Tag Archives: indie

#BILLCSTop30 #616 – June 21/21

It’s officially summer in Canada and as things start to reopen, I expect there will be a need for more high energy dance music.  I’ve noticed that there are also a lot of personal and reflective songs being released because of people’s experiences in the pandemic.  But all of these songs should make it a quite interesting next few months!

Zipping back to #1 is Los Angeles-based producer Mahalo with “Got That Love”.  This one is all about the build up to the rollicking chorus, a bit different from what Mahalo has produced before, but I’m loving it all the same.  You’ll recall that Mahalo’s “Not Watching Anymore”, which just departed the chart, was #1 right before Idris Elba and Inner City’s “No More Looking Back” which held court for four appearances (eight weeks).  “Got That Love” is Mahalo’s third #1 on this chart.

Moving up 3-2  is Lordnox and Victor Perry’s “Myself In You”. This is a dance release that shows off Victor’s amazing range, and matches the #2 peak of his ballad from last year called “What I Deserve”. Victor’s latest concurrent chart entry, this time with French producer Kislaw, also moves up the chart.  “Slip Away” climbs 25-20.

Jessie Ware’s glorious “Please” soars 6-3 and matches the #3 peak of last year’s “Save A Kiss”, also from the What’s Your Pleasure album.  Jessie has been to #1 twice before, in 2014 with “Say You Love Me” and just before that with her appearance on Miguel’s reworked “Adorn”.

Also with its designs on #1 is “Sideways” by the excellent collaboration of Illenium, singer Valerie Broussard, and fellow producer Nurko.  From Illenium’s forthcoming album Fallen Embers, it climbs 15-7 to become Illenium’s 8th Top 10 entry.

 

Singer/songwriter Chris Blue gets his first Top 10 with “Moon” climbing 11-8.  I’m looking forward to hearing what this Season 12 winner of “The Voice” has coming up next!

Vancouver’s Glass Petals arrive in the Top 10 with “Heartbeat” rising 13-9.  It’s one of those great dance songs I referenced up top that you might not hear in a club yet but you can enjoy wholeheartedly before they reopen.

 

The same sentiments go for “I Want Love” by Gryffin in a punchy Cat Dealers remix that moves up 12-10.  The Brazilian brothers who are Cat Dealers will be touring North America, but just got hit with a setback with passport issues, so hopefully they will be resolved soon!

The Fastest Riser on the chart is the no holds barred rave up by Cash Cash and Alex Newell called “The Feels”.  It vaults 23-12 and is culled from Cash Cash’s new album Say It Like You Feel It.

Also making a bold move is Greyson Chance, who has also announced a fall North American tour that will be coming to a city near you!  From his upcoming album Trophies is the fun and seductive “Hellboy”, moving up 22-16.

The highest of four debuts belongs to Sweden’s Darin with his English-language pop/dance delight “Can’t Stay Away”, which arrives at #22.  It’s Darin’s first chart entry since 2010’s #8 “Lovekiller”, so a big ‘welcome back’ is in order!

Next up at #25 is Toronto indie teenage singer of Portuguese heritage who calls herself CMagic5. Her sultry new single “Love Me If You Can” deserves your attention with its incredibly catchy chorus.

Then at #27 there’s the first appearance on the chart for Dutch producer Regard with “You”. It’s a unique track boosted by excellent vocals from Troye Sivan (his 9th chart entry) and Canada’s Tate McRae, also appearing on the chart for the first time.

The final new addition to the chart is the beautiful new electropop song “Waves” by Belgian producer Anzano and go-to vocalist/songwriter Robbie Rosen at #28.  It’s Robbie’s fourth consecutive entry – though “Habits” departs after reaching #20, “When I Lost You” is still hanging in at #15 after peaking at #4. 

NEW!! I’m pleased to announce that I will be your weekend announcer on Halton Hills Online and Radio GTA starting in July for my show “Your Weekend Music Mix”.  The show will air Saturday and Sunday afternoons on Halton Hills Online and Saturday and Sunday evenings on Radio GTA.  Watch for it in less than two weeks!!

