All the Latest Music News on Nagamag

https://twitter.com/NatalieGelman

Attraction is inexplicable. It’s pheromonal, quasi-spiritual, physiological and physical. For songwriter-pop artist Natalie Gelman, the pull to music has almost been innate. It has been there since she was an eight-year-old girl with an absent father and an overworked single mother. Back then, she freely roamed the wilds of New York City, stoking the fire of her artistry, spurred on by violin and piano lessons, and her innate singing and songwriting gifts.

The Ojai, California-based artist has aptly titled her milestone release, Moth To The Flame. This is her debut full-length for Blue Élan Records, and it features 11 co-writes with producer Charlie Midnight (Joni Mitchell, Katy Perry) who was an early champion of Natalie’s talents as a singer-songwriter. It has the added distinction of being mixed by Grammy award-winning sound engineer Jason Mariani (Lissie, Mumford & Sons); mastered by Grammy award-winning engineer icon Bernie Grundman (Michael Jackson, OutKast); and it features a band handpicked-by-Natalie of ace musicians with resumes that include working with such artists as Patty Griffin, Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile, and more.

https://www.facebook.com/NatalieGelmanMusic/

Moth To The Flame was born out of struggle. Looking to take her career to new heights, Natalie set out to do something different than she had done before, and that meant building an album with precision and direction that would be uncompromising in its execution and creation. This proved to be an arduous task; to record with the team she hand selected meant bending her life to the schedules of many. Long, late hours in the studio; days, weeks, and even months between recording sessions can prove overwhelming to many artists, but Natalie so believed in her vision she refused to settle for anything less than perfection.

The 13-song album represents a rare artistic feat. Moth To The Flame is a sublimely melodic and heartfelt blend of polished production, telepathic musicianship, and finely crafted pop with emotionally raw lyrics and storytelling. “I feel an everlasting draw to music, sometimes at the expense of the rest of my life. Like a moth to a flame, I continue to drive towards it, even when the price is frustration or pain. Sometimes we need to experience adversity to truly appreciate our purpose, and music is that purpose for me” Natalie says.

Natalie’s songwriting recalls sophisticated-but-still-pop tunesmiths such as Jewel, Sara Bareilles, and Jason Mraz. Her songs are subtly lush, detailed with ethereal atmospherics, majestic cello flourishes, chiming electric guitars, stately piano, and layers of dreamy vocals. Throughout her catalog, Natalie exhibits a stunning range as a vocalist, spanning delicately emotive phrasing to powerhouse full-voice singing. Her lyrics are both profoundly spare and poetically incisive, and her autobiographical songwriting boasts a universal resonance.

https://www.instagram.com/nataliegelman

Her latest release, Moth To The Flame, opens with “Photograph,” a potent dose of songwriter-pop with ethereal verses that yield to anthemic choruses. “I wrote ‘Photograph’ about never giving up when the odds are against you; it’s a love song to my audience,” she says.

Other album highlights include “Heavy, Heavy Heart,” “The Answer,” “Better Days,” and “Won’t Matter Anymore.” “Heavy, Heavy Heart” exudes a sweet Americana melancholia with lyrics that are both uplifting and thought-provoking. “This song is about how we can become our own worst enemies or our best friends based on our self-talk. We look around and think we’re the only ones experiencing something, that the growing pains of life are unique to us alone, but many people struggle with the exact same things,” Natalie shares. The empowering but tender track, “The Answer,” features sweetly sensual vocals and atmospheric-pop production. “Better Days” opens with a Motown-y bass hook and then blossoms into balmy, uplifting pop-rock. This track’s feel-good energy is harnessed in its video that promotes connection, inclusion, and unity. “This one really sums up the message of my music and my philosophy on life. I really believe in not giving up — especially on yourself. We’re at our best when we work together and lean on each other” Natalie says.

The concluding track, “Won’t Matter Anymore,” is a country-tinged song boasting soulful harmonica lines and the album’s most stirring vocal performance. Here, Natalie’s chorus lyrics are bravely honest. She sings: But everyone’s got something to hide/Some get convicted before they are tried/All the stupid mistakes you did or didn’t make won’t matter anymore/Everyone’s got some secrets to tell/mine just happen to be yours as well/And it won’t matter anymore, it won’t matter anymore. Natalie reveals: “We all have secrets. We may never know the truth, but we have to choose what is important. In this case, having the relationship is more important than having the pain of the past and never having a real answer.”

Natalie grew up surrounded by classical music. She studied violin, and attended the famed LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts where she studied under educators from Juilliard, and was featured as an opera singer. During this time, Natalie performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and other esteemed venues.

A chance finding of a guitar behind a friend’s couch changed everything. The instrument became an extension of her body as she took guitar lessons, and nurtured her songwriting gifts. “I used to fall asleep with my guitar,” she recalls with a good-natured laugh. “When I woke up, I was always so grateful I didn’t toss and turn and break it.”

Natalie earned a degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Miami. Upon graduating college, she set out on her path as a songwriter, releasing her debut album, and embarking on her rollerblade tour back home to NYC. There, she became a fixture in the gritty subways—a circuit she began to master when she was just 16—and a mainstay at the city’s storied venues. From there, she inspired a sing-along crowd of 17,000 while opening for Bon Jovi on a coveted opening slot she earned from a songwriting contest and beat out 120 subway performers to open and sing a duet with Wyclef Jean.

To date, Natalie has released a self-titled album, an EP, and four singles. Select press praise includes Huffington Post raving Natalie is “sunny and soulful”; The New York Post gushing she is “simply terrific”; PopMatters concluding “all listeners will enjoy how Gelman pours out her soul”; and Billboard weighing in “fan reaction confirmed that her intimate songs play well in an arena setting.” Natalie earned a feature on the front page of the NY Times; and interview features in LA Weekly and Songwriting Magazine. Natalie’s most recent single, “2020,” has been added to Apple Music’s coveted “Hit Reset Playlist,” and has been enthusiastically reviewed.

Natalie looked to build on those early successes by creating an album that would define her as an artist, but it would ultimately take years of concerted effort before Natalie would find Moth To The Flame in its fully-realized form. She is quick to admit the toll the arduous process had on her well-being. Many opportunities to take easier paths presented themselves. In greater numbers were the chances to throw in the towel completely. The obstacles, the personal challenges of taking care of an ailing family member, the professional challenges in the pursuit of perfection, Natalie willed her way through for the sake of the music. “The truth is, giving up has never felt like a real option” Natalie exclaims. “Music is a life force for me, I’ll find a stage, street corner, or subway platform to perform on, no matter what stands in my way.”

Her never-say-die work ethic has paid off for Moth To The Flame as Natalie is now supported by a full team, and she’s issued her most assured artistic statement to date. “I have put years into this album. While working on it, I got married, lost my mom to Alzheimer’s, and had the opportunity to open for major artists,” she says. “The songs on the album were written before going through those things, but the pain and passion are in the performances and recordings. These songs have taught me to focus on the love you can give and the integrity of which you live your life.”

An emotional song about friends going through trouble.

https://www.instagram.com/soulrebelproject/

Artist shared few words with Nagamag behind this inspiration:

“My new single ‘Le Berry’ is out today, a piece that i composