Clara Zimm has dropped off a fresh EP, titled Back to Reality now. This potent, heartfelt new project combines atmospherics sonics with sharp songwriting for an engaging alternative R&B release. With soaring vocals and rich instrumentation, Back to Reality now is a dynamic offering that captivates from the get-go. Opener “Fading” is an enticing track that introduces Zimm’s poignant sound of Back to Reality now– with warm keys, powerful vocals, and an airy, hypnotic rhythm section. “Novocaine” follows up next with a smooth, intimate track that adds versatility with its incorporation of hip-hop influences in its engaging grooves and delivery. The glowing ambiance and silvery melodies of “Between the Sheets” makes for an EP highlight, with shimmering synths and strings taking the track to new heights. While “Venice Rooftops” contains colorful synth lines and crisp rhythm section that provide a strong foundation for Zimm to showcase her vocal range, as she locks in potent vocal melodies atop the song’s vivid instrumental.
Born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA, Clara Zimm who’s soulful with an edge, is bringing pop and R&B elements to the table with old Hollywood class and modern flair to fit her own voice and world. Her debut EP, Back to Reality now, with a concept project that deals with the theme of fantasy vs. reality: Its easier to create and live in your own head rather than dealing with the truth, but eventually, we must come “back to reality.” A potent, memorable project that makes for an atmospheric alternative R&B release, Clara Zimm’s Back to Reality now entices with its smooth, melodious sound and emotive instrumentation. Take a listen to Back to Reality now here and connect with Clara Zimm while you’re at it.
Los Angeles’ rimhan is a multi-talented artist coming out of the West Coast who continues to push forward with heartfelt, captivating offerings. With a penchant for personal, raw lyricism that is often deeply introspective, as well as an ear for soulful, versatile instrumentals, rimhan continues to build a prolific discography. Recent offerings like the full-length project ‘soul food for the family’ as well as his newest single “HELL IN A CELL” with Nebraska’s Sleep Sinatra display a lyrical depth and multi-layered approach, with a series of instrumentals that are engaging and often intricate. We sat down with the Los Angeles artist to talk about his early inspirations in music, storytelling, releases ‘soul food for the family’ and “HELL IN A CELL” and more.
Roundhouse Music:Growing up, what initially inspired you to begin creating music?
rimhan: Growing up, what influenced me to make the music that I make is every day life and the things that I go through. I’ve never really been influenced by anyone else’s music. I’m mostly influenced by real life and the things that are going on around me. Real life is the best influence that you can have if you make music.
Roundhouse Music:How did the music and arts scene in Los Angeles influence you as an artist?
rimhan: When I first got involved with the scene, it was filled with a bunch of people that I was already listening to and growing up with. People like Pac Div, OFWGKTA, TDE & The Dogg Pound really influenced my sound. All of my influences are different now that I’m older and more mature.
Roundhouse Music: What’s your songwriting process like approaching a new track?
rimhan: That’s a hard question for me to answer, because I don’t usually approach a track when it’s time for me to record it. But if I have to really think about it, most of the time I’m writing the song before I even hear the beat that I’m gonna rap on. Then, when I hear the beat that I’m gonna use, I just figure out how I’m gonna use this shit that I already wrote before I heard the beat. Usually works like that to be honest.
Roundhouse Music: What do you look for in instrumentals that inspires you to write?
rimhan: What I look for in a instrumental is the energy that I need in order to complete the song. If the beat doesn’t have the energy that I need, I’m not even gonna use it. And I can usually feel the energy within the first five seconds of the instrumental. If it’s not something that I’m feeling then I’m not gonna use it. I’ve always been that way.
Roundhouse Music: Your storytelling feels very vivid, how do you approach storytelling when writing a song?
rimhan: Everything that is a part of my storytelling is something that I’ve gone through in my real life. To me it doesn’t even feel like I’m telling a story, it just feels like I’m getting something off my chest that I’ve been wanting to say for a while. Depending on the instrumental, things can really get deep, depending on the subject matter of what I’m talking about.
Roundhouse Music: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your recent mixtape ‘soul food for the family’?
rimhan: ‘soul food for the family’ is a tape that was inspired by all of the Sundays that I spent at my grandma’s house eating with the family. It was also inspired by all of the trials and tribulations that I’ve had as a black man living in Los Angeles, California. It doesn’t just represent the food that we eat physically on a daily basis, but it also represents the food for thought that is provided through everyday outlets.
Listen to ‘soul food for the family’ here on BandCamp.
