By Daniel Warren Hill
Always one to experiment, this week features songs by artists that have been added to one of our playlists but have not been featured elsewhere on the site. Trying to give a little more context for these adds, and would love to hear your feedback to keep improving this section. Enjoy, and find our Alchemical Records Multigenre Mixture playlist on Spotify and YouTube.
Longtime fans of igloo two, we appreciate “gravel cadillac” and its chill vibes, and the use of (what sounds like) a bicycle bell as a primary instrument.
We love collaborations and the result of this one between 12 Feet Tall and Molly Sirvatka is the sweet and haunting acoustic and vocal performance in “When I Was A Ghost” that encourages introspection
There’s something about a four on the floor kick drum and an aggressive guitar riff that lets you know what you are in for, and with “Shake On The Floor,” Lucifers Beard starts strong and stays strong from first note to last.
Panic is Perfect does a really great job of blending multiple genres and influences for “Just My Luck,” delivering a unique and dynamic feel for each section of the song.
In “Where the Wind Blows,” The Bergamot captures a warm and whimsical vibe reminding listeners to go with the flow and be present in the moment.
“The Sad Faced Boy” by Mimi Raver is an observation of one individual or many individuals who exhibit outward expressions of sadness, and theorizing what the cause might be. It has a sweet and thoughtful sound that could be a lesson in empathy for any listener.
“Intoxication Line” is a dreamy song bordering on light psychedelia as songwriter Kyle Kirkman draws comparison between travelling by train and experiencing intoxication (in perhaps a variety of forms); complete with airy vocals and euphoric atmosphere.
“The Players Anthem” by BIJOU and featuring Benny The Butcher is an inspirational, motivating track, that embodies the struggles being overcome to achieve individual success while highlighting how there really isn’t a cookie-cutter solution. With spoken word and a high energy dance sound, it could easily become part of your morning motivation or workout routine.
We don’t know if this is a soundtrack for avoiding lava floors or for watching your lava lamp, but either way, we’re “lucky in lava” thanks to igloo two.
Delivered with the confidence the subject requires, Rum Jungle reminds you that you are in total control over how you respond to life, and “Everything Is Easy” is one paradigm to try.
A lesson in the power of simplicity. Grant Knoche provides a commanding presence in “MR. INDEPENDENT” through strong lyrics, modest melodies, and a lively groove.
A really cool riff and a really tight and thoughtful rhythm section help us experience exactly what Rose City Cinema wants to convey to listeners about their experience around “Manhattan Pier.”
Tacoma Park, MD singer-songwriter Adam Dorius says he “wanted to see if I could bring to life a simple two-chord progression and make it as interesting and dynamic as possible,” which he does well by blending a variety of elements of grunge and indie rock together.
Fountain Bather delivers a strong performance on “Diamond Eyes,” an indie-rock track utilizing “wall of sound” techniques from the 90s bridged by moments of 60s inspired psychedelia.
According to D. Majestic, his debut release, “Ilmenite,” is named for a mineral found on the moon that developed through violent magmatic processes involving heavy metals and radioactive materials. This track has all that. Watch out, Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor!
Steely Eyed Cat adopts a number of rock and pop production techniques reminiscent of Paramore for “the cage you live in.” Pulling no punches in lyricism or performance, the song is reflective of the social contracts that we grow accustomed to in childhood, but then later realize we have the ability to renegotiate.
If you are of 90s rock band Tonic, and wondered if there were any other bands out there whose lyrics and music encapsulated those uplifting emotional swells without avoiding the struggle of finding and maintaining love, then Beyond The Sun is for you. The band’s first single of 2022, “Bittersweet” is worth a repeat.
Reminding us a bit of Plain White T’s; Sweeny changing between acoustic and electric guitar fuzz, “You’re Not In Love” is charismatic and lively and is a great introduction to the rest of his discography.
“Nova” is the eclectic single from the recently released Navah Sea self titled album. Its drums lead the way as the vocals weave in and out of a complex orchestral arrangement that Phil Simmonds has brought together in a truly unique and cohesive project.
A UK hip-hop collaboration between DJTR Beats, TiZ EAST, and Little Torment, “My Block” is a story about the struggles of growing up in a rough neighborhood. A track that clearly highlights the talent of everyone involved and leaves listeners hoping these three will come together for more projects in the future.
Raised in the DMV music scene and now living in Israel, Jennifer Leah is making her introduction to the world with “I’m that girl,” highlighting her songwriting and vocal talents with a song speaking on empowerment and positive change, relating to experiences she shares with listeners around the world.
