ENTERTAINMENT

Ten Emerging Indie Artists to Listen to Now!

Those people might not be familiar with indie or alternative music and its brilliant artists, and they might not be fans of rock music. Here is a list of ten amazing and emerging indie artists…

Published

7 years ago

August 27, 2016

Umar Siddiqui

Ten Emerging Indie Artists to Listen to Now!

Music is field in which there is ample variety. A lot of people do not listen to radio but a whole lot of people do. Those people might not be familiar with indie or alternative music and its brilliant artists, and they might not be fans of rock music. Here is a list of ten amazing and emerging indie artists.

BANKS– Jillian Banks, better known simply as BANKS, is by far one of indie music’s most exhilarating artists. She gained much recognition for her 2014 hit song, “Beggin’ for Thread”, which is an electronic/ alternative R&B song that features trip hop, soft rock, indie, and alternative influences, like a lot of her other songs.

She is not usually on mainstream radio or on the Billboard charts or nominated for awards. She did make the Billboard 200 as mentioned earlier, and she did make the hot rock songs with “Beggin’ for Thread” and other songs, like her recent single from her new album, “The Altar”, which releases September 30th, “Gemini Feed.” With this song, she shows her multifaceted nature of music as well. With her characteristically wistful voice, once again, and a bass-heavy, very electronic-inspired background beat, she reflects on a relationship, saying her lover thought he could get her to the altar. It has made number 25 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs.

Glass Animals– With lead singer, Dave Bayley, this interestingly awesome band comes from Oxford, England. Their mix of indie rock, psychedelic rock, trip hop, electronica, and trip hop is astounding. With a soothing voice and unique beats, their characteristic sound is easily recognizable. The album “Zaba” was inspired by Bayley’s Texas chidhood. With its most popular song, “Gooey”, which was a hit on alternative radio, Glass Animals showcased a rhythmic sound that was complemented by a sensuous voice. This sounded promising, followed up by their other alternative radio hit, “Black Mambo.”

Their new album is continuing that sound of theirs, and they have already released a few songs from it, including “Life Itself” and “Youth”, both songs that have distinctive sounds. Their latest album, “How to be a Human Being”, releases on August 26, 2016.

X Ambassadors– This band is an alternative indie rock band from Ithaca, NY. They had much success on Billboard Charts with their hit song “Renegades”, which reached 17 on Billboard Charts and their album with this song, “VHS”, reached seven. They also gained a considerable amount of radio play on alternative and mainstream music radio stations; where they on both platforms, alongside country singer/ alternative rock artist, Elle King. They also released another song, soon after, “Unsteady.” This song, a very emotive song about the speakers’ parents’ split, also became a regular on alternative radio and reached 39 on the Billboard Charts.

CHVRCHES– This electronic trio with electrifying synthpop band with indie/ electronic and rock influences is lead by Lauren Mayberry, who is known for having a clean, clear voice. They hail from Glasgow, Scotland. Their song “The Mother We Share” won for Best British Pop Song at Popjustice and they came in fifth for BBC’s Sound of 2013. Their debut album, “The Bones of What You Believe” peaked at five on the Billboard Rock Albums. “The Mother We Share” was a song entailing a sibling rivalry with a synthpop/ electronic consistency in the song. They also released an electro-pop song, “Recover”, and “Gun.”

Their latest album, “Every Open Eye”, was named one of the 50 best albums of 2015 by Stereogum and NME. It received an “A” from the entertainment website, “The A.V. Club”, and 4/5 stars from Billboard. The album featured songs like “Leave a Trace”, “Empty Threat”, and “Bury it”, which features Hayley Williams of alternative rock band Paramore. Not many people, aside from alternative/ indie listeners know CHVRCHES and it does appear on alternative radio, but it is not promoted through mainstream radio.

Halsey– Ashley Frangipane, who goes by the name Halsey, is an indie pop singer. Alongside other indie/ alternative pop singers live Tove Lo, who is a mainstream artist now, and emerging artists like Aurora, Kiiara, and Grace Mitchell, Halsey has her own sound. With a distinguishing electro-pop sound that is compared to CHVRCHES’ sound, Halsey’s first song to be featured on the alternative radio was “Ghost”, a slower electro-pop song describing a relationship where Halsey uses the metaphor of a ghost to describe her emotionally detached lover. Her most popular song is probably “New Americana”, an alternative pop song that deals with the adoption, deviance to what people consider “normal”, and acculturation in this age. The song deals with ideals of marriage equality and alcohol marijuana usage.

Her next single was an electro-pop song called “Colors”, whose video stars “Teen Wolf” actor Tyler Posey, and a sensuous, slower electro-pop song called “Castle”, which was featured in the film, The Hunstman: Winter’s War.

