indie – Page 21 – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

#BILLCSTop30 #626, November 8/21

It’s getting to that time of year now when chart makers like begin to think about our favourite songs of the year so far, and what ultimately are our year-end faves. There are quite a few on this chart, and perhaps even some of the new arrivals will make the cut.

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

To lead off the new list, “Sanctuary” (above) by Dutch producer Howen and “American Idol” season 10 contestant Robbie Rosen gets a third appearance – six weeks – at #1! It’s such an irresistible song with a captivating melody and a brilliant vocal by Robbie, and it even ends with a beautiful piano coda. More good news for Robbie – his other entry on the chart, “To The Top” (below) with German producers Natixx and LyonBrotherz, is the Fastest Riser, moving 18-8! You’ll dig its flute-led melody along with the rich bass synth that carries the hook along.

Up a notch 3-2 is “Never Going Home” (above) by France’s Kungs. Fascinating fact about this song: The vocalist is none other than veteran dance producer Martin Solveig (who also co-wrote it). Kungs has another catchy new release called “Lipstick” which you can check out below.

Climbing 5-3 is “Microdose” by Denmark’s Boye & Sigvardt and vocalist Jordan Shaw. This is one song that has gotten under my skin – I love both its lyrics and melody.

“15 Minutes” (above) by Damon Sharpe & The Disco Fries moves up 7-5 and is a definite club banger. You can also check out the artists’ new song together called “React”, below.

UK trance legends Above & Beyond were last in the Top 10 back in 2004 when, under their alias of Oceanlab, their song “Satellite” reached #1. Their latest, also with Justine Suissa on vocals, is “Almost Home”, which climbs 12-6.

“My Time”, the title song of the EP by NYC singer and actress Gina Naomi Baez, is in it for the long haul, and moves up 11-9.

“Angel” by Sonny Fodera and Clementine Douglas always goes down so easy. From Sonny’s latest album Wide Awake, “Angel” rises 21-13.

With its snappy synths and super-playful vocal and rhythm, “Play It Cool” by MENRVA and Island Banks is a British house track on the move, up 23-16.

Now breaking at North American dance radio, with no surprise, is “You & I (All I Need)” by Karen Harding, from her EP Sweet Vibrations, which climbs 27-19.

Just as “Can’t Stay Away” finishes off its maximum 10 appearances (20 weeks) on the chart, along comes Darin’s beautiful new ballad “Holding Me More”, which arrives at #20. He performed it at his online acoustic concert yesterday from Sweden, along with “Can’t Stay Away” and many others. Having never seen the man perform before, I was duly impressed and would certainly love to see him perform live in concert too. Expect big things in the coming weeks from “Holding Me More” – while the rest of the world is loving Adele’s “Easy On Me”, “Holding Me More” is more my kind of ballad! Check out the live TV performance above.

Debuting on the chart is L.A. dance production trio TELYKast with “Unbreakable”, co-written by and featuring Nashville’s Sam Gray on vocals, which bows at #25. The independently released, impressive track is flourishing at US dance radio, and is definitely one to which you need to pay attention.

The third debut at #30 is from the classic 80’s duo Tears For Fears, with the original twosome of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith making their first album since 2004, and the title track called “The Tipping Point”. I have been long a fan of Tears For Fears. I bought their single “Mad World” back in 1982 as an import 12″ vinyl, and enjoyed much of their music through 1993’s Elemental album (which did not include Curt). As usual, the duo makes a great hook along with some pointed observations.

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

Radio GTA – listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs mixed with classics and songs you haven’t heard in a while. And on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6pm I bring you “Your Weekend 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! It’s a different mix from Radio GTA’s show, and like that one it is also commercial free, proudly brought to you by Symposium Cafe Restaurant & Lounge in Georgetown, Ontario!

Planet Radio Canada – I’m featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm with my New Music Pick of the 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.

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!

U.S. singer/songwriter @JohnnyStimson releases new EP “Butterflies” featuring “Material Things”

JOHNNY STIMSON, “Material Things”

Johnny Stimson is no newcomer to the music scene and used the pandemic as a way to create his focused new 8 song EP Butterflies. Pairing new songs with singles that he’s released over the past year or so, the imaginative Dallas-born singer/songwriter has created his own fresh start with this EP. “Material Things” is as good as any song to begin with, a quick and gently sung tune with some pop culture references that we can relate to when we shop for stuff because it makes us feel good. The video is light-hearted, the production is clean and the melody is strong which help put “Material Things” over the edge. Johnny has had support from the hit machine that is BTS, was previously signed to Elton John’s Rocket Records, has toured with Tori Kelly, and had a #2 hit in Indonesia as well as Shazam’s most-played indie song in the UK. With all of those remarkable career highlights and a new EP of solid songs, Johnny Stimson continues to be a performer who will surprise you with what comes next.

