Artist Spotlight: Dynamic Rock Ballads, Dreamy Indie Pop, and Unapologetic Nostalgic Rock
By David Weddle
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
It is an exciting time for new music currently. With our regular spotlight articles, we love to highlight a massive variety of independent acts from across the musical spectrum. Today we are diving into three incredible projects that swap rigid, over-polished production for pure, raw human energy: Johnny B, Estella Dawn, and Earth to Cheska.
Greek rock artist and songwriter Johnny B has recently released an incredibly motivating anthem with his fantastic new single 'This is your life, a rousing message of positivity for anyone who finds themselves questioning their life. The track starts slowly and build gradually into a massive, powerful rock ballad. 'This is your life' serves as a reminder that your life belongs to you and nobody else and it is not for anybody else to decide how you live it. Very inspiring.
With powerful, drums that help to emphasize the importance of the underlying message and stunning vocals written to inspire confidence and fire up anyone who needs a reminder of their own strength and their own autonomy.
Listen here
With powerful, drums that help to emphasize the importance of the underlying message and stunning vocals written to inspire confidence and fire up anyone who needs a reminder of their own strength and their own autonomy.
Listen here
Making a welcome return to our spotlight pages is San Diego-based, New Zealand-born multi-instrumentalist and producer Estella Dawn. Her gorgeous new single, "Japanese Boots," is a blend of intimate alt-folk and indie-pop.
It has a soft, atmospheric production and an almost confessional style of vocal delivery which really works well. With the striking lyrics, “Don’t ask me the colour of anything, I don’t know,” the song delivers a dreamy, melancholic look at modern romance. Writing, recording, and producing everything completely independently, Estella's music would fit in perfectly alongside artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams, and Lizzy McAlpine.
Listen here
It has a soft, atmospheric production and an almost confessional style of vocal delivery which really works well. With the striking lyrics, “Don’t ask me the colour of anything, I don’t know,” the song delivers a dreamy, melancholic look at modern romance. Writing, recording, and producing everything completely independently, Estella's music would fit in perfectly alongside artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams, and Lizzy McAlpine.
Listen here
Fierce indie-pop project Earth to Cheska, helmed by artist Cheska Zaide, is back with her unapologetic, high-energy single, "SHITSHOW!" Feeling deeply nostalgic for the loud rock sounds she grew up listening to, Cheska teamed up with legendary producer Rob Cavallo (noted for his iconic work with Green Day, My Chemical Romance, and Paramore) to begin crafting her debut album.
Drawing heavily from the idea of being the superhero of your own life, the track channels a badass, confident version of her artistry. It pairs unfiltered, punchy rock riffs with sharp lyrics that hit with absolute force, making it an essential anthem for rolling the windows down.
Listen here
Drawing heavily from the idea of being the superhero of your own life, the track channels a badass, confident version of her artistry. It pairs unfiltered, punchy rock riffs with sharp lyrics that hit with absolute force, making it an essential anthem for rolling the windows down.
Listen here
Keep an eye out for more artist spotlights, and if you have any new music that you think deserves a shout-out, feel free to send it our way.