The Strumbellas– Their song, “Spirits” is a hit on the alternative radio. They are a Canadian indie rock/ alternative folk rock band by the name of “The Strumbellas.” Their song starts slow and builds up to an energetic and reflective song with “I’ve been lookin’ at the stars tonight.” It progresses to the chorus, which is very captivating. It goes “I got spirits in my head and they won’t go, guns in my head and they won’t go, and the gun still rattles, the gun still rattles oh oh.”

More exposure to “Spirits” would be wonderful in so many ways. Let the world look forward to keeping newfound music discoveries alive in all shapes and sizes!

Bishop Briggs– Alternative rock and indie artist Bishop Briggs has had a extraordinary hit with her song, “River”, which reached 14 on the Billboard Rock Charts, five on the Rock Airplay, and seven on the US Alternative Chart. “River” is a stirring, upbeat alternative song with subtle electronic influences. Characteristic of Bishop Briggs, the music waves to featuring dubstep-like and electronic beats. She performed the song on The Tonight Show, which is hosted by Jimmy Fallon, and it was instantly also a commercial hit. The song “Wild Horses” was recorded under her former name, BISHOP, which she changed because it coincided with a metal band. “Wild Horses” is another alternative song that features a dubstep-like beat at the end of the chorus.

Bishop Briggs will open for Coldplay, which is huge, in the fall of this year, 2016. Climbing up, she has released “The Way I Do”, which accentuates her powerful voice. On the website, for the Fader magazine, it is actually reported that she will open for Coldplay on nine of their tour dates in the fall and, according to Steven J. Horowitz, who wrote the article, “The Way I Do” has a “bubbling bass” and is the “extension of ‘River.’”

Misterwives– Misterwives is probably a name you do not know. Led by lead singer Mandy Lee, this indie pop band is undoubtedly the epitome of fun in music. Their debut single, a really energizing, genuinely happy, and upbeat song, “Reflections” served as Misterwives’ debut single. It gained a small amount of radio play on the alternative radio but charted on the Billboard Rock Chart at 13 and on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks Chart at 31. It also reached number 14 on the US Alternative Charts at Billboard.com. In the words of Garrett Kamps of Billboard, the song is a mix of “Weezer and the Bee Gee’s.” Weezer is an indie rock/ punk rock band led by Rivers Cuomo and is still going strong, while The Bee Gee’s are not making music anymore but were a pop, soul, disco, and funk music ensemble. The another really joyous and bouncy song by the band is “Our Own House”, which was released in 2015. The band has become attributable to a happy alternative, indie pop and dance sound.

The band has opened for the band, Twenty One Pilots, and has covered Vance Joy’s song, “Riptide.”

JR JR– is an indie duo that hails from Detroit, Michigan. The indie rock duo is known mainly for their recent song, “Gone.” “Gone” hit alternative radio in the middle of 2015. It gained considerable radio play and was charted at 38 on Billboard’s US Hot Rock Songs, charted at number 17 on the Billboard Rock Airplay chart, and charted at 11 on the US Alternative Songs on Billboard. The song itself is accompanied by a bizarre music video that shows people being detached from limbs and running around, frolicking. On JR JR’s own website, the duo promoted the song, expressing that they were also very proud of their efforts on the song.

Aurora– Aurora Aksnes, or simply, AURORA, is a Norwegian alternative pop singer. Her most recent album is called “All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend.” The album was given an A- by Entertainment Weekly and 80 of 100 from Metacritic. It has reached number 150 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart as well. It contains the alternative radio hit “Conqueror.” This 1996-born, young and promising breakthrough indie act managed to put forth an alluring and amusing song with “Conqueror.” The song says, in the chorus, “I’ve been looking for the conqueror, but you don’t seem to come my way.” In February interview with iHeartRadio’s Nicole Mastrogiannis, Aksnes said, “‘Conqueror’ is about a world that is falling apart around you, and you’re looking for a conqueror to save you.” Her newest single is called, “I Went Too Far.” It is reported on the song’s Genius.com page that AURORA has said in a BBC interview that the song encompasses those moments when we go too far for love.

At her tender age of 20, AURORA is managing to wow people, and has a career ahead of her that promises great things and great music!

Related Topics:Emerging Artists Have a Listen indie MUSIC

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Umar Siddiqui

Hi, I am Umar Siddiqui. I am currently a student at the University of California, Riverside majoring in Media and Cultural Studies. My areas of interest in studies are mainly communications, journalism, media, and cultural/ social issues. My hobbies are anything Disney, music, creative writing, fashion, friends, social activism, etc. I am a very sociable person who is outgoing and opinionated; making my opinions known is important to me. I recently completed a fashion journalism short course online at the University of the Arts London's London College of Fashion. I am anticipating to graduate with my Bachelor's of Arts degree spring of 2017.

