The powers that be are accessing this years MTV Video Music Awards after hitting another ratings low. Only 5 million viewers decided to tune in. To save face, the network is painting an upswing in social media activity. Still, the show didn’t move sales and streaming numbers for the artists, and that’s what labels and managers hope for. Money is spent and a return is expected. Plus, putting on the show is a hefty cost. One could very well assume that this could be the last MTV awards show. The fat lady may have sung. If MTV thought they had impact on popular culture, the confidence is gone. It’s a new era.

“Because in this bottom-up world, where cultural authority shatters into a million channels of exposure, the hits are harder to foresee—and authority is harder to protect.” – Derek Thompson

If anything, the MTV network looks cursed. Madonna was hired to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin and received the biggest backlash of her career. Post Malone left in a plane that blew two tires and had to make emergency landing, while twitter followers were hoping for his death. In fact, some of the biggest pop stars skipped the ceremony. The Washington Post said Camila Cabello, who was the surprise winner of both Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, was MTV’s way of sending a message to celebrities who don’t show up that they would be ‘punished’ for not showing up at the awards and ‘rewarded’ for attending.

It’s back to the boardroom.

New comer Sky Keller releases the synth pop track Weekend. The well crafted ‘sing along’ electro pop tune was quickly embraced by tastemakers including TripleHQ making it to #1 on Hype Machine’s Popular Charts. The Connecticut native, now based in LA, debuted with the track “Don’t Get It” that received some fanfare. With the latest track, Sky opens up about unattainable love and stating, ” It’s about wanting someone who is unavailable but for some reason this person (you desire) still keeps you around in some capacity.”

Up and coming Alice Gray releases Lay Down.  The LA based singer-songwriter is so new to the scene that she is probably still getting comfortable on the stage. Blending synth and dream pop and with a video reminiscent of Duo Lipa, Alice is worthy of a mention. Plus, Spotify gave it a New Music Friday. Check it out.
imalicegray@gmail.com

Brooklyn based producer and songwriter Ben Rice releases his new single “The Getaway”. With a first listen, he sounds like a modern day Tom Petty, gifted with a captivating vocal, that can make any song sound good. Of course, Ben is no stranger to success and he isn’t a new artist per say. He has produced artists from The Skins to The Candles feat. Norah Jones, and fronted the wildly popular Surefire and Blackbells. Still, there is a generation that has never heard of him. Although Rice is very quiet and aloof on social media, he has picked up a lot of genuine press generally from the songwriting community. If anything, the strength lies in the songs. Give it a stream.
booking@degrawsound.com

Known or not known for her time on America’s Got Talent before she got booted as a finalist, Caly Bevier releases  the track Head Held High.  Although her latest track is your typical structured pop song, there is something special about it. Even before getting kicked off the TV singing show, Caly struggled with cancer at a young age. The Ohio native sings with emotion and you can hear the trials she’s endured.  No matter the amount of writers and producers involved in the making the track, the artist always has to deliver and Caly does just that. Moreover, Caly has a higher calling. “I’ve always said that no matter what happens with music or my career, I always want to fight for people who have cancer or have had cancer,” she says. Give it a stream.