Last month, in the very first issue of Niko’s Music Magazine, I introduced you to Alaina Margaret Droog with her song "Rabbit Hole". She's an extraordinary artist whose personality shines through every line of her songs. With just a guitar and her voice, nothing more, she creates a raw and intimate sound. There's a lot of breath in the background, but that's part of the charm, proving that you don't need bells and whistles to make beautiful music. In her new song, "42," Alaina goes even deeper into this personal and minimalist style. She explores a seemingly insignificant aspect of our daily lives: numbers. As she explains: "Anyone who knows me knows that I like to share angel numbers (111, 222, 333) with those who are special to me in my life." 

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More information and the full article can be found in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Alaina Margaret Droog's take on "42"

Anyone who knows me knows that I like to share angel numbers (111, 222, 333) with those who are special to me in my life. I really only used to share these synchronicities and special little spiritual moments with one person. And when this person was no longer a part of my life, I felt like I couldn't escape seeing them everywhere. In particular, I would see the number '42', which drove me crazy because that number was special to this person. I played this song for a friend once, and she told me the song sounded like it was about grief, which it is in a way. It's about grieving what once was, or what you thought once was, and trying to accept everything that's happened.

A bit more about Alaina Margaret Droog

Folk-pop and indie singer-songwriter Alaina Margaret Droog (she/her) writes edgy tunes with a country flair. Currently pursuing her artistic dreams in New York City, Alaina Margaret believes in leading a life of incredible adventure. Born and raised in her beloved small-town home of Grafton, North Dakota, her love of music began with her first guitar lessons at age seven. Alaina Margaret’s music showcases her ability to connect with people through compassion, sincerity, raw emotion, and charming wit. Alaina Margaret’s tongue-in-cheek songwriting captivates her audience through her genuine talent for acting, comedy, and stage presence. When she’s not writing one of her many tortured love songs, you can catch Alaina Margaret performing in New York and dazzling audiences with her latest obsessions through music.

Reach out to Alaina Margaret Droog

More songs from Alaina Margaret Droog on Spotify

Lyrics

On a jersey in a photo on a grad card 

In the Powerball up on the tv 

Where the minute hand is resting when I wake up 

of course, “42” is what I see 

Oh we always talked in numbers 

Like they had a higher meaning

Like a message from an angel just for us,

And I wouldn’t pay attention 

And you’d always point them out 

But it never felt like something worth the fuss 

Because you’d say it, just to say it 

Not to have something to share 

Not to believe in something magic 

Not to really feel me there 

now I see them all the time 

111 and 42 

And it wouldn’t mean a thing 

If Jackie Robinson didn’t share a birthday 

with you 

I remember the first time you said “I Love You”

The date was 3-27-23 

You asked me out on January 25th 

They’re not numbers from an angel

But they meant something to me 

And I don’t care that they’re not magic 

They were special all the same 

Just as simple as the letters of your name 

When I said that I loved you 

I said it like a vow

It was honestly just what it was, but it doesn’t matter now 

Because you’d say it, just to say it 

Not to have something to share 

Not to believe in something magic 

Not to really feel me there 

now I hear it all the time 

From everyone except for you 

And it wouldn’t mean a thing 

If you weren’t the first person I said it to 

No, it wouldn’t mean a thing 

And til I forget you 

I will grieve you just a little bit every time I see the number 42 

On the mile marker on the side of the road 

In a dog-eared page that I left in a book  

Where the minute hand is resting when I finally get home 

There’s a little piece of you everywhere I look 

A little piece of what we used to be 

The number 42 is what I see 

When you hear this song on Niko's Music Mixtape, you might think I've completely lost my mind and that I’m mixing things together without rhyme or reason. And you’d be absolutely right! Because that’s exactly my goal! To break away from boxes and not do what everyone else does. That’s just who I am!

No, we’re not diving into a little indie-folk gem this time. Instead, we’re in for a high-energy track, leaning more toward indie-rock with touches of alt-rock and even a hint of pop-punk. It’s a clever blend of various energies, but it always pulls us firmly back into the rock universe, with a highly contagious energy to boot!

Talk in Waves didn’t submit this track directly to IMC. I actually asked him to, after hearing only about ten seconds of one of the many teasers he posted on Instagram before the release. I was immediately hooked by the incredibly catchy melody, without even hearing the full song. When I finally listened to the entire track, my initial impression was confirmed within the first few seconds of the intro. I sometimes hesitate to admit that my 23 years of experience help me uncover hidden gems, but in this case, I definitely sniffed out a winner!

You may have already come across articles about Talk in Waves on IMC without realizing it, as he used to make music under the name The Frontier. We even featured his song Ghost. For a bit of context, he revealed to us that he was once part of a hard rock band. Aha! So that’s why the rock energy in "You're My Drug" is so infectious, it all makes sense now!

But is the artist speaking to someone in this song? Is it about a romantic relationship so intense it becomes addictive? Well, not necessarily. And this is where the brilliance of indie artists, particularly Talk in Waves, shines: they create songs that you can interpret however you like. The artist explained that the song could be about any kind of addiction, as these are ever-present in our daily lives, all the time, everywhere:

"The song is about how society has created a 'culture of addicts.' We are addicted to phones and toxic relationships. Everything is so addicting, and people just can't help themselves. Everywhere you go now, you see it, and it’s really hard to deny. We all just need relief and an escape because reality is just getting too hard for some of us. I think it's just a song that’s shining the mirror back on society, and ultimately, they will decide how true it is...or not."

If, like me, you’ve watched Black Mirror on Netflix, maybe you’re waking up from a bad dream right now, thinking, "Wow, maybe I should put this screen down!" No, I’m kidding, don’t put it down just yet. There are two things you need to do first: finish reading this magazine, and quickly add this banger to your playlists!

Talk in Waves's take on "You're my drug"

I used to be in a hard rock band. and this is kind of a throwback to that. My old bandmate and I collaborated on this one. It was written in 3 hours and we both brought in ideas, but we were caught on the phrase "you're my drug". Something about it inspired the rest of the lyrics. Once we had a concept the rest of the song was pretty easy to write.

A bit more about Talk in Waves

Featured on NPR, Netflix, The CW, and MTV. Formed in 2015 by Jake Mimikos, Northern VA-based singer/songwriter, band members have varied over the years. Talk in Waves is a personal journey in the form of indie/rock, synth pop, and folk music.

