Disco Shrine | Everyday

Described as a "pop spark plug" LA based Disco Shrine has continued to live up to her moniker with latest track, Everyday, an ode to the hard work that goes into pursuing the American Dream. Having spent years curating her sound from the safety of her bedroom, Disco Shrine has established herself as an artist who isn't afraid to play with hip hop inspiration, and synth punches, while letting her vocal range do the talking for her lyrics.

Disco Shrine, real name Jessica Delijani, has used Everyday as a follow on from her highly acclaimed single Up In The Air. The two tracks together, first exploring her parents' immigration to America before delving into the American Dream, Delijani has created a moving look at how taking opportunities is the best thing a person can do. Matched with her trademark party vibe, Disco Shrine has delivered another successful track with Everyday. Available everywhere, Disco Shrine is the gift that keeps on giving.

Scope EVERYDAY here.

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10 Influential Female Tracks | Deanna Devore

"I'd like to be known for my versatility and love to write in various different genres, while still maintaining a consistency."

A multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre, singer, songwriter, and producer, Deanna Devore continues to more than one-up anyone who aims for triple threat status. Based out of both Chicago and Toronto, Devore has recently released her seven track strong EP half and half offering fans a deeper dive into "the darkness and light of love and life".

Today, Devore has stopped by to share her 10 Influential Female Tracks. While she is far too modest to ever add herself to the list, number eleven could easily go to Seven Eight, the opening track from half and half.

half and half is available worldwide on Spotify now.

Mahalia - Sober (Jarreau Vandal remix)
This is the remix of the track not the original, but I just love the vibe. I heard this song on the HBO show "Insecure" and had to immediately know what it was. The beat with her vocal phrasing is so great, I had it on repeat.

Amber Olivier - When It's Over
I love the haunting, pretty melody in this track. [It had] great production.

H.E.R - Avenue
Another great minimal, downtempo RnB track. I listen to these type of tracks for their production.

Lianne La Havas - Ghost
Lianne La Havas is not only an amazing singer but what really strikes me is her guitar playing. So many people artists don't play guitar with such complexity. Her jazz roots come through and that's something I appreciate as I'm also more of a jazz guitarist. This song showcases her guitar work.

Daughter - Love
This song broke my heart when I first heard it. I had it on repeat - the lyrics and the outro gave me goosebumps.

Jorja Smith - February 3rd
Another song I heard on HBO's "Insecure". (They play the best music.) I remember when I first heard it, the track had apparently not been released yet. It's out now, however, and just a great RnB tune.

Maggie Rogers - Alaska
This song is all about that chorus; it pulls you right in. I like how she puts a bunch of genres into one track. I can relate to that with my own music. This song launched her career and I'm not surprised - the chorus is a great one.

Esthero - Lounge
This track off her 1998 album Breath From Another is probably one of my [favourite] albums. It introduced me to that trip-hop, jazz sound and I loved it. The production was fantastic and every song on the album is good. This album stands the test of time.

Lucy Rose - Shiver
A great acoustic song. I love songs that make you feel something. [It is] such a pretty song - I loved it so much that I brought it into my guitar classes to teach my students.

Laura Veirs - Fire Snakes
I love Laura Veirs because she's so unique. She has a very distinct singing voice and her songs don't sound like every other female singer/songwriter.

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Work Like That album | YoWo Music Program

YoWo Music is a Melbourne-based music program for young women and gender non-conforming youth. In their own words, YoWo is changing futures by highlighting 'viable pathways to a future in music'. Through semester-long programs, with mentoring from a range of industry professionals, Melbourne teenagers are taught skills in music and performance culminating in a gig to showcase what they've learnt. Ultimately though, YoWo shines a light on the need for more gender diversity in the contemporary music scene and is delivering candidates to fill this gap.

Negotiating the complexities of being a teenager in 2018 is a difficult task, but the debut album, Work Like That, is a nine-track is a celebration of the mess we all make getting through. From accepting yourself to navigating relationship drama, the girls and GNC of YoWo have pieced together an album that explores music as much as it does the personal stories behind each track.

Three of the voices behind Work Like That have stopped by to chat about their own influences. With this group of teenagers only just starting out, the future prospects of a diverse music industry are just fine.

Bridget O'Meara says...
Courtney Barnett is a singer/songwriter from Melbourne. She's an amazing artist who often bases her songs off her personal experiences. The way that she sings is so powerful, yet seems so effortless, and she tells stories through her punk/indie rock lyrics. I love that her songs sound so raw and free, and I find that so unique and inspiring.

Pearl Harnath says...
Sir Babygirl's vocals are slightly eerie but are so unbelievably beautiful. She is unashamed to be queer, which shows in her songs. Listening to Sir Babygirl feels like getting the advice you desperately need from your nonexistent bisexual, gender non-conforming, older sibling. I find myself always drawn to listen to Heels whenever it feels time for some personal reinvention. I imagine Sir Babygirl would play in the coming-of-age movie that is every young queer persons' life.

Abby Howes says...
My favourite LGBTQ+ artist is Adam Lambert; an amazing musician now touring with Queen in the place of Freddie Mercury. He has amazing vocal power and his personality and style is evident through his inspiring music.

The program's debut album, Work Like That, was released on November 23 and is available for purchase or to stream.

Find out more about YoWo Music here.

MAXON makes History

Fresh off the back of a "bloody special" single launch, MAXON's latest track History is making a name for itself. A pop rock anthem focussed on the dreaded, but often inevitable, cycle of grief. MAXON is the first to admit that her own songs can sometimes delve into only the healing, but History is as raw as they come. Born from a place of frustration, it's a headfirst diave into the hurt while also acting as a "first step...towards bravery and self-acceptance".

Available worldwide, the music video is a well honed visual accompaniment to the track. "I wanted the clip to mirror the song - keeping it raw, dark and brooding." As both a stand alone song, and as a music video, History is reminder to everyone that removing the burden of self-inflicted doubt is the best thing you can do. MAXON herself, and through History, is proof of this.

The diary entry feel of this track seems quite deliberate, how do you find the balance between personal and being relatable to an audience?
I don't really think about it to be honest. I write mostly from life experience and often when I'm pissed off or sad about something or someone. I suppose that's not the right answer. I guess I do feel like any story you're going to share will relate to someone somewhere in some way.

History is a powerful track but the emotions are obvious, too, is writing a song like this easier during the time it's happening or later with the addition of hindsight?
Ah I love this. It's different for me every time. I've written so many songs post history that reflect more on the healing rather than the hurt. Sometimes, it could be too soon to write about something and other times, like History, I was totally fed up with trying to help and understand the situation that it all just fell out then and there.

Now that it's out, how has the reaction been?
Good, I think. People have been really kind and generous to give the track [a] listen. I guess it's still early days so time will tell.

Is it more difficult to release a track so personal or are the emotions before a release similar no matter the track?
I'm always a nervous wreck with any song release. Your work is really like your children. I suppose it'd be a similar feeling when your child turns eighteen and enters the real world with high expectations. You develop this real fear of the unknown and it's hard not to put pressure on yourself to do well.

Why did you feel now was the right time to share History?
I've been sitting on this song for a while now, [I was] shit scared of releasing such a personal story and not knowing how to talk about it. I'm still struggling because I don't think it's okay to reveal the subject of your songs. It's a bit unfair and I would never want to shine a bad light on anyone. I think with this, I just wanted [to] express myself and a little of my history within the song itself.

The music video is so simplistic, why did you opt to do something so pared back?
Money. I also wanted to do something that felt raw and honest, just like the track. I think I'm at a point with everything where I just want to keep it really stripped back, real and simple. That could change for the next one. Some days I feel like getting my glitter on and other days I feel like sitting by a camp fire, having a beer and chilling the fuck out.

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