It’s time for another mini-concert season for me! Reminiscent of August 2022 and 2023, I have four shows that I’m pleased to attend in the next two weeks by Paul Weller, Crash Adams, Kygo/Sam Feldt/Hayla, and Conan Gray. I last saw Paul Weller (ex-The Jam and Style Council) in 1992 so I’m looking forward to hearing what he might play from his huge repertoire although there may be a focus on his recent album 66. Other than being introduced to Hayla through her compelling performance at the pre-show for the EDMA’s in Miami earlier this year, I have never seen the others perform in concert, so it should be a fun two weeks!
In the Report, you can also check out my pick of the week, along with a record of the week 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’ Classic Five are a handful of favourites from 1986. And if you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser in my 700th BILLCS Top 30 chart.
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.
MAVIS STAPLES, “Worthy”
I think the legendary Mavis Staples sets a new bar for older performers to continue to record if they are able to do so. At 85, “Worthy” is fresh and uplifting, and her dynamic voice remains captivating. The song bridges older school R&B and blues with contemporary flavours. Produced by MNDR, the song intends to capture the essence of her work with Prince in the 80’s, and I think she has done that justice and more. Staple Singers songs like “I’ll Take You There”, “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)” and “Heavy Makes You Happy” remain enduring classics because of their positive messages and fun rhythms. Mavis is also touring, so if she comes to your city you may want to take the time to check out her show.
LAFRANTZ, “Rattlesnake”
There is too little contemporary rock ‘n roll front and centre these days, so much that people declare on social media that rock music is dead on a regular basis. Hearing a song like LaFrantz’s “Rattlesnake” is proof enough of a clever, catchy rock song with southern pop and blues influences. It also sits on the fence adjacent to the rock-flavoured country songs that are coming out today such as Dasha’s “Austin” and Post Malone’s recent album release. LaFrantz are duo Jackson LaFrantz and Megan Larsen, and. Jackson also happens to have co-written two of my favourite songs of the year – Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” and “Slow It Down” – plus last year’s collaboration by Martin Garrix and JVKE, “Hero”, my #2 song of 2023. And while LaFrantz’s sound compliments Benson’s more pop-flavoured songs, there is quite a distance between them. “Rattlesnake” is a fun record with a number of hooks and both singers’ voices mix it up handily.
GREYSON CHANCE, “Meet Me Outside”
Greyson Chance continues to preview his next album project with an earnest and personal new track, “Meet Me Outside”. I find that it takes a bit longer to get into Greyson’s introspective and thoughtful alternative pop releases, which makes hearing them in an intimate concert setting a must. I’m not entirely certain what “Meet Me Outside” is about. To me, it seems to tackle a phase of dating that you go through when you’re enjoying the person’s company, but you know somehow that it won’t go any further, with clues like “I’ll never meet your parents” and “you can run but you can’t hide” lending to the mystery and provocativeness of the situation. Featuring a moving vocal by Greyson, you’ll find that “Meet Me Outside” gets under your skin with repeated plays.
JESSE CLEGG, “Hurricane”
While he is travelling down a different path in terms of his musical style, South Africa’s Jesse Clegg was certainly blessed with the musical talents of his late father, the great Johnny Clegg. His latest release, “Hurricane”, co-written with Nick Petricca of Walk The Moon, is a zippy slice of power pop which alludes the end of a relationship to a destructive hurricane, and relates how we get through it all. The track is also imbued with soulful, energetic harmonies by the Jeppe Girls Choir from Jeppe Girls High School in Johannesburg, which make it stand out and compliment Jesse’s moving vocal.
Jesse plays in NYC at Carnegie Hall on October 29 in a special double bill with Zolani Mahola.
LIV MIRALDI, “Denver”
Ohio-born, L.A.-based singer/songwriter Liv Miraldi translated one of the worst years of her life into five songs that comprise her EP called 2019. Liv is already well-known as a versatile songwriter who has worked with and contributed to songs by South Korean sensations ENHYPEN, Mod Sun, Tinashe, Steve Aoki, NOTD and Dylan Conrique among many. “Denver” is a highly relatable break-up song about falling head-over-heels in love with someone in another city (the title city) yet tragically gets shut down and ghosted by that person. The song works through an individualized cathartic process that we go through when we can’t comprehend what has happened. Liv’s voice will appeal to fans of Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves, and “Denver” raises the curtains of life for Liv with a hopeful and anthemic melody.
PAWSA, “Too Cool To Be Careless”
British producer PAWSA reimagines Dennis Edwards’ 1984 classy R&B and dance hit “Don’t Look Any Further” (featuring Siedah Garrett) in a cover that’s reconstructed for dance clubs. Club DJ’s will see their patrons flock to the floor to get down to the old school flavours of this classic jam. The vocals are in their element, but this one is all about taking the best parts of the original track and fusing them with nu grooves and a big, bassy sound. “Too Cool To Be Careless” is a splendid surprise!
THANDO, “Want You”
NYC producer/DJ lives with the spirit of 70’s disco inside him, and he refines it into his own form of nu disco in “Want You”. I’m not sure where the vocal comes from – that is, if it’s a sample or uncredited vocal – but you could hear it mix into songs by Dombresky, Yung Bae, Sofi Tukker, The Knocks, and others who believe in the power and influence of disco music. The melody makes you picture whirling dancers having a blast on the dance floor – maybe with these kinds of songs, we’ll see that again one day soon.
SILAS NELLO, “Holy Ghost Blues”
Sometimes talented performers don’t need a full band backing them up to make a terrific record. “Holy Ghost Blues” is an indie rock release by Texas-born, L.A.-based Silas Nello and his upcoming EP West Hollywood. The song consists of vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica and tambourine, and that’s it. Silas pulls off an engaging vocal with an appropriately lurid tale of being stuck in a city’s underbelly. “Holy Ghost Blues” is also one of those memorable songs that will turn heads and easily create a hushed room when played in concert. Alternative and college radio stations will love “Holy Ghost Blues”.
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, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
The multi-artist collaboration of Hugel, Topic and Arash with vocalist Daecolm arrives with the European dance smash “I Adore You”
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Russ’ record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
I was in their hometown over Labour Day weekend! It’s The Sheepdogs with “Take Me For A Ride”
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, where you can also hear both my New Music and Retro Picks of the Week. Hunter can also be heard weekdays at 2pm EST on Party Dog Radio.
“American Idol” 2024 winner Abi Carter with “Peppermint Sky”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, which can be heard Tuesdays at 6pm EST, where you can also now hear my Retro Pick of the Week. 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.
Robert Palmer – Addicted To Love
Double – The Captain Of Her Heart
Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
Culture Club – Move Away
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) – If You Leave
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
10 years before his hit “Ah! Leah!”, Donnie Iris wrote “The Rapper” for his band The Jaggerz (#2, 1970)
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
“Mi Amor” by Sam Feldt, JVKE and Anitta gets a third appearance at #1!
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s “Leo (Flicker)” by dance production collective Starsigns with UK singer/songwriter George Gleeson (20-9)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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