Roundhouse Music: What was the inspiration for your latest song “HELL IN A CELL”?
rimhan: I be going to jail, bro. Lol. I guess the inspiration for this song is based on me telling myself that I really need to stay out of jail and focus on music.
Roundhouse Music: How did the collaboration with Sleep Sinatra for your new song “HELL IN A CELL” come together?
rimhan: To answer your question honestly, I don’t even have a clue. He sent me a beat one day and I didn’t like it, but then he sent me another beat and it was something that I ended up fucking with, so I made a song on it. Now he’s sending me a bunch of beats, and we’re working on something that we’re gonna drop in October or the top of November.
Roundhouse Music: What do you hope listeners take away from your new song “HELL IN A CELL”?
rimhan: Get up off your ass and make your mama proud.
Listen to “HELL IN A CELL” here on BandCamp and support the artist directly.
Roundhouse Music: Do you have a song that you’ve created that you feel most close to and if so, why?
rimhan: It’s honestly not just one song, it’s a whole project. And that project would be ‘Live from the Other Side’. It’s a very emotional project and it involved a lot of crying and yelling and raw emotion. I love it dearly.
Listen to ‘Live from the Other Side’ here on BandCamp.
Roundhouse Music:What can we expect next from you on the horizon in music?
rimhan: I got so much music on the way, and I have videos for all of the music that is going to be released. I just need to people to be patient with me. That’s all I ask.
conswank has dropped off a new song and video, titled “Let It All Go”. conswank, an artist from Burlington Vermont, has started his solo musical world after being apart of group 99 Neighbors, and he is now venturing into his own sound and dynamic. conswank has been steadily building a beautiful story-driven discography about his life, detailing the positives, as well as as all of the challenges that lie within it. His latest offering, “Let It All Go”, is an atmospheric, sharply-crafted release brimming with emotion, that puts his versatile, genre-bending sound on full display.
On “Let It All Go”, ethereal keys build dynamically beneath conswank’s cathartic vocals, as they track takes on an atmospheric feel. Weaving guitars and elegant strings are added beneath to a lush, vibrant effect, as conswank brings forth a memorable hook that distills the song’s feel of wistfulness. A potent new release, “Let It All Go” has been released alongside a fresh visual directed by Vinay Umapathy that captures the song’s poignant narratives with cinematic, focused shots that are emotionally vibrant and yet captivatingly real.
Listen to “Let It All Go” here and check out the new music video as well:
Lord Sko and Statik Selektah have joined forces for a new single called “Lesson Learned”. This new single finds the prolific NYC emcee weaving together imagery-rich, charismatic flows atop mainstay Statik Selektah’s refreshing loops and raw drums. The track’s nonchalant atmosphere, potent, observant lyricism, and lush production lend to a track that is effortlessly enjoyable. Sko and Statik Selektah share a natural chemistry that translates to “Lesson Learned”‘s butter smooth sound. Accompanied by a new video shot in front of some classic scenery in New York adds to the track’s unpretentious, relaxed feel, “Lesson Learned” makes for an engaging new release from Lord Sko and Statik Selektah. Give “Lesson Learned” a listen here now and check the new video out as well while you’re at it.
Pariah Pete has released a new album, titled Terminal A. A versatile, dynamic artist from Phoenix who has been steadily building a discography of releases that explore soul, funk, and jazz to better understand the roots of hip-hop, while also performing alongside his live band The Mercuries. His latest offering, Terminal A, is a refreshingly personal release that blends warm sonics with sharp, often introspective, songwriting for an engaging listen throughout. Demonstrating Pete’s unique sound, which often blends elements of funk, jazz, dance, and more- Terminal A is a record that leaves no dull moments.
“Sunkissed” is a potent opener that finds Pete delivering layered vocals that are heartfelt while also emanating charisma and wit in his lyricism, backed by warm, grooving instrumentation. “100 Degrees” blends infectious, funk-laced production with commanding vocals for a memorable listen, while “Tropicana”‘s emotive keys, rich bass, and soulful vocals make it a highlight on Terminal A. A refreshing project chock full of personality and character-rich moments, Terminal A presents a diverse, emotive offering from Phoenix’s Pariah Pete. Give Terminal A a listen here now.
New York artist Gio Genesis‘ EP Second Nature is a refreshing project that blends vital, atmospheric soundscapes with heartfelt, expansive vocals for a poignant listen. Emanating focus with its vivid instrumentation, powerful vocals, and sharp songwriting, Second Nature finds Genesis delivering dynamic tracks that cannot be placed into one box. With elements of alternative R&B, hip-hop, DnB, and more- Second Nature finds Genesis unwilling to limit himself sonically, to admirable effect.