Reach out to Talk in Waves

Lyrics

I've been paranoid, hallucinating, fever dreaming, medicating.
It's debilitating.
I've been clawing, scraping, scratching, dying.
Whispers in my ears are lying.
But I keep fighting.
There are reasons I alone don't know the answers.
And maybe I just don't wanna know.
But something's telling me that I've been blinded by
This reason to stay.
You're my drug.
Coursing through my veins.
Just a little more to keep me sane.
I've been losing it without you.
Cause you're my drug.
I've been losing it without you.
You're my drug.
It's a long way back from falling.
Through the depths of this addiction.
I anticipate recovery.
But it's the grip of the allure.
Always keeps me wanting more.
It's got a hold of me, it's ecstasy.
There are reasons I alone don't know the answers.
And maybe I just don't wanna know.
But something's telling me that I've been blinded by
This reason to stay.
You're my drug.
Coursing through my veins.
Just a little more to keep me sane.
I've been losing it without you.
Cause you're my drug.
I've been losing it without you.
You're my drug.
One more hit, one more sip.
One more walk in the park.
One more try, one more fix.
One more kiss in the dark.
One more hit, one more sip.
One more walk in the park.
One more try, one more fix.
One more kiss in the dark.
You're my drug.
Coursing through my veins.
Just a little more to keep me sane.
You're my drug.
Coursing through my veins.
Just a little more to keep me sane.
I've been losing it without you.
Cause you're my drug.
I've been losing it without you.
You're my drug.

Some people experience thrilling adventures filled with incredible encounters and stunning landscapes. And they’re undeniably inspiring! Last summer, I had the pleasure of hosting the artist Jeff Mailfert at my place, giving him a break on his long van journey between concerts on opposite sides of the country. Taylor Latham brings us back to these dreamers and wanderers with his new single, “Sunkissed.”

One might think this song arrived a little too late, with summer now far behind us. Wrong! That’s a complete misunderstanding. I can’t forget the members of our community gradually heading into summer, especially those of you in South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia. For you, this song arrives at just the right moment, with its summer vibes!

Taylor Latham is an artist from North Devon, in the UK, a place known for long beaches lined with cliffs. Living in such a breathtaking setting can only inspire masterpieces like Sunkissed. From the very first listen, we’re wrapped up in it, as if we’re part of the scenery, teleported to a beach to savor a sunset with Taylor strumming his guitar beside us. Artists with the power to transport you when you close your eyes for just a few seconds are, to me, superheroes. It’s worth saying over and over again: music definitely has a purpose. For some, it helps with focus during studies; for others, it lifts their spirits. And then there are those for whom it’s an escape.

Taylor Latham is one of those artists I love to call “Escapists.” Through their songs, we can escape far and fast, without even moving. With perfectly crafted writing, springing along with each note, and a laid-back, lighthearted vocal style, Sunkissed is your ideal travel companion for the summer. Or winter. It doesn’t matter. Now that it’s released, the song is yours to do with as you like. But if you love it, make sure to let Taylor know!

Taylor Latham's take on "Sunkissed"

The song is an amalgamation of real-life experiences and seeing a couple of friends who are surf travel bloggers post about a recent trip they had been on. I wrote, recorded, and produced the song over the summer whilst I was taking numerous trips to the beaches near where I live. I always love summer and the happiness I was feeling felt too good not to express as a song.

Who am I?

As well as being hugely grateful for support from Niko and the Indie Music Center team on many previous occasions, I'm a singer-songwriter from the coast of North Devon in the South West of the UK. As well as loving making music, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time outdoors and I feel these hobbies and experiences are woven throughout a lot of my writing. In the last couple of years, my solo performances have taken me to festivals such as Boardmasters and Goldcoast Oceanfest as well as gigs with SW1 and Sofar Sounds.

"Sunkissed" is also my first track to be released in association with Mahogony Songs.

Reach out to Taylor Latham

Lyrics

She watches sundown from the point

The fish swim beneath her feet on the rocks

When she’s a sleepy head she naps on the couch with her socks on 

Beachcombing hours with flowers in her hair

Driftwood finds its way to where

She sits on a towel reading how the world is far from perfect

Oh but there’s something in each day that makes it worth it

She’s got sea salt on her skin that’s sun kissed from the days

After early morning yoga she dances in the waves

Her beauty is no secret her kindness ain’t as known 

But when I’m with her I feel at home

Butterflies will flutter by as delicate as her 

And its wonderful to watch the way she cares for the earth 

For the birds and bees and everything between 

Oh there’s something in each day that makes it worth it

Something in each day that makes it worth it 

Something in each day that makes it worth it

She’s got sea salt on her skin that’s sun kissed from the days

After early morning yoga she dances in the waves

Her beauty is no secret her kindness ain’t as known 

But when I’m with her I feel at home

She’s got sea salt on her skin that’s sun kissed from the days

After early morning yoga she dances in the waves

Her beauty is no secret her kindness is too much 

When I’m with her I feel in love

Oh when I’m with her I feel in love

Oh there’s something in each day that makes it worth it

Something in each day that makes it worth it 

Something in each day that makes it worth it

Something in each day that makes it worth it

It's been 3 and a half years since we discovered the French duo Willo. Hailing from the mountains that separate France and Spain, the Pyrenees, Cécile and Olivier enchant the world with their elaborate folk melodies and warm vocal harmonies. Listening to a Willo song is always pretty much the same experience: close your eyes, and feel like you're wrapped in cotton. A wave of sweetness and warmth immediately washes over you.

And you can feel this warm energy in their latest single "Closer," released on November 29th. The duo has accustomed us to strong emotions and shivers by painting a picture right before our eyes, just with their lyrics. This time, it's a journey into the sometimes ambiguous feelings we can experience after a breakup.

We try to move on hard... Because we know that the slightest scent, the smallest song, in short, the slightest memory that can remind us of the lost person can make us crack and go back to them, even if we know it won't work anymore.

[...]

More information and the full article can be found in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Willo's take on "CLOSER"

This song has been around for almost ten years now. The lyrics changed pretty much every two years. A first, never-released version of "Closer" hides itself on a hard drive somewhere in Willo's studio. The song was nothing more than another break-up song in its first draft. Then the writing started to focus more on that moment when things started to get better after a while. Everything seems to be moving forward, strong and whole again, but a little spark is enough to throw you back in. There is an obvious comparison between love and addiction throughout the song. A good example of how songs grow with you.

A bit more about Willo

Willo is a singing-songwriting duo based in the French Pyrenees, delivering a fresh and soulful kind of folk music. Formed in 2016 and composed of Cécile (vocals, guitar) and Olivier (composition, guitar, vocals), they prioritise an acoustic sound, interweaving shimmering vocal harmonies with expressive yet delicate guitar tones. Rich of their worldly travels, the duo explores influences from overseas to imbue modern soul with more traditional elements.

After releasing an early EP entitled “SEVEN” in 2018, with a largely acoustic set-up, they were naturally inclined to incorporate their music into a wider setting with additional musicians. This lead them to record their brand new album “Eternal Jetlag” in 2021 with a backing band, which provided a natural backdrop to their signature acoustic sound which still remained at the fore.

Having received support from Rolling Stone Magazine, AlexRainbird, Indie Folk Central, Radio France, and Spotify (NMF Christian, Calming Christian, and other editorial playlists) among others. Olivier and Cécile now pursue their rise with a new single from an upcoming 4 songs EP.

Reach out to Willo

More songs from Willo on Spotify

Lyrics

I made my day

Thinking more than black and white

Forgiving myself

For holding on to you a little bit longer

Took me a while to burn almost every pictures

To clear the fields ahead and ask for a tomorrow

Tomorrow is not that far now

Waiting for a new sun

But you’re right behind my door standing in the shadow

Oh I never thought that I would try to...

Try to give it up

Oh to give it up to the cold

I'm giving up on you

I try I sober up from you

It's time to figure it out what’s next

Living in the past won't help

It's not you and I, you and I anymore

Don't come closer

I'd be damned tempted by starting this all over

I wouldn't be able to see you

I wouldn't be able to see you as a stranger

I had it coming

Wasting hours waiting for you

It's hard to walk straight in the dark with poison in your chest

I think that I’m sober now

I don't fake no smile

But you’re right behind my door standing in the shadow

Oh I never thought that I would try to...

Try to give it up

Oh give it up to the cold

I'm giving up on you

Sober up, sober up from you

It's time to figure it out what’s next

Living in the past won't help

It's not you and I, you and I anymore

Don't come closer

I'd be damned tempted by starting this all over

I wouldn't be able to see you

I wouldn't be able to see you

I wouldn't be able to see you as a stranger

This song seduced me from the very first listen, when William sent it to me on November 11th. That day is a holiday in my country, so normally we don't work. The song arrived in my database around 8 pm, and as usual, I received a small alert on my phone to notify me. Without being able to listen to the song with all my studio equipment, and especially with a proper headset, I just read the lyrics and William's introduction. And it was like a click in my head. I knew I was going to have to introduce this song to you and that I was going to approve it, even though I hadn't listened to it yet! Yes, it's an incredible story, because I didn't listen to the song until the next day. But no more incredible than William's story, after all. Indeed, he confided in us that he had moved from Tennessee to New York in 2021 to become a filmmaker. Unfortunately, he was very seriously affected by Covid and this nasty virus reached his lungs and vocal cords. The only way to recover, according to doctors: sing at least half an hour a day to recover his vocal cords. Quite a challenge for someone who didn't sing. [...]

[...]

More information and the full article can be found in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

William Austin's take on "Oaks"

Oaks is the last song on my first EP, Landlocked. Three years ago, I moved to New York City from Tennessee to become a filmmaker. My first week here I got Covid which turned into Pneumonia. I got really sick and eventually lost my ability to talk. After weeks, my body finally made a turn and I began recovering. To help regain strength in my chest and vocal cords, my doctor recommended I work my way up to singing for half an hour daily. Singing turned into songwriting and I spent more and more time singing and writing music in secret until I wrote a few songs that felt so true to me that I had to put them out to the world. My favorite of those songs is what became my first EP, Landlocked. This project is a collection of what was on my mind when I first gained the outlet of songwriting. A lot of looking back on who I was before New York, before I got sick, before music. I always knew Oaks was the perfect final song for the EP because it is close to that chapter. The song walks through the journey of leaving my home and coming to New York. I am so grateful for this song and excited to be able to let it be my final feeling about letting go of that part of my life.

A bit more about William Austin

William Austin, is a Brooklyn-based folk/pop artist, from Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2021, William moved from Nashville to NYC and contracted Covid-19 week one. COVID-19 developed into Pneumonia, and William got really sick, fluid filling his lungs until he was no longer able to speak. After weeks, his body took a turn and William finally began to recover. To help rebuild his lungs and vocal cords, his doctor recommended he works towards singing for half an hour a day. William followed the orders strictly and sang in his room every day for months. Singing turned into songwriting, and songwriting turned into an obsession. Drawing inspiration from the modern Brooklyn indie, William combines modern influences with the southern folk sound of his childhood. William strives to build a community around his music, encouraging listeners to find their own stories in music.

Reach out to William Austin

More songs from William Austin on Spotify

Lyrics

I can’t backout the driveway, the road is far too

Zigzagged cause my dad wanted the oaks right

Where they were, that was his father’s yard

Said I’ll be back in a blink, she said don’t walk 

Away without a wave, cause you never know just

Quite how long a moment is until it’s gone

And when all your hopes have come to light

And all your goals are far behind

Stand where you are and you’ll be just fine

So go and watch the new grow old

Find the you you told yourself you’d be 

And when you’re done come back to me

Back to the oaks 

So I packed my bags for Brooklyn, an empty journal and new jeans

Thirteen hours of McDonald’s and a Fleetwood Mac CD

Then there I was right where I wanted to be

Spent my money on a closet, I spent my time in Central Park 

Got my bosses cups of coffee, met a girl who broke my heart

Then there I was, wondering where it all went wrong

So go and watch the new grow old

Find the you you told yourself you’d be 

And when you’re done come back to me

Back to the oaks 

So I grabbed my worn out journal, jeans ripping at the seams 

And I hopped on the next red eye, I spent my paycheck on the seat

Then there I was, back where I used to be

She said did you go, did you watch the new grow old

Did you find the you you told yourself you’d be 

And now that you’re done, and back to me

Back to the oaks

I’ve waited, oh I’ve waited so long

For you baby, for you to come back home

And I hate it, oh I hate when you’re gone

My baby, oh my baby is gone

On my very first listen to Desert Rose, the latest single by Canadian artist Cati Landry, I was completely blown away. First off, by her vocals. Cati starts singing just seven seconds into the song. It's quick, but it instantly sets the scene: a young woman feels lost as if she’s stranded in a desert. Yet she knows that if she just keeps moving forward, she might find something. And having someone by her side for this kind of journey is a real advantage. That’s the essence of the song.

But let’s get back to what immediately captivated me: her incredible voice. Perfectly controlled in the verses, then showing off her high notes in the pre-chorus, Cati’s voice really grabs hold of us by the time we hit the chorus of Desert Rose. It takes just 45 seconds to reach that point, and there it is—that spine-tingling feeling.

I glance down at my arm just to check, and yes, my arm hairs are all standing up, like they’re lining up to honor this singer who, until now, had never crossed my path. And what a shame that was.

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Cati Landry's take on "Desert Rose"

We wrote this song on my second day in Los Angeles, working with 2 new friends and collaborators, Belaro and Olivier Bassil. I knew I wanted to write a song about the way I was feeling at the time, which was kind of disconnected and lost. There can be this kind of way you are living in silence at times but your soul is screaming, "Go, run, run wild..." and I felt that way. We started writing, and eventually we got to this idea of finding the Clyde to your Bonnie and driving into the sunset together, what would that look like and feel like?

