I hope that my readers in the western world are having a fab, sun-and-fun-filled summer! I have no commentary this week, so please be sure to check out all the great tunes in this week’s Report.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week, along with a record of the week from “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. This week, “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five selections are all about some rockers from 1976. Please do check out the playlist for The MAPL Tapes Show #25 with songs by featured artist Cameron Whitcomb. And if you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser on the BILLCS Top 30!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
WH0, “Wh0 Can Dance”
About the artist: WH0 is British dance producer Robert Chetcuti, and has appeared in these blog pages and on the BILLCS Top 30 several times. WH0 started out as a mystery project in 2018, which was unmasked in 2023. He has worked alongside or produced artists like Nile Rodgers, David Guetta and Rōyksopp.
About the record: Another artist that WH0 has worked with is Armand van Helden, so “Wh0 Can Dance” is certainly a tip of the hat to him. The song is based on Carrie Lucas’ 1979 disco hit “Dance with You”, whose strings arrangement was later further popularized worldwide in Armand’s massive 1999 smash “U Don’t Know Me”, which went to #1 in the UK. But WH0’s production here presses all the right buttons and makes a timely revival of music now recognized across dance music generations. The vocals are here to generate a party, like WH0 has previously done with “Rock the Party”, and this one is a must for club DJ’s and festival play.
Other comments: WH0’s “Rock the Party” and “What You Need” (with Steve Angello) both reached #1 on the BILLCS Top 30 in 2023-24.
AMOS & RIOT NIGHT, GRANT TROWBRIDGE, LUCY STARR, “Pieces”
About the artists: All of the artists hail from the UK and have worked together or supported each other in the UK trance community. Amos & Riot Night is the artist name for David McClelland, who has garnered support from some of the biggest DJ’s including Tiësto and Armin van Buuren. Grant Trowbridge is newer to the scene as a producer within the last 5 years, and Lucy Starr is a singer/songwriter.
About the song: We often hear that dance music is a huge aid for people in getting through difficult personal times. “Pieces” is about the aftermath of close member of David McClelland’s family which was immediately followed by a breakup. After experiencing that trauma, he realized he could document it through a positive message in song. “Pieces” is the uplifting result, and fans of Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren and Gareth Emery should easily embrace it, featuring a beautiful vocal by Lucy Starr.
Other comments: “Pieces” is released by noted trance label Future Sounds of Egypt, through which Amos & Riot Night and Lucy Starr have previously released.
MIKE BERN, “The Belt”
About the artist: Mike Bern is an indie singer/songwriter who hails from the Tobique First Nation near Perth-Andover in New Brunswick. He is a member of the Wolastoqey Indigenous people and shares his personal and cultural experiences through song.
About the record: “The Belt” is a provocative song about a man who goes off to war, and returns a changed person psychologically. Yet the image of a belt hanging by the doorway to his house – usually seen as a sign of control and a threat for punishment – continues to define him despite other admirable traits and the after-effects of war. It’s a haunting song for sure, and Mike’s convincing and earnest vocal sends the song home. “The Belt” is a thought-provoking song, but it’s also a compelling story that sticks with you.
Other comments: “The Belt” follows the release of two albums by Mike, Ancestors and Waponahkew.
RACHEL BOCHNER, “Say That You Don’t”
About the artist: Rachel Bochner is a Brooklyn-based queer indie alt.pop singer/songwriter whose music I’ve written about before. She has since released a debut album called Lovergirl whose songs have received over two million streams.
About the record: “Say That You Don’t” follows the aftermath of a breakup when you’ve hurt someone but still care enough for them to want to take it back. Fans of singers like Lorde, Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish will appreciate Rachel’s vocal and her approach to songwriting, with the jangly full-band arrangement giving the song a huge lift from its deeper subject matter. The song confronts guilt, but without giving into changing the right decision you’ve made for yourself.
Other comments: “Say That You Don’t” will be included in Rachel’s upcoming sophomore album, I Guess a Sure Thing Couldn’t Go Down Gently.
SUE PROSSER, “Mistaken Identity”
About the artist: Sue Prosser is a veteran queer blues-rock performer from Brockville, Ontario who is known for her powerful live performances in south-eastern Ontario.
About the record: “Mistaken Identity” is a song that came together quickly on a four-track recorder about someone that Sue noticed in a bar who resembled an ex, only to find that it was a different person entirely. It morphed into a familiar theme for many of us, about memories that you can’t let go of for whatever reason but become easier to carry as time goes on. Sue’s performance is gritty and passionate, and you could easily hear why it would translate into a special moment in a set in a live performance. Fans of Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, and Susan Tedeschi are bound to enjoy “Mistaken Identity”.
Other comments: One of the performers on the record as well as in Sue’s live band is bassist Gary Lalonde, who is also still a member of Honeymoon Suite.
BRAND NEW HEARTACHE, “New Alchemy”
About the artist: Brand New Heartache is married duo Eleese and Matthew Meschery, currently based in Nashville but originally from Oakland, California. They are an indie duo whose musical style crosses pop, folk and rock boundaries, meaning that there’s something in their songs for just about anyone.
About the record: “New Alchemy” was first released in 2024 but could serve as the best introduction to Brand New Heartache, and is accordingly the lead track from their debut album A New Alchemy. The title is what happens when love is in the air, when everything in life suddenly becomes blurry or foggy, and, accoding to the couple “seems to transform time and space and defy the laws of physics and pure reality“. Eleese and Matthew sound great together. Their harmonies sound like they’ve already spent a lifetime together, and “New Alchemy” is full of crafty hooks and harmonies. It’s one of those songs that grabs you and instantly makes you feel great. Fans of Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, and The Civil Wars will enjoy this one the most.
Other comments: The album was produced and mixed by Michael Patterson, known for his work on the Grammy-nominated albums Midnite Vultures by Beck and Life After Death by The Notorious B.I.G.
Show #25 with songs by featured artist Cameron Whitcomb
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.
It’s a top notch collab from Two Friends and iann dior with “fire escape”
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that currently airs on The Musicman James Rogers’ “The 3D Variety Show” (Tuesdays between 7 and 8pm ET) and KPHR Kat Power Radio (Tuesdays at 12:25 pm ET).
“Couldn’t Get It Right” became the Climax Blues Band’s biggest hit in 1977
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s “Wednesdays” by Zurich-based quintet Soft Loft
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, including Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
It’s that long-awaited collaboration between Martin Garrix and Ed Sheeran, “Repeat It”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays). 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.
Moxy – Take It Or Leave It
Boston – More Than A Feeling
ELO – Livin’ Thing
Steve Miller Band – Rock’n Me
Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like We Do
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Alexander Stewart gets his third #1 with “Temporary”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
It’s Scott Helman’s caustic and humourous “Mr. Record Label” (22-16)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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