Liz Cass just released her brand new single ‘Too Hot’, a scorching pop track which glistens with an 80s disco shimmer as she casts away fickle past relationships among its infectious funky groove. ‘Too Hot’, which was produced by William Dinesen and mixed and mastered by DARGZ (Moses Boyd, Flyte, Poppy Ajudha), follows the release of her critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Words’.
Earlier this year, Liz also shared the ‘Teardrops’EP, a choice selection of songs from Womack and Womack, Joy Division, Mazzy Star and Rialto, which she covered with her unique touch as her broad vocals paired with soaring synths and downtempo beats. “Tender and tranquilising… plays on her vintage tones and ambience,” said Notion of the release, while Wonderland wrote, “Liz continues to captivate listeners and establish herself as a rising star.”
Regarding her latest song, Liz says, “‘Too Hot’ is the first single from my next project. It’s inspired by those fiery and quick to burn out romances that lack any meaningful foundation. A lot of fun and excitement but never lasting. I used to seek that out, but now just the idea of it is exhausting to me!”
“Space-Pop” pioneer Whammyboy is back with another incredibly feel good track in ‘Chop It’, out on the 4th of August via Gems (Warner Music Norway). After his single ‘Heart’ received support from BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists Show, he’s gone on to play shows in both England and Scandanavia, with an EU and UK tour coming up in Autumn.
His fourth single, ‘Chop it’ is a befitting name for a song that is full of glitchy, chopped sounds and melodies. It’s incredibly fresh and modern, yet it manages to sound nostalgic, with an almost Disco-like beat and rhythm section underpinning the ever-modern synths and effects. His vocals are clean and extremely catchy as they float over a bouncing offbeat bass that hops on-and-on throughout the track. It’s the type of song you leave on repeat. It’s pop music for both humans and aliens.
Whammyboy had this to say: “It’s called that (Chop It) basically because I’m chopping some sounds…it’s very literal. The technique was inspired by Daft Punk, production-wise. But then it turned into something else, thanks to the offbeat bass from my childhood again. It really has me in its grip! With the lyrics, they’re very kind of vague, expressionistic kind of lyrics.”
Having recently performed at Piknik i Parken in Oslo in June, Whammy Boy will be bringing his eclectic electro-pop sound to Pstereo in Trondheim and Reeperbahn Festivals in Germany in August and September followed by a EU and UK tour in October. Look out for the release of his debut EP “Space Pop Vol. I” on the 8th of September.
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.
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.
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