Honestly, the night we wrote the song I cried the whole drive home, it just felt like it had tapped something deep down within me and brought this really raw and vulnerable perspective that I think I'd almost been denying. And then, a few days after we wrote the song, I ended up picking up Clarissa Pinkola Estes' famous book The Women Who Run With the Wolves from a bookshop.

The book resonated with me immediately so deeply, particularly her writing about letting yourself get lost and experiencing exile; early in the book, there was a quote that felt like it spoke to that image and what we were getting at with it in the song. "We so often start in the desert. We feel disenfranchised, alienated, not connected to anything, even a cactus clump... A woman's psyche may have found its way to the desert out of resonance or because of past cruelties or because she was not allowed a larger life above ground. So often a woman feels then that she lives in an empty place where there is maybe just one cactus with one brilliant red flower on it, and then in every direction, 500 miles of nothing.

But for the woman who will go 501 miles, there is something more... Some women don't want to be in the psychic desert. They hate the frailty, the spareness of it. They keep trying to crank a rusty jalopy and bump their way down the road to a fantasized shining city of the psyche. But they are disappointed, for the lush and the wild is not there. It is in the spirit world, that world between worlds... don't be a fool. Go back and stand under that one red flower and walk straight ahead for that last hard mile... Sift the desert and see what you find.

It is the only work we have to do." It felt like serendipity to read that - and I think this song had a little desert rose in it for me, a symbol of surviving and a message to keep going.

A bit more about Cati Landry

We may be living in a material world, but Cati Landry is an ethereal girl, and that sense of mysticism and enchantment lives like a silver lining laced throughout her songs. Born and raised on Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest of Canada, Miss Landry grew up on stage, and spent her formative years singing in old theatres full of velvet curtains and ghost stories; when she wasn’t performing, she could be found by the beach, dreaming up worlds to escape inside, and crafting poems & daydream lullabies.

This, in turn, led her to write songs and sing in various bands, and then to perform at jazz clubs, bars & theatres. By this time, she also began studying Literature at the University of Victoria, with a focus on the Victorian era & American transcendentalism. Next, she spent a year pursuing a Master’s in Songwriting at Berklee College of Music, where she immersed herself in the process of writing & recording her music, including her first release “Mind’s Eye,” recorded with a band in Los Angeles and produced by Neil Wogensen. With its shimmering atmosphere, captivating vocals & playful, introspective lyrics, “Mind’s Eye” offers a first glimpse into the enigmatic dreamworld of this wild-hearted, romantic girl. Cati’s most recent offering, last summer’s “Riptide,” is a dreamy folk ballad inspired by the rugged beauty of her coastal upbringing and the timeless music she grew up on, from Sinatra, Roy Orbison, and Patsy Cline to Fleetwood Mac and Mazzy Star—all filtered through the fresh & mystifying feelings that come with falling in love. She’s got the kind of spirit you’ll want to bring with you wherever life takes you, so press play and come along for the ride.

Reach out to Cati Landry

More songs from Cati Landry on Spotify

Lyrics

We could just pick up and leave, baby just pick up the keys and drive

We got everything we could need, perfect bed right in the backseat

We could just run the red lights, we could just speed through the night

Living proof, living our dreams

We could just flee the whole scene

Adrenaline rush sent me high,

Left without saying goodbye,

To a place that we don't recognize

Desert rose, will find a way to grow

Even without rain, baby, it's sweet relief

In the middle of nowhere, baby, it's you and me

Let the good times roll like a rolling stone,

We could stay the night at the desert rose

Could stay forever, make it feel like home

With you by my side, know I'll never be alone

Adrenaline rush sent me high,

Left without saying goodbye,

To a place that we don't recognize

Desert rose, will find a way to grow

Even without rain, baby, it's sweet relief

In the middle of nowhere, baby, it's you and me

Even without rain, baby, it's sweet relief

In the middle of nowhere, baby, it's you and me

Baby it's you and me, baby it's you and me

This is the ninth article I’ve written about Carley Varley. Time flies! It was back in January 2020, almost five years ago now, that I fell for this little blonde from the south of England, thanks to the song "Found", a beautiful acoustic folk ballad. I swear, it’s true! Yeah, I know what you’re thinking when you hear the Mixtape this month and the single "Attention!!!!" You’re probably thinking, "The little blonde girl has touched the live wire!" Yes, it's obvious. Carley Varley in 2025 is a completely different artist than Carley Varley in 2020. First off, she’s no longer a solo artist, but a full band! Looks like we’ll need to add a few more couches in the “IMC Family” lounge because, yes, the family member is now a four-piece band. I’m actually pretty proud of the headline I've put on the magazine cover, "The girl who became a band". I think it’s one of the best headlines I could have come up with. So yes, of course, Carley Varley is still the name of the band’s lead singer (and it’s her real name, by the way), but it’s also the name of the band. Got it?

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Carley Varley's take on "Attention!!!"

I've recently been through a breakup, it was awful and I really thought I was going to be in my Rep Era (Taylor Swift) and not date anyone and kind of just take a break from everything. Then this wonderful guy came along and I thought oh no! We had always been friends but after spending more time with him I started to crush on him pretty hard and I remember feeling like gahhh I want his attention so much this is crazy!

A bit more about Carley Varley

Introducing Carley Varley, a fresh new Alternative Pop/Rock Artist/Band from the South Coast who is fast becoming one of the most exciting breakthrough artists in the South today. Carley is a versatile and talented singer-songwriter and musician. Previously a Pop Artist, Carley is currently exploring the Alternative genre, growing up listening to bands like Linkin Park, Paramore and The Pretty Reckless. Carley has been songwriting and playing the guitar and piano since the age of fourteen. In 2016 she was spotted busking in the quaint seaside town of Lymington on the south coast and was soon catapulted onto the stages at The Ritz and The Waldorf in London.

Carley and her guitar have been regulars on the Dorset and Hampshire music scene ever since. Carley has headlined Poole Harbour Festival as a solo female act in 2022, and has also performed at other notable festivals such as Wickham Festival, Upton Food Festival, FOODIES Festival, Dorset Seafood Festival, Dogstival, Vdub at the Hub, Volksfest and Dorchester Cider Festival. Carley is a standout vocalist with crystal clear delivery. Her performances are joyful events where she brings her effervescent personality to the stage with songs that audiences delight in singing along too. Carley released her first EP in 2019 called 'Captured Memories' with the three tracks ‘Won't Say Sorry’, ‘Honest Conflict’ and ‘Found’. Carley's next single 'Since You Left' was released in February 2020 and has had over 30,000 streams on Spotify. Carley's 2021 and 2022 single releases ‘Fall’, ‘Going Under’ and 'Miss Me?' were featured on BBC Introducing.

