Artists: Reid Jenkins
Title: ‘North Star’
Label: Nettwerk Music Group
Release Date: July 14, 2023

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Reid Jenkins is proud to announce his debut album Hall Of Gems out November 3rd, and accompanying the announcement comes “North Star,” an upbeat, pulsing, and dreamy synth-pop odyssey. The song showcases a divergence from Jenkins’ established style, highlighting his songwriting through this thematic structure. “North Star” is available on all streaming platforms.

Even without knowing where your North Star is, you can still let your imagination fling you into the outer reaches of deep space. Or maybe, as the song suggests, your search might get you halfway to Andromeda, and your North Star is the liberating act of motion itself. Aesthetically, I wanted to lean into a retro-futuristic kitsch for this track. Think The Magic School Bus, glow-in-the-dark star decals, school field trips to the Planetarium, Ziggy Stardust, Carl Sagan voice-overs. The result is something equal parts goofy and perfectly sincere,” shares Reid.

About Reid Jenkins

After immersing himself in the American folk scene and mastering the fiddle in his youth, Reid Jenkins embraced his own voice and formed the indie rock outfit Morningsiders with band co-founders Magnus Ferguson and Robert Frech while attending Columbia University. As the band has continued to follow their arrow, however, Jenkins increasingly felt a passion to make music on his own as well.

After working closely with mixer-engineer and producer Sahil Ansari in early 2022, Reid wrote, arranged, orchestrated, what would be known as Hall Of Gems. It’s a striking and stunning statement of intent from the rising singer-songwriter. At once recalling Sufjan Stevens’ intimate storytelling and the ornate instrumentation of Andrew Bird, Hall of Gems is intricate songwriting at its best, but with all the glorious messiness that comes from being human. Jenkins is tackling heavy and universal themes—aimlessness, malaise, and the general sense that your direction in life might be yet undecided.

Hall of Gems zeroes in on that feeling of gear-grinding drift—a record that’s about, in Jenkins’ words, “Feeling stuck and unable to find a grip while spinning my wheels and feeling like a dilettante. Nothing was holding me back but me, but I was a pretty big obstacle.” Nonetheless, Jenkins undoubtedly persevered, expanding his own self-production knowledge and incorporating electronic elements to his music.

More information on Reid Jenkins: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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Artists: Various Artists
Title: 10 Years of Westwood Recordings
Label: Westwood Recordings
Release Date: July 7, 2023

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Vancouver-based Westwood Recordings celebrates 10 Years of the label’s stunning achievements with a month-long schedule of special releases, starting with “10 Years of Westwood Recordings” – an album that perfectly complements the label’s party-ready but sonically very diverse sound. Featuring tracks from label bosses The Funk Hunters as well as Defunk, Moontricks, K Theory, Stickybuds, Kotek, LIINKS, and SugarBeats, Westwood truly pulls out all the stops for this one. Opening with “Freak” from The Funk Hunters and Defunk, the release kicks off with grimy basslines and serrating synths with catchy distorted vocals. The journey continues with Moontricks‘ funky swing-influenced midtempo “Nebulizer” and K Theory‘s “Outlaws,” which incorporates hip-hop vocals into ethereal bass music melodies. Then over to Stickybuds‘ funky organic electronica “Family Man,” featuring Glen David Andrews, and later onward to Kotek‘s drum & bass sounds in the form of “Dance With Me.” The album concludes with LIINKS‘ balladesque “One Thing About Me” and the closing SugarBeats‘ “Wild Cat” for a dark, grimy, and headbanging good time.

Since its creation in 2013 by Nick Middleton – 1/2 of The Funk Hunters – Westwood Recordings has had multiple notable achievements (listed below). With that impressive portfolio, we can only assume that the next few years will be even bigger and better for this one-of-a-kind Canadian imprint.

“Celebrating 10 years of Westwood feels surreal. It is a milestone I’m really proud of. What started as a passion project for our own music has grown into a community of artists, creatives, and like-minded music lovers that has exceeded every expectation I’ve had. This month-long celebration is a showcase of the best of the past, the present, and the future. I can’t wait to see where the next 10 years take us.” – Nick Middleton, Founder & CEO of Westwood Recordings

Selection Of Notable Highlights

– Westwood has worked with 200+ artists of varying genres over the past decade
– 2019 & ongoing: Shambhala Music Festival, Canada‘s premier and longest-running electronic music festival, joined forces with Westwood Recordings to present a Westwood stage takeover branded “Friday Night in The Fractal Forest” annually since 2019.
– 2020: Westwood launched Westwood Sounds in partnership with Splice, delivering coveted sample packs from their artists
– 2020: The Funk Hunters became the first electronic act to receive Canadian Independent Music Association‘s (CIMA) Road Gold certification
– 2021 & 2022: Westwood joined forces with Monstercat for the fifth and sixth annual Monstercat Compound Event, programming a Westwood stage takeover presented by Pioneer DJ
– 2021: Westwood‘s artist So Sus received JUNO nomination for Dancing Recording of the Year for his “Voices EP“
– Westwood has been running annual sold-out events in Vancouver at the legendary Commodore Ballroom in partnership with Live Nation. These include Westwood‘s annual Halloween event as well as The Funk Hunters long standing “Funk The Halls” show that tours across the country and culminates every year the weekend before Christmas with two back to back sold-out nights at The Commodore

