JAMES BAY CHARMS IN OPENING SPOT ON THE LUMINEERS BRIGHTSIDE WORLD TOUR AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Indie Folk act The Lumineers (“Ho Hey”, “Cleopatra”) brought their Brightside World Tour to The Hollywood Bowl last Friday (September 15th), playing a dazzling sold-out show with special guest and opener James Bay (“Let It Go”, “Hold Back The River”). It was the second time The Lumineers were playing the Hollywood Bowl, so this was a special night for them. The last time The Lumineers played here in 2016, they had just released their debut Grammy-nominated album. So, tonight was big for them and their fans. It was also a significant night for their special guest and opener, James Bay. An accomplished artist in his own right, he had many of his fans turn out for the gig. One of those fans who attended was me. It is always great to see music fans turn up early to support the opener. I would love to see more of this happen for smaller upcoming artists. The Bowl was starting to fill up quickly with people running in just as James Bay had begun to play his first song, the Pop Rock Stomper, “Best Fake Smile” from his debut, ‘Chaos and the Calm’. Bay's striking guitar melodies echoed throughout the canyons of the gorgeously lit arena. Even though I had been to the Hollywood Bowl once before, the current view I had with my seat in the garden box section allowed me to see the stunning bowl shape everyone talked about so much. I finally understood what everyone was talking about. It was also the first time I had seen James in concert since 2018 with the ‘Electric Light’ era. I could see how much has changed and grown since then, a clear and clean melding of the best parts of all his album eras. It was also great to hear how fantastic his current tour band lineup sounds with Bay. The drummer adds a hard-hitting and soulful element into the mix. James' guitar solos in the set are distinct, precise, and have a purpose. Overall, his opening set seemed to delight his and Lumineers fans alike. Other song highlights were “When We Were On Fire”, the emotional “Let It Go”, and “Hold Back The River”, where the crowd sang along. We even got to hear an unreleased track titled, “All My Broken Pieces”, which he played before his latest single, “Goodbye Never Felt So Bad”.
James Bay | Let It Go (Live at The Hollywood Bowl)
The unreleased track and his current singles note his seamless shift towards a new musical direction. The newer sounds are much more mellow and assured, leaning towards a poppier folk, towards a similar musical vein like The Lumineers. Although, his progression seems like a natural ark that his music would take. I cannot help but attribute some of this progression to him recently becoming a father and husband as you mature quickly. Many of the attendees were families and couples who were enjoying a night out on a Friday. Headliners The Lumineers, whom much of this crowd was waiting for, and in all honesty, quite patiently, walked onstage to Rihanna's “Desperado” and the audience's loud applause. Besides the intriguing walkout track, the band had a lot of energy, starting with some of their biggest hits like “Hey Ho”, “Stubborn Love”, and “Angela”. I had not heard of this before bands or artists performing their big hits and crowd faves first. This setlist was an interesting choice by The Lumineers. Frontman and Lead singer Wesley Schultz's anecdotal stage banter was also notable and affable. The Brightside Tour was a fun and incredibly joyful night, and when laid out in all of its dazzling folk rock glory, a massive triumph for their fans. If you were new to The Lumineers or fans of the opener, James Bay, it was a night of inspired fun, seeing into the luminescent and nostalgic world of The Lumineers. You can check out some of my snapshots from the gig below, no pro camera this time!
Thank you to Republic Records for inviting me out, and don’t forget to check out James Bay’s new single “Goodbye Never Felt So Bad” which is out now on all DSPs.
PHOTO GALLERY: OSHEAGA MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MONTREAL
Osheaga Festival kicked off its three-day jaunt to the delight of fans on August 4th, last Friday. The festival was held at Parc-Jean-Drapeau in Montreal and featured incredible performances from a wide range of different genres and artists like Rina Sawayana, Gabriels, Soccer Mommy, Cults, Carly Rae Jepsen, Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Tom Odell, Rema, Bille Eilish, Fletcher, Sofi Tukker, Lil Yachty, and many many more.
You can view a photo gallery of some selects from the festival below from photographer Sophie Bouquillon.
