Tag Archives: alternative

#BILLCSTop30 #648 – September 12/22

It’s time for us to bid adieu to our summer favourites to make room for what will become choices songs for the balance of 2022. This summer has offered some of the most memorable music of the year, along with a number of performers playing live at concerts and events either in my city of elsewhere. Yes, it’s finally starting to look a lot what normal looked like pre-pandemic. Since Billboard has not resumed its dance club play chart – and maybe they still might do that once their chart year finishes in November – it’s time for focus to get away from dance music radio airplay, where the music biz has placed it for dance releases, and back into the clubs which has always been where the tastemaking begins.

Make sure you read about my frequently updated ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post)!

Jessie Ware scores her first #1 on my chart since 2014’s “Say You Love Me” with her killer track “Free Yourself”, which vaults 6-1. Although she’s been playing select dates in North America, including ones opening for Harry Styles, I hope she’ll get a proper tour going early next year. 

Francesco Yates’ “Jimi” also moves up 5-3 as he continues his tour opening for the Backstreet Boys in North America. “Jimi” ties at his #3 highest peak to date with 2020’s naughty “Late Night Love”.

“Ophelia” by Swedish pop/rock trio Louis Pax moves up 11-9 and becomes the group’s second Top 10 this year following the #1 “Bad Things”. Watch for more great things from these talented guys, who have a real flair for capturing 80’s pop vibes and meshing them with today’s sounds.

Also new to the Top 10 is the Fastest Riser of the week, former UK #1 “Afraid To Feel” by Scottish production duo LF System, which soars 19-10.

I don’t think Future would have ever seen his 2012 hit “Turn On The Lights” revived as a festival anthem 10 years later!  UK dance favourite Fred Again.. teams with Swedish House Mafia to put a progressive spin on the song as “Turn On The Lights Again” climbs 18-11.

Moving up within the Top 20 at Top 40 radio in Canada is “Summer Nights” by Orangeville natives DVBBS with Brandyn Burnette, which rises 17-13 on my chart.

NYC’s Robbie Rosen has two songs quickly moving up the chart. “Stained Glass” (above), his collaboration with Germany’s Severman and India’s Arshan Joel, climbs 20-14, while the infectious but short “The Boss” (below), made with French producers Coopex and Charles B, zips into the Top 20, up 26-17.

It will go down as one of the more uncharacteristic hits of 2022, and is currently #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, but “Bad Habit” by R&B/pop singer/songwriter Steve Lacy is one catchy winner of a track, and it rises 24-16.

“Welcome Back Home” is a rollicking but thoughtful house track by Dutch producers Showtek and NYC’s MC Ambush that climbs 25-21.

“Full Force” by Italy’s Luca + Giam and Florida singer/songwriter Sam Merkin is off to a fine start, moving up 28-22.

The Highest Debut belongs to diverse Michigan singer/songwriter Sage Castleberry with “I Kinda Like It”, which bows at #27. This is an instantly likeable track that’s all about being okay with not having a relationship with someone, something that most people will immediately identify with and appreciate.

Next at #28 is Florida singer/songwriter Tonner with “Castles”. Tonner has been behind the scenes as a producer and a member of Tik Tok favourites The 502’s, but “Castles” is a light and respectable pop/dance release, somewhat reminiscent melodically of Marc Cohn’s “Walking In Memphis”, at least to me!

The final new entry at #29 is the fun and anthemic “Timebomb” by L.A. production duo Two Friends along with Minnesota singer and rapper Mod Sun, which I heard first when I saw Two Friends perform in June, the day before its release. Two Friends have visited this chart as remixers and lead artists, but it’s a first time for Mod Sun, whose fiancée happens to be Avril Lavigne.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here!  Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link:  BILLCS Top 30 Songs.

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features! 

Radio GTA

Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs.  The show also repeats on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. EST and Sunday mornings at 2:00 AM EST.

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free. “The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.  A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA.  My pick of the week airs 20 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here.

