I have no additional commentary to add to this Report, so I wish everyone a happy long weekend ahead and a wonderful Good Friday and Easter holiday to those who celebrate them.
Do make sure you check out my daughter VXTORIA‘s debut electronic dance single called “Back To You”, available on all platforms. It’s already been added to two big dance music playlists, and more are on their way! Her next single, the more club-oriented “changes”, arrives on April 25!
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 is back from his lengthy vacation with a Classic Five selection from 1988-89. Plus you’ll find out what the BILLCS Top 30 looked like this week in 2002!
Reminder: Click on the photos below to listen to the songs, usually with a Spotify link unless otherwise indicated.
FRANCESCO YATES, “If I Have You”
About the artist – Toronto’s Francesco Yates has been all about the R&B crooner vibe in his latest era, but he mixes things up a bit more with “If I Have You”.
About the record – I just loved Fran’s Little Rockstar EP from a few years ago, and “If I Have You” marries the best of both worlds – the R&B crooner and the rock ‘n roll guitarist. Of course this isn’t a new thing in music, think back to the 70’s and how much singers like Teddy Pendergrass or Donna Summer had rock flavours in some of their songs. Straddle that with underlying influences from Lenny Kravitz, D’Angelo, Maxwell, and Teddy Swims and this is where “If I Have You” goes. Oh and Fran’s vocal soars at key moments in the song.
Other comments – “If I Have You” is hands down Francesco Yates’ best recent release.
THE KNOCKS, DRAGONETTE, “Foolish Pleasure”
About the artists – Though they have collaborated before, American dance producers The Knocks and Canadian alternative pop/dance artist Dragonette (now only Martina Sorbara) have a complete project on the way in June called Revelation. “Foolish Pleasure” continues their string of pre-album singles.
About the record – “Foolish Pleasure” is the best one yet. Last year on their collaboration with YELLE, “All The Time/Tout le temps”, The Knocks introduced a sound into their repertoire focusing on high end synths and brighter melodies. That has continued with their collaborations with Dragonette. The cheery, lighter surroundings suit Martina’s vocal and the carefree nature of this particular song. Though I may be missing some slamming beats, I’ll temporarily trade them for cool songs like “Foolish Pleasure”.
Other comments – Top 40 radio could use fresh sounds like this. But since that’s next to impossible given the awful state of that format, I’m hoping national dance radio will embrace and champion “Foolish Pleasure”.
GABE JAMES, “Wake Up”
About the artist – Gabe James is a singer/songwriter who was born in Colorado but has lived in L.A. these past six years. He came to my attention a few years ago with the charming pop/folk whimsy of “Gracie” and the infectious, sarcastic humour of “College”, which both landed on the BILLCS Top 30. He recently appeared as a contestant on “American Idol” and performed a cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love”, but didn’t appear on the show after that (this has happened to a number of past contestants).
About the record – Gabe shifts gears to a more Sam Fender-friendly mix of rock and folk on “Wake Up”. The song’s zippy melody and earthy lyrics combined with a fine vocal all sound refreshing. I think more rock-oriented songs are on the bubble right now and “Wake Up” will certainly appeal to their audience.
Other comments – Gabe fell off my radar until recently but in the interim released two EP’s, and he’s currently working on his fourth one.
WIN & WOO, “Wings”
About the artist – The Chicago duo of Austin Woo and Nick Winholt has been a consistent force in dance music for most of the last decade, and it’s Austin that you’ll see in performance on live show dates. They’ve scored three BILLCS Top 30 entries, including the #7 “Break Me Down” with fellow Chicago denizens Autograf, and several of their songs have been streamed more than 10 million times each.
About the record – “Wings” dabbles more on the side of emotional dance pop than other Win & Woo releases. The engaging uncredited female vocal sound great, and the mid-tempo house rhythm is certain to make you sway while the lyrics transport you off to fantasyland for a bit.
Other comments – For clubs, “Wings” is more of an early evening kind of track, but because of its storyline, it also has sync potential for video games or animated films.
THE MOVING STILLS, “Running Out”
About the artist – The Moving Stills are an indie rock quartet from New South Wales, Australia who have released two albums to date. The band is Tom Mahler – vocals and guitar, Brad Guthmann – bass, Mike Drennan – guitar and vocals, and Ben Day – drums.
About the record – The Moving Stills set aside their often gritty, guitar-oriented sound in favour of more melodic pop in “Running Out” – in fact I would put this in the sub-genre of “dreampop”, though it’s not electronic pop. The grittiness is replaced with softer, mellifluous tones, carrying a story about a relationship coming to its end. The production sounds full and more layered than usual, showing us another side of this talented band.
Other comments – Fans of artists like Artemas and Ladyhawke will enjoy “Running Out”, and it’s one for college and alternative radio stations to check out too. The Moving Stills will be touring this summer again in Australia with Spacey Jane.