All photos by photographer Sophie Bouquillon
INTERVIEW WITH… INDIE AMERICANA SINGER-SONGWRITER SHARAYA SUMMERS
INTERVIEW WITH… INDIE AMERICANA SINGER-SONGWRITER SHARAYA SUMMERS #TheReclusiveBlogger #Interviews
SHARAYA SUMMERS | Photo by: Kate Rentz
Oregon-based Singer-Songwriter Sharaya Summer's reflective, heartfelt, and honest Indie Folk and Americana melodies are garnering her acclaim and fans alike. In her latest single, ‘Forever You and Me’, she explores the fragility of relationships while examining her own, reminding everyone of loved ones and the memories you share close. The idea of the song emerged after a particularly challenging time full of changes for her. Summers had just had a daughter, was recording a new record, and lost her Grandmother. Now Summers is determined to look forward and find the light amongst the shadows, a theme she explores in her forthcoming release.
You can check out my interview with Indie Folk and Americana artist Sharaya Summers below!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk about your latest single “Forever You and Me” and the inspiration behind it?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: I wrote this song after attending my grandmother's funeral last year. As the slideshow of her life played in a five-minute span, I observed my heartbroken grandfather on the pew watching. I wrote this thinking that I would play it at my husband's funeral far far in our future. But now as I am ready to release the song, we are actually separated and going through a pretty low point in our marriage. The song has taken on new meaning as I realize that no matter how, why, or when love ends there's nothing we can do to prepare for it. I suppose now it's a more positive spin on a break up considering that no matter what the future brings we will always have the wonderful memories and two beautiful children we share.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you speak a bit about your musical background? Has music always played a role in your life?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: I was a 90's youth group kid growing up. I learned how to play guitar and play music in church. I went through somewhat of an existential crisis in my mid-twenties and bailed on church and moved to Nashville to be a songwriter. I don't have any negative feelings about the experience, it was just that as I grew up and saw more of the world, music and God became bigger than something I could keep in such a limited box. When I am practicing creation/creativity it's the closest I feel to the divine. So yes, I'd say it's been an integral part of my life.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: You have an LP tentatively due out later this year. How is the writing and recording process going so far?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: The album is complete! It's being mixed as we speak, soon to be mastered. I recorded with Raymond Richards in Portland, OR. When I started tracking I was nine months pregnant with my now one-year-old baby girl. It was quite a commitment to finish, as having a newborn is a challenge I can not even begin to describe. I am grateful to my mother who supported me with babysitting and Jacob, my husband, for helping to keep me motivated and contributing as band director.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Do you have a bucket list of dream artists that you’d love to collab with? If so, who are they?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, or Norah Jones
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was the last thing you discovered about your artistic self?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: After becoming a mother I thought my artistic career would be over. While I may not be free to tour or play shows or hustle as much as I used to, I was happy to discover that I didn't stop writing, it's just a part of who I am and what I do, so that was cool to realize that being an artist has nothing to do with age or situation.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who are some of your biggest artistic influences or inspirations?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: Right now as cheesy as it sounds my two kids are my inspiration. I love seeing the world in a totally new way through their eyes. My son is 3 and my daughter is 1. The joy and wonder is everything everyone says about becoming a parent. It's just so cool. So hard, but so fun too. They inspire me to slow down and really be present where I am at, to be more observant of the world around me, and more appreciative and grateful for the small things every day.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was the last album you played with no skips?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: Erykah Badu - Baduizm - last week while making dinner, sipping wine, and then doing the never-ending dishes.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And lastly, what’s next on the horizon for you?
SHARAYA SUMMERS: I've always been someone with a 5-year plan. This year has shown me that I can not control anything but my view of the world, and my reactions to it. I feel like I've grown into a completely new person, someone who for this season has literally no plan other than to be mindful, to listen, and to choose to be grateful for every moment. I find that my creativity has never been so free-flowing as when I'm just here to take it all in and observe the pain along with the joy. I don't know what is next, but I do know that I am not finished.