Modern Hype

This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations but is anchored at Mix88.ca on Sundays beginning at 8pm EST.

For other details about the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side!

 

 

London-based Azerbaijani singer/songwriter @EminEMINZADA releases powerful new single “Sociopath”

EMINZADA, “Sociopath”

During the past while, I’ve been impressed by my introduction to EMINZADA with the thought-provoking “Bloodline”, and I’m glad he has quickly followed it up with an even more striking release, “Sociopath”. The London-based Azerbaijani multi-talented artist, who is an active part of the disabled LGBTQ2S+ community, continues to inform us about provocative themes which are set to music and rhythms heavily inspired from his home country, touches that are almost completely foreign to audiences on the other side of the world. The song is about recognizing and conquering toxicity with others, and leading the life you want to lead. This time, the synths and bass are all amped up and EMINZADA creates another memorable and totally different experience that will resonate with anyone looking for something that’s unique to play on repeat.

L.A. based singer/songwriter @LilyLanemusic dazzles with stellar vocals in “Bad”

LILY LANE, “Bad”

With a big voice that can make heads turn quickly, you’ll be hearing a lot more of Boston-born, L.A.-based Lily Lane in the next year or so. Her single “Bad” is one of seven songs from her brand new EP Queen Of Hearts. Getting back to that voice, it’s rich, expressive and soulful, and Lily makes vocal runs sound easy to do, with strong reference to singers like Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato. With “Bad”, Lily hopes to connect women with their naughty side, in those moments where you throw caution to the wind and seize them as inspiring or even beautiful. Lily, who is also the brother of Tucker from the Grammy-nominated Sofi Tukker (much written about in these blog pages), is a fierce presence indeed, and has already received acclaim for performances in NYC and Boston as she transitions from model to pop star.

#BILLCSTop30 #647, August 29, 2022

After having several years as an announcer as well as manager, program director and music director in college radio back in the day, I never expected to be back announcing on a regular basis. My New Music Pick of the Week has had a couple of go’s round, but is now played on 21 online radio stations. I co-host and assist in programming the two hour show The Big 20 every week, and it’s played on more than 10 online radio stations around the world, and also includes my pick of the week segment. And I host Your Weekend New Music Mix which airs throughout the day starting at Noon on Saturdays and Sundays on two online stations. All of this is made possible through the wonders of technology. And on occasion I do appear live, such as on the 3D Variety Show some Tuesday evenings. I owe many thanks to James Rogers, Russ Horton and Hunter Wilbur for believing in these shows and for spreading the good word about them so that people all over the world can hear them!  I enjoy being your online radio guide to new music every week. Links to each station now appear on my blog site home page near the bottom.

Make sure you read about my frequently updated ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post)!

Harry’s House won album of the year on the MTV Video Music Awards, and I’m still hopeful that “Daydreaming” will be released as a single, which would definitely perk up Top 40 radio. “Daydreaming” reigns at #1 for a third appearance.  It’s anyone’s guess right now as to what might be #1 in two weeks.

Cozying up to “Daydreaming” is “Dusk” by Manila Killa and Lights, which inches up 3-2, trading places with Darin’s “Superstar”.  “Dusk” is a personal best for Manila Killa, having surpassed the #3 peak of 2018’s “I Want You” (with Robotaki and Matthew John Kurz).

Francesco Yates is back in Canada, opening for Backstreet Boys on their tour. His fun rocker “Jimi” moves up 7-5, becoming his third consecutive Top 5 on this chart.

Strutting its stuff in the Top 10 is “Free Yourself” by Jessie Ware, which rises 10-6.

Petawane’s beautiful ode to classic soul songs called “Music” soars into the Top 10, climbing 15-8.

Frankmusik’s “Confusion Girl Completed” rises 14-9 and passes the #11 peak of the 2009 original of the song. It also becomes Frankmusik’s 13th Top 10 on this chart, and second this year following #2 “The Half Moon Came Up In The Sky”.