Hot off the trails of ‘My Love Is Waiting,’ Blake Morgan releases a genre-blending single from his forthcoming album, “Violent Delights”. The starting riff has a Nirvana-like feel and you just go further down the rabbit hole from there.
We think Comfort Addict would get along swimmingly with DMV music scene locals Sub-Radio. Sharing expertise in the Pop-Rock genre, you can easily jump up and down, nod your head, or outright dance to the emotive lyrics in “I Know You Know I Know You Know.”
A classic piano sound and bluesy lead guitar set a classy tone for “Sephora,” a R&B / Hip-Hop love song by LoveAugust who delivers a truly powerful lyrical and vocal performance empathizing with those who feel their partner is on another level.
You do the math, but Gavin Leatherwood is easily welcome in the home of any pop punk fan, and his latest single “Be My Lover” reminds us of classic rock love songs from the likes of Buddy Holly, while we check our tour calendars to see if there’s any chance they’ll ever hit the road with Low Cut Connie.
Kailie Simpson reminds listeners that one of our greatest resources is the ability to “Question Everything” because not everything is what it seems. Elements of rock and country come together seamlessly and the bassist could give Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots a run for his money, and that’s saying something!
In “Fairytale,” Kimberly Polanco shows her vocal range, clarity, and rap prowess with a pop-rock production comparable to that of Imagine Dragons, which we think lots of listeners will really connect with and want to explore more of.
“Do You Remember Now,” sung in India Thieriot’s distinct and sultry voice, captures the sentiment of having your eye on someone across the room tonight, and knowing this isn’t the first night you’ve had your eye on them. Contemporary R&B fans will want to add this to playlists of their own.
This debut single by Groove Park features multi Wammie Award winner and vocalist, Aaron Myers. Songwriter and composer Oren Levine considers Groove Park a container to hold his explorations of jazz-infused with those island sounds introduced throughout this and future tracks.
Flummox has made a masterpiece, not just in this track, but in the larger project that this represents. Flummoxing Act 1: Garbonzo’s leap is an epic mix of genres and styles based in hard rock and metal that tells a story through several classically-styled movements.
Complete with horns and backing choir, PELA provides a contemporary pop masterpiece talking about “Heavy” subject matter but with the kind of groove that inspires you to rise above it.
Captivating Neo-Soul powerhouse, the della kit, delivers an equally fun experience through the music and music video for “baby blue” that takes listeners on a journey of discovery and living in the moment.
A pop-punk anthem for getting back out into live music again. The Northwest bring the enthusiasm and energy for seeing bands on stage to their latest single, “Long Hair (Longer Nights).”
Our introduction to Susie Shu, “Invisible Love” is an empowering ambient track intended to remind listeners of their connection to the universe. This song pairs well with “Fire For You) by artists like Cannons and more than one track by Delerium.
A creative music video for a song that builds in complexity, comparatively to the complexities of life. Bitch reminds listeners that they are authors of the books they our writing and the “Pages.” are blank.
Synthpop artist Sweet Tempest wrote ‘White Country’ a satirical way to express the band’s extreme disappointment in the current racial climate in their home country, Denmark. Pairs well with DMV music scene artist Data Recovery Project who uses the medium to make their own social statements in their work.
“Losing Track of Love” is a dark, dreamy, ethereal landscape filled with orchestral strings and melancholy lyrics creating a truly reflective experience. The video further accentuates that experience by adding that same connection to light that the song does for sound.
In Judy On The Run, two brothers, Judy and Shaq, “Museum of Innocence,” with a particular story that is best heard from Shaq, “I’d gone with ‘her’ to a cosy bookstore, on a rainy Mumbai afternoon. We bought two of Orhan Pamuk’s novels- ‘My Name is Red’ and ‘Museum of Innocence’. Weeks later, she left me for someone who played the guitar (those as*h*les) but that copy of ‘Museum…’ had stayed back with me. I finally read it, crying every 20 pages and it’s a 600-page novel (it was about remembering your lover through every-day objects, while waiting for them to return). This song is my adaptation of that heart-breaking novel.”
Daniel Warren Hill is an American musician, writer, and motivational speaker. He is best known as the frontman for Washington DC area Alternative Rock band YellowTieGuy, as co-founder of Capitol Groove Collective, and increasing the exposure of artists on a global scale through his work with Alchemical Records.
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Allie Goertz is back with a brand new, mature, raw, and honest version of herself with “Peeled Back”: a tribute to Nine Inch Nails.
On June 21, D.C.-based pop-rock artist LJR released “You”, the fifth single from his forthcoming album “When the Sky Began to Fall”.
The D.C.-based band released their sophomore album, “The Renewal”, on June 30th.
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
