Welcome to The MIC's Monthly Roundup, where you can see what we've had on repeat all month long!
Rosie Timmon:
This month, The MIC featured Rosie Timmon as our May Musician of the Month! Rosie Timmons is a Dublin, Ireland, native but recently moved to New York City to achieve her musical dreams. Growing up, she was inspired by the greats Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Beyoncé. She began writing music at just two years old, with her first song, "Washing My Hands." Timmons performed in many musical theater productions and national talent shows before attending the British Institute of Modern Music. She has released six singles that have played across Irish and British radio! Today Rosie Timmons continues to stun crowds with her powerhouse vocals and heartfelt honesty. Read more about Rosie Timmon here! Listen to Rosie Timmon's "Found" here:
Don Drago's "Paradise":
Don Drago wants to inspire listeners to seize the day and have fun doing it! Creating music before he was a teenager, Don Drago was inspired by Eminem, Nelly, and Ludacris and found his own creative outlet by writing his own hip-hop and pop music. He's rocked the stages of Crow Bar and Pegasus Lounge and even tested his skills in events like the Coast to Coast music competition and won first place. Don Drago brings all of the positive vibes while writing music about perseverance, courage, and self-improvement, all with a tropical feel. Teaming up with Bezz Believe and Nawlage 2K5, Don Drago has a new release titled "Paradise." Blending each artist's unique style, this single is an upbeat track promising to be the soundtrack of your summer. Read more about Don Drago here. Stream Don Drago's "Paradise" here!
Squares' "Light of You":
Squares is a group from Washington, D.C., creating indie rock and pop to stay in your head for days. Created by multi-instrumentalist Chris Barrett, Squares aims to pay homage to Barrett's many musical influences and rock roots. Their first release, "S.O.S," captured a retro vibe with a modern twist. Now the group is back with their debut full-length record, Mountains. Through this release, he hopes to shed more light on mental health challenges and remind everyone to seek help if they're struggling and know they're not alone. Mountains also take on other themes like unrequited love in "Light of You." Read more about "Light of You" here.
Stream Square's "Light of You" here:
Jai Winter's "JUMP":
Jai Winter is a Philly native rapper and engineer. Pulling inspiration from his musical heroes like Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle, Jai Winter creates timeless tracks. Stef from The MIC sits down and asks Five Fast Fasts about his creative process and new single, "JUMP."
Read the full interview here!
Listen to Jai Winter's "JUMP" here:
Modern Life Elixir "ROSE TINT":
Modern Life Elixir members Max Headroom, Dave Cooper, and Trevor Ramasir were connected by the Canadian Craigslist, Kijiji. Based in Toronto, Canada, together, the trio creates catchy pop tunes paired with heavier guitar textures that come straight out of the early 2000s handbook. The group has released three full-length albums in addition to a few other singles. Just last week, Modern Life Elixir released Wet Fleece, an eight-song record written and released in their home studio. We checked out one of their tracks, "ROSE TINT," a familiar yet hilarious track. Read more about "ROSE TINT" here.
Stream Modern Life Elixir's "ROSE TINT" here:
Our Future Leaders "You're the Void (86 Crush Remix) ":
Our Future Leaders rock the house all over central Florida. Following the success of their first EP in 2011, they’ve played many of Orlando’s most prominent venues, including the House of Blues and the Florida Music Fest sharing the bill with notable artists like The Dirty Heads, Filter, and Candlebox. Since, they’ve released four singles, with the latest remix just released this year. For “You’re the Void (86 Crush Remix),” Our Future Leaders collaborate with artist and producer 86 Crush to breathe new air into their 2019 single.
Read more about the track here!