Planet Radio Canada has returned to the interwebs with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and his “3D Variety Show” each week for three hours of great music as well as a few features.  Listen to my New Music Pick of the Week (usually featuring a song on the chart) in the second hour of the show.  Tomorrow, the show will feature the music of The Bee Gees!  Planet Radio Canada’s “3D Variety Show” is simulcast on http://www.classichits.ca and http://www.radiogta.ca from 6 to 9 pm EST.

The music from this chart and blog are also featured regularly on the online radio station Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings, also with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers, and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades!   You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactive Facebook group too!!

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

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

 

 

Boston’s @AlmostOwenmusic returns with post-pandemic anthem “State of Mind”

ALMOST OWEN, “State of Mind”

I’ve written about the music of Boston’s indie alt.rocker Almost Owen several times over the past few years. He’s an inventive songwriter, singer and musician who has unique perspectives on life that get translated into song.  I didn’t connect with many of his songs last year, but “State of Mind” is a refreshing and joyous anthem that he wrote as a way to break out of the pandemic rut that we’ve all experienced.  The video is bright and uplifting, and we now get to see an updated visual side of Almost Owen that only makes you want more.  I particularly like his vocal in “State of Mind”, it seems to have drawn some soulful inspiration from Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It”.  All I can ask is for more songs like “State of Mind” please!

Watch out for Toronto’s @_MaxParkermusic with pop earworm “Good Time”

MAX PARKER, “Good Time”

You won’t find a much more ear-catching pop tune around than “Good Time” by new Toronto pop singer/songwriter Max Parker.  This one is already being played nationally on radio in Canada, much thanks to Max being named as an iHeart Radio Future Star.  Max also previously had one of his songs featured among the Top 12 of one of CBC Radio’s previous Music Searchlight competitions.  So it’s quite clear that  his talent is shining through the rest, and comparisons to the music of fellow Canucks Tyler Shaw, Johnny Orlando or even Justin Bieber are not unwarranted.  Max Parker is definitely one to watch in 2021.

“Daisies” is a bright, shiny delight from L.A. singer/songwriter RayeRobinson @itsjustraye

RAYE ROBINSON, “Daisies”

L.A.’s Raye Robinson is out to charm you with her new single “Daisies” from an upcoming EP called Crushes & Love Songs.  “Daisies” puts her in a bright, sometimes comical “he loves me, he loves me not” setting, and the song melodically transports me back to classic early 1970’s pop songs sung by Karen Carpenter, Carly Simon and others.  Looking to more contemporary vocal comparisons, Lily Allen and Katy Perry (she of another “Daisies” song) come to mind. Wherever your thoughts might take you, there’s no denying the hook and vocal prowess of “Daisies” should be enough to get Raye Robinson some attention from key music industry tastemakers.

Pittsburgh-based indie singer/songwriter Bishop Ivy brings touching new pop single “tunnel vision”

BISHOP IVY, “tunnel vision”

Set to a soothing, lilting melody that will stay stuck in your head, Pittsburgh indie singer/songwriter Bishop Ivy returns with “tunnel vision”. This song finds the protagonist in the dilemma where he can’t bring himself to let go of a relationship.  Many other listeners will truly relate as the song starts off as more of a narrative that gradually becomes more affecting right down to the distorted vocal near the end. “tunnel vision” is not the first I’ve heard from Bishop Ivy, in fact his songwriting has grown considerably compared to the others that I’ve heard over the past few years. With songs like “tunnel vision”, Bishop Ivy is sure to find fans who appreciate his down-to-earth style that comes complete with several twists.

#BILLCSTop30 #615 – June 7/21

It looks like we might have a dancin’ summer after all, as cities start to reopen and concerts and venues begin to be booked.  So be prepared to get your dancin’ shoes on for the five debuts which come aboard to give the chart even more energy than usual!

