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Latest

The Unsigned Guide Spotlight: August

Blog by Louise Dodgson under Artist Managers, Creative & Branding, Finance, Law & Music Business, Live, Media, Music Publishing, Music Training & Careers, Record Labels, Recording & Production, Selling & Distributing Your Music

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KAIYA ft. Outlaw the Artist - ‘Could Be’

Comparing her sound to “butter chicken haha! It’s smooth, creamy, warm and packs a hidden punch of spice and flavour”, London residing, Turkish artist KAIYA can certainly serve up a tasty dose of soulful R&B, and her latest single ‘Could Be’, featuring LA rapper Outlaw the Artist, is a prime example.

She tells us more about how the song was born; “The track came about in a serendipitous way. The hook melody came to me during a morning walk, and I immediately took it to producer J.AR.J with my production ideas. He understood the feeling immediately and brought the track to life. I had recently let go of a toxic partner, and I channeled all the emotions and angst from that situation into my lyrics. Outlaw The Artist, who heard the track on my Instagram, felt a strong connection to it and joined as a feature. Once he joined in it became like a real life argument between two people in a toxic relationship which is really cool and unconventional because musically it's usually one partner chasing the other.“

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With her music sparking interest in the UK, with BBC Introducing, Reprezent Radio, Wonderland, Beat and VENT magazine throwing support behind KAIYA, she’s also remarkably been making quite an impact at the other side of the world; Australia. Radio network Triple J have jumped on her tracks, and previous single ‘This Time’ charted at Number 9 on Apple Music's R&B/Soul charts.

Taking advantage of this global appeal, KAIYA will be travelling between Australia, LA and London over the coming months whilst working on new material. And she’s also made a personal pledge to commit to performing live more frequently and connecting with her fans at live shows. Watch this space!

Instagram   YouTube   Spotify




See How - ‘Do It’


When Bedfordshire beatmaker See How decided to “make a care-free, upbeat track that sounded like summer in the UK”, he 100% nailed it. His feel-good single ‘Do It’ weaves together strands of future house, UK grime and garage, and the result is an addictive floorfiller that will easily give Jamie xx and Disclosure a run for their money!

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Previously one half of electronic production duo Pariis Opera House, See How is a relatively new project and his debut solo single ‘Can’t Be Me’ was only unveiled back in May. It rapidly set wheels in motion, with features on Earmilk, Clout, Wonderland, Mystic Sons and Notion following, as well as airplay on Amazing Radio UK & US.

Off to such a dazzling start, See How is keen to continue his run of triumphant releases, and we’ve no doubt he’s got what it takes. His brand new single ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ will drop next week on 11th August (don’t forget to pre-save it now), and an accompanying remix will also be unveiled on SoundCloud. Plus, he’s always on the lookout for new ideas and artists to work with; “I'm also keen to start collaborating with up and coming singers, rappers and producers for future releases, so if you're reading this, hit me up!”

Bandcamp   Instagram   Facebook   Twitter   YouTube   Spotify   SoundCloud





Abz Winter - ‘Wasted Energy’

As well as being a synchronised swimmer at national level for 10 years, Abz Winter is also a musical force to be reckoned with, and puts her strong vocals down to her many years pushing herself in the pool.

Her latest colossus of a single ‘Wasted Energy’ begins life as an upbeat, catchy pop gem before exploding into unbridled rock with heavy guitars and formidable drums. And with a powerful message to boot; “it’s about not wasting time and energy on relationships and being happy in your own skin”, we definitely think Abz is onto a winner.

It would seem we’re not alone in these thoughts, with Spotify Fresh Finds, Kerrang! Radio’s Johnny Doom, Amazing Radio’s Jim Gellatly, plus BBC introducing CWR jumping on board so far.

Having previously appeared on ITV’s Walk the Line, playing the Next Stage at Godiva Festival, plus at the Coventry Christmas Light Switch On, Abz seems keen to ride the wave of momentum and spread her wings further on the live circuit, and is working on putting a band together for more gig and festival slots.

With more music being conjured in the studio, we look forward to hearing Abz’s next serving of fiery pop punk.

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   YouTube   Spotify





WUKASA - ‘Party People’

Vibrant alternative pop band WUKASA will have you feeling all the summertime feels with their latest single ‘Party People’ which oozes bouncy swagger, with luminous vocals, an infectious beat, and an earworm chorus.

Following an explosive run of releases, produced by dream team of Rory McCallum (Bwani Junction), BuzzKiller (Robbie Williams, Olly Murs, SAINT PHNX), Adam Haggar (Childish Gambino, Kanye West) and Dave Lloyd (Stillhound), it’s no surprise that WUKASA’s appealing sound is making an impact.

They’ve been steadily picking up support on BBC Introducing, who have played each of their previous releases, as well as having tracks featured on Spotify playlists New Music Friday UK and Hot New Bands, as well as TV shows Made in Chelsea and Love Island.

Other highlights for the four-piece include sold-out shows in their hometown of Edinburgh, “It feels incredible to play in front of a packed room full of fans who know every single world”, and reaching bigger audiences with support slots, such as their gig opening for Saint PHNX in Glasgow in front of 600 people.

The Wukasa chaps will be sharing yet another single with us later on this year, and also plan to unveil some live session material too, so be sure to keep it locked for more details.

Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   Spotify




Exit Kid - ‘Classic Lie’

Following their previous EP releases, ‘Garden’ in 2021 and ‘Basis’ in 2022, Exit Kid are limbering up to release a hotly anticipated debut album in October, and ‘Classic Lie’ offers a juicy taster of what we can expect.

With the duo’s musical influences firmly embedded in 90s Alternative Rock (think Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, Blur), Exit Kid have been crafting mellow and melodious indie since they joined forces in 2017.

Over the past few years, the band have unsurprisingly pricked up the ears of many a music blog including NME, The Independent, Stereogum, DIY, Dork, The Line of Best Fit and Clash, not to mention numerous BBC Radio 1 presenters such as Jack Saunders, Phil Taggart, Sian Eleri and Huw Stephens.

Making a similar stellar impression on the live front, Exit Kid have played a couple of sold-out shows at London’s Old Blue Last, and next year they plan to show the US how it’s done at SXSW and New Colossus festivals which they’ve been invited to play at.

So, set that reminder for October’s album drop, plus be sure to keep an eye out for a number of gigs that Exit Kid will be announcing around that time to support the release.

Bandcamp   Facebook   Instagram   YouTube   Spotify


How do I get featured on the Spotlight blog?
Our Spotlight blog is compiled every month from fresh new music submitted to us by our members. We want to hear from you!

We select 5 of the best tracks from our members to champion on Spotlight. As well as being featured on our new music blog, your track will also be played on our monthly Reform Radio show, get a free release package from CD Baby, plus the 5 tracks are also forwarded onto a select bunch of music industry professionals...including folks from Big Life Management, Club Fandango, Decca Records, Memphis Industries, Rocksound, DIY Magazine, Transgressive Records and The Great Escape. Find out more about Spotlight here.

To be in the running you’ll need to sign up as a member to The Unsigned Guide, then follow the instructions in your Welcome email to submit a track for Spotlight consideration to us.

Members of The Unsigned Guide get access to our huge directory of 8,000 UK music industry contacts, spanning 50 areas of the music business. Check out our quick video to find out more about the directory & other services we provide to help emerging bands and artists.


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