Miami Music Week is either used by artists to attend Ultra Music Festival and/or to network with others from across the world who we don’t usually get to see face-to-face. I’ve certainly benefitted from the networking myself, and it’s a blast to see familiar faces again or to meet new ones that I’ve engaged with beforehand online. What came as a surprise to me this year is that I noticed how sparsely attended daytime events are – you know, the acts who perform hours before the headliner. I noticed how attendees basically just want to talk and drink, while the music goes into the background. Otherwise, no one seems to know what to do other than stop and watch – there’s very little dancing to some of the best dance music on the planet. So it’s disappointing to see that artists who have upwards of 200,000 followers on a platform like Instagram can only generate a handful of attendees. Something’s not right here, and while the artists don’t seem too disappointed about it, something has to change to make these events that start usually at Noon worthwhile for the artists by encouraging more people to arrive early. Otherwise these events are just about the headliners and not to showcase rising performers. Maybe looking back to the disco and house cultures of yesteryear is in order.
In the Report, you can check out my pick of the week, along with one from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers from online radio’s “3D Variety Show” has his Classic Five all from 1971. And if you missed them, you’ll find out what the #1 song and the Fastest Riser are on the latest BILLCS Top 30.
The BILLCS New Music Report is always a work-in-progress and I welcome your suggestions so feel free to contact me at through my social media links right here.
Reminder: Click on the photo to watch the video or listen to the song.
DEORRO, TELYKast, CATELLO, “Without Your Love”
“Without Your Love” epitomizes what a slick house track should be like. And it has lots of pedigree to bring it to that level – much-acclaimed veteran Mexican-American L.A.-based producer Deorro, L.A. production duo TELYKast (of #1 “Unbreakable” fame), and vocalist/producer Catello, best known for his #1 smash with NOTD, “Nobody”. Add more talents into the mix like songwriter Sandro Cavazzo and producer/songwriter Victor Thell (of Sweden’s Smith & Thell) and there’s plenty of reasons to check out “Without Your Love”. The deep tones of Catello’s voice start off the song auspiciously in this breakup story where the protagonist pleads for the return of his lover. The song is stacked with layers of atmosphere courtesy of Deorro and TELYKast and makes “Without Your Love” one not to miss.
MONCRIEFF, “Unlove You”
Meet Chris Breheny, otherwise known professionally as Moncrieff, who hails from County Waterford, Ireland and has been recording for about seven years. His brief career has taken some initially striking turns, from having his debut single played by Sir Elton John on his show to performing with Adele. This has all led to a record deal with the BMG subsidiary label Energie, which has just released his debut album Selfcare. From that album we have the stunning “Unlove You”. Moncrieff has the pitch-perfect voice that wrings every bit of emotion out of a lyric without being overwrought. So, you can expect “Unlove You” to grab you by the ears and make you want to hear more. The singer cites a lot of classic vocalists like Etta James and Otis Redding as inspiration. You can’t go wrong with that and lucky folks in Ireland and London can catch Moncrieff on tour this Spring.
KACEY FIFIELD, “Left Behind”
After introducing us to a pop/rock guitar sound in her last single, “Never Reply”, L.A.’s Kacey Fifield has now released her new EP, Nostalgia Haunts Me, and inside we find the catchy new track “Left Behind”. Like “Never Reply”, “Left Behind” is another collaboration with Smallpools’ guitarist Mike Kamerman and Winnetka Bowling League’s Sam Beresford, who produced the track. The song begins with lovely acoustic guitar work which lays the framework for a song about those various points in life when friends move on and you have to figure out what’s next for you. The production moves into a much more layered setting which is highly complimentary to Kacey’s vocal, lending an anthemic quality which acts as reassurance that everything is going to be okay in the end. Having written about Kacey’s music these last few years, “Left Behind” is one of her very best songs, with loads of potential for both pop radio airplay and inclusion in film or TV shows.
SAM DICKINSON, “Flex”
Following up his cover of Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff”, which is still climbing the BILLCS Top 30, UK singer/songwriter Sam Dickinson offers up another advance taste of his upcoming album with its title track, “Flex”. Working with different songwriting collaborators has helped create a fresh sound with “Flex”, while retaining a focus on Sam’s unique and soulful style. “Flex” has lots of 80s vibes that support its positive and encouraging message about using self-assurance and confidence to your advantage when needed. “Flex” is solid danceable R&B-pop and I’ll look forward to more of it on the album.