YARIN GLAM, “Rebel”
About the artist – Yarin Glam is an L.A.-based, Israel-born, indie alternative artist who has been releasing music more consistently these past two years. Her songs feature authentic, provocative lyrics, often with upbeat, danceable melodies.
About the record – “Rebel” is an electronic alternative empowerment anthem for women who find themselves being boxed in to satisfy the expectations of others. Yarin herself was a tomboy in her younger years who grew up battling resistance to everyday norms. “Rebel” is convincing in its sentiment with a bold, no-nonsense vocal set against a funky, uplifting rhythm.
Other comments – “Rebel” is the first single from Yarin Glam’s upcoming EP, Human. It’s another great fit for college and alternative radio stations.
BETH MERILL, “Unplug”
About the artist – Beth Merill is an indie DIY pop musician based in Bedfordshire, England who has been releasing songs for the last five years, which includes a debut EP, Relight.
About the record – Her latest single, “Unplug”, has an uplifting melody and focuses on self-realization during times when you simply can’t see the forest for the trees. That’s when we need to ‘unplug’, and often learn about doing this through friends, family, or other persons of trust such as doctors. Beth’s vocal is distinct and fresh, not sounding like anyone in particular.
Other comments – Fans of fellow Brits Holly Humberstone or Maisie Peters may wish to check out Beth Merill’s songs.
MUSTARD SERVICE, “Big Time”
About the artist – Mustard Service is a three-piece indie rock band from Miami led by vocalist/guitarist Marco Rivero Ochoa, who call their music “zest pop”. The band members are all of Latin heritage and often incorporate Latin flavours into their songs, some of which have attained over 5 million streams.
About the record – “Big Time” is slick, jangly surf rock whose story revolves around exiting a toxic relationship, which is difficult to do when you care about the other person, but must do so in a sink-or-swim kind of scenario. Marco’s vocal glides over the catchy melody, and the song is well-produced by Chad Copelin (Avril Lavigne, Wilderado).
Other comments – I didn’t detect any particular Latin vibes here, but Mustard Service is noted for bringing them out in live performances. “Big Time” will appeal to fans of The Strokes and The Black Keys.
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. Here are my picks for this week and last week.
Martin Garrix sings, and he also teams up with Indian musician Arijit Singh for “Angels for Each Other”
“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”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
It was my new music pick last week, and this week it gets Big Daddy’s endorsement – “back to friends” by sombr
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and is anchored at Party Dog Radio, where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. His show “Pyjama Party”, is also back on Saturdays at 5pm EST on Energy 885.
Representing Ireland for EuroVision this year is Norwegian singer EMMY’s “Laika Party”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show, where you can 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.
Sam Brown – Stop (1988)
The Bangles – Eternal Flame (1989)
Roxette – The Look (1989)
Fine Young Cannibals – She Drives Me Crazy (1989)
Martika – Toy Soldiers (1989)
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.
Top 40 Timeline was a repeat this week, so I’ll have a new retro pick for you next week.
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2002
A great chart for music, with super selections from albums that I was listening to by Remy Shand, David Usher and Craig David, and electronic dance music covered by tracks by Chemical Brothers, Absolom, iio, Ian Van Dahl, Alcazar, The Supermen Lovers, and Crystal Waters.
01 01 TAKE A MESSAGE Remy Shand
02 02 STAR GUITAR Chemical Brothers
11 03 I MET YOUR MERCY Remy Shand
17 04 CAN’T BE MESSING ROUND Craig David
05 05 MY WAY OUT David Usher
22 06 BLINDED David Usher
06 07 INSATIABLE Darren Hayes
08 08 WHERE’S YOUR HEAD AT Basement Jaxx
10 09 STARS Absolom
07 10 A DAY IN THE LIFE David Usher
03 11 RAPTURE (TASTES SO SWEET) iio
18 12 THE SECOND ONE Remy Shand
04 13 WILL I Ian Van Dahl
09 14 CRYING AT THE DISCOTHEQUE Alcazar
13 15 STARLIGHT The Supermen Lovers
16 16 THE WHOLE WORLD OutKast
12 17 DON’T YOU FORGET IT Glenn Lewis
14 18 JOY IN SMALL PLACES David Usher
NEW 19 THE MIDDLE Jimmy Eat World
16 20 GIRLFRIEND *N Sync
27 21 HERE IS GONE Goo Goo Dolls
19 22 COME ON DOWN Crystal Waters
20 23 7 DAYS Craig David
21 24 AMERICAN BOY Chris Isaak
25 25 DON’T LET ME GET ME Pink
28 26 THEY-SAY VISION RES
NEW 27 OOPS (OH MY) Tweet
NEW 28 SUPERHONEY Edwin & The Pressure
24 29 FUEL INJECTED Swollen Members
23 30 CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD Kylie Minogue
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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