Check out the releases of independent artists from rock, pop, and even folk bands.
RIHA – Where’d She Go?
Riha‘s sound unites Indian and Canadian culture. She currently resides in Toronto and works as a freelancer for emerging companies producing deep house style tracks distributed on platforms such as Spotify, and curated by playlists such as BBC One and Rolling Stone India.
This is Riha‘s debut single, where the singer-songwriter mixes elements of indie, pop, and R&B, which allows for an extremely commercial sound able to involve the ear in a light and pleasant way. According to the singer, this track was created in collaboration with several musicians from the indie scene, fully online.
“Where’d She Go? was written about how we spent our time during the pandemic and how we are all looking for ways to feel like ourselves again after isolation.” – Riha declared.
HA1LEY – Seltzer
Ha1ley confesses that she wrote ‘Seltzer’ to remind herself and everyone else that there’s no beauty in feeling inferior just so others don’t feel bad about your success. “Be as dramatic as you want to be” she vents proudly, after all, this song was completely made by herself. “I wrote, recorded, produced, and mixed on my own”.
With unapologetic lyrics, emotional vocals, scathing beats, and cinematic drama, the singer reveals different sides of herself and her audience through characters of her own creation. She uses powerful choreography, sweeping melodies, and vulnerable narratives to communicate the joy of being bold.
The bold charisma of ‘Seltzer’ conveys the message: take as much space as you like, in any room you like.
MIKE ROBERT – One To Another
Mike Robert is an Israeli singer who recently released the album “Hiring Mistakes” where the single ‘One To Another’ composes the tracklist. This is an emotional track, worthy of a movie soundtrack about love. However, the theme presented in this song is the experience of the repetitive cycle where the bad becomes good and then turns into a bad experience again, so that, once again, it is something nice to try.
The singer himself declares that “This song will give you the creeps, break you to pieces and break your heart like never before”. And he went to great lengths to achieve this. “Sometimes the heart needs to be broken and the feeling needs to be felt” – he adds.
If you are psychologically prepared, listen to the single ‘One To Another’, I recommend it (after all, I love suffering, right?! Haha)
RALEÿELL – Let Them Stare
Raleÿell was able to practically sing a mantra so sweetly on ‘Let Them Stare’, and she herself stated that she wants this song to be a comfortable break for the listener.
The single ‘Let Them Stare’ features sound references from the 2000s and brings elements of pop, indie, and alternative. The intro is soft as a lullaby (I believe it’s a xylophone) and then Raleÿell‘s voice comes out with a strong presence, which takes you to a relaxed state.
Meet now the talent of the singer who is also from Israel, Raleÿell:
CURTIS CULLEY – Strip It Back
Influenced by artists such as Ed Sheeran, Daughtry, Jon Bellion, English singer and producer Curtis Culleyhas just released his third single ‘Strip It Back’. According to the artist, his new work presents a change from his traditional writing style. “It has a catchy bass line and a fun, ironic vibe.” – he says.
Culley tells that ‘Strip It Back’ is about an invented relationship between two ex-lovers who keep coming back for each other. And he claims “she will make you want to dance”.
Listen now to Curtis Culley‘s new single:
PEDRO SAMP – Harlequeem
Continuing with the soft style tracks, let’s say, it’s time to play the single ‘Harlequeem’ by guitarist and composer Pedro Samp. He who is passionate about movies and has had a solid career in the business of writing soundtracks for conventional cinema since he was 19 years old, has just launched his new job where he was responsible for recording all instruments and voices.
Currently, he is in search of life for melodies capable of bringing smiles, pleasure, tears, and joy. In this single, Pedro mixes R&B, Pop, Bossa Nova, and Electronic Music. Are you surprised by the bossa nova reference? Pedro was born in Rio de Janeiro, but has an English family and currently lives in London!
Influenced by bands like The Police, Eric Clapton, Simply Red, and Dire Straits, the multi-instrumentalist stated that most of his compositions talk about himself and the people around him.
Now listen to the single ‘Harlequeem’:
COLLEGE ELITE – Trouble
College Elite is an indie/alternative rock band from Manchester/UK. The band’s sound is very characteristic of the underground scene, the kind that here in São Paulo would perform at the venue Hangar 110, you know? In other words, the melodic rock that we love.