Title track “Second Nature” is a hypnotic opener that vibrantly blends flourishes of R&B with DnB and garage influences for a versatile listen. “Easy”, featuring Donte Thomas and Tyjhier, is a cathartic, freeing track that includes layers of breezy instrumentation building atop a crisp drum line, highlighted by the track’s energizing vocals. “Deposit” is a soulful, inspiring finisher that closes out Second Nature at a high point, putting Genesis’ diverse vocals on full display with introspective lyricism. Give Second Nature a listen here now.
Mark Saunders has released a new “BRUDDAHOOD” short film, which has come after the release of the well-received single of the same name. A multi-layered, expressive visual from Saunders that captures the song’s potency, Saunders directed the film himself alongside Luis Vazquez, and he provides the vocals on the lucid fifth verse alongside a talented cast of collaborators that includes TeeDotOhh, Ducksauce, Flii BooGiie, and SNS. The “BRUDDAHOOD” short film is a focused, engaging look into Saunders’ artistic realm with its cohesive synergy of sound and imagery that feels raw and authentic throughout. The visual’s stark, nocturnal shots and fast-paced editing give it a bracing energy while at the same time, it feels down to earth and intimate- giving it an intriguing contrast that adds much character. The short film captures the track’s themes of “BRUDDAHOOD” as it follows Saunders, TeeDotOhh, Ducksauce, Flii BooGiie, and SNS through captivating performances, as the song’s gritty instrumentation and heavy drums suitably soundtrack the dark, energizing feel.
The “BRUDDAHOOD” film further showcases Saunders ability to merge different mediums and release multi-layered offerings that fulfill a larger vision. With the film’s poignant narratives, dynamic shots, and memorable performances capturing themes of camaraderie and brotherhood- paired with the song’s textural, intense feel- “BRUDDAHOOD” makes for a cohesive, thoughtful new offering directed by Saunders and Luis Vazquez.
Mark Saunders is a multi-talented artist from The Bronx, New York who pushes boundaries with his releases by combining various artistic disciplines in ways that challenge convention. Driven by a desire to inspire, motivate, and tell a story of many, Saunders seeks to find something universal and bring it out in his work, giving his output an authentic, engaging feel throughout. His latest offering, the “BRUDDAHOOD” short film, marks another entry in his growing catalogue of multi-layered, thought-provoking releases. Watch the “BRUDDAHOOD” short film here now:
St. Louis native Chris Celestial is back with a new single called “Keep Holdin On”. Continuing his prolific run of organic, soulful tracks, “Keep Holdin On” provides a sense of relief with its emotive sampling, rich rhythm section, and calming, introspective verses from Celestial. Motivating and refreshing, the track blends imagery-rich lyricism with a tapestry of warm samples for a breezy, yet reflective, soundtrack for the summer. Accompanied by a fresh music video shot by Tobi that enhances the track’s colorful, thoughtful feel, “Keep Holdin On” is a memorable new offering from Chris Celestial. Give “Keep Holdin On” a listen here now and check out the new music video as well while you’re at it.
Los Angeles’ Nick Coleman and New Orleans’ The Adoni have dropped off a new collaborative single called “Count It”. On this new track, the pair demonstrate a kinetic chemistry atop an infectious instrumental that is both smooth and energizing. With undertones of triumph laced into reverb-soaked guitars, booming drums, and massive 808s, “Count It” is an empowering track that finds Coleman and The Adoni dropping charismatic bars that blend together seamlessly. A single from the pair’s anticipated collaborative EP, “Count It” makes for an enticing new offering. Give it a listen here now.
South Bronx, NY artist Seth Narley has dropped off a new EP, titled S.A.L.Y. Born Raymon Calleja, S.A.L.Y. is the latest offering in a series of potent releases that have included A MILLBROOK STORY, NIGHT AT THE ROXY, and more. Here, Narley tackles a set of soulful, stripped back beats that bring his present, clear delivery and penchant for introspective, cathartic lyrics to the forefront for a vivid listen.
Energizing soul samples, airy percussion, and rich bass-lines accentuate the warm, emotive feel of the set of four tracks, paired with an engagingly raw sound and approach. Tracks like “Chanel Rap 24” and “Harlem Nights” are vividly written with back-drops of lush sampling, while “Minnesota Fats” is a potent track alongside Really Jaewon that puts their technical skills on display atop layered instrumentation. S.A.L.Y. is a project that just grabs the listener and draws them in, with each line painting sharp pictures in the process. Give S.A.L.Y. a listen here now.
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