Stream Sharaya’s new single “Forever You & Me” which is out now by clicking here
INTERVIEW WITH… TIKTOK BEDROOM POP ARTIST ADDISON GRACE
Salt Lake City-based musician Addison Grace found not only a common community through music and their voice on TikTok. Grace impeccably crafts emotionally driven bedroom indie-pop songs that often explore the young queer experience, unrequited love, coming of age, and the uncertainties within it all. Addison’s latest EP, “Things That Are Bad For Me” is out now, along with the music video for “Pretty Girl”. You can read my interview with the artist below. In it, we chat about songwriting, finding inspiration, TikTok, touring, and much more
Salt Lake City-based musician Addison Grace found not only a common community through music and their voice on TikTok. Grace impeccably crafts emotionally driven bedroom indie-pop songs that often explore the young queer experience, unrequited love, coming of age, and the uncertainties within it all. Addison’s latest EP, “Things That Are Bad For Me” is out now, along with the music video for “Pretty Girl”. You can read my interview with the artist below. In it, we chat about songwriting, finding inspiration, TikTok, touring, and much more.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hey, Addison! How are you doing, how’s your 2022 been so far?
ADDISON GRACE: It’s been pretty busy! I released my first EP, ”Immaturing”, this year after touring with Cavetown and Tessa Violet. After that, I was traveling during the summer to write and record my second EP, ”Things That Are Bad for Me” that’s coming out November 11th. I also went on my first headline tour which was so exciting!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk about your origin story a bit and how that relates to your career as a musician today?
ADDISON GRACE: I was raised by a single mom who would put me and my siblings in any and every sport and/or performing art. It was her way of keeping us busy and letting us find what interested us while she would be working. The only thing that ever stuck for me was singing. Growing up I joined nearly every school and church choir. When I was 13, my brother bought a ukulele while in France. I ended up “stealing” it from him because I had seen recent videos of YouTubers making their own songs on the ukulele. From then on I had started to do the same, making original music with the ukulele, and started my own little online pages too. I think because I had a mom that was so passionate about me finding what I loved is why I am and able to be a singer-songwriter today.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s talk about your new single ‘Pretty Girl’. What was the recording and writing process like? The inspiration for this new single?
ADDISON GRACE: “Pretty Girl” was written in Nashville with one of my favorite co-writers, Charli Adams, who’s also an incredible artist. I told her about my gender transition and how I had dated someone before as a girl. This person, in my mind, was my soulmate. I was frustrated because there was a chance for us to get back together but I had made the self discovery that I’m transgender and I knew they weren’t, and aren’t, attracted to boys. I also told her about how I hated still being loved “as a girl” and seen ”as a girl“ by a lot of people in society and on the internet. I knew I wanted the song to be called “Pretty Girl” but finding the artistic words for those specific feelings had been stumping me. Charli absolutely helped me pull them out and make it into the song it is today. Recording with Andy Seltzer was incredible as well. He absolutely got the sound/production perfect for what I wanted and needed in this song.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Do you have a typical songwriting process or do you just go with the flow and create with inspiration hits?
ADDISON GRACE: Honestly, my songwriting always changes and I’ve never had a specific flow. Usually I just write when I’m feeling an intense emotion. If I end up getting inspiration when I’m somewhere that I can’t write, I just make a note of it for later. Songwriting is genuinely my diary.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What lyric have you written that you feel best represents the world around us right now?
ADDISON GRACE: “Take it off, oxygen, cut your hair, grow it out again. The world will end a couple times.” I think it really represents the stress we all feel with everything going on but it also brings comfort with it. I really love the idea that we can be broken, beaten, and bruised but still find a way back up. Hope and determination are both very powerful.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How do you feel TikTok will play a part in finding artists and new music in the coming years of the music industry?
ADDISON GRACE: I think we’re gonna get a wave of a lot of new indie artists and experimental ones too. I genuinely hope it leads to people being more creative since TikTok can be relatively easy to go “viral” on. I would hope it just allows for more unknown artists to get their stuff out there fast and also allow for a more diverse set of popular musicians.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who are some of your favorite new or underground music artists on TikTok?
ADDISON GRACE: I recently discovered @cowgirlb3b0p, also known as ash tuesday, who deserves way more recognition! Her voice, melodies, and songwriting are all incredible. Olive Klug, @oliveklug, is also amazing- I really adore their voice and all the little inflections they put on key lyrics/words. Kevin Atwater, @kevinatwatermusic, is another who’s been picking up speed recently who I just love so much.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What three words would you use to define your artistic self?
