In her poignant new song ‘Thirty and Thriving’, singer-songwriter Sam Hart reflects on the complexities of coming of age as a woman, in our modern society. Accompanied by the moving visuals of actual VHS footage from her early childhood, the song’s cathartic lyrics allow Hart to disclose her challenging journey towards self-acceptance in spite of unrealistic pressures.
The gentle and melancholic piano accompaniment unveils the Canadian artist’s true essence as a powerful vocalist, effortlessly switching between delicate nuances and powerful highs and allowing her versatile voice to shine through.
When asked about her inspiration for the song, Sam Hart reveals “I wrote ‘Thirty and Thriving’ at a time when I was falling behind. It felt like I was running toward a door that never seemed to get closer. Writing this song helped me to truly understand that everyone’s path looks different and that’s okay”.
CHAiLD is a young rising pop artist born in Luxembourg and currently based in Brussels. His unique, soothing, yet intense voice grabs you by the gut and takes you into his melancholic universe. Inspired by artists like Troye Sivan, Sam Smith, Julia Michaels or Mø, the artist comes up with his very own pleasing style of Pop, in which he integrates his own Italian roots. CHAiLD is a generational voice for the queer youth in need of self-expression.
At only 25 years old, the artist has already added many remarkable achievements to his tally since kicking off his career in Luxembourg in 2019, such as his opening slots for his musical idols like Dean Lewis and Mahmood or his various performances at numerous festivals like Sonic Vision Festival (LUX) or Dockville (DE).
The young artist is ready to return with a new EP, Urgent Care, written at a time when he felt helpless and used songwriting as a way to cope with anxiety. The EP is a powerful and vulnerable exploration of the artist’s journey towards self-acceptance and healing. Through honest lyrics and soulful melodies, CHAiLD shares his realization that vulnerability is not a weakness but rather a way to connect with others and with oneself.
The title track “Urgent Care” sets the tone for the album, with CHAiLD laying bare his struggles and acknowledging his need for help. This theme is woven throughout the album, as the artist delves into his past traumas and the pain he has been carrying for too long.
Overall, “Urgent Care” is a raw and emotional EP that invites listeners to join CHAiLD on his journey towards self-discovery and healing. Through his music, the singer reminds us that it is okay to not be okay, and that asking for help is a brave and necessary act of self-care.
“‘Urgent care’ is my way of opening up to myself and to others. Throughout my life, I thought vulnerability was a flaw and that showing weakness resulted in an open invitation for people to hurt me. However now, I know I am allowed to tell people I’m not ok. It is ok to break down and to accept the fact that the world feels just a bit too much to handle from time to time. So, from now on, I will try to heal from the hurt I’ve been carrying within me. And most importantly, instead of dealing with it alone, I will ask for help. Yes, I am in urgent need for care.” – CHAiLD
LIVE DATES
15/04 EP release CHAiLD, Kulturfabrik (Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg)
13/05 Tallinn Music Week (TBD, Estonia)
17/06 Fête de la Musique Kopstal (Kopstal, Luxembourg)
29/07 festival congés annulés, Rotondes (Luxembourg, Luxembourg)
‘CAN’T BUY ME LOVE’ is the debut single from JAY ME LLAMAN, which serves as the first preview of what will be his first album. A single with two tracks inspired by famous pop and r&b artists like Janet Jackson or Justin Timberlake.
Its A-side, «CAN’T BUY ME LOVE», is a very danceable r&b song with which you can shake out everything that makes you sick. A very careful production through the use of virtual instruments and samples that accompany the versatile and elegant voice of the promising artist from Badajoz.
Its B side, «ALL I NEED», is a somewhat more relaxing and chill song, inspired by the sweetness and delicacy of India Shawn and with clear nuances of lofi and neosoul.