She was also interviewed by the BBC and performed 'Miss Me?' acoustically and chatted about her vlog 'CVLOG' which gives advice to upcoming musicians. Better Without Me, Carley's brand new single was also featured on BBC Introducing this autumn. Better Without Me was also number 2 on the top 25 uploaded tracks on the South Coast Music Show as part of Voice FM in December 2022. Carley's singles 'Somehow I'm Alive and 'I'm not angry anymore', and 'Envy' were featured on BBC Introducing in 2023. Carley's latest single ‘Homesick’ was also featured on BBC Introducing, Voice FM, Lisburn 98FM, Amazing Radio, Bombshell Radio and Forest FM. Carley won a Venus Award for Musical Talent in 2018, she was also an ‘Open Mic' UK finalist in 2019. Carley was an Original Music Award Finalist (Top 3) for Best Solo Artist in 2024.

Reach out to Carley Varley

More songs from Carley Varley on Spotify

Lyrics

Keep me in the front of your mind

So here it is, I'll set the scene

There's this guy and I want him so badly

But recently love's an eyesore

I told myself I didn't want it anymore

Then he came into view

Captured my heart even when it's in two

Now I'm spiralling how do I act?

I forget who I am when you look at me like that

Cus you are so captivating

That I don't know why I'm waiting

Keep me in the front of your mind

I need attention all the time

Bring me with you everywhere

Me without you is a thought I can't bare

I'm so obsessed I get depressed

Every time we say goodbye

I can't shut up it must be love

So keep me in the front of your mind

Forgive me I'm needy

I want your eyes on me

I'll shout I'll scream I'll sound the alarm

You'd look so much better with me on your arm

Cus I am so fascinating

That I don't know why you're waiting

Keep me in the front of your mind

I need attention all the time

Bring me with you everywhere

Me without you is a thought I can't bare

I'm so obsessed I get depressed

Every time we say goodbye

I can't shut up it must be love

So keep me in the front of your mind

Time will tell if my heart survives

Keep me keep me

In the front of your mind

cus if you don't give me your attention I just might die

Keep me in the front of your mind

I need attention all the time

Bring me with you everywhere

Me without you is a thought I can't bare

I'm so obsessed I get depressed

Every time we say goodbye

I can't shut up it must be love

So keep me in the front of your mind

Here's a song that will speak to a specific group of people who might not seem that numerous at first glance but who, in reality, represent a large part of our society: those who feel uncomfortable in their jobs and dream of quitting!

This happened to me in 2019, right before the pandemic. I had been in an administrative job for seven years, a role that lacked any real purpose. Every task felt utterly meaningless, and my whole life was beginning to lose its sense of direction. So, I had to make a drastic choice: leave a "guaranteed-for-life" job for a less stable, but ultimately better, life. I made that decision thanks to a song in French that I heard for the first time then. It was like a switch had flipped. Five years later, I have no regrets whatsoever.

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Taylor Lang's take on "Fun Shirt Friday"

On a Friday in November of last year, I was walking through a downtown food court over a lunch break. I passed a man in an expensive suit, probably in his mid-50s, positively SCREAMING at someone through a cell phone about a project. That in itself was jarring, but then as I slid beside him I could just see inside his suit jacket. He was wearing a dress shirt with colourful balloons on it. I couldn't help but think - was this guy young and idealistic once?

Did he love to create, to paint, to draw, to make rather than destroy? And is this "Fun Shirt Friday" his only outlet now -- the weight of the corporate world holding him down and turning him into something he never wanted to be? So I wrote this song within the next few weeks after that, I guess to be a voice for all those people stuck in those situations. As a way for them to yell those frustrations and to remind the world that there is more to "success" than drab coats and made-up urgency. It's okay to feel strongly, even if it's anger; just make sure that it's aimed at system causing it, and not some poor soul on the other end of the phone, stuck in the exact same endless loop that you are.

A bit more about Taylor Lang

A lifelong multi-instrumentalist, Taylor Lang delivers stories and music in a genre-bending fusion of folk and fingerstyle techniques. Influenced by artists as sonically diverse as Dan Mangan and Halsey, Donovan Woods and Jon Gomm, or The Tragically Hip and Ed Sheeran, he sharpened his skills over more than a decade in bands: first with award-winning grunge rockers Crack the Lens, and then as the frontman of Blaeser, a YYCMA-nominated indie trio based in Calgary.

Emerging as a full solo performer, his latest project is a studio collaboration with JUNO-winning producer and guitarist Russell Broom, best known for his long involvement with Jann Arden, Kyle McKearney, and other chart-topping Canadian artists. His first solo song was "Broke But Never Broken", a slow-burning folk rock ballad that calls back to Lang’s childhood experiences in rural Saskatchewan. But his latest release, "Fun Shirt Friday", is much more upbeat and pointed - an incisive indictment of burnout and corporate frustration, urging the audience to wonder if the portraits of success we see are actually what they claim to be.

Ever evolving and always authentic to his message, with powerful vocals and subtle guitarwork alike, Lang’s fundamental musicianship and carefully crafted lyrics combine into something utterly unique, both in the studio and on the stage.

Reach out to Taylor Lang

More songs from Taylor Lang on Spotify

Lyrics

You finally got the office, the title on the desk

But it's okay, on Fridays you can change the way you dress

Because HR approved the solace and the C-suite is impressed

As long as you keep the jacket on, cause uniform is best

These budget cuts keep adding up and if you wanna stay

Then you must do the work of two for a fraction of the pay

This necktie's like a noose, never looser in the collar

At least this nervous breakdown comes in all your favorite colors

At the end of every week you find comfort in the pattern

Something fun you hide inside the more important matters

Fluorescent lights buzzing like buzzards overhead

I know it's Fun Shirt Friday but don't you pull that thread

Don't you pull that thread

30 years, a long career of forgetting what you knew

The hustle was a hobby that you once loved to do

And now you just pretend to be excited by the boring

Presenting all your happiness projections every morning

At the end of every week you find comfort in the pattern

Something fun you hide inside the more important matters

Fluorescent lights buzzing like buzzards overhead

I know it's Fun Shirt Friday but don't you pull that thread

Don't you pull that thread

At the end of every week you find comfort in the pattern

A crumpled piece of fabric that can't climb the corporate ladder

And every time it feels like you might just get ahead

You find it torn and frayed, but you're afraid to pull that thread

Don't you pull that thread

Don't you pull that thread

Don't you pull that thread

(Nine to five is 25 to life, scraping by and empty inside)

(Nine to five is 25 to life, scraping by and empty inside)

Oh, now we’re heading to New Zealand! Let me introduce you to Marmalade, a duo of friends who have an absolute blast making music together, and you can hear it. Jem & Koen reached out to us because they noticed that IMC features indie-folk, indie-pop, and indie-rock music, and thought, "Perfect! We do all three at once!" And they were absolutely right to send us this incredible track: "Houston." Why incredible?