ENTERTAINMENT

Emmy Nominations 2019: See The Full List

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2019

Alexis Sostre

Emmy Nominations 2019: See The Full List

The 2019 Emmys have arrived. The 71st annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on Fox this Sunday, September 22, at 8 pm Eastern / 5 pm Pacific, and honor some of the biggest television achievements of the past year.

As usual, the major awards will be split into separate categories for comedy and drama. On the drama side, the 2019 nominations are both dominated by Game of Thrones — which is expected to set a new record for most Emmy wins by a single season — and unusually wide open. Many shows that would otherwise be contenders — including The Crown, Stranger Things, and The Handmaid’s Tale — did not air during the eligibility window (June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019), either because they wanted to avoid competing against Game of Thrones or because they simply couldn’t produce a new season in time.

The thought held by many was that Game of Thrones would turn in an unbeatable swan song and the race would open up again in 2020. In hindsight, that final season was widely criticized and not nearly as unrivaled in its Emmy worthiness as many expected it to be. Nevertheless, Game of Thrones is still the frontrunner in multiple drama categories.

Game of Thrones is also the only show to be nominated in all seven drama categories. In addition to nods for Outstanding Drama Series, Directing for a Drama Series, and Writing for a Drama Series, stars Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke are nominated for Lead Actor in a Drama and Lead Actress in a Drama, respectively.

And the show has pretty much overwhelmed the final two drama categories, with Gwendoline Christie, Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams all nominated for Supporting Actress in a Drama, and Alfie Allen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Peter Dinklage all nominated for Supporting Actor in a Drama. In total, between the Primetime Emmys and the Creative Arts Emmys, Game of Thrones’ final season earned 32 nominations, the most received in a single year by any show in the history of the awards.

Having already won 10 awards at the Creative Arts Emmys — which were held last weekend and mainly honor the technical elements of TV production like cinematography, editing, and visual effects — Game of Thrones needs just two more to tie its own record for most Emmys won by a single season of any show. It needs only three to break that record.

The few contenders looking to upset Game of Thrones include This Is Us, Better Call Saul (returning to the race after being nominated in 2017 and sitting out last year), Killing Eve, Pose, Succession, Ozark, and Bodyguard.

Perhaps the biggest player on the comedy side is the final season of HBO’s Veep. After star Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, Veep, the reigning comedy champ, sat out the Emmys in 2018. And in its absence, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel took home the major awards.

With Veep back in contention this year — and for its final season, no less — the series easily snagged a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. Its fellow contenders in the category include last year’s winner, Mrs. Maisel; returning nominee Barry; and newcomers to the race Russian Doll, The Good Place, Fleabag, and Schitt’s Creek.

Louis-Dreyfus is also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, an honor she has as already won six times for her role as Selina Meyer (on top of a Lead Actress in a Comedy win for The New Adventures of Old Christine and a Supporting Actress in a Comedy win for Seinfeld). She’ll go head to head with Russian Doll’s Natasha Lyonne, Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan (who won last year), and Schitt’s Creek’s Catherine O’Hara, among others.

Here’s the list of 2019 Emmy nominees in all the major categories:

Outstanding Comedy Series

Barry

Fleabag

The Good Place

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Russian Doll

Schitt’s Creek

Veep

Outstanding Drama Series

Better Call Saul

Bodyguard

Game of Thrones

Killing Eve

Ozark

Pose

Succession

This Is Us

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Mahershala Ali, True Detective

Benicio Del Toro, Escape at Dannemora

Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal

Jared Harris, Chernobyl

Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us

Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Amy Adams, Sharp Objects

Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora

Aunjanue Ellis, When They See us

Joey King, The Act

Niecy Nash, When They See Us

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Ben Whishaw, A Very English Scandal

Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl

Paul Dano, Escape at Dannemora

John Leguizamo, When They See Us

Michael K. Williams, When They See Us

Asante Blackk, When They See Us

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Emily Watson, Chernobyl

Margaret Qualley, Fosse/Verdon

Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects

Patricia Arquette, The Act

Marsha Stephanie Blake, When They See Us

Vera Farmiga, When They See Us

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, Black-ish

Don Cheadle, Black Monday

Ted Danson, The Good Place

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Christina Applegate, Dead To Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll

Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Stephen Root, Barry

Henry Winkler, Barry

Anthony Carrigan, Barry

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Tony Hale, Veep

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Sarah Goldberg, Barry

Sian Clifford, Fleabag

Olivia Colman, Fleabag

Betty Gilpin, GLOW

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Anna Chlumsky, Veep

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman, Ozark

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Billy Porter, Pose

Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder

Laura Linney, Ozark

Mandy Moore, This Is Us

Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Robin Wright, House of Cards

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul

Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul

Alfie Allen, Game of Thrones

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Michael Kelly, House of Cards

Chris Sullivan, This Is Us

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Gwendoline Christie, Game of Thrones

Lena Headey, Game of Thrones

Sophie Turner, Game of Thrones

Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones

Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve

Julia Garner, Ozark

Outstanding Reality Competition Series

Amazing Race

American Ninja Warrior

Nailed It

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Top Chef

The Voice

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

The Daily Show

Full Frontal

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

The Late Late Show With James Corden

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

At Home With Amy Sedaris

Documentary Now!

Drunk History

I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman

Saturday Night Live

Who Is America?

Outstanding Television Movie

Bandersnatch

Brexit

Deadwood

King Lear

My Dinner with Hervé

Outstanding Limited Series

Chernobyl

Escape at Dannemora

Fosse/Verdon

Sharp Objects

When They See Us

ENTERTAINMENT

Blade Runner Star Rutger Hauer Has Died Aged 75

Published

4 years ago

July 24, 2019

Alexis Sostre

Blade Runner Star Rutger Hauer Has Died Aged 75

Hollywood star Rutger Hauer has died aged 75.

The actor was best known for playing Roy Batty in the 1982 movie Blade Runner and also Sin City, Batman Begins and TV show True Blood.

His agent Steve Kenis confirmed Hauer died on Friday following a short illness. His funeral was held on Wednesday.

Rutger Hauer has died aged 75. Credit: PA

Tributes have begun pouring in for the star, with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro tweeting to say: “RIP the great Rutger Hauer: an intense, deep, genuine and magnetic actor that brought truth, power and beauty to his films.”

KISS musician Gene Simmons wrote: “Sad to hear Rutger Hauer has passed away. He was always a gentleman, kind and compassionate. Sending our condolences and prayers to his family, friends and fans.”

Hauer was born in Breukelen in the Netherlands and did stints in both the merchant navy and army before he became an actor.

He got his big break in 1969, when he became the lead in TV series Floris.

Away from acting, Hauer launched The Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation, which aimed to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, especially within children and pregnant women.

Issuing a statement following his death, the foundation said: “The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association announces with infinite sadness that after a very short illness, on Friday, July 19, 2019, Rutger passed away peacefully at his Dutch home.

“He leaves his beloved wife Ineke, after they have been together for fifty years.

“We at Starfish will always cherish the many unforgettable memories we have of Rutger and his dedication to the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association.

“One of Rutger’s last wishes was that Starfish should continue its charity activity and its fight against the AIDS disease, and with Ineke’s precious help, involvement and direction we will follow Rutger’s wish and will do our best to carry on Rutger’s inestimable legacy.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Freeform defends Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”!

Published

4 years ago

July 10, 2019

Swazi Shoba

Freeform defends Halle Bailey's casting as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid"!

Just in case you haven’t heard, Halle Bailey is the new Ariel, in an upcoming “The Little Mermaid” movie! She has been receiving messages from fans and other celebrities, congratulating her for landing the role!

Amongst those who congratulated her is Halle Berry, in a tweet she posted, “In case you needed a reminder… Halles get it DONE. Congratulations @chloexhalle on this amazing opportunity, we can’t wait to see what you!” She also added that she was “thrilled” for the 19 year old. However, not everyone was happy about Disney’s decision to cast a black woman for this role.

Some critics went as far as petitioning Disney to recast for this role, and titled their petition #NotMyAriel! They suggested that Halle should be replaced by a white woman with red hair, who would resemble the Ariel that they know from the 1989 animated version of The Little Mermaid. Now Freeform, Disney’s cable network, has decided to issue an open letter in response to this.

The letter read, “Yes. The original author of The Little Mermaid was Danish. Ariel…is a mermaid. She lives in an underwater kingdom in international waters and can legit swim wherever she wants (even though that often upsets King Triton, absolute zaddy). But for the sake of argument, let’s say that Ariel, too, is Danish”.

Freeform also added that, “Danish mermaids can be black because Danish *people* can be black. Ariel can sneak up to the surface at any time with her pals Scuttle and the *ahem* Jamaican crab Sebastian (sorry, Flounder!) and keep that bronze base tight. Black Danish people, and this mer-folk, can also *genetically* (!!!) have red hair”! Freeform then went on to remind the critics that Ariel and the story, is only fictional!

See!