“Love That About You” becomes McEwen’s 11th Top 10 entry on this chart, and first since 2014, climbing 12-10. He previously racked up the previous Top 10 hits as recorded by Adam Tyler.

Canadian-German duo Lola Dutronic has been breezing up the chart with their end of summer blast called “Let’s All Dance (One Last Summer)”, which rises 19-14.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is still on top of the official UK singles chart after 8 weeks. It’s by Scottish producers LF System called “Afraid To Feel”, which climbs 27-19.

Greyson Chance’s song about determination and moving on, “Athena” (above), moves up 28-23, and last week he released his final single from his upcoming album Palladium called “Homerun Hitter”, which you can check out below.

The Highest Debut belongs to 24 year old Compton, California native and Grammy nominee Steve Lacy with “Bad Habit” at #24. This is definitely a worthy out-of-left-field hit that lives up to its hype. While not immediately memorable lyrically, its melody gets easily stuck in your head, and then the lyrics follow. It’s from Steve’s second album Gemini Rights.

Next at #26 is the quick but superbly fun “The Boss” by collaborating French dance producers Coopex and Charles B along with singer/songwriter Robbie Rosen. Robbie is also riding the chart up 23-20 with “Stained Glass” with producers Severman and Arshan Joel. It’s Robbie’s 10th chart entry in just under two years.

At #28, Italian dance producers Luca + Giam and American singer/songwriter Sam Merkin follow up their #3 “Hold Me Down” with the similarly infectious “Full Force”.

 

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here!  Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link:  BILLCS Top 30 Songs.

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features! 

Radio GTA

Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs.  The show also repeats on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. EST and Sunday mornings at 2:00 AM EST.

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free. “The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.  A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA.  NOTE: “The 3D Variety Show” is currently on hiatus, returning on Tuesday September 6!

Modern Hype

This is a weekly show hosted by Hunter Wilbur that airs on several online stations but is anchored at Mix88.ca on Sundays beginning at 8pm EST.

For other details about the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to the bottom right side of my blog site home page!

Meet Germany-based singer/songwriter XADES with sultry “Locked In” from new EP “Shaded”

XADES, “Locked In”

Germany-based, Netherlands-born singer/songwriter Xades (pronounced “shades”) is off to a fine start with her debut EP called Shaded. What’s quite interesting is that Xades has had a modest career as a DJ in Europe under the moniker MSJY, so she is stepping out from behind the decks to show off an attractive, sultry, sometimes sassy vocals. Latina through heritage, you can sometimes hear similarities to Selena Gomez in her pop approach, though her songs gravitate to the alternative genre.  “Locked In” has kind of a puzzling start, but you’ll quickly get immersed in its hook and atmosphere, thanks to a mix of playful rhythms and interesting synth work. As a DJ, Xades knows what makes a record sound good, and the eclectic mix of electronics and jazzy backdrop in her EP is very appealing. “Locked In” is also available in a truly quirky and transforming techno-based remix by Switzerland’s Atrice.

Meet USA-based London-born singer/songwriter dhruv @dhrvie with soulful pop song “Blur”

dhruv, “Blur”

Sometimes all it takes is a fine song for an artist’s voice to get stuck in your head. A perfect example of this is dhruv, a London-born singer/songwriter of Indian parents who spent much of his childhood in Singapore. That he has such a subtly soulful voice in his new single “Blur” seems contrary to where he was raised, but he latched onto American and British artists through his own discovery as a teenager. He was signed to RCA a few years back after an early single “double take” went viral on Tik Tok and topped charts in south Asia. He’s since released an album called Jezebel, and it’s taken a while but “Blur” is getting North American alternative radio attention, conveniently on the heels of another rising RCA artist, Steve Lacy. It’s an introspective midtempo song that shows off dhruv’s beautiful tone, which is kind of halfway between Zayn and Troye Sivan. Keep your ears open for more music this year from dhruv.

#BILLCSTop30 #646 – August 15/22

As older favourites depart, new ones arrive, so in this edition of the BILLCS Top 30 there are five debuts. There’s all kind of movement throughout the chart and it’s fun to identify your surprises every two weeks.

Make sure you read about my frequently updated ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post)!

However there are no surprises at the very top.  Harry Styles’ “Daydreaming” (above) is locked in at #1, while “Superstar” by Sweden’s Darin (below) stays tightly put at #2.

“Dusk” by Manila Killa and Lights (above) moves 5-3 and is a song to keep your eyes on, while the enduring “Memories” by Conan Gray (below) climbs 7-4.

Three songs land in the Top 10.  First up rising 11-7 is Francesco Yates’ fun tribute to all things Hendrix called “Jimi”. Francesco is currently in the US opening for the Backstreet Boys on their tour.

Then moving up 12-9 is Javi’s delightful cover of Sade’s “Cherish The Day”.  It’s Javi’s third visit to the Top 10 in one form or another. He had a solo #3 with “Situation” (Monsieur Adi remix) in 2010 in the days of free downloads, and then later provided vocals for Native Underground’s “Till It Hurts” which peaked at #9 in 2011.

The Fastest Riser on the chart soars 26-10 and it’s the latest from Jessie Ware, “Free Yourself”. It’s her 11th Top 10 on this chart, and with that big jump, has designs on the top of the chart. Check out its new video above.

Petawane’s gorgeous soul song “Music” is also off to a grand start, climbing 22-15. Try to count how many songs and performers the song name-checks!

“Let’s All Dance (Our Last Summer)” by Canadian-German electronic duo Lola Dutronic moves up 23-19 and is a grower that will sneak up on you.

“Summer Nights” by DVBBS and Brandyn Burnette rises 28-21 and also is just outside of the Top 20 on the Canadian Top 40 charts. It’s a great song for both radio and festivals.

The Highest Debut at #22 is tailor-made for festivals and clubs and is destined to be an enduring electronic classic.  Burning hot British producer/DJ Fred Again.. collaborates with Swedish House Mafia in reworking Future’s “Turn On The Lights” as “Turn On The Lights Again”. This one is so powerful it would generate cheers even if you didn’t know the song, and is definitely Fred Again..’s ticket into the A list club of producer/DJ’s.  It’s only Swedish House Mafia’s second time on this chart, their first of course being with the #1 “Don’t You Worry Child” almost 10 years ago.

Another huge producer, Paul Van Dyk, scores his first chart entry since 2008’s “Let Go” (#4) with the cover of the 80’s Depeche Mode track “But Not Tonight” at #26. The vocalist is Christian Burns, who last appeared on the chart in 2007 with Tiësto on the #3 “In The Dark”.  Christian was also a member of British pop trio BBMak back in the day, and they reached #6 in 2000 with “Back Here”, the first of three entries for them.

LF System’s “Afraid To Feel” arrives at #27 and is starting to make big noise on dance radio in North America at last.  It’s been #1 in the UK for six weeks, quite a feat for producers Conor and Sean right out of the gate.  The song samples the American R&B group Silk’s 70’s track “I Can’t Stop (Turning You On)” featuring vocals by Debra Laws.

Greyson Chance returns to the chart for the fourth time in three years with “Athena” (#28) from his upcoming album Palladium. Greyson is now recording independently with releases on Lowly Palace. “Athena” follows the #2 “Dancing Next To Me” and the outrageously fun #3 “Hellboy”.

And with a warm and inviting message, Dutch dance producers Showtek are back, this time working with NYC rapper MC Ambush for “Welcome Back Home”, which bows at #29. It’s Showtek’s fourth chart entry, and their first, “Cannonball (Earthquake)” (with Justin Prime and Matthew Koma), got to #1 in 2013.

 

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here!  Click on the hyperlink on the song titles to hear the songs or watch the videos!

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! You can also follow me on Spotify at the following link:  BILLCS Top 30 Songs.

Check out and ‘like’ the BILLCS Music Projects Facebook page 🙂

ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES

You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features! Links to all stations appear later in this section in blue.

Radio GTA

Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs.  The show also repeats on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. EST and Sunday mornings at 2:00 AM EST.

On Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix” six hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.

Halton Hills Online

“Your Weekend Music Mix” has a second home on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 8pm to Midnight EST! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free. “The Big 20” also airs on this station at 6pm EST Saturdays.

The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada

I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my New Music Pick of the Week which debuts every week on “The 3D Variety Show” with “The Musicman” James Rogers, and I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments.  A repeat of “The 3D Variety Show” airs on Wednesdays at 7pm EST on Radio GTA.  NOTE: “The 3D Variety Show” is currently on a 3 week hiatus, returning on Tuesday September 6!

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on:

On Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” show on the following stations:

  • Radio GTA, Saturdays after 11pm EST
  • Mix88.ca, Saturdays after 11pm EST (different edition of the show from Radio GTA above)
  • WXNZ, community radio in Maine, Mondays after 10pm EST
  • Free 99, Tyler, Texas, Fridays after 11pm EST
  • 98.6 The Mix, Houston, Texas, Saturdays after Noon EST
  • KSKO Public Radio, McGrath, Alaska, Tuesdays after 11 pm EST and Sundays after Midnight EST

More new affiliates are joining and I will post them as I compile the information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK-based singer/songwriter @iamAlicePisano channels dating app experiences into bubbly new single “Boys Like You”

ALICE PISANO, “Boys Like You”

A while back I introduced you to Italy-born, UK-based pop singer/songwriter as someone to listen for with her acoustic track “September”. “Boys Like You” shows another side of Alice, as she channels personal experiences with dating apps into a sympathetic song that masks regular heartbreak and lack of self-confidence behind rebellious lyrics, punchy beats and a deft synth melody. It’s Avril Lavigne meets Lights via Dua Lipa and Becky Hill, so-to-speak, with Alice’s highly likeable vocal and personality leading the way. She’s already scored quite a following on Tik Tok, so I’m sure we’ll hear much more from Alice Pisano.

UK-born US-based singer/songwriter @TommyNewport returns with the whimsy of “Tongue and Cheek”

TOMMY NEWPORT, “Tongue and Cheek”

Tommy Newport is a singer/songwriter who is definitely striving to be one of a kind, with enough appeal with his songs not to make him simply a niche artist. He recently supported Australian group Lime Cordiale on a tour, and is back with a new song, “Tongue and Cheek”. This is Tommy’s personable look at not always getting everything right (otherwise it would be called “Tongue in Cheek”), while still making sure you pay attention to what’s going on, which includes having the delight of a new relationship.  You can find Tommy’s music somewhere between Finneas, Foster The People and Conan Gray, with the potential to be as successful as any of them. His easy going vocal style and relaxed sense of songwriting go a long way.

NYC indie rock music project @Reboundernyc releases introspective and funky “Boy Friday”

REBOUNDER, “Boy Friday”

After scoring significant streaming success with the previous infectious single “Japanese Posters” to the tune of around 10 million streams across platforms, NYC indie rock project Rebounder brings you “Boy Friday”. The song may help anyone who is what I call in media res – in the middle of things – in their life, wanting to move forward, but not without remembering the past. So Rebounder manages to successfully channel these complicated thoughts and set it to music. And “Boy Friday” – whose video above offers a travelogue of downtown L.A. – makes a good casual listen, too. It features zippy guitar work and a mid-tempo funky melody, all of which reminds me of Paul Weller’s 80’s pop project The Style Council. Rebounder is led by singer Dylan Chenfeld, who has a likeable voice with a beautiful tone that shifts into slight falsetto, which is part of the song’s appeal. If you enjoy their buddies The Neighbourhood and Alfie Templeman, then you’ll know that “Boy Friday” will go down easy.