduled to be officially released on iTunes, Amazon and other major stores on the 18th of February, which is also the opening ceremony of the 9th Annual WOA International Music Festival in Goa, where Oliver Sean and Band will be headlining this year. First Move is the second single from Oliver Sean's upcoming album 'Devil in Blue Jeans' scheduled to be released on 11th April 2017, just before the globe trotting artist kicks off his American Heartland Tour with his Band from Leicester, UK. You can catch Oliver Sean's new single 'First Move' on radio and podcasts worldwide including on the singers own nationally distributed Radio show and iTunes Podcast 'The WOAFM99 Radio Show with Oliver Sean', freely available online at http://www.woafm99.com where the single was premiered to a global audience. First Move is now available for pre order on the artist's website www.oliversean.com |
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