Born in Badajoz, JAY ME LLAMAN is a pop/r&b artist with a long history in the music industry. After introductory training in guitar and piano, he began to compose and perform his music in 2012. In recent years, he has also remained very active on the concert circuit in Madrid and Extremadura, DJing at various LGTBIQ+ friendly parties in Madrid and appearing in various contests on the national music scene such as LaRemovida from RTVE.
He is currently presenting the first previews of his debut album, «AT LEAST I TRIED», a 13-track conceptual work that explores the different stages of a relationship, from its beginning to its end.
His first single has been available since December 15th on all digital platforms:
Pleasing and alluring vocals erupt in Hooked like Helen’s latest song ‘Winter (Tori Amos cover)’ released under Stipp Manor Music.The new track is powerful in its lyricism which is expertly interpreted by both the simplicity of the gentle piano notes and the contralto of the singer. consequently, as the vocals rise and fall throughout the melody, an out-of-body experience takes place because the song can transcend happy emotions to expose the hidden tender need a girl holds for assurance towards her father. Continue reading for the interview below.
How has ‘Winter’ (Tori Amos cover) changed your lives?
The song is about a girl’s relationship with a father figure who believes in her and sees greatness in her that she might not see in herself, even as time goes by and dreams fade. Ironically, I did not have anyone in my life who fit that role for me as I was growing up, but I think this might be the very reason the song resonates with me on such a visceral level. Music allows us to escape, imagine, and build castles in our minds. When I sing and play “Winter”, I am (for 4 minutes and 30 seconds) one of those girls with a dad who loves her. I get to have a moment in the snow where I’m protected by gloves too big for my hands. Creating our version of “Winter” has been cathartic and painful and healing and challenging…and just what I needed.
What would you like listeners to take away from the song?
We really just wanted to introduce this beautiful song to our listeners through our lens, without compromising too much of Tori’s vision. Art is open to interpretation, especially music like this; it paints pictures and evokes emotions without too much specificity. We wanted to create a modernized version of Tori Amos’ musical perfection for our audience, and let them consume it in whatever capacity feels right to them.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
Music has been our deepest love since both Jon and I were kids. Babies, honestly. When I was 3 years old, my big sister had a little Casio practice keyboard. I remember vividly, all these years later, that one of the demo songs pre-programmed into the keyboard was “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel. The cheesy synth sounds that floated out of those cheap internal speakers painted streaks of colour and moving patterns across my mind, each musical part in the arrangement creating a different visual against the black backdrop of my consciousness. This was the first time I experienced Chromesthesia that I can remember, and the beginning of my obsession with music.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
The songs come about in different ways, but there is always an “ah-ha!” moment in the process; that moment when we know we’ve struck the right note with the right chord with the right lyric. Sometimes this comes quickly, and sometimes it takes hours or even days of coming back to it, but the song is not a song until it hits that sweet spot when you just KNOW it’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Writing songs is preferred over recording – Jon and I are perfectionists so it can get a little tedious in the recording process. The writing part is our self-expression and our contribution to the world, so it feels incredibly satisfying to create something that we think is worth other people’s ear-time. Playing live is our fuel, our life source, our energy. It is SO incredibly fun and cathartic and we can’t live without it.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Over the course of our career, we have had quite a number of people on the autistic spectrum and parents of autistic children tell us that our music – and our live performances in particular – have soothed them and connected with them in a way that other music does not. We have tried to analyze why this might be the case, and we’re not sure, but it means the world to know that these special, neurodivergent individuals are able to take something from our art that they might not get from other music.
Also, Fiona Apple saw us play once and told me she was in love with me haha. That was a highlight for sure!
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
All the best music from the 1980s and 90s! Pop, rock and alternative.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
Michael Jackson – Dangerous
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction
Green Day – Dookie
Mariah Carey – Butterfly
Prince – Purple Rain
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
Success looks like reaching people who are truly positively affected by our music. It’s earning enough money to be able to have freedom and opportunity for our son and to make a difference in the world.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
The world is full of monsters disguised as men. Protect yourself and believe in yourself no matter what.