L.A.-based British singer/songwriter @itsJohnnyAshby returns with “Wild” from debut album “Time Of Our Lives”

JOHNNY ASHBY, “Wild”

“Wild” is a provocative and captivating new song by Johnny Ashby, who recently released his debut album Time Of Our Lives. The album contains mainly new songs but also some released this year and last year such as the illuminating “Born Again” and “In Bloom”. “Wild” is about living life to the fullest and wanting that special someone to share in all of those fantastic moments life can bring. Johnny is a diverse songwriter who can be a fine, earnest storyteller with a lot of personal touches, or someone who wants to be in the front of the line to step first into the unknown. Fans of John Mayer, Niall Horan and Vance Joy will particularly enjoy “Wild”.

Canadian treasures Martha & The Muffins @marthajohnson13 are back with their signature sound in previously unreleased “Do You Ever Wonder”

MARTHA & THE MUFFINS, “Do You Ever Wonder”

Take it from someone who was there when “Echo Beach” rose from proprietary new wave status to one of the 1980’s biggest international hits out of Canada, “Do You Ever Wonder”, a previously unreleased song by Toronto’s Martha & The Muffins, has their recognizable signature sound all over it, and it’s remarkably fresh for 2021! The Muffins, long a duo of singer Martha Johnson and guitarist/producer Mark Gane, have a retrospective album of unreleased tracks and demos called Marthology: In And Outtakes due on November 5. For me, “Do You Ever Wonder” is a return to some of the songs of 1983’s Danseparc album all over again, which was a hybrid of alternative rock and the emergence of rhythmic disco-flavoured dance music of the time. Martha’s vocal is relaxed and vibrant while Mark’s jangly guitar work creates the underlying hook of the song. If radio had a different model today, I would say “Do You Ever Wonder” should be a cross-format hit, but instead I’ll leave it to nostalgia fans, as well as college and alternative online and terrestrial radio stations, to keep giving this one continuous love.

Meet Lauren Ashley @lamissbevhills with heartfelt new single “All This Love”

LAUREN ASHLEY, “All This Love”

Sometimes keeping it simple is best, and Georgia-born Christian singer/songwriter/film-maker Lauren Ashley has that flair with her new single “All This Love”. The song structure is classic pop, but with a tidy guitar hook that will make you perk up your ears from first listen. So while it all may sound a touch familiar, “All This Love” is still an easy, memorable listen. Lauren’s honed vocal veers from sultry moments to others which are earnest and direct in their intentions. There’s some huge potential here and I think future releases with richer, more creative production and a few more defining moments will enhance Lauren’s vision as a pop artist.

Get to know Simon & The Island @Simonandtheis, the new project from @TheStrumbellas’ Simon Ward, with “Muse”

SIMON AND THE ISLAND, “Muse”

Simon Ward is a member of the veteran Canadian alternative rock band The Strumbellas, who won the Juno Award for Single of the Year in 2017 for “Spirits”, a #1 alternative track in North America which also was a Top 10 single in several European countries. He’s launched his own project, Simon and the Island, with a self-titled album out of the gate led by the track “Muse”. It’s a lovely, steadfast song about the power of unconditional love, with an anthemic, Imagine Dragons-styled chorus that really brings the song home. In “Muse”, Simon doesn’t stray too far from folk-influenced style of rock music that The Strumbellas have trademarked over the years, but it’s honest and personal, qualities that listeners regularly seek out in a good pop song with an intriguing story, that will also sound great in concert. Fans of The Lumineers and American Authors will also enjoy.

British Columbia trio @daysormay return with new album called Just Existing and single “25”

daysormay, “25”

British Columbia trio daysormay have a flair for creating bright and fun-sounding songs that have a much deeper side to them. With songs that bask in hip hop flavours in an alternative rock setting, the guys are back with a full album called Just Existing, which is accompanied by new single and video, “25”. At first listen, “25” sounds like an enjoyable, quirky alt.pop song with singalong potential. But with subsequent listens, you realize that the song is actually about mental health challenges that young adults face, especially now-unrealistic demands, self-imposed or imposed by others, like being a success by age 25. daysormay’s singer Aidan Andrews has solid every-guy appeal to get the message across, and the video does offer some deft, subtly humorous moments. “25” is well-suited for college and alternative rock radio play, which could help generate more buzz for a clearly talented trio.

You’ll feed off @LeahKatemusic’s 80’s inspired DGAF energy in “Shit Show”

LEAH KATE, “Shit Show”

Already a young entrepreneur and Tik Tok favourite who has racked up over 30 million Spotify streams alone with her song “Fucked Up The Friendship”, L.A.-based Leah Kate’s appealing DGAF approach and fun, 80’s inspired spirit are front and centre in her latest release “Shit Show”. The singer, songwriter and guitarist is kind of the antithesis of the dour pop being purveyed by Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish in favour of energetic rock’n roll that has The Go Go’s, Katrina & The Waves, and Cyndi Lauper 80’s moments written all over it. What I like best about “Shit Show” is that it’s earnest and not exploitive, and it’s refreshingly not so much in your face. You’ll either love it or leave it but Leah Kate is well on her way and you can expect to hear and see a lot more of her.

#BILLCSTop30 #624, October 11/21

October kicks off with a brand new #1 song on the BILLCS Top 30, as well as five songs debuting. Otherwise the top portion of the chart retains relatively stable, with lots of activity brewing in the lower portion.

Note that while I did manage to solve the Spotify link issue with WordPress, I can only get the solution to work in single blog posts, so Spotify links in my chart posts will continue to display as small.

Make sure you read about my ONLINE RADIO AFFILIATES (see details after the post) – all kinds of online radio announcing projects now keeping me busy!

Rising 3-1 is “Sanctuary” (above) by Dutch producer Howen and “American Idol” finalist Robbie Rosen, who is also a wonderfully prolific songwriter and producer. From the first note of Robbie’s voice to the piano coda, this is an emotional and euphoric house track that is not to be missed! And there’s more good news for Robbie – one of the five new entries on the chart is “To The Top” (below), which he recorded with German producers Natixx and Lyon Brotherz, and arrives at #25. That makes it three songs on the chart – “Don’t Want Perfect”, with Quebec producer Kayliox, slides 9-15.

It’s strange for songs #5-#8 to get stuck all at the same time, but that should shake loose in two weeks, especially for the wonderfully q-wacky “Nonchalant” by Duck Sauce (#8).

Two songs make their first appearances in the Top 10. “Life’s Okay” (above) is a gentle, feel good, soulful house track by Russian producer Marava and Canadian singer/songwriter Eadie, which climbs 11-9. And “15 Minutes” (also above) by Damon Sharpe and The Disco Fries edges up 12-10. This is the fourth visit to the Top 10 (and second time this year) for The Disco Fries (aka Danny and Nick). Check out Damon’s recent release “Paint The Sky” (with Polina Grace) below.

Gina Naomi Baez is currently celebrating the EP release of “My Time”! Not only does it include the uplifting power anthem and title track (above), which moves up 17-14, but also its “fueling my fire version” remix, which turns the ballad into an equally powerful house-flavoured track (below). The EP also contains recent single “Liquor Love” packaged with three previous releases.

Charging into the Top 20 are “Chasing Stars” by Alesso, Marshmello and James Bay (23-17, above) and “Almost Home” by trance masters Above & Beyond with singer Justine Suissa (24-18, below).

The Fastest Riser on the chart is the previous chart’s Highest Debut, the rollicking “Turn Off My Mind” by Morgan Page and Lights, rising 27-20.

Also making headway, without surprise, is “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” by German producers John Skyfield and Shoby and NYC vocalist Victor Perry, moving up 28-22. It’s a soul-filled interpretation of Angie Stone’s huge dance and R&B hit from 2002.

At the top of the debuts is the joyous “Summer In Brooklyn” by Canadian producers Young Bombs and L.A.-based singer Jordy, which bows at #23. Take a moment to let the wonderful reminiscences fill your head – and then dance and create wonderful times again. “Summer” follows Young Bombs’ “Better Day” (featuring Aloe Blacc), which got to #3 on this chart last year.

Next at #24 is the first appearance on the chart for Australian DJ and producer Sonny Fodera with “Angel” featuring the beautiful voice of Clementine Douglas. It’s culled from Sonny’s upcoming album Wide Awake. “Angel” also becomes the sixth song with that title to appear on my chart in its 23 year history, which puts it in a tie with “Breathe”.

This could be the only time you see Ed Sheeran songs back-to-back on my chart, so bowing at #27 is “Shivers”, a brisk and lively follow up to “Bad Habits”, which recently peaked at #5.

The final debut at #30 is “Play It Cool”, the sophisticated but brief house track by UK/Irish duo Menrva, with a cool rhythm and equally cool vocal by British singer Island Banks.

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

My New Music Pick of the Week also now airs on Radio GTA Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm EST, and on Halton Hills Online on Saturdays and Sundays at 10pm EST!

Portland, Oregon singer/songwriter @HaleyJohnsenmus sings of internal pressures and self-realization in “Goner”

HALEY JOHNSEN, “Goner”

Haley Johnsen is a singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon who has released a few EP’s and albums (including an acoustic one from 2020 that was recorded live at Abbey Road Studios in London) over the past five years, and plays bass with dance artist Big Wild. She returns with “Goner”, which has a downbeat, sombre melody that argues with lyrics about internal pressures before self-realization rears its head, meaning that neither the present nor the future should be feared. In fact, it reinforces being at peace with oneself and as realizing, as she says, ” that my childlike self is still very much alive in me”. Haley’s voice has been aptly compared to the late British singer Eva Cassidy, and fits nicely into the pocket with many other indie women singers that I’ve written about such as Molly Moore and Gillian. So don’t let the relaxed pace of “Goner” trick you – it’s a lovely, authentic pop song with an unexpectedly inspiring message.