Stream "You're the Void (86 Crush Remix)" here:
jnr.'s "U Stay On My Mind":
Ben Silva is 'jnr.' an Australian pop singer-songwriter aiming to create soundscapes. His influences include The 1975, Bon Iver, Tame Impala, and BROCKHAMPTON, and they can all be heard in jnr.’s own indie pop/rock. Beginning only last year, jnr. released six singles which are already gaining traction. His sounds can be found across popular Spotify editorial playlists, including New Music Friday and Pop n’ Fresh. He also played two sold-out opening slots at the Oxford Art Factory Gallery Bar in the same week! His latest release, “U Stay On My Mind,” was written with his friend and producer, Nico Scali. jnr. explains this track is his most vulnerable yet. This release is also paired with a music video shot on retro 16mm film starring jnr. with Laura Brogan Browne. Read more about "U Stay On My Mind" here.
Stream jnr.'s "U Stay On My Mind" here:
Joe Billy's Fissure:
Joe Billy started his solo career in 2016 and has been gigging all over NJ and the east coast playing his angsty acoustic punk tunes ever since. He just released his fourth full-length album Fissure and sat down with The MIC's Stef to discuss his writing process, The Joe Billy Collective, and the making of his latest album Fissure. Joe Billy's Fissure tackles deep, introspective thoughts along with political and societal issues. A record you can listen to all the way through, enjoying varying intensity, instrumentation, and lyricism. Read one of our favorite interviews yet!
Stream Fissure here:
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Other Fun Things The MIC Did In May:
Best Ways to Support Independent Artists: Are You a Bad Friend?
After coming across a Sterogum Instagram Post, we began thinking. The band Oceanator stumbled across a sign at a venue they were playing that read, "ONE T-SHIRT IS THE EQUIVALENT TO 5000 STREAMS ON SPOTIFY. 76% OF ALL MUSIC IS STREAMED AND NOT BOUGHT PHYSICALLY OR DIGITALLY. BAND MERCHANDISE IS THE MOST DIRECT WAY OF SUPPORTING THE ARTIST." And then we thought, what are the best ways to support your favorite independent artists? So we asked you guys and posted a Question on our story. We had quite a few responses and some of our own thoughts, so we compiled a list.
Read the full list here!
On The MIC: Season 3 Premiere Featuring an Unreleased Track by Kate Dressed Up!
For our season premiere, we are over the moon we have the opportunity to feature Kate Dressed Up! Not only are we excited for the feature but Katie Miller performs an exclusive and currently ~unreleased~ track, just for The MIC. She trades her signature Martin for a Gretsch, performing her very new track, "Strongest Woman in the World."
If you're not already subscribed to our YouTube channel, you can do that here.
If you want to be featured on the series, contact us here!
Stef Featured as one of Yellowbrick's 40 Under 40!
We were so thrilled to find our very own Stef featured as one of Yellowbrick's 40 Under 40 this year!
Read more here!
Mental Health Awareness Month
The MIC talked about Mental Health on Mondays all month long! We shared some of our favorite ways to keep mental health a priority and other wise words to maintain our mental strength. Check out our posts on our Instagram to read more way to take care of your own mental health!
Groover!
This month, The MIC recently teamed up with Groover to give feedback on tracks submitted by indie and emerging artists! If you're looking to get constructive feedback on your music, in an easy and fast way, send it here.
You might even end up on one of our playlists!
Playlists
This month, The MIC started creating genre-specific Spotify playlists dedicated to independent and emerging artists!
Follow The MIC on Spotify here!
Save our Rock Playlist
Save our Punk Playlist
Save our Folk Playlist
Save our Rap Playlist
Save our R&B Playlist
YouTube Shorts!
The BEST John Mayer Dead & Co. Guitar Solos MSG 11/14/2017:
Mashup of some of Mayer's BEST guitar solos from his set November 14th, 2017 night at Madison Square Garden!
Dani Zanoni (DnA) "Creep"
Dani Zanoni and Alex Kerssen (DnA) perform Radiohead's hit "Creep" at Isaac's Craft Kitchen & Brewery in Lancaster, PA part of Launch Conference & Festival!
To See DnA live check here for dates!
Kate Dressed Up On The MIC UNRELEASED Track "Strongest Woman in the World"