Singer – RCRD LBL

September 26, 2025

September 26, 2025September 26, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Three cities, one strike: the forward drive of ZOCO’s debut “Restless”

The appeal of “Restless” is its engineering of momentum. ZOCO plots a straight line from idea to impact: write a song about killing routine, gather a cast that can play it with feel, and record it where the energy lands on tape. Sessions rolled through Los Angeles (Licorice Pizza Records) and Milan (Massive Arts Studios), with vocals produced and recorded in Nashville—three cities, one coherent picture. Gunnar Nelson produces (and sneaks in harmonies), Kerry Brown oversees, and Stephen DeAcutis mixes for punch and headroom; Howie Weinberg masters with the kind of top-end confidence that survives playlists and broadcast alike.

Players matter: Carmine Rojas’ bass lines are fluid and song-serving; the drum chair is shared—Slim Jim Phantom brings brush finesse, London Hudson adds modern weight—giving the track its dual character of glide and thrust. Marco Zocco’s baritone sits center, guitar work drawing clean lines rather than monuments. The chorus—co-written and sung with brothers Paolo and Matteo—is engineered for participation, the “whoa”s cueing the room.

“Restless” reads as a mission statement for LUMANISTA (Part 1) (January 2026): alternative rock with cinematic side-lighting, pop-scale hooks without the plastic. It’s independent music with professional torque, and that combination tends to travel.

Stream ‘Restless’:

Follow ZOCO:

Website – Instagram – TikTok – Youtube – Spotify

September 25, 2025

September 25, 2025September 25, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Sam Macdonald Unveils Debut Solo Track ‘Distant Light’ with Northern Roots

Northern singer-songwriter Sam Macdonald dropped his first solo single ‘Distant Light’ on September 23, 2025, taking a big leap into independent territory. Coming from Carlisle, Macdonald has been creating music for over a decade, and has shared stages with heavy hitters such as The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Telescopes, and Dead Skeletons, while building a name for himself in the indie scene. His sound pulls from childhood staples—Buddy Holly vibes and his dad’s old 50s and 60s tapes—mixed with Scouse and Northern icons like The La’s, The Coral, Shack, Echo & the Bunnymen, Oasis, and The Stone Roses. Add in classics from Neil Young, R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, The Rolling Stones, plus Motown’s groove and hip-hop’s rhythmic punch, and you’ve got a foundation that’s shaped his knack for blending melody with beat.

The track itself is a quirky fusion of rock, pop, and soul elements, delivered with a melodic twist that’s anything but straightforward. Macdonald channels those varied inspirations into something intimate, sharpening the edges for a personal touch. Lyrically, it weaves themes of chasing freedom, transformation, and glimpses of what’s ahead, all wrapped in a sound that’s concise and punchy with an alternative slant that sets it apart from his group efforts.

This shift to solo work highlights Macdonald‘s drive for self-direction, moving away from team dynamics to own every beat and visual. Sam Macdonald shared: “I have learned a lot about what I want to make. This is a movement towards something that is not driven by trying to appease other people’s ideas of what is right and wrong. The basslines, the drums and everything else is all at my direction. The make-up of everything, audio, visual is all driven by myself.” He wrapped up his mindset with: “Rarely is anything set in stone or black and white I think is certainly one thing. And making the most of what is right for you in an artistic sense, staying true to yourself.”

Stream ‘Distant Light’:

Follow Sam Mcdonald:
Spotify – Instagram

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Miss Sunshine’ Shines Bright: Plain Mister Smith’s Latest Single Hits Today

(Plain Mister Smith / Image Credit: Image credit: Sandra Lockwood)

Today, Plain Mister Smith has unleashed his new single ‘Miss Sunshine’ through Amelia Records/Symphonic. This track kicks off a series of singles paving the way for his 2026 album drop. Once the guitarist for Canadian darkwave outfit Moev, he’s also a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing a layered edge to his indie-folk craft. His sound has caught the ears of heavy-hitters like CLASH Magazine, NOTION, Under The Radar, Earmilk, METAL, Noctis Mag, and Atwood Mag, marking him as a name to watch in the indie scene.

‘Miss Sunshine’ is a tight, heartfelt cut that pairs breezy guitar hooks with a solid drum groove, courtesy of John Raham, all polished up in the mix by Chris Perry. It’s got that indie-folk charm with echoes of Pixies’ raw energy, Tame Impala’s dreamy sway, Death Cab for Cutie’s quiet depth, and The Beatles’ timeless hooks. The track digs into empathy and admiration for someone being unfairly treated, with a flicker of romance in the air—delivered through Plain Mister Smith’s warm, earnest vocals.

Plain Mister Smith shared: “If you’ve ever worked with the loveliest person in the world and found them mercilessly taken advantage of by fellow workers, then you’ll know a ‘Miss Sunshine’, or you may even have a crush on her.” That line sums up the track’s soul—a light yet emotional ride that’s as relatable as it is listenable.

Stream ‘Miss Sunshine’

Follow Plain Mister Smith:

Instagram – Facebook – X – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube – Spotify

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Finnegan Tui Ignites the Indie Folk Scene with “Fuel on the Fire”

(Finnegan Tui /Image credit: Godenschweger Photography)

UK-based indie folk standout Finnegan Tui dropped his latest single, ‘Fuel on the Fire’, via Eywa Music Ltd on January 17, 2025, and it’s already making waves. With 7.7 million streams racked up across platforms and regular spins on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Introducing South West, Tui’s carved out a solid rep as a must-hear voice in the scene. He’s clocked serious miles touring Europe, backing FINK for over 30 dates and opening for acts like RY X, Cosmo Sheldrake, and Junodream. Festival slots at Secret Garden Party, Boomtown, and Shambala, plus a confirmed gig at Kernowfornia Festival this September, show he’s no stranger to big stages. Add collabs with heavy hitters like Charlie Andrew and Matt Lawrence, nods from outlets like The Guardian and CLASH Magazine, a sync in Walker Independence, and sold-out nights at Omeara, La Boule Noire, and Lark, and you’ve got an artist on a steep upward climb.

The track itself, ‘Fuel on the Fire’, is a slow-burn gem produced by Jasper Trim and mixed by Andrew Scheps. It kicks off with sparse acoustic guitar, giving Tui’s vocals, deep, raw, and brimming with soul, room to breathe. The arrangement builds steadily, layering in pulsing beats, mournful strings, and atmospheric touches before hitting a choral climax that’s got real weight, blending folk roots with a widescreen vibe.

Finnegan Tui shared: “‘Fuel On The Fire’ explores the poignant theme of no longer recognizing a loved one, yet it ultimately offers a message of redemption. It feels like a phoenix rising from the ashes, mirroring my own journey from loneliness to joy. I hope this song resonates with listeners, offering them light and strength in their own challenges.”

Stream ‘Fuel on the Fire’: