So Gutsy

A Digital Publication for Independent Music Artists Worldwide 

[sarahwhitemusic]

[sogutsy]

Sarah White gets cozy in her new video “Sweet Song”! Check it out! 

[sogutsy]

Happy New Year! 2017 is getting sweeter by the day. Don’t ya think? Check out Nuex’s new video “Light’s Off” on SoGutsy.Com!  

[jesseboykins3rdeye]

Dear World, Dear America

Do not forget to be about the children, All the children who look up to their elders to set positive examples and instill love and light into them, All the children who take in everything they see and mimic without knowing the potential real consequences of their actions. We have to understand that we are no longer the roots we are the branches and leaves, if we burn ourselves down the roots, our children won’t ever have a chance to grow. Miscommunication and misunderstanding cannot be the leader of this hypersensitive, yet hyper desensitized world. Patience and plan of action have to be prevalent to solve this on going stereotypical prejudgment filled society. We have to acknowledge the good as well as confront the bad, There must be balance or the negativity will no longer be a good show to watch but a disease that like never before will need to be cured.

As a person of color, and a black man in this country I would not say anything has come easy for me in this world, As an artist and free thinking I would not say anything has come easy for me in this world, my ancestors can say they’ve been through way worse and so on and so forth, but never have I looked to my  brethren no matter the race or cultural background and made accusations of hatred. You must question the questionable and keep doing so until they go so deep within themselves they can diagnose and label their own fears. We’ve always been a threat that’s nothing new, but as I grow older it would be great to see all those in ‘power’ confronted and put to the test to see why history keeps repeating itself with no real solid rehabilitation. I hope we all remember when it’s all said and done the example to set for our children is LOVE & Patience in the form of planning a strategy, the kind of planning and strategizing that will help us evolve past all this subconscious passive aggressive hatred that bleeds out when injustice shows face. It’s everybody’s fault. Mine, yours, racism, the internet, not speaking out, allowing yourself to be friends with people who are wrong doers without confronting them, money, corruption. Violence begets Violence. Be your own leader confront your demons, find your therapy. Your actions are yours, your Karma is yours, but we are supposed to be here for each other especially at times like these. I care. We need to inspire.

Sincerely A Loving Human Being - Jesse

[iheartmoosiq]

Los Angeles’ Lincoln Jesser has been taking us to sonic heaven for quite some time now, having graced IHM’s pages with many fabulous synthpop jams over the past two years. But Lincoln ventures far into dance territory on his new production work. He follows up on his remix of K.Flay’s FML with a deep house original named Time Will Tell that features Samuel Jacob on slick vocals. It’s a collaboration that fills me with euphoria, having been a huge supporter of Samuel Jacob too in some of his other projects. Time Will Tell is a high energy summer banger, one whose infectious groove sinks in, takes hold, and never let’s go. Time Will Tell us out now on Spinnin’ Record,s and you can grab it from various outlets, here.

[indiexmusic]

SZA’s twoAM is a gorgeous reworking of Drake and Party’s Come And See Me. Add this to you late night vibe playlists.

[indiexmusic]

Nothing makes me happier than wonderful electropop. Major props to Terror Jr for the beautiful piece of work that is Trippin.

[iheartmoosiq]

Coast Modern have proven over the course of the past seven months that they’re indeed quirky alt pop gurus, so it’s rather fitting that their new tune is in fact, named Guru. The slice of summery pop twirls whimsically, a glimmering sea of reggae, ska, and psychedelic pop. There’s plenty of BØRNS candied playfulness on Guru swimming in that kaleidoscopic ocean. The Los Angeles duo were a treat to catch at SXSW, and I can’t wait to see them again when they stop by Popscene in San Francisco on June 10th alongside Atlas Bound and LISS. It’s going to be a splendid night indeed. 

[iheartmoosiq]

Back to Sweden we go as WDL melts our hearts with saccharine, heart rending electronic song Cashmere, which features gorgeously soulful vocals by Roads. Cashmere is soft and fleecy yet thrilling and electrifying. Its bittersweet Mikky Ekko like tenderness is deeply seated in much opulent and atmospheric production. Cashmere is out now on all digital retailers, and it’s also available to stream on Spotify.

[iheartmoosiq]

Nashville has always been a hot bed of musical genius, but I feel as if there’s been a recent surge in talent this past year, considering the number of must listen bands and artists I’ve been featuring lately here on IHM. Lauren Strahm continues to whisk us away with her beautiful alt pop as Fleurie with new reveal Breathe, a crystalline gem with heart stopping vocals that dart sharply through a breathtaking atmosphere which slowly builds into jaw dropping regal magnificence. Breathe is as glorious riveting as they come. No wonder the cinematic titan has been featured in the season three finale of CW’s The Originals. Breathe is available now on iTunes.

[iheartmoosiq]

Dutch producer GANZ dropped a stellar EP this month entitled GAO, and off the six track spectacular comes gut wrenching, powerful ballad Light Years, featuring smoky emotive vocals by rising Melbourne singer songwriter Maribelle. Light Years is an intensive experience, its serrated blend of future bass, hip hop, and soulful R&B smoldering hot and bursting at the seams with fiery passion. You can stream GANZ’ Gao EP, which features collaborations with What So Not, MUKI, and other artists, in full on Soundcloud. GAO is available for purchase from iTunes.

[sogutsy]

Mouse Sucks: Music & The Indie Thirst

Contrary to what you may think, justatethebootyandifeelgreat was derived from a positive place. “[It] speaks to so many things in life people think we shouldn’t do.” says the Toronto native Mouse Sucks. “Sometimes we let those opinions weigh too much on our decisions. Not knowing that [it] could change our lives for the better. We have to just go for it.”

Today Mouse is overly confident in his artistry, and with good reason, but that was not always the case. It was after going through a transitional phase that he really started to come into his own. “When I first started recording music I was coming off my weird high school days. Acts like [Never Shout Never and Paramore] influenced the sound I fused with rap.” But those days are long gone. “Today, I think my sound is closer to traditional rap with a lot of blues.”

Featured on his latest EP is the opener “WaitingonthatTxtfromPervana,” but what actually inspired the track is an interesting story. “[So Gutsy] actually put me on to Pervana. I saw the post featuring her “Birthday Freestyle” and I started thirsting immediately. She’s really dope, like I would eat the butt.”

Pretty songbirds may influence Mouse to create good music and even sliding into DMs may make him relatable to fans, but most importantly it’s his pride in expressing and being his authentic self through his music that he hopes fans will appreciate. “I hope they can get a sense of who I actually am. Creating music is such a vulnerable process, you’re putting yourself, your ideas and your beliefs out there. I’m in my feelings a lot, that’s how most of the music comes about and I think it would be dope if people got in their feelings when they heard songs like “Bae af” or “She Said To.”

Mouse is proud to be independent but just like any artist dreaming bigger and better, going pop is the ultimate goal. The business and politics aside, he believes there’s a meaningful purpose in going mainstream. “The goal is definitely to reach as many people as possible because your message could affect someone in a crazy way. You hear the stories from fans about how an artist’s music saved their life. Imagine if they never came across that artist.”

Though we hear those kinds of heartwarming stories from fans there are those stories from the artists about giving up their creative freedom to become signed to major record deals. Indie artists have begun to give their views on the topic and the plus side of being independent. Mouse’s opinion is that commonly heard of when talking about the subject. “Having control of everything. I don’t want input when it comes to the stuff I’m making, whether it’s songs or visuals. I feel I’ve got to the point where i’m great. I couldn’t live with a bunch of label people over my shoulder telling me to change this or that. If that was the case they would of never let me put out justatethebootyandifeelgreat.”

You can catch Mouse riding through New York on his bike or creating hilarious videos such as his most recent “Sprite Challenge.”

[iheartmoosiq]

Newcomers L.A WOMEN make a heart wooing debut on alt pop debut Hurricane Love, its lavish electronic soundscape and soulful cooing forming a barbed arrow aimed straight for the heart. Despite their name, these intriguing new trio hail from New Zealand, and they reel me in easily with their heartfelt beauty, a LANY meets LISS satin romancer. It’s true, just as stated in its heartsick lyrics, I just can’t get enough of this Hurricane Love. The single is available now from iTunes.

[sogutsy]

NYC Concerts and Festivals this summer!

Whether you were at Coachella or not, accessing some of the greatest festivals around is pretty easy! If you’re going to be in the NYC area this summer, make sure you check out this handy go-to guide on all the latest happenings this summer! 

June 3-5: Gov Bal 

June 5: Summer Jam

June 9-12: Northside Music Festival

June- August: Celebrate Brooklyn Concert Series

June- September: MoMa’s PS1

July 22-24: Panorama Festival 

August 27-28: Afropunk

September: Electric Zoo 

May- October: Central Park Summer Stage

[sogutsy]

Summer NYC Indie Style Guide

Summertime: where all of your cares seem to melt away, the music is always blasting, the clothes are minimal and the drinks are flowing. New York City summers are a lot of fun, mainly because the streets are less crowded and the weather is so beautiful. Music festivals are also a main component of the summer time and the big apple hosts quite a few. Narrowing it down to which festivals and shows is one thing, but what do you wear to them?

Check out these options below: 

[illingsworth]

https://soundcloud.com/moruf/golden-lakes

[sogutsy]

Moruf never disappoints 

[iheartmoosiq]

Emerging Toronto artist Sylo Nozra first appeared on my radar with his amazing cover of Drake hit Hotline Bling, but he now melts my heart with a velveteen clarion voice on new song Two of Us. The slow burning alt R&B ballad simmers in a minimalist electronic soundscape, giving his voice bounteous space to swoon handsomely. Two of Us is available for purchase from Bandcamp. I don’t know what’s in Toronto’s water, but as I’ve mentioned before, there always seems to be a steady stream of incredible R&B and soul talent from that city. 

[iheartmoosiq]

We haven’t heard from captivating songstress Jojee in half a year, but I’m excited to say that she’s back with a new collaboration with fellow New Yorker, Mickey Valen. The skilled producer lays down haunting hip hop beats and rippling fastidious production on Low Key, a bed of luxuriance on which Jojee’s sweet maple smoked voice darts and glides ever beautifully. Though Low Key smolders and seethes at a slithering pace, there’s nothing low key about this quivering future R&B song. Low Key is a free download, here.