ADDISON GRACE: Passionate, peculiar, and self-recognizing.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has been the most rewarding thing about being a songwriter and having a platform?
ADDISON GRACE: Being able to give people the songs that I needed growing up or still need even now. I’m just so grateful I’ve gotten to a point where I can put words to such intimate, specific feelings. I’m glad others relate to it, it makes me feel less alone and also like my experiences weren’t truly isolating. I like to think that I’m who I needed as a kid and I’m glad I can be that person now for both adults and kids.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Since Halloween is coming up, what do you have a favorite Halloween film or score?
ADDISON GRACE: I’ve always been a huge fan of Coraline for some reason! I was lucky that it never scared me as a kid, haha!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And lastly, what is up next for you Addison Grace?
ADDISON GRACE: I’m going on tour with Ricky Montgomery who’s a good friend of mine! I’m also releasing my second EP on November 11th called “Things That Are Bad for Me” (OUT NOW). Hopefully soon I’ll be making my first album or headlining again!
STREAM ADDISON GRACE’S NEW SOPHOMORE EP “THINGS THAT ARE BAD FOR ME” OUT NOW
INTERVIEW WITH... Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass
Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass' smoky haunted timbre and emotionally raw lyrics harken comparisons to Kate Bush and Lisa Stansfield here and there. Cass uses emotion to not only effectively elevate her eclectic electric pop sounds but to punctuate the story. It instantly grabs you. A key element in her sound that’s featured on her new song, 'Near Miss', a tale of trying to figure out where you stand in love and relationships. Since both are pop-centric storyteller tracks and are on her forthcoming debut album, The Words, out on October 21st. In a new interview with Liz for TRB. Liz spoke about her childhood, her new music, and much more.
Brit Alt-Pop Singer Liz Cass
Brit Alt-Pop Singer-Songwriter Liz Cass' smoky haunted timbre and emotionally raw lyrics harken comparisons to Kate Bush and Lisa Stansfield here and there. Cass uses emotion to not only effectively elevate her eclectic electric pop sounds but to punctuate the story. It instantly grabs you. A key element in her sound that’s featured on her new song, 'Near Miss', a tale of trying to figure out where you stand with love and relationships. Since both are pop-centric storyteller tracks and are on her forthcoming debut album, The Words, out on October 21st. In a new interview with Liz for TRB. Liz spoke about her childhood, her new music, and much more.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, Liz! How has your year been so far? Thanks for taking the time to speak with me at TRB.
LIZ CASS: Thanks for having me :)
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did you each get your start in the music industry? Was it something that you felt a calling to?
LIZ CASS: I started singing when I was really young as I was a choral scholar. But I really got into other genres of music as a teenager and had a real urge to move to the big city and try and make it as a singer. I didn’t really care about anything else and ended up ditching my A-levels and hot-footing it to London. I was introduced to some amazing people and started writing songs with Fraser T Smith and met one of the heads of Warner Music who came to see me sing at a big concert in Leicester Square. But ultimately I wasn’t really ready for it all and had no idea what kind of artist I was. So I guess I blew it back then!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Going back to your childhood a bit, did you grow up in a musical family? Was there a band or artist that in particular felt like home for you?
LIZ CASS: My parents weren’t musicians but Dad had a great vinyl collection and got me really interested in all the great artists and bands from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Artists like Kate Bush, Sade, and Fleetwood Mac definitely have an influence on me and my music. The 80s is my decade. I love great baselines and synths are my heaven.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Moving ahead… Can we talk about what your typical creative and writing process is like and how has that evolved for you as you’ve developed as an artist?
LIZ CASS: I wrote this album with Ed Graves who has an amazing studio in Bath called Rainbow Wood. Before we started working together I still didn’t have much confidence as a songwriter as I’d taken a long time out of the industry and I was really just experimenting with him and had no expectations of where it was going. But we just clicked and the music flowed. Being in that beautiful studio, the outside world melted away and as he started playing chords on the synths or strumming on the guitar the melodies and lyrics just started flowing out of me so quickly and easily. We’re so in sync. By the time he’s got a structure together for the song, I generally have all the lyrics and melody ready and we lay it all down. I’ve never had such an easy writing process with anyone before.