CHOCOLATE PUMA, “Voidwalker”
Dutch production duo Chocolate Puma (aka René and Gaston) have been recording and performing since the 90’s under various guises, with ultimately Chocolate Puma sticking for over 20 years. Their retro house track “Soul Fifty” with Firebeatz landed in the Top 10 of the BILLCS Top 30 a few years back, and “Voidwalker” is a driving instrumental full of percussion sounds that might make you think of Safri Duo’s classic “Played-A-Live”. It’s a track that doesn’t let up and fans of electronic dance instrumentals will love it. Club DJ’s looking for top notch instrumentals to blend into their sets can do no wrong with “Voidwalker”.
BENJAMIN RUSSELL, “Vale Of Pain”
One thing that I always enjoy about the music by Quebec artist Benjamin Russell is his ability to take you elsewhere in song. It’s sometimes sophisticated and at other times unexpected, and when I can’t find a song immediately that resonates with me, I know that a few listens later I’ll find one that sticks. Such is the case with “Vale Of Pain” from his recent album Pleasure Center. It may be a bit of a head-scratcher, but when you find that Benjamin describes it as “Tony Bennett meets Sparks”, you’ll be intrigued. As much as he can record progressive, contemporary songs using synthesizers, “Vale Of Pain” does have an old school – I mean, like 1940’s – ambiance about it in its absorbing story of a person who doesn’t know how he ended up where he is in life, where all that’s left is pain. While Benjamin sounds nothing like Tony Bennett, he has a unique story-telling style, and even with its touching subject matter, there’s a lot to enjoy in “Vale Of Pain”.
JAY SPARROW, “Rev Yr Engine”
Thunder Bay, Ontario born Jay Sparrow’s muse has led him in many directions, including being the owner of the Sea Change Brewing Co., Shiddy’s Distilling, and Flat Boy Burger brands. Now based in Edmonton, Alberta, Jay has unleashed his eighth solo album, named after the 1996 Paul Thomas Anderson film Hard Eight. Jay says “I make music because I have to, the rest of life is elective”, and you’ll find an unconventional sample of his songs in Hard Eight. “Rev Yr Engine” stands out for its taut arrangement, its fuzzy-sounding guitar work and key instrumental hook, and Jay’s diverse vocal, which finds it resting in his high range for the title refrain. It’s the kind of song that will instantly throw a hush over an audience in a small, crowded club. Hard Eight is produced by Juno Award nominated producer Mike Schlosser, and “Rev Yr Engine” should enjoy airplay on alternative and college radio stations.
LUCKY HONEY, “One You Call”
It’s always a pleasure to see a new project emerge from talented folks, and singer/songwriter/guitarist JJ Johnson (formerly of the rock band In My Coma) returns with Lucky Honey. The new Canadian quartet from just west of the Toronto/GTA area has a straight up, earnest rock sound on their debut single “One You Call” that isn’t quite as heavy as some of In My Coma’s work. We’ve all been in the situation that Lucky Honey has provided in “One You Call”, which makes it an easy listen. JJ and his buddies have got a tight sound out of the gate, so that makes future releases all the more promising, and will translate well into live performances.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world.
“Hopeless” by Philadelphia pop/hip hop duo N i G H T S
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S PICK OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online stations Radio GTA, Halton Hills Radio Online, & FM108.ca. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”.
“Seasons” by Thirty Seconds To Mars, featuring Oscar winner Jared Leto
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio shows “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and “Pyjama Party”, with both shows anchored at Energy 885.
“Survivors Of The Time”, a dance bop by LAWR3NZ, Robbie Rosen and Celyah
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show heard Tuesdays on Planet Radio Canada. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Bobby Sherman – The Drum
The Bells – Stay Awhile
Ocean – Put Your Hand in the Hand
The Carpenters – Rainy Days and Mondays
The Doors – Love Her Madly
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Benson Boone holds at #1 for a third appearance with “Beautiful Things”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
John Summit & Hayla’s amazing dance rave-up “Shiver” (17-5)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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