Simply because it features a striking contrast between its melody and its lyrics. As someone who is fully bilingual, I immediately picked up on this contrast since I understand English. But for fun, I tested the song on my girlfriend, who doesn’t speak English. She said, "Wow, this song is perfect for partying, it’s such a feel-good vibe!" Then I explained the meaning behind the lyrics, and she was floored. 

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Marmalade's take on "Houston "

This song was written from a place of feeling like you need help but don't know how to ask for it. It stemmed from a feeling of wanting to just kind of yell for support but not having the bravery to do so. I personally often feel lost in my identity and unsure of myself and feel like people listen and care for others more out of a place of convenience rather than genuine selflessness. This song was written in 2022 In a flat with a shockingly un-confrontational head tenent and was brought to life with a full band in 2023.

A bit more about Marmalade

Tāmaki Makaurau-based Marmalade are a pair of friends who write music in their living room. Swinging somewhere between clean-pop and indie-rock, Marmalade’s soaring vocals and honest lyricism float above a steady musical backbone to create a juicy jar full of sounds. Marmalade’s debut single ‘Bright’ gained traction fast after its release in June and charted at #2 on the NZ singles charts. Landing in the charts again for their second single ‘Awkward’ as well as the cover of Youtube Music playlist “Today’s Kiwi Hits”, Marmalade have hit the ground running as a new band and are well on their way to being a staple dietary requirement for the Aoteroa indie-pop-rock scene.

With their third single ‘Caffeine High’ freshly released, Marmalade are dipping your toes in a taste of what’s to come from their debut EP ‘Sober’ due to release in November. Marmalade have supported several notable acts live including Hot Potato Band (AUS), 10:32 (UK), Beach Bunny (US), French for Rabbits (NZ) and Ha The Unclear (NZ). With more shows on the horizon around the motu Marmalade is bound to make your winter cosy, and summer even sunnier.

Reach out to Marmalade

More songs from Marmalade on Spotify

Lyrics

I've been searching for myself in the mirror

Thought that Adderall might help me see just a little bit clearer

But my head’s foggy, I can't feel my body

I’m sitting alone in a hotel lobby

Waiting for someone to save me

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Do you think you would listen if it made a difference

To anyone else but you

‘Cause your head’s foggy, You think you’re somebody

You left me alone in a hotel lobby

Waiting for someone to save me

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Do you notice me sitting alone

Oh so lonely, down to my bones

And I’m four weeks, kind of sort of clean

But nobody sees me

Do you notice me sitting alone

Oh so lonely, down to my bones

And I’m four weeks, kind of sort of clean

But nobody hears me scream

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Somebody help me out

When I first heard the opening line of this song, "When the world turns colder and the sun stops shining bright," I immediately thought of "When the sun goes down and the band won't play" from Always Remember Us This Way by... well, you know who. I don’t know why. Maybe because the first three notes sound a little similar. Maybe also because GLIMTVIS feels a bit like the American dream, somewhat like the one the heroine of A Star is Born lives?

Rikke Egholm Ravn and Rasmus Pedersen, however, are not from the USA, they’re from Denmark! Of course, they must have grown up with that American culture, and they even traveled to the USA in February 2024 to write an album, which is now available and full of little gems. To be honest, it took me several days to decide which song to pick for the Mixtape and this article. After some hesitation, because all the songs are great, I went with "Finding Me And You", but I highly recommend you check out the entire album 'The Nashville Confessions', which is a best-of on its own! [...]

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Glimtvis 's take on "Finding Me And You"

On our journey to Nashville, we were fortunate enough to get to write with Dan Smalley - who is the most country guy we know. He is SO country he got shot twice by his neighbour and lived to tell and write songs about it (check out his story on his socials) And as he told us when we sat down in his writing room: “I’ve listened to some of your songs and y’all ain't country … so let’s write something souly” And that's what we tried to accomplish with this song that we wrote with Dan and his amazing guitarist Robert Miller. The song started with a sentence - an idea - that said “I’m happy when I’m singing” … revolving around the idea that no matter what you go through and the hard times you have, you can find happiness in the music. It also took inspiration from the joy we find in sharing the music together - to stand in the middle of music and be able to ignore the rest of the world. "Finding me and you" is the music and the way we make music together.

A bit more about Glimtvis

The band consists of Rikke Egholm Ravn and Rasmus Pedersen—two experienced musicians who should have found their place in adult life but struggle with it—the whole "adulting" thing and everything one is supposed to have figured out. This turns into personal, relatable songs they want to share with others who might also struggle with the concept of "supposed to." Their songs give a rarely heard voice to the things you grapple with when you've lived a life. GLIMTVIS has been writing together since 2020 and has toured Denmark as a duo since 2021. Both have been playing since childhood in various constellations but only began playing together in 2019. In 2021, they released their first two singles in acoustic versions, and in April 2024, they released an EP with 6 songs. They went to Nashville in February 2024 to write a new album with 12 different American songwriters, and that album was released on September 13th, 2024. GLIMTVIS has played more than 70 live concerts in Denmark, Germany, and the USA, including the Tønder Festival, Midtfyns Festival, Fanø Vesterland, Nashville Nights Songwriters Festival, Freakshow at The Local in Nashville, Crooners Circus in Cincinnati, Ohio, and many, many more. In spring 2024, they toured with a band at popular Danish venues, and they are currently working on a spring 2025 tour with the band.

Reach out to Glimtvis

More songs from Glimtvis on Spotify

Lyrics

When the world turns colder

And the sun stops shining bright

When the night feels like it’s never through

When the storm is raging ‘round us

And I just can’t find the fight

I lean on this guitar

I lean on you

When the music starts to play

Get the feeling in my soul

And the whole world melts away

When we start to letting go

There’s a passion in the way

We make magic getting lost in something true

Finding me and you

Cuz I love when we are dancing

I love it when you hold me tight

Nothing else really matters

When it’s just you and I

When the music starts to play

Get the feeling in my soul

And the whole world melts away

When we start to letting go

There’s a passion in the way

We make magic getting lost in something true

Finding me and you

When the spark gets in your eyes

And I’m happy just to be

Knowing everything’s alright

In this thing that’s you and me

And the lies we tell ourselves

In this magic kinda feels like something true

When the music starts to play

Get the feeling in my soul

And the whole world melts away

When we start to letting go

There’s a passion in the way

We make magic getting lost in something true

Finding me and you

Finding me and you

Finding me and you

Finding me and you

Finding me and you

There are countless songs about falling in love with someone, but I’ve always had a soft spot for falling in love with a song. And let me tell you, “How It Ends” by Kate Keller had me smitten in less than five seconds. Before she'd even finished the first line, I knew I had a hit on my hands. Trust me, 23 years in the music curation game gives you a pretty good sense of a catchy tune. And when a chorus is this catchy before the 40-second mark, well, let's just say it confirmed my musical instincts. Though it might make me sound a bit old-school (what can I say, I just became a dad last week!), I couldn't help but grin at this classic songwriting move.

