Disney has put a contemporary spin on their classic animation The Little Little Mermaid. Originally written by Hans Christian Andersen, the fairy tale has resurfaced, and this time with a twist. Now reimagined, The Little Mermaid is a musical adaptation featuring singer-songwriter Halle Bailey as Ariel, the little mermaid herself.
The major motion picture made its debut on the 26th of May and, naturally, the official soundtrack, written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, followed soon after – available now across digital streaming platforms. Fans can also purchase the cinematic score on vinyl at Disney Music Emporium.
Rob Marshall, the film’s director and producer, said the following: “Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda have written three thrilling new songs and one new reprise for this film, which is kind of amazing. It’s extraordinary actually.”
Lilith Merlot makes music to connect with herself and others, plumping the depths of her creative being and coming out the other side with something soulful to share with her listeners. Recently, she shared a new work, a 5-track EP titled Shades Of Blue, a composition that stretches across the gap, the rift, that has formed between two lovers. The project represents a process, a cathartic unpacking that helps Lilith process personal challenges, a process that she hopes will also help listeners find solace in her music.
Growing up, who was your biggest musical role model and why?
Alicia Keys, because I thought she was such a great singer, and I loved that she also played the piano. My favorite albums are her first two albums. The songs on there are such a great mix of groovy, uplifting tracks and ballads about heartbreak and other difficulties. I spent so many hours singing and playing her songs and trying to copy her ad libs! It definitely shaped me in a way.
Your new EP touches on themes of heartbreak. How do you think music has helped you to process life’s difficulties?
Music has always helped me to feel comforted and not alone, and also it helped me to dream and drift off. When I feel a little sad and I listen to music that comes from the same emotion, I feel understood and connected. It is such a relief. And music can also be so uplifting and energizing, when I need a little badass energy I will play ‘Truth Hurts’ by Lizzo, and I feel like I can do anything. Great way to start the day!
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
My earliest musical memories are of my mom (who was a classical violinist) playing with the orchestra. I was 4/5 years old and I would listen to their rehearsal in an empty concert hall. I just remember how big everything was: the stage, the hall, the massive sound that came from all those instruments. It felt so exciting!
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
When I get inspired I usually feel a bit restless, as though I have to get something off my chest. So when I recognize that feeling I will sit behind my grand piano at home and start playing around with some chord progressions, and I improvise vocally until I find a melody that sticks with me. First, it’s all gibberish, and then slowly the right words come. When I start writing, I often have no idea yet what I want to write about, but those first few words that come intuitively will set the tone for the song and what it’s about. The first verse and chorus are always quite easy to write, but I find the second verse and chorus the hardest part – that sometimes takes months! When I am writing all I need is my phone to record my ideas, and my green leather notebook to write it all down.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Both are so good! I loved creating all the songs in the studio with my producer Serge Dusault. Playing around with a song and trying different things until it all finally comes together is magic. But so is performing in front of a live audience. I initially write all these songs to help me navigate through feelings and just life basically, but I don’t want it to end there. I want these songs to help and maybe comfort others as well! Hopefully, these songs will let people know they are not alone in whatever it is they are going through, and there is no better way to connect with an audience than performing live for them. To me, studio work and performing live have one thing in common: if you are doing it right, you lose the sense of space and time for a moment, and that’s when the magic happens.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
It was not so much a response to my music, but a response to my voice at a time when I really needed it. I was studying Jazz vocals at the Rotterdam Conservatory when I was 19 years old, and I felt very insecure at the time. About my voice and my capabilities. Because of all the studying and the pressure, I had lost my joy in singing and it even changed my tone. Then one day, we had a masterclass by American singer Renée Neufville (who worked with the RH Factor, Roy Hargrove) and all the vocal students had to perform a song in front of her: In A Sentimental Mood. I sang, and for the first time in a long time, I enjoyed it. Afterwards, her feedback was that I sounded just like a Merlot, she thought my voice was so warm, deep and round. That gave me back my confidence, and years later I decided to use Merlot as my stage name.
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
Anything that moves me! It would be a lot of different genres, like Classical music, some soul and Neo-soul, Pop and Jazz and definitely some RnB.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
Nina Simone – ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’
Yebba – ‘Dawn’
Amy Winehouse – ‘Frank’
Jeff Buckley – ‘Grace’
Lizz Wright – ‘Salt’
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
If I could just spend my days creating music in the studio and making albums and playing it live on tour to connect with people that would make me very happy. As long as I love what I create, and there are people out there who resonate with it and get something out of listening to it, that is a huge success to me. Also, I would love to play through Europe, and it would be wild to play in the States and Asia for example. Of course, I want to reach as many people as possible!
Donovan Keith, the dynamic singer-songwriter known for his classic soul vocals and electrifying stage presence, dropped his latest single ‘Heartbreak Soliloquy’ on April 27th. This emotionally-charged track, written entirely without music accompaniment, showcases Donovan’s unparalleled talent for blending pop/folk and americana into a unique, vintage style that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.
Originally hailing from the Midwest and now calling Austin, TX home, Donovan has been a prominent figure in the music scene for over a decade. As the frontman of his first project, Soul Track Mind, Donovan’s showmanship and impressive voice won him acclaim from reviewers across the country. Donovan has shared stages with renowned acts such as Enrique Iglesias, Tower Of Power, Charles Bradley, and Erykah Badu, and has been featured in prestigious music festivals including SXSW, Wakarusa Music Festival, and Utopia Festival.
“Heartbreak Soliloquy” is a chill, relaxed, and heartfelt track that delves into the emotional landscape of a breakup, reflecting Donovan’s deep understanding of human connection and disconnection in modern society. The song’s lyrics and melody were written entirely by Donovan, and the instruments were recorded in Madrid, Spain with exceptional Spanish musicians before being completed in Austin with vocals, mixing, and mastering.
Donovan Keith’s latest single “Heartbreak Soliloquy” is a soul-stirring masterpiece that captures the raw emotions of heartbreak with a compelling blend of Americana, pop, and folk. With his unique style and powerful vocals, Donovan continues to captivate audiences and solidify his reputation as a rising star in the music industry.
“Heartbreak Soliloquy” is now available on all major streaming platforms. For more information, visit Donovan Keith’s website at www.donovankeithmusic.com
As musicians know, the audience is everything. As such, SoundCloud is in the process of launching an innovative new feature on SoundCloud for Artists that will enable creators to make direct contact with key members of their audience. Called ‘Fans’, the feature was built to help artists forge stronger bonds with their die-hard fans.
Still in the beta phase, the feature has been made available to over 50,000 test users, who are now able to message the select few who make a difference. The hope here is that artists will be able to build increasingly meaningful relationships with their core followers.
The potential here is worth noting: instead of relying on streams, musicians could, at least in theory, offer their loyal listeners exclusive content and merchandise, leading to higher revenue; the possibilities are endless. In addition, musicians will be able to track listening behaviours and form strategies based on the feature’s handy analytics dashboard.
