Young Hearts by New Atlas caught my fancy. Lead by Liverpool based artist Owen O’Hagan the track is “Ridiculously promising” as noted by BBC Across the Line.

Although having gone through some line-up changes, the indie pop singer-songwriter is planning on taking his new band on the road with dates in the UK and Ireland.

Having been named BBC Northern Ireland’s hottest new acts by Radio One and winning critics over, it’s very likely we’ll be hearing more from New Atlas.
hisnewatlas@hotmail.com

Kevin Kadish, the songwriter behind Meghan Trainor’s mega-hit All About That Bass received a check $5,679.00 for the song which has surpassed 200 million streams. He isn’t very happy.

“For a song like ‘All About That Bass,’ that I wrote, which had 178 million streams,” Kadish began, without specifying any streaming services. “I mean $5,679? That’s my share. That’s as big a song as a songwriter can have in their career and number one in 78 countries.

“But you’re making $5,600. How do you feed your family?”

I believe Spotify and other streaming services should provide a better payout for songwriters.

Karen O reincarneted Ninet Tayeb is rocking it out with her latest video Superstar which was filmed in NYC. She began her journey after winning Israeli Idol which propelled her to overnight fame.

Now with four albums under her belt, the female rocker has her eyes on the U.S. And yes, the American music charts needs variety outside from Drake and Adele.

Known for her fierce determination, Ninet will travel to the states where she’ll be finishing up a new album. She had been touring with Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson with stops at Royal Albert Hall in London and The Beacon Theater in New York, while picking up some press mentions from the likes of NPR and The Brooklyn Vegan after her SXSW performance.

Upcoming plans includes a fall tour and a new album.  Check out the video here.
spencer@goodcoppr.com

With all the genres and sub-genres it can be difficult to identify mainstream pop, the genre that is perceived to impact popular culture, that targets teens.

If you’ve been out-of-touch with popular music, then follow these tips to pin down the current pop sound. Plus, you’ll appear to be hip with your peers, with your finger on the pulse.

For starters, you can go to the Billboard Pop Charts and sift through the top 20.  Spotify and Shazam will also show you what’s trending. These particular charts are reflective of popular culture but may not paint the best picture. Artists outside of the mainstream like Hozier and Gotye can slip through the cracks which would not mirror the current sound.

Here is a tried–and–true tip. Seek out the older women who wants to revive her former career at pop radio.

Old timers on big labels that want another shot at fame will hire 20 songwriters, 20 producers, a hip stylist, and videographer, with the hope of climbing their way back on the top 40 charts. All in all, they are hoping to penetrate the minds and the emotions of the teens. CONTINUE READING

Secret Weapons who I wrote about last year found themselves on tour this month across the U.S with Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, and wrapping up with a date on Lollapalooza.

The NYC duo which consists of Gerry Lange and Dan E have built momentum since they day they met in math class. Influenced by the likes of Tears for Fears, Cyndi Lauper, and Hall & Oates, the Brooklyn born indie act heated up the blogosphere and the Spotify charts with their debut radio-ready single Something New.

Now with a high profile tour on the way, these boys will have a chance at proving themselves to a larger audience with performance and song. The audience tonight is already convinced who bought tickets to their sold-out one-night-only headlining show at the Bowery Ballroom tonight. Check out my favorite track Perfect World.
secretweaponsny@gmail.com