I’ve really figured out who I am as an artist through 3 years of writing sessions with Ed. I have stories to tell and I know how I want to deliver them. Now when I go to the studio I have the confidence I never had when I was younger and I know how to translate my thoughts and ideas into songs that represent me and the kind of music I love. It’s been a long road to get here but now I feel happy to keep experimenting and evolving. Got there in the end!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s discuss your latest single “Near Miss”, how did that song come together? What’s the backstory on it and how was the creative process?
LIZ CASS: It was inspired by a romantic situation I was struggling with. Being caught up in that no man’s land where someone is hot and cold and not ready to commit, so you don’t know where you stand. I was feeling quite low and confused and writing is like therapy for me, so I headed down to Rainbow Wood. I think we wrote that in about 6 hours from start to finish! I was feeling quite punchy through my frustration and wanted killer beats and baseline to get it all off my chest. It was definitely the start of a new direction for my music after a lot of wallowing during Covid. I just want to make more upbeat fun pop music for a while now.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard it in only three words. What words would you choose?
LIZ CASS: Emotive synth pop!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Lastly, what is up next for you on the horizon, Liz?
LIZ CASS: My album is coming out on 21st October which is exciting. It’ll be strange to send it out into the world after three years of writing it but I’m so ready. I’ve got a live show in London on 10th September at Laylow and I’m planning more gigs this autumn around the album release. I have a covers EP ready to be mixed of some of my all time favourite songs which I hope to release early next year. And then I guess I need to crack on and finish the next album! Stay tuned :)
Stream Liz Cass's new single “Near Miss” which is out now.
PHOEBE BRIDGERS CAPTIVATES CLOSING OUT HER TWO NIGHT GREEK THEATER STINT ON A HIGH
Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, who sold out both nights at The Greek Theater, even brought along a few special guests. Which included her label signing, Charlie Hickey and guitarist Blake Mills among others.
Indie Folk phenom Phoebe Bridgers closed out the final night of her two sold-out headlining shows last Friday to much acclaim. Bridgers, riding high from Grammy nominations and critical acclaim from her second album “Punisher”. The singer-songwriter brought the “Reunion” tour to L.A. to the delight of fans. Playing through a well fleshed out set of Folk-Pop soundscapes in seventeen songs. She also had a surprise opener in store. None other than The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. He came out to do a intimate acoustic set in support of Phoebe. The best part was their duet. Their voices on that song blended quite exquisitely.
As much as the crowd and I were surprised to see Matty Healy as the opener that night. I might’ve been the only one caught off guard by Phoebe and her band walking out to “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. I later discovered she was referencing a memory from High School. When she made and gave a mixtape to a high school crush. Somehow this song choice just made sense, it was very “Phoebe”. They somehow easily segued into “Motion Sickness”. A track that lyrically is full of anger and sadness among so much else. “Motion Sickness” was also one of the few tracks she performed from her debut record “Stranger in the Alps”. Most of the setlist included songs from her Emo meets Folk-Pop second act, “Punisher”. Songs like the beautifully quirky “Moon Song” or the pensive “Garden Song” rang out like soft lullabies. While the menacing “Punisher” cut through the silence. Bridgers ended on with the amusing sarcasm of her Bo Burnham encore cover of “That Funny Feeling”. Simply letting the music speak for itself that night with exception of a few well placed quips throughout her set. Phoebe led her orchestral leaning band of skulls (still sporting those infamous glow in dark skull onesies I mentioned earlier) in quite the autumnal rallying cry in the canyons. A true storyteller at heart her songs are not party jams (no, “Kyoto” doesn’t count but it’s still a bop”). Yet, the crowd stayed on their feet the entire time enjoying the overall atmosphere. An audience that that was truly happy to sing along to Phoebe that night and to have the hometown bestie back. You can check out my full photo gallery from the show below. To stream “Punisher” go here.
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