The single ‘Trouble’, released in September 2021, features layered guitar, raw vocals, and a catchy chorus. This is a self-produced work, where College Elite was inspired by the story of the vocalist’s car trip with someone important from his past.
Press play and sing with me and College Elite “I’m no trouble you know that I’m no good”:
AURA DAVIS – Unbroken
Since the age of 9, Aura Davis has been writing poems and novels. But only at the age of 22 she resumed her artistic activities and now, she has just released the single ‘Unbroken’, a melodic indie pop track with influences from 90’s rock.
At this point in her career, she’s darker, stronger, more honest, and much more herself than ever. “I basically have two personalities,” she explains with a laugh. “On the one hand, we can all agree that there’s a certain amount of narcissism involved, but on the other hand, I’m a very introverted person when it comes to openness like I can share a lot, but I almost never expect anything in replacement “. Declared Aura Davis.
Now listen to the track ‘Unbroken’:
CHAOSBAY – Lonely People
In 2018, the band Chaosbay performed with a new line-up and recently released the single that precedes the EP “Boxes”, which is expected to debut later this year. The band is known for their sound quality, impeccable performance, and creative lyrics in the Berlin/Germany progressive metal scene.
Chaosbay has already been compared to big scene bands like Periphery, Tesseract, but also Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and Dream Theater. In their new single, heavier than their previous works, but without losing the talent that captivates fans, the band deals with the dark side of life in the digital space, bringing a modern rock capable of pleasing listeners around the world.
Already add ‘Lonely People’ to your playlist and pay attention to the band’s social media, after all, after the hiatus in which they focused on their respective solo careers, they promise to come back with everything now!
RICCARDO MOCCIA – Freewill
I present to Death Metal fans, the Italian artist Riccardo Moccia and his new single ‘Freewill’ that has a huge grungy vocal. The track is on the album “Sensed” and talks about the evolution of the universe from the point of view of a Being of Light. It is a New Age rock, for those who are mystics, to situate themselves.
This is an extremely conceptual and non-standard composition. In the same way that it sounds aggressive, Riccardo Moccia also uses elements of harmonic singing, Mongolian, Indian, and Japanese chants, allowing the birth of a somewhat peculiar and meditative Death Metal.
Are you curious? Listen now to the single ‘Freewill’ from Riccardo Moccia‘s recent release:
YON IDY – My Fire
After a brief hiatus in his career, singer Yon Idy (Skopje / Macedonia) resumes his activities with the single ‘My Fire’. Despite its hot name, the track is smooth and intimate, joining the setlist of indie pop songs that are delicious to listen to while relaxing.
But the story that started the song was an experience where Yon Idy was feeling frustrated with his career, despite believing that the song would partner him for the rest of his life. So, as a shoulder shoulder to himself, he composed these encouraging lyrics and now shares them with the whole world!
MEEKING – Taking Hits
A trio of friends from 13 to 20 years old decided to form a band, then followed different paths, but after all this time separated, they realized that what makes their heart vibrate is when they are making music together, it’s called Meeking.
Influenced by bands like Pearl Jam, Incubus, Pink Floyd, Kings of Leon, and the entire 90s grunge hall of fame, they released the single ‘Taking Hits’ which completes the story of the previously released track ‘All In’. Both carry in their lyrics a reflection on perseverance and mental health.
“We hope these songs give people the energy they need to get out of whatever dark place they might be hiding… Or, I just hope they like the killer riffs!” – declared the band.
KILL’EM CHARLIE – Hazey
Kill’em Charlie has a ’90s indie and garage rock vibe. ‘Hazey’ is the first single released after their debut EP ‘I Hope This Works for You, ‘Cause It Does For Me’ in October 2020, which already demonstrates an evolution and maturation of his compositions.
The quintet is working hard to conquer its space in the indie scene to attract audiences who also like bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, and Catfish and Bottleman. If you like melodies like these bands, you will definitely sympathize with Kill’em Charlie‘s sound!
All these songs in on the official playlist of Diário de Shows on Spotify! #DiáriodeShowsINDICA.