Notable Syncs

– Spiderman: Homecoming (trailer) / Sony Pictures (Song: Stickybuds x K+Lab – “Clap Ya Hands Now“)
– Peloton (commercial and socials) / Peloton (Song: The Funk Hunters x Defunk x Akylla “Warn Ya“)
– The White Lotus Ep. 203 / HBO (Song: CITYWALKR “Sabre“)
– Sex Lives of College Girls Ep. 201 / HBO Max (Song: Akylla “Holding On”)
– Just Beyond Ep. 103 / Disney+ (Song: Sparkee x Def3 “Feelin’ Right“)
– One Of Us Is Lying Ep. 205 / Peacock (Songs: KR3TURE x Adrea Castiano “Only One (CVMRN Remix)” + Goddexx “U Down“)
– Valorant Tournament “First Strike” / Riot Games (Song: The Funk Hunters x Stickybuds x Flowdan “Empire“)
– Swiffer Wet Jet 21/22 National Campaign / Swiffer (Song: The Funk Hunters x CMC & Silenta “Tribute“)
– Dollface S2 Ep. 207 / Hulu (Song: Austero x Dub Princess “Humans“)
– 911:Lonestar Ep. 201 / FOX (Song: K+Lab x Melodownz “Good Juju“)
– Ode to Muir (film) / Teton Gravity Research (TGR) (Song: Moontricks “Home“)
– And more on Netflix, Disney+, HBO/Max, Hulu, Sony, National Geographic, YouTube, Facebook, BET, Peacock, Swiffer, Quibi, Sportsnet, FOX Sports, Comedy Central, Peloton, Riot Games, Universal, FOX, MTV, Nickelodeon, Syfy, CBC, NBC, TNT, TBS, Teton.

Future Plans To Name Only A Few

– In 2023 Westwood is expanding their partnerships with Live Nation to take Westwood Halloween across Western Canada with dates also in Calgary, Edmonton, and Victoria
– Westwood continues to feature Westwood curated stage takeovers at some of Canada‘s leading music festivals, including Rifflandia Festival, Shambhala Music Festival, and more.
– The reunion of Chali 2na and Cut Chemist for a full length LP, two of the founding members of the renowned hip hop group Jurassic 5, due out in 2024
– The Funk Hunters biggest album yet, featuring hi-profile collaborations with artists like Big Gigantic, Dr Fresch, Chali 2na, The Sponges, Kotek, Liinks, and many more, due out in 2024
– On the business expansion side of things, in addition to focusing on more branded events, tours, and Splice sample packs, Westwood will be launching a new music distribution service in 2024, expanding its reach significantly across the music landscape, not just as a boutique highly curated label, but as a distribution arm for independent artists with access to new technology, enhanced accounting services, and the ability to tap into Westwood‘s existing sync and licensing networks
– In addition to overseeing Westwood, Nick Middleton will also continue to lead the management of Midnight Agency (with longtime business partner Grant Paley), Canada‘s award-winning boutique booking agency now representing over 40 artists. Midnight is focused on building new revenue streams, harnessing new technology, and helping their acts navigate the ever-changing demands of delivering art and shared live music experiences.

Nick Middleton

– Producer. Engineer. Talent Buyer. Artist Manager. Label and Agency Owner. Nick‘s career path is guided by the enduring principal that business can be pleasure.
– He’s produced and engineered remixes for world-class talent like U2 and Imagine Dragons, and built a legacy of independent music, art, and events under his acclaimed imprints and music companies, Westwood Recordings and Midnight Agency.
– Today he’s focused on building forward-thinking organizations and digital platforms tasked with empowering the next generation of artists. He is the current CEO of both Westwood Recordings and Midnight Agency.
– Head Talent Buyer for acclaimed Canadian music festival, Rifflandia where he has booked world-class acts such as Iggy Pop, Lorde, Diplo, Run The Jewels, Shaquuille O’Neal, Charli XCX, Herbie Hancock, Cypress Hill and many more.
– Middleton‘s other engineering credits include: Big Gigantic, Dr Fresch, Aloe Blacc, Glass Petals, Elohim, Kota the Friend, and Brasstracks, as well as official remixes for global stars such as U2, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Gramatik, Haywyre, Opiuo, Dub FX and more.

More information on Westwood Recordings / Nick Middleton / The Funk Hunters: Westwood Recordings: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Nick Middleton: Facebook | Instagram | Website
The Funk Hunters: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

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Artists: Ashibah
Title: ‘I’m Good’
Label: Fatima In Trouble
Release Date: July 7, 2023

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Continuing to champion her label Fatima In Trouble after debut release Changes saw widespread support across KISS FM, Ashibah unleashes new single I’m Good. 

Inspired by her Middle Eastern heritage, Fatima In Trouble’s vision is to channel joy, love, connection, and good energy through emotional music you can dance to. The label is named after the Fatima’s hand necklace Ashibah would carry around as a child to dispel negative energy and ultimately inspired her first tattoo. 

Channelling her roots in Denmark, Cairo, and Brazil into a glorious blend of self-recorded vocals, original writing, composition, and unique production skills, the steadily rising artist has already landed releases on labels such as Solotoko, This Never Happened, Rule Zero, Nothing Else Matters, Anjunabeats, D4 D4NCE, DFTD, Kittball, Get Physical, REALM, Sony Music and more whilst racking up millions of streams and topping the Beatport charts. 

In addition to collaborating with the likes of Vintage Culture and Nora En Pure, this past year saw Ashibah perform alongside Peggy Gou at Brazil’s legendary L’Occitane Theatre, release an official Beatportal Sounds x Loopmasters sample track, and perform a  live stream for DJ Mag. A diverse and meticulous style cultivated by her rich cultural heritage has taken her across the world from South America’s Lollapalooza, Rock in Rio, and Só Track Boa to performances at Ibiza’s Hii and Danny Howard‘s Amnesia residency, and more. She looks towards continuing her Changes tour across Copenhagen, Hungary, Ibiza, Denver, and more this summer. 

The force of nature now continues to embellish a new and exciting chapter with the second single off the electrifying new label Fatima In Trouble. As soothing as it is exhilarating, the entrancing melodies, powerful synths, and precision kicks of I’m Good makes for something deep, soulful, and special. 

Ashibah – Changes is out now via Fatima In Trouble. 

More information on Ashibah: Facebook Instagram

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Artists: Beharie
Title: ‘Heaven’
Label: The Orchard
Release Date: July 12, 2023

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Beharie shares the swirling, cinematic track “Heaven” out everywhere now. Over twinkling production and gentle guitar strums, “Heaven” sees Beharie reconsider what it means to have faith and discover his own independence. Beharie’s rich, layered debut album Are You There, Boy? is due out October 20 and is available for pre-order now. Plus, join Beharie to find exclusive updates about the album, teasers, tour dates and more.

“Heaven,” out today, is a building, sweeping track that explores faith and pain. Beharie explains the song, “tells a story about transitioning from being religious, to not believing anymore.” It finds the musician beginning to lose hope on love, but only here, he discovers his autonomy, unbound to any person or thing. He calls it, “A sad but also liberating tune.”

The forthcoming bright, wistful album Are You There, Boy? meets Beharie where he is today and invites listeners into a brand new, carefully curated sonic world. Through vibrant melodies and delicate, smooth vocals, the artist explores nuanced themes of love, self-doubt, desire, longing and pain with his heart on his sleeve. Over 12 tracks, the project follows a multi-faceted character who seeks meaningful connections, follows his curiosity where it takes him, and ultimately discovers more of himself. Delving into the album’s story and its main character, Beharie says, “This album conveys stories of a complex character. He is confident, emotional, insecure, curious, loving, and looking for connections. He is searching for both someone and himself. Longing for true connections with the world and with himself. He is confident, playful and daring, but also insecure and not always fully present.”

The album features collaborations by two rising singer-songwriters — Uly based in Dublin and Judy Blank based in The Netherlands. It was mastered by Guy Davie (Michael Kiwanuka) at Electric Mastering in London, UK.

Today’s release follows the previously shared warm, romantic, “Deadly,” and “Oh My God,” the hooky, spirited track that blooms as it unfolds through Beharie’s signature heartfelt vocals. “Deadly” captures the early stages of a new love, from the fear, to the curiosity, to the sweeping excitement. Gearing up to take a leap into love, Beharie says the tender tune is, “about falling in love and feeling obsessed with a person. It’s kind of scary, but also really intriguing. It came out of nowhere, and now you are ready and willing to really jump into it.” “Deadly” has also been added to Spotify’s coveted Fresh Finds R&B playlist.

Sonically, “Oh My God” illustrates a fiery love that is unstable, energetic and worth chasing. Beharie explains, “It conveys the chaos love brings, when it’s unsettled, shaky and intense. The track has sort of a feel-good ‘awakening’ tone to it. It captures the energy of this movement, but it has undertones of frustration and desperation, and longing.”

In February, Beharie shared the forthcoming collection’s first offering, with the dreamy, old-school, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?“ The warm, wistful track picks up in the early stages of falling in love and explores the uncertainties that come with meeting someone new. Beharie says, “It’s in the starting phase of falling in love with someone, without knowing if the other person likes you back. It conveys the insecurities that expose themselves at the beginning of meeting someone.”

With three EPs shared since 2019, Beharie has consistently expanded his sound, artistry and message and refined his focus toward what’s to come. In 2019, Beharie shared his self-titled first EP, and in 2021, his second EP, Beharie // Beharie, earned the singer-songwriter a Norwegian Grammy Award or Spellemann Award. It also earned the attention of the Swedish Gaffa Awards who named him the “International Newcomer of The Year”. The EP also won him Wonderland praised the EP, writing, “It might be too early to crown the EP of the year just yet, but this is certainly one of our best contenders.”

More information on Beharie:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

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Photo Credit: Shawn Arvind

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