Browsing Tag rock
Wildcard (week 9):
Kalie Shorr – Amy
Kalie Shorr’s career is off to a fabulous start. She was named ‘CMT Next Woman Of Country’ and a ‘Top 10 Country Artist To Watch In 2018’. A year later, her debut album Open Book even became the #7 best album of 2019 according to The New York Times.
The Portland, Maine singer-songwriter just started the next chapter of her success story. Amy is her first all-new track of 2021. Gone are the country roots. Instead, she embraces a grungy sound. But that only emerged secondarily. Initially, Kalie Shorr posted a 30 second video of the song played on an acoustic guitar on TikTok. It was watched over 2 million times, and one of its viewers was renowned producer Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift, Green Day). He offered to produce the final version, which ended up a rock song in the best ‘90s tradition. To me, it sounds like a cross between Cornershop’s Brimful Of Asha and Sinéad O’Connor’s Mandinka (the latter being from 1987, obviously, but you get the point).
Amy is an honest and brutal song. Based on feelings of both hurt and anger, it contains great one liners like ‘He wasn’t over me when you were under him’. It’s the first track released from Shorr’s forthcoming EP, set for release later this year.
This week, Kalie Shorr’s Amy is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
Follow Kalie Shorr on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Werner’s Weekly (week 9)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- MBG – This Time (Wildcard this week)
- Drew Sycamore – 45 Fahrenheit Girl (Wildcard last week)
- Fear Of Tigers – Tiger Blood
- Grrrl Gang – Honey, Baby
- Isaac Dunbar – Fan Behavior
- Noémie Wolfs – Lonely Boy’s Paradise
- Upsahl – Stop!
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Del Amitri, Green Day, Maxïmo Park, The Offspring, and more.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
renforshort – Virtual Reality
At just 18, Lauren Isenberg has already generated significant international industry buzz. She’s signed to a major label and has a well-received EP (Teenage Angst) under her belt. Early in her career, the Toronto singer-songwriter used a stage name as short as Ren. Recently however, she extended her moniker to renforshort. In my book, that’s humour with a capital H. But her lyrics are far more serious.
Take her new single Virtual Reality, for instance. That was inspired by the fact that most individuals – ren included, are addicted to their phones. It’s a much-needed wake up call, not only for people her age. A catchy tune with gritty production, it’s a rock-infused alternative pop song. Great taster for her forthcoming second EP!
Recommended as well:
Ren – I Drive Me Mad
Ren – New Way
Follow renforshort on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Baby Queen – These Drugs
In recent years, more and more (mostly young) artists open up about their pains, depressions, and insecurities. This can make for uncomfortable listening, but often provides the artist with an escape from their past. And judging from the number of streams these songs pick up, they certainly connect with a large audience. Apparently, this is a problem that more people deal with than one would hope for. Obviously, a pandemic with all the restrictions that come with it doesn’t help…
One of those artists that don’t wear their heart on their sleeve, is Bella Latham, a.k.a. Baby Queen. Her new single These Drugs deals with refusing to acknowledge or pay attention to mental health issues, which can ultimately lead to a self-destructive cycle. This subject matter comes from personal experience, the singer explains.
“I wrote this song when I was in a really bad place which was characterized mostly by this idea that I wasn’t a good person and didn’t deserve good things. (…) I knew I was taking a risk when I decided to be so uncomfortably honest in these lyrics. But I also knew I had to share this story with people, because we all have a monkey on our back and self-destruction is a stranger to nobody. I really want people to know that there is a better life waiting for them should they choose it.”
Therefore, These Drugs is not a song about self-pity, but an ode to self-reflection and eventual self-realization.
Recommended as well:
Baby Queen – Raw Thoughts
Follow Baby Queen on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Coach Party – Everybody Hates Me
Coach Party used the free time COVID-19 forced upon them very well. They released no less than ten songs throughout 2020. Six of those were collected on their debut EP Party Food. 20 April, the Isle of Wight four-piece release their sophomore EP After Party. It’ll include previously released singles Can’t Talk, Won’t and Really OK On My Own, as well as their first track of the new year: Everybody Hates Me. A raw, energetic tune – both lyrically and musically – with great guitar riffs.
Commenting on the track, singer Jess Eastwood says: “Everybody Hates Me isn’t a metaphor for anything. It’s literally about those times when you convince yourself that everyone, including your best friends, don’t actually like you, and your self-confidence is so low that you don’t even blame them. Disguise that sentiment in an up-beat singalong, and there you have the third single from our new record.”