After four appearances (eight weeks) at #1, there are signs of a replacement for “No More Looking Back” by Idris Elba and Inner City featuring Steffanie Christi’an.  It’s likely my favourite release in 2021 so far but it’s still early to see if another equally strong one will come along during the balance of the year.  I’m also looking forward to any further collaboration between Mssrs Elba and Saunderson (Kevin, he of Inner City fame) which will be very welcome indeed.

Holding snugly at #2 is Mahalo with “Got That Love”, which seems the likely successor at the top to “No More Looking Back”.  We’ll see if that happens in two weeks.

Also making moves with eyes on the top is “Myself In You” (above) by Italy’s Lordnox and NYC’s Victor Perry, which climbs 5-3.  Victor keeps his charting streak going – his songs have been on the chart continuously for the last year, in fact since June 22, 2020!! – also has one of the five debuts which at #25 is his recent collaboration with French producer Kislaw called “Slip Away” (below).  It’s more of a soft and soulful cha cha, which continues to show Victor’s range.

Jessie Ware’s “Please” (above) has zipped right up the chart, this week moving 11-6, so don’t rule it out for the #1 slot either.  Jessie’s already followed it up with “Hot ‘N Heavy” which you can check out below.

The second new edition to the Top 10 is “Morning” by Karen Harding and Shift K3Y, which climbs 12-10.

The Canadian dance project Glass Petals, comprised of Felix Cartal and Johnny Jover, climbs 18-13 with their most recent single, the propulsive deep house track “Heartbeat”.

The Fastest Riser on the chart is the emotional whirlwind called “Sideways” by Illenium featuring vocalist Valerie Broussard as well as fellow producer Nurko.  It soars 24-15, with Illenium’s new album Fallen Embers coming soon.  I’m definitely jealous of lucky fans who can attend Illenium’s “Trilogy” show in Las Vegas on July 3!

The hard hitting “La Di Die” by Nessa Barrett and jxdn lands in the Top 20 as it moves 25-19.

Right behind it is Toronto pop/rock duo Crash Adams with “Symphony” rising 26-20.

Greyson Chance has a new album coming out soon called Trophies and from it is culled his latest single, the seductive and fun “Hellboy”, which moves up 27-22.

The Highest Debut belongs to New Jersey’s Cash Cash with vocalist Alex Newell (who played Unique on “Glee), both first timers on this chart, with “The Feels” at #23.  This massive house banger features vocals by Alex that will blow your socks off.  It’s from Cash Cash’s first album in five years called Say It Like You Feel It, which also includes some of their other singles from the last few years.

Next in line at #24 is “Drown” by Dabin and Mokita.  It’s the second chart entry for Toronto’s Dabin Lee, most often seen in support of Illenium or part of his band, following “Hearts On Fire” (#5, with Illenium and Lights) from earlier this year. Nashville’s Mokita is back in a delightfully different setting, though he has also remixed dance tracks himself and charted here previously with R3HAB.  This is Mokita’s fourth appearance on this chart and first since 2019.

“Give Me That” marks the chart debuts for a bevy of Brits, producers Charlie Lane and Gold 88, and absolutely wicked vocalist Kate Wild.  This is British house music that goes down so easy, and arrives at #29.

Bowing at #30 is a euphoric anthem for the summer, “Hero” by Afrojack and David Guetta.  Ever popular Dutch producer Afrojack first appeared on this chart in 2014 with “Ten Feet Tall” (#8, featuring Wrabel) and you might have seen him on the EuroVision broadcast too, while David Guetta’s first of six previous appearances was in 2004 with “Just A Little More Love” (#7, featuring Chris Willis), though he has been absent from the chart since 2010. He did have my #1 song of 2005, “The World Is Mine” (featuring J.D. Davis).

NEW!! Planet Radio Canada has returned to the interwebs with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers and his “3D Variety Show” each week for three hours of great music as well as a few features.  Listen to my New Music Pick of the Week (usually featuring a song on the chart) in the second hour of the show.  Tomorrow, the show will feature the music of Nancy Sinatra!  Planet Radio Canada’s “3D Variety Show” is simulcast on http://www.classichits.ca and http://www.radiogta.ca from 6 to 9 pm EST.

