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June 5, 2023 Interview with ‘Shades Of Blue’ singer-songwriter Lilith Merlot

Interview with ‘Shades Of Blue’ singer-songwriter Lilith Merlot

Image credit: Rona Lane Photography

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.

RCRD LBL introduces Lilith Merlot:

Stream / Download: Lilith Merlot – Shades Of Blue EP

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!

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May 29, 2023 SOULFUL SINGER-SONGWRITER DONOVAN KEITH RELEASES ‘HEARTBREAK SOLILOQUY’

SOULFUL SINGER-SONGWRITER DONOVAN KEITH RELEASES ‘HEARTBREAK SOLILOQUY’

Image by publicist

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

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May 9, 2023 Interview with Faroese songstress Marianna Winter

Interview with Faroese songstress Marianna Winter

Image credit: Dania O. Tausen

In search of fair treatment, Faroese songstress Marianna Winter says that women deserve to be heard, speaking through her latest song, ‘Consequences’. The song is a tactful approach to protest, delivering the message with grace. That isn’t to say it lacks fire. Rather, it sizzles with the heat of Marianna Winter’s clear voice and strong desire for equality.

Stream / Download: Marianna Winter – ‘Consequences’

What’s more, the singer has published an official music video for the track, which bolsters her message, acting as fuel to the social justice flame therein. But in a fun, light way. Wondering where this all came from, we asked Marianna Winter for the song’s backstory:

What is the story behind ‘Consequences’?

Long story short, the story portrays two women, acting like boys. 

We chose to reenact different iconic scenes from movies made by Quentin Tarantino, because of a love for his work, but also because the weird, surreal movie scenes portray our reality quite well.

Here goes the long backstory:

Trygvi, the director, and I were brainstorming on how we wanted to portray the song. Initially, I had imagined a couple, maybe a crazy girlfriend thing. But then we dove a little deeper into the feelings of betrayal, mistrust, and craziness that the song is built on and got to talking about a situation that had occurred a week earlier where I and some other female musicians had put together a girls-only jazz jam because the Faroe Islands is still very far behind on gender inclusivity in the music environment. Most professional musicians are male, and there are almost never any female instrumentalists at the late-night jams. Our girls’ jam struck a chord in a lot of men in the music environment, and it got a lot of weird pushback. We got to talking about how annoying it is to feel less than, as a woman in the music industry, and how I always feel like some men are just waiting for the opportunity to push us down and will call us whiney for pointing out the inequality.

So we decided we would stick it to the guys and give the song and music video an extra layer by making the narrative more about mistrust and inequality in general instead of “just” in a relationship.

What is your worst musical pet peeve?

When I’m at a concert and the musicians or singers have lyrics and notes on stage… I get feeling scared or nervous that you’ll forget the lyrics or something, but I would honestly rather hear someone sing “lalala” and be present rather than the right words.

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

The first time I remember being at a concert and having this screaming feeling of “I WANT TO BE UP ON THAT STAGE” was at a Britney Spears concert in 2009 at the age of 9.

Before that, there was a lot of singing and performing in front of my family, with my pink plastic karaoke machine. Music was a big part of my growing up. One of my family members is in a world-famous rock band and I remember how cool it was to be backstage at huge venues in the US and seeing them work. Music is also a big part of the Faroese culture, where I did most of my growing up. Basically everyone in our country CAN sing, because it’s a big part of our traditions, and it’s something we always end up doing at parties and cultural events.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

I like to start a songwriting session off with a vibe check. Like choosing if it’s a feel-good vibe, sad vibe, sexy vibe, etc.

When going into a session, I usually always have a handful of ideas. I have a million short and stupid-sounding voice memos and notes on my phone. Then I’ll choose, together with my producer, which Idea we both relate to and want to pursue.

Sometimes the idea will be a whole chorus, verse, sometimes just a singular lines, or just a melody. From there on, it’s all about the flow. I like to work with a producer because I find it’s way easier to write melodies and lyrics when I have an underlying vibe going on and never better if it sounds amazing.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

That’s a TOUGH one… I LOVE studio work and music creation because it’s always a surprise which way it goes, and I feel so much lighter after a session.

That being said, performing is also such a huge explosion of energy, love and connection, which leaves me all jittery after. The problem is, as much as I love performing I tend to get really nervous, which obviously is uncomfortable for a while until you feel safe and secure on stage. For me, it takes a couple of songs to feel at place, but when I do it’s all good.

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

A very young little girl telling me after a concert that I was such a good singer that she was now going to go home and practice so she could sing just like me.

If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?

So much different music. It wouldn’t even make sense. We’d go through Pop, Indie Rock, Jazz, Americana, R&B, and Soul.

Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show

Mahalia (Love and Compromise), Chet Baker (Chet Baker Sings), Lennon Stella (Three. Two. One.), Beharie (Beharie, the third), America (Homecoming).

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

It looks like performing in front of people, playing concerts around the world, and people showing up. This would also initially lead to living off of music exclusively and not having it be a stress factor.

One last thought to leave your fans with?

Go with your gut, not what other people think is cool.

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April 28, 2023 Pop musician LT releases ‘Act Your Age’ music video

Pop musician LT releases ‘Act Your Age’ music video

Image credit: @SheisAphrodite

LT has provided her fans with a music video for her already-released single ‘Act Your Age’. Directed by Brendan Schoenmaker, the visuals came together quickly. In fact, it was “Filmed in one day at Brisbane City Hall,” said the singer. 

The video opens with a secretary lost in a daydream and various workers organising paperwork. In the middle of the white shirts sits LT gowned in green. She takes her place at the head of the boardroom table, where she, like the secretary, loses herself in thought. 

What is she planning? Where is this going? We don’t have to wait long to find out… Following her lead, her fellow ‘colleagues’ quit what they were doing, choosing to have a good time instead. LT’s falsetto sets the backdrop for this moment of feel-good insubordination. Out now via LT Records.

LT Tour Dates 2023

Thursday 20th April – It’s Still A Secret, Brisbane, Australia

Friday 21st April – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Australia

Wednesday 24th May – (Secret Show), Liverpool, UK

Friday 2nd June – Levi’s Corner House, Cork, Ireland

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