Industry news & advice blog

Rhea Marcia - ‘King of Dreams’

Making her mark with airplay on BBC Introducing and Premier Gospel, as well as an incredible performance at the TED-X event at Aston University in front of 300+ international speakers, Birmingham based singer songwriter Rhea Marcia is certainly starting to turn heads with her striking soul sounds.

Rhea’s dazzling soulful vocals are given the chance to shine above the song’s breezy, jazzy arrangement, which feels fresh and buoyant. Dusted with light brass and piano flourishes, ‘King of Dreams’ conjures a feeling of positivity which reflects the meaning behind Rhea’s lyrics:

“This track is based on the story of Joseph in the Bible. From being a prisoner, betrayed and abandoned by family, to becoming a prince of a palace. He dreamed big even whilst being stuck in a difficult place. When I was a child I remembered wanting to be a singer, a dancer and actress. I had so many dreams as a child and this is how the chorus was born. I was so inspired by my younger self and my carefree spirit. As a child you don’t think much about how you’ll get there, you just know you want it. King of Dreams is about becoming, dreaming big again.”

Currently continuing work on her debut EP, Rhea will be unveiling a new single ‘Wrath’, featuring rapper and producer Clavis7even, very soon. And with artist collaborations an area of interest that Rhea wants to focus on more over the coming year, we can’t wait to hear the results of her endeavours!

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heddlu - ‘Locker’

Unleashing his second single since the demise of esteemed band Estrons, of which Rhodri Daniels was one half, he has found a new lease of life with latest solo musical project, heddlu. Following debut single ‘Daw Etu Haul’ which was enthusiastically received, his latest release ‘Locker’ is an absolute juggernaut of zesty synths, distorted riffs and exhilarating indie, rolled into one addictive dose of unbridled energy.

Rhodri’s latest musical endeavours are borne from a dark period, where Rhodri has had to come to terms with a diagnosis of hearing loss, tinnitus and severe sensitivity to noise, and had previously spent a year unable to leave the house or play music, so acute were the effects following years of live gigging and extensive touring.

But fate found a way, and fortunately a chance encounter with a retired record producer, who's old forgotten studio on the slopes of the Cambrian Mountains was filled with antique synthesisers, inspired Rhodri to consider music once more. During a 3 month hike spanning 900 miles of the Welsh coastline, he was inspired to begin writing music in his head, to be recorded upon his return, and remarkably heddlu was created.

With praise and support so far from Huw Stephens, Clash, Buzz Magazine, God is in the TV, Circuit Sweet, Amazing Radio, BBC Radio Wales, and many more besides, heddlu is off to a flying start. And with a debut album, written during Rhodri’s cathartic trek, bursting with new material ready to be set loose, we can’t wait for another dose of his spirited sounds.

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May Roze - ‘Mad’

Relocating from Switzerland to pursue a career in music in London, May Roze is not afraid to challenge herself and make big leaps. This attitude is echoed in her music which, whilst having an undeniable commercial appeal, is still dark and experimental, and ventures into unexpected territories.

It’s hardly surprising, with influences including Bjork, FKA Twigs, Kate Bush and Lana Del Ray, that May’s pop music would have an alternative, deep and intriguing edge. ‘Mad’ was created during the UK’s second lockdown and, being across the water from family and friends, it was inevitable that this period would have a significant impact on May;

“I wrote this song in my bedroom, stuck between four walls, feeling lonely. It is a humbling reminder that we really need each other. Living in a different country, away from my family and most friends, I was trying to deal with loneliness, being too much in my own head and sometimes feeling like I was going mad.”



‘Mad’ is the third single to be taken on May Roze’s debut EP ‘Heal’ which came out in March. The response has been astonishing to May, with Notion and an array of other blogs featuring her releases, plus support and love from playlists and radio alike.

Currently working on 3 new tracks, which we hope to hear soon, you can also get your May Rose fix at a number of upcoming gigs. She’ll be playing live at Roadtrip & The Workshop on 26th July, as well as the Motown Revue Live festival on 31st July.

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Hugmynd - ‘Devil of a Handshake’

Cornwall based singer songwriter, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Hugmynd has been crafting instrumental, ambient and experimental music for years, spanning Folk and Blues influences, and stimulated by the sounds of Bon Iver, Brian Eno and Novo Amor.

His single ‘Devil of a Handshake’ is a brooding, atmospheric song with a striking, rhythmic lure made up of Hugmynd’s husky vocal layers, creating a hypnotic texture and depth. Once you discover the story behind the track, the meaning of those repetitive, enchanting motions and loops that suck you in, might start to become clear…

“The song is about making what you think is an honest agreement with someone but you have that little voice in the back of your head telling you not to agree or sign anything because something seems amiss. But you agree anyway, against your better instincts, and eventually regret it. Stylistically, it was listening to old blues and chain gang music and chants that gave birth to the song’s distinctive Acapella vocal hook. When I play live I use a looper and effects so I like to create vocal layers and harmonies to create instrumental parts where possible. It opens up a lot of compositional and performance opportunities, plus it’s a lot of fun to do it.”

Taken from his debut EP ‘Tides’ which came out in May, Hugmynd is savouring the responses to his release so far, with glowing reviews dropping in and radio airplay gradually building, including on BBC Introducing’s national show.

A new single, ‘Glass’ will be unveiled in the coming months, plus you can catch Hugmynd’s spectacular live performance involving backing tracks, loop pedals, reverbs and delays in the flesh at Tramlines Festival Fringe in Sheffield on 23rd July and also at Rock Oyster Festival in Cornwall on 31st July. Not to be missed!

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Peak Low - ‘Don’t Cry For Me’

Already firmly on the radar of Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson, to mention a few, Peak Low’s stately indie rock exudes fortitude, and above all…it’s catchy as hell! Yet more impressive still is the fact that Peak Low is a one-man operation, capable of creating a grand and magnetic sound. Think M83 and The Killers combined, and you start to get an idea of the anthemic feel.

Dabbling with synths on our chosen track ‘Don’t Cry For Me’, Peak Low reveals how the song came about;

“I was feeling uninspired one day so just started messing around with synth sounds. The hook synth line is just me testing the sound of the keys but all of sudden I stumbled across a perfect preset and PING! The muse appeared and the song began. The song has this classic old hit vibe as if Tom Petty worked with The Killers so I approached it with 80s movie soundtracks in mind. It's about a breakup but not in a bitter way. It's more like 'this didn't work out but it's no one’s fault'. Instead be grateful for the time together and remember the good parts.”

The song is lifted from ‘The Golden Hour Pt1’ EP, just one element of a 3 part EP odyssey comprising 15 tracks, which have been expertly recorded by Gavin Monaghan of Magic Garden Studio (Editors, Blinders, STONE). With airplay on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music, support from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, plus an army of blogs and podcasts raving about Peak Low so far, it seems like Parts II and III of the EP will land upon welcoming ears.

Having only ventured into the realm of live gigs this year, Peak Low is honing his craft well. He’ll shortly be booking some shows in his native NorthWest to promote the EP, and we’re sure it’s only a matter of time before he’s spreading his exhilarating sound much further afield.

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