Follow Coach Party on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
The Reytons – Broke Boy’s Cartel
The Reytons don’t waste any time. Hot on the heels of their Carte Blanche Music Wildcard Jealous Type, the Yorkshire quartet put out their fourth EP May Seriously Harm You And Others Around You. A classic example of ‘all killers, no fillers’, it contains three previously released tracks and three new ones.
One of the latter tunes is the new focus track. Broke Boy’s Cartel is another up-tempo rock song with ‘banger’ written all over it. Finishing in less than three minutes, it’s a burst of energy. Sounds like it’s made for live arenas, but in the meantime, it’s hopeful to see radio stations across the UK are supporting the EP.
The band’s loyal fans show their commitment as well. Thanks to their enthusiasm, the EP entered the UK Album Top 40. An unprecedented achievement for a 6-track record (but a well-deserved one)!
Recommended as well:
The Reytons – Jealous Type
Follow The Reytons on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Wildcard (week 8):
MBG – This Time
MBG is short for Music Box Girl, the artist name of Carolina ‘Leena’ Rodriguez from Ontario, Canada. A toy keyboard sparked her interest in music at the age of 15. It was the first instrument she mastered, learning songs by ear. She also self-taught herself other instruments such as the drums, guitar, and bass. Since her family couldn’t afford music lessons – let alone the instruments themselves – she commuted to the local music store every day after school, where she practiced until closing time.
In 2021, after years of self-education, Leena is a skilled multi-instrumentalist who excels in the genres of jazz, r&b, blues and classic rock. She is part of a band project called the Common Chase, a four-piece where she mostly plays the bass and sings background vocals. But above all, she’s an up and coming solo artist using the MBG moniker. As a one-woman rock band, Leena writes, records, performs and produces her music in her home studio.
Following her 2019 debut EP Have A Alright Day, she put out a single in 2020. New track This Time is her first release of 2021. A great alt-rock track with an accessible melody, drenched in guitars.
This Time by MBG is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. As such, it’ll feature prominently at the top of this blog for a whole week.
Follow MBG on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Werner’s Weekly (week 8)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Drew Sycamore – 45 Fahrenheit Girl (Wildcard this week)
- Almost Monday – Live Forever (Wildcard last week)
- Amen Mustang – (The Shit You Say) When You’re High
- Ivan & The Parazol – Mást Vártam
- Just – Walk Slow Smile More
- L U – Liquid Gold
- The Bamboos – Ride On Time
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: The Fratellis, Pale Waves, Smith & Burrows, Sondre Lerche, and more.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Eut – What Gives You The Kicks
Ever since Dutch band Eut released their (second) single Supplies, they attracted the attention of the music industry. It was immediately clear this wasn’t your average school band. With playful, energetic songs, packed with catchy hooks, they were one of the most exciting new acts of the Netherlands. This resulted in many bookings for concerts that helped them perfect their skills. Alternative radio stations were quick to jump on board as well. Their first album Fool For The Vibes was everything the critics had hoped for, and more.
Last week, they released their sophomore album Party Time. It’s all about lust, sex and loneliness; about dancing on an empty dance floor and when you finally fall flat on your face, it might be best to just stay down. The long-player was preceded by five singles, and What Gives You The Kicks is number six.
The track deals with taking a beating and untying yourself from a web of lies that you spun yourself. Another flawless pop song with an edge.
Follow Eut on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
Grrrl Gang – Honey, Baby
It doesn’t happen often that Indonesian bands come to the attention of western bloggers. Cultural differences are to blame, I suppose. Yet there are bands that effortlessly bridge the gap.
Take Yogyakarta-based Grrrl Gang for instance, a trio consisting of Angeeta Sentana, Edo Alventa and Akbar Rumandung. They bring bands like Veronica Falls and Alvvays to mind. And listening to their new single, I immediately thought of Judy Staring At The Sun by Catherine Wheel. Honey, Baby – Grrrl Gang’s first for London-based label Damnably – is definitely their most mature sounding track to date. It’s a self-written and produced indie-pop/rock track.
The band was scheduled to play showcase festival SXSW last year, until a certain pandemic got in the way. The music video to Honey, Baby imagines what would have been if the band had been able to tour the United States in 2020. It includes dreamed up scenarios including meeting a fan at the airport, roaming through idyllic ‘Texan’ landscapes, and performing at their scheduled gig at South By Southwest in a dive bar.
Late last month it was announced that Grrrl Gang will perform at the SXSW virtual festival in March.
Follow Grrrl Gang on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