Hailing from NYC's Queens, Kate Keller might not be related to the equally talented Luna Keller, but having two Kellers at this level of talent can't be a coincidence. Ladies, marry a Keller – it's clearly a lucky name! Both Kellers seem to have a knack for collaboration, and I've especially enjoyed Kate's work with Tara Hailey in the duo Sistersign. Though they haven't released anything officially yet, their YouTube videos are a delight. But let's get back to Kate and her fantastic track, "How It Ends." [...]

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Kate Keller's take on "How It Ends"

Over the summer, I was crushing hard on one of my good friends and I couldn't tell if he felt the same way ... I was driving myself crazy thinking about it constantly, what I might say to him, how he might react ... and thus was born this song! I needed to know how it would all turn out. I eventually told him how I felt and though it didn't go how I hoped, we are still good friends!

A bit more about Kate Keller

Kate Keller is a singer/songwriter based in Queens, NYC. With roots in classical music, the indie-pop/rock artist draws inspiration from a wide range of genres spanning not just decades, but centuries of exceptional music-making. Kate's songs are often woven with late 90s pop/rock nostalgia reminiscent of Alanis Morisette, and the hooky up-tempo drive of Maggie Rogers with deeply personal lyrics to match. Her style continues to develop as she collaborates with artists from varying backgrounds from country to emo rock. These sounds can all be heard on her upcoming EP, "The Way I See The World," expected in February 2025.

Reach out to Kate Keller

More songs from Kate Keller on Spotify

Lyrics

I guess it's been a long six months

Dreaming about what I want

Waiting for you to make a move

Though I fear that you don't really want this, too

But you and I have had some late nights

Up 'til 4am on the east side

Could've sworn when I looked

Into your eyes, you felt it too

I know there's a thousand ways that this could go down

So many roads that lead us right to the fallout

Call me crazy, but god I need to know how this ends

Been rehearsing what I might say

Feels like deja vu in the worst way

Only one of us has been hurting

And you can't see

All the little things that I've done

Sending signals without being too blunt

Kept your secrets close

Like a handgun under my bed

I know there's a thousand ways that this could go down

So many roads that lead us right to the fallout

Call me crazy, but god I need to know how this ends

I'm tired of guessing what you might be thinking

Maybe I should confess everything I'm feeling

And if I'm wrong, then we can just stay friends

Can't hold back, think I just gotta say it

I've already gone through every version in my head

You get scared, quit the band, you start running

Or maybe you've been waiting for this too

And I've already heard everything that you might say

Like that you felt the same but it's too late

God I hope it doesn't end that way

I know all the thousand ways that this could go down

Been down every road to the fallout

Still feel crazy, 'cause god I don't know how this ends

No, no I don't

I had an incredible experience on June 16, 2021. Back then, I was still using SubmitHub, a platform that allowed me to receive songs from artists (but they had to pay, nowadays it's on my own website and it's free!). And I fell in love with this incredible, magical, and captivating voice, from an artist named "Lucia." Thanks to this unique voice and her inspiring folk universe, my article was online the next day on IMC. I remember describing her as a "fairy" back then. I think it's the right word.

Because almost 4 years later, the magic still works. The little fairy has grown up because she has since collaborated with Dominic Romano, a talented Californian singer-songwriter and producer who produced Luna Keller's 2nd album entirely. Then came several collaborations with Joe Pope, a singer-songwriter from Atlanta who is an outstanding reviewer and has written some great articles for IMC. The circle is complete, even if she's not in the IMC Family yet because this is only her 4th feature (the next one will be the good one), Lucie Glang has already had one foot in the house for a long time.

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Lucie Glang's take on "Little Me"

Written by me in 2021, Joe and I began exploring the song in 2022. The international collaboration came to life after I made a pre-production and Joe recorded and produced most instruments in his studio while I recorded the vocals and acoustic guitar in my bedroom. The music video shows a ghost by the fire, painted and animated by me during a long period of being ill, representing the little ghost of our past we all carry in ourselves that shapes how we view reality. The video also intersperses footage from my real life throughout, giving a glimpse into the past cementing how personal the experience of this song is.

A bit more about Lucie Glang

Lucie Glang combines folk-pop with Nordic influences, delivering honest, introspective lyrics. Born in a small town in western Germany, she spent several years in different countries, finding music to be a constant home and a way to stay present in a fast, loud, and electronic world. Initially created due to pandemic restrictions, Lucie's songs emerged from a blend of online collaborations, intimate bedroom recordings, and professional studio sessions spanning Iceland, Denmark, and America, inspired by bands like First Aid Kit, Simon and Garfunkel, and Fleet Foxes. After several festival slots and support shows, she returns in 2024 with a tour through Germany and Scandinavia to release her debut EP, supported by Nashville-based Tonetree.

Reach out to Lucie Glang

Reach out to Joe Pope

More songs from Lucie Glang on Spotify

Lyrics

Little me life can be sweet little me felt so defeated but little me 

you will be alright

Little me there’s no escape

For years but years are only days 

a couple days and you will be fine

And living is a funny thing it feels

When you’re just suffering

It’s not a life you simply survive

And so it stays a few more days 

But all will change I promise that

Keep holding on 

You will be alright

Little me kicked on the ground 

Little me has nightmares every night

But will sleep better in time

Little me you’re on your own

And that’s okay it’s just for now

A whole world out there you’ll get to know

And living is a funny thing it stays the same until you blink 

Now ten years older 

nothing is like it’s been 

and living on seemed pointless then

Been wishing it would simply end but little things add up to a new life

Little me life can be sweet little me felt so defeated but little me 

you will be alright

Joe Holt is the artist who released the song "Not Satisfying", which I reviewed back in March 2022. That track has been featured on the Best Indie Songs Ever playlist ever since. So, when I saw his name in my submissions queue, the chorus of "Not Satisfying" instantly started playing in my head—like a distant yet comforting memory that isn’t so far away in the grand timeline of life. At the time, Joe was discovered by our blogger friend Susbidi, who featured him on her indie-folk playlist with over 6,500 followers, giving Joe much-deserved exposure. Yes, dear artists, bloggers often know each other and collaborate behind the scenes: Susanne is a great friend of mine! Good news: Joe is currently working on his fifth studio album, titled "I Love You, Say It Back", and he’s back with a new single, "Wanting More". It’s a bit of a puzzling song at first listen due to its unconventional structure, which Joe himself explained: [...]

