Week 1-march 1,2024
The First Z-GR! Radio Show is in the can!!
Before diving into details on the first airing of my NEWHD Specialty Broadcast Show, Z-GR! Radio, I’ll drop a big THANK YOU to Zach Martin for the opportunity. I really can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be part of the NEWHD Radio Network, especially since Zach’s giving me the freedom to design my show and on-air playlist to my specs. Super Cool, no lie, and the fact that the station is part of Sophia’s Mission and all the positive energy that it represents is a huge bonus to boot. Awesome.
After a few years of curating an emerging artists playlist on Spotify (I’ll detail the history in another post), I’ve spent hundreds of hours looking for new artists, listening and promoting their music as a fellow artist and fan, and watching them grow from a few thousand streams to 100k or more as their fan base grows. Pretty cool. This show is an extension of that effort, and I’ll be pulling from the playlist for favorites as well as introducing new tracks that I come across. I’m also looking forward to expanding my relationships with the artists involved through interviews and other avenues with the goal of getting ears on as many artists as I can.
Also… I try to elevate playlists that I know of and use to find new artists as well, as I believe that there is no such thing as too much competition in this arena. I’ll highlight those playlists as I go as well, starting with Ruel Smith, who goes by the handle ‘MetroVeteran’ and runs the Synthwave Covers playlist on Spotify. Ruel graciously included our cover of ‘Bad Romance’ when we released it, and that playlist consistently generates streams for us due to the absolutely insanely great covers that make up the list. With nearly 900(!) tracks listed, you’re sure to find a cool version of your favorite song(s). Check it out for sure.
Episode One - On Demand
Z-GR! Radio Week One Lineup
Ralphy Grey / B.O.N. - I'm a Rebel
I needed a standout track for the show opener, and ‘I’m a Rebel’ by Ralph Grey and .B.O.N. is it. Ralph Grey is a fantastic German producer who creates amazing Synth/Retro/Pop and who collaborates regularly with singers from all over the world. In this case, it’s Zurich’s B.O.N.; the duo create a decidedly modern take on 80’s synth pop – a galloping bass groove under sparkling keys gives B.O.N. a nice vocal playground to sing over, resulting in a favorite track of mine. B.O.N. (pronounced ‘Bahn’ – yes, I asked) has relocated from Switzerland to L.A. to get herself into the Music Biz action, and I’m hoping we’ll see some live shows pop up throughout the states.
Ralphy Grey Links:
Spotify | Instagram | Facebook
B.O.N. Links:
Alexa Villa - Not Your Fool
Zero-G Racetrack - Bad Romance
Apathy here: As the lead mouthpiece for Silicon Valley’s Zero-G Racetrack, I can honestly say that we never expected and are always completely humbled by the positive response we continue to receive for our take on Lady Gaga’s monster hit. We did get a bit lucky; we released the track just as the PR machine for Gaga’s ‘House of Gucci’ kicked into gear, and the cover has been well received by Gaga’s fanbase.
Fun factoid – the track opens with the German translation of ‘More Cowbell’ just prior to…more cowbell.
Orange County Death March / 78RPM - Blood Runs Red (Remix)
Orange County Death March stopped by the Z-GR feed one day and asked me check out a track. It was fantastic, and I’ve had them on the playlist ever since. ‘Blood Runs Red (OCDM Remix)’ is an awesome anthemic electronic rocker, and OCDM’s usual outstanding production values seal the deal for their remix of 78rpm’s already amazing track.
From OCDM:
“This song is about being in jail, filled with the determination to escape and to fight for justice. “
OCDC Links:
78rpm Links:
People of the Parallel - The Way Love Goes
Justin Michael Tallman is the founder of Let’s Get the Word Out, a social media community dedicated to helping artists to grow their audiences. He releases music under the name The People of the Parallel; ‘The Way Love Goes’ from 2019 is an infectious groove leaning hard into an off-beat clap that supports a feel-good and hook-filled vocal; the excellent production values seal the deal.
The Future Us - Learn To Rock and Roll
The first time I heard this track, it felt like I was hearing what Bon Scott would sound like in the modern age. Super cool. These guys are out of Scotland, have a great Classic Rock sound, and a catalog that is well worth checking out.
Self described as:
“We are a four-piece-band, formed in Glasgow. Our music could loosely be described as Rock, however we draw on many different styles such as Folk, Blues, Dance, soul etc…
Where our initial tracks were inspired in the main by world events, our latest releases have been of a more personal nature. We hope to continue to produce a mix of topical and personal tracks with a Rock and Classic Rock feel for our future releases.”
Riley Smith - Despite Your Eyes
Riley is an Indie-Rock artist located in Silicon Valley, California. I met him fairly recently and knew he’d be a standout on the list. His unique voice is amazingly expressive and he is a really great live performer. I love good lyrical storytelling, and ‘Despite Your Eyes’ has become a favorite of mine.
I asked Riley about the song:
“I think the song really has a unique feel and almost a genre switch from verse to chorus. I’m really proud of the overall production; I still don’t feel like I’m a solid producer but caught lightning in a bottle with this track. The ending bridge is my favorite part. The initial verse and chorus tell of a character’s thoughts as he creates the fantasy of having a caring, deep relationship with a girl whom he simply has a passing glance at. This anxious energy in the chorus is then met with the resolution and acceptance at the bridge.”
Andy Carhart - Don't Lose Your Head
Andy Carhart hit the playlist early on, and has had no fewer than 5 tracks appear on the list. ‘Don’t Lose Your Head’ was the first, has a permanent spot on the list, and to this day remains one of my favorites. Days of the New meets Everlast with a killer acoustic guitar solo? Yes, please.
-COBALTO+ - Shine
Italian electronic rock artist -Cobalto+ has been on the playlist nearly since I started it in late 2021. ‘Shine’ was the first of their tracks included, and the excellent Davide Romani remix made an appearance as well. The band released their album ‘Something Beautiful’ last year, and I’ve included the album cut of ‘Shine on the show.
Olive Dares the Darkness - All Right Now
ODD has a really unique sound that really grows on you. They recently released their second album which has some standout tracks, but I went with ‘All Right Now’, the opener on their first record, for their first appearance on the show. Based out of South Carolina, they play out fairly regularly and based on the live tracks I’ve heard, they’re worth checking out if you get the chance.
From ODD:
“Weaving powerful vocals with heavy guitar riffs and eighties synth beats, Olive Dares the Darkness has evolved into a progressive art collective that seeks to bring new sounds to the shores of Charleston, South Carolina. The band features Becca Darling on vocals and keyboard, Mike Baum on guitar, Danielle Carlson on drums and Mr. Minister on bass. “
They also have a radio show, appropriately called ‘The ODDcast’; you can find it on SLERadio.com.
JJ Lovegrove - Trouble
JJ Lovegrove is a fantastic storyteller / musician and was one of the original 12 artists on the list back in 2021. Her voice is captivating, her live performances (try to catch her live streams if you can) are wonderful, and her videos are excellent. She recently released her first full-length album, ‘The Lines We Leave Behind’. ‘Trouble’, which features a guitar solo by her musical partner in crime, Minus Cube, is fantastic.
JJ Lovegrove Links:
Minus Cube Links:
Weird Wolves - Eyes of Orion
‘Eyes of Orion’ by Austin Texas’ Weird Wolves brings it right from the go. Great sound design is the name of this game, starting with a pulsating synth, swirling guitars and a haunting vocal by Ava Gore, who reminds us that ‘Revenge Comes with Inflation’. Oh, and then there’s that bass guitar. Don’t sleep on the Wolves, kids.
Bunny X - Head Rush
A fantastic Italo Disco duo out NYC – Abigail Gordon and Mary Hanley form Bunny X, easily one of my favorite artists in the synthwave / retrowave scene; what I love about their music is the sincerity and vulnerability in their lyrics and the vocal performances that keeps their music really grounded and authentic. I’m reaching back to their 2021 retrowave album ‘Young & in Love’ for ‘Head Rush’. They’ve just released an Instrumental version of the complete album and have a remix version as well that includes a track that features Kim Wilde. Yes…THAT Kim Wilde.
Black Cab - Hanna
Australia’s Black Cab is, simply put, awesome. So awesome, in fact, that they landed a coveted opening slot for none other than The Crystal Method back in 2022. Recently, they’ve put a TON of their back catalog on Spotify, dating back to 2005; it turns out I was VERY late to the Black Cab party in 2021, but I try to make up for it by bringing as many ears to their music as I can. They’re seeing a big jump in streams, so you know that people are catching the wave, and ‘Hanna’ which was a B-Side to ‘Rostler’s Rules’ back in 2021 is a favorite of mine.
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Sophia’s Mission, in collaboration with NEWHD Media, spearheads initiatives to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Through dynamic digital campaigns, community outreach events, and strategic media partnerships, they provide vital resources and foster open conversations. Their joint efforts aim to destigmatize mental illness, empower individuals to seek help, and advocate for policy changes. Visit Sophia’s Mission and NEWHD Media to learn more about their impactful work in saving lives and promoting mental wellness through innovative approaches in media and community engagement.