The music from this chart and blog are also featured regularly on the online radio station Radio GTA. You can hear their Big 20 on Wednesday evenings, also with ‘The Musicman’ James Rogers, and listen for songs from the chart too 🙂Scroll down the station’s main page to listen to lots of variety from across the decades!  I’m the new music consultant for the station and another project is in the works and coming soon 🙂  You can start by joining Radio GTA’s new interactive Facebook group too!!

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! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs

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

 

England’s @BenedictCork sings a relateable kiss off “Have A Good Life (See You Never)”

BENEDICT CORK, “Have A Good Life (See You Never)”

Who can’t relate to saying “Have A Good Life” to an ex? We’ve all been there, and some of the relationships have ended worse than others, but there are usually a number of common denominators – neglect, lies, money, etc.  UK singer/songwriter Benedict Cork nails “Have A Good Life (See You Never)” in his first (and quite well done) video above, with its common scenes of various release after the control of a relationship is gone.  It’s from his forthcoming EP Secrets I’ll Never Tell, which also features recent the single “All My Famous Friends”. Despite the subject matter, the song has a breezy melody with jaunty piano work, and a choral backdrop that represents all of our voices in a way and helps it become a singalong.

NYC singer/songwriter @PeterWisemusic calls out for individuality in “Window Dressing”

PETER WISE, “Window Dressing”

Peter Wise basks in a classic pop/rock setting and reshapes it and makes it his own in “Window Dressing”.  He’s supported as diverse talent as The Eagles and Lisa Fischer, and has his own stories to tell in his own way.  Graced with a beautiful tone in his voice, you might think at the start that “Window Dressing” might be full of upbeat whimsy, like early Jason Mraz. But the song is about staying true to yourself and forging your own path, rather than being a cookie-cutter facsimile to the latest trend in pop music.  He gets his point across in an earnest, ear-catching way without having the need to create a big anthem about being an underdog.  With fine songs like “Window Dressing”, expect Peter Wise to get his due as more people learn about him and his songs.

British singer/songwriter @EllaMcCready breaks free from a toxic relationship in “Fine On My Own”

ELLA McCREADY, “Fine On My Own”

“Fine On My Own” could easily be the theme song for anyone who has discovered all the positives to life after a toxic relationship.  It’s written and sung by London’s Ella McCready, who is being quite rightly compared to Jess Glynne vocally.  Touches of the melody in “Fine On My Own” will even remind you of Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be”, on which Jess famously sang lead.  Ella was born into a family of musicians and her voice has a force unto its own. It has some nifty raw, soulful edges, combined with power and control that even some Broadway singers do not have. “Fine On My Own” succeeds particularly as an empowerment anthem for women and should open up some doors for Ella McCready.

Check out “rot” by Axel Mansoor @iamaxelm from his EP “i hadn’t ever loved myself”

AXEL MANSOOR, “rot”

While I’ve written several times about SoCal-based singer/songwriter Axel Mansoor, the recent Clubhouse Icon and Emmy Award nominee spent some time overseas in his family home in Mauritius, and has shared a lot of personal release through his EP “i hadn’t ever loved myself”, from which is culled “rot”.  The EP also contains “kids can be so stupid”, which I wrote about not long ago.  “rot” took me longer to figure out and process, with its jangly arrangement and fuzzy production (below, reminding me of Chet Porter and Alison Wonderland’s wonderful collaboration of last year called “Bummed”) which tends to obscure some of the lyrics but is an enjoyable listen nonetheless.  But do check out the acoustic video of “rot” above.  What I’ve appreciated most about Axel in writing about him since 2017 is how genuine he is.  He takes this with him on the Clubhouse APP in his Lullaby Club, and to his Facebook and Instagram videos.  It’s a lovely version of “rot”, and now we can hear all of the lyrics, which strip away the “rot” of our younger years (which we always take with us anyway) in favour of our eventual growth and maturity, which make us better people in the end.