[...]

More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

A bit more about Joe Holt

Joe Holt is a folk singer/songwriter who graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2015. 
 Joe has released two EPs and three full length albums. He has toured around America four times, playing venues like Club Passim (Boston), the Hard Rock Cafe (Boston), Rockwood Music Hall (NYC), The Bitter End (NYC), the Bluebird Cafe (Nashville), the Whisky A Go Go (Los Angeles), and has received spins on major radio stations internationally, including at WFUV in New York and WXPN in Philadelphia. The song As Bad as It Seems from Joe's EP Something Louder - EP was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered blog in March 2018. The following full length album A Bigger Fire came out in June 2019, with an accompanying national tour alongside Austin Blair Campbell . Joe's second EP "It’s What We Give" was released on June 5th, 2020, and its first single, People in New York, was featured with an accompanying live video on NPR. 


Joe's most recent album is Tired of Trying, released on May 27, 2022, and it is his most intimate, delicately crafted project yet, heralded as "stirring, eloquent songwriting" by Obscure Sound. Indie Minded praised Joe as “a gifted young talent who is sure to leave his mark on the folk music scene.” Ear To The Ground called him "the real deal in folk songwriting." Other credits include opening for Steve Forbert and Parker Millsap, scoring the short film The Race, and releasing music as Black Alder. 
 Joe lives in New York City.

Reach out to Joe Holt

More songs from Joe Holt on Spotify

Lyrics

I'm finally growing up

More confident each passing year

The stuff I was scared about

As of yet hasn't appeared

Something feels bittersweet

Watching these memories pile up

I'm ticking off victories

But nothing is ever enough

There's a beauty in the sadness when it comes along

Satisfaction is a sign that something's wrong

Maybe wanting more

Is what I'm living for

I'm hungry for time with you

Especially whenever you're near

It's got me missing you

While you sit right here

I don't have control anymore

I let it overflow

When I say goodbye

I'm thinking please don't go

There's a beauty in the sadness when it comes along

Just to taste how it'll hurt me when you're gone

Maybe wanting more

Is what I'm living for

There's a beauty in the sadness when it comes along

Yes I'm restless but at least I'm moving on

If I reach my goal

Or the trail goes cold

Doesn't matter if the search is what I want

Maybe wanting more

Is what I'm living for

When you promote independent artists and, at the same time, are part of Luna Keller’s circle, you find yourself in a tricky situation.
There’s a very good side: you get to meet lots of people like Luna, people who are genuinely kind at heart and artists with a natural gift for giving chills. The downside is that you meet so many of them (maybe even too many) which means you can’t give them all the attention they deserve. And that’s something I sometimes regret.

Of course, I’ve already watched a few of Jory Avner’s livestreams on Twitch (that’s where the two artists met). And I quickly noticed that these two were destined to get along. So, it’s no surprise that Jory Avner is part of the seemingly endless list of people Luna Keller writes and records collaborations with. Both are incredibly sensitive souls, and I knew their meeting of minds would result in emotional sparks. As I listened to "Paper Moon" for the first time, I immediately got goosebumps. Obviously.

It starts with a combination of elements that never fail to give me chills: acoustic guitar and piano. The piano is an instrument that’s very dear to me because I’ve played it since I was a kid, and it’s always fascinated me. Sadly, I don’t hear it often enough in the songs submitted to me. As I continued listening, I glanced at the press release and noticed Dominic Romano’s name. Then, not long after, Harley Eblen’s cello appeared, and I thought to myself, "Okay, we’ve got the dream team."

Yes, Luna knows how to surround herself! Here we have an artist from Chicago, another based in Cologne, Germany, and a production coming from California: a planetary effort for a song that crossed oceans multiple times, back and forth, for our ultimate listening pleasure. Today, we get to enjoy this little gem that feels so relatable.

As Luna explained, "Paper Moon" is about this "perpetual search for meaning." To me, it echoes "Patterns," a song from her album "Ocean Inside of Me." That track deals with cycles of self-destruction that keep repeating. In the interview for the first issue of this magazine, Luna mentioned that "you can’t keep doing the same things and expect a different result."

"Paper Moon" seems to reflect that realization, wrapped in breathtaking beauty thanks to majestic vocal harmonies, Harley Eblen’s magical cello, Dominic Romano’s unmistakable touch, and the incredible mastering work of Sam Moses. It’s yet another little treasure to add to your playlists.

Reach out to Luna Keller

Reach out to Jory Avner

Jory Avner & Luna Keller's take on "Paper Moon"

I remember hearing one of Jory's songs for the first time and feeling so deeply seen. He manages to hit you with the spaces between the lines unlike anyone else. We have quite different approaches to writing technically but our emotional connection to music is similar. It's a great combination because we both got to bring our unique voice to it while still speaking the same language. It hits me hard every time, recording the vocals was hard cause I felt like crying quite often.

Working with Luna on this song has been a deeply enriching experience. When I first heard her music, I was immediately captivated by her ability to balance the sort of light and darkness with her lyrics and melodies. She's also just a prolific songwriter in her own right, and working together I feel has expanded my own view of the process. Our new song is definitely something that comes from an all too familiar place not just for both of us, but I feel anyone and everyone in these strange times.

A bit more about Jory Avner & Luna Keller

Luna Keller is an independent singer-songwriter who tells stories with authenticity and heart. Connection and appreciation are at the core of her work, she calls her songs friends and she hopes they can be that for others too. She’s released two full length albums, the most recent one being “Ocean Inside Of Me” (2024, crowdfunded on Kickstarter raising 17k€). Since then she has been touring Europe, and working on her next EP “Rescue Songs” that has already been successfully crowdfunded and is set to be released in early 2025.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Jory Avner has been writing and performing music for over fifteen years, has released three studio albums, and headlined shows all across the United States and Canada. Captivating audiences with his deeply intimate lyricism and guitar he creates an atmosphere that invites self reflection, and human connection. He is currently recording his fourth studio album, End of an Era.

Lyrics

You can sing to that paper moon

Pace in that ivory room

Hold out your hands and say please

You can kiss in the sideways rain

Sleep on that bullet train

There's always some place you gotta be

What's making your head spin so?

Like a ride at the carnival

It was good for a while

Same old views

Same old songs

Tinsel and toys and forget me nots

Nothing new

Ain't life sweet

A pinwheel of seasons and sordid streets

You sought out those city lights

Some sort of grand design

A figure to fall behind a guarantee

What's aching beneath your bones?

Some science you cannot know

Same old news

Same old songs

Tangents and proofs and circular thoughts

Crowded rooms

Belts and strings

Running on fumes and dangerous things

What can you do?

Symptom and cause

What does that mean?

What does it cost?

What do you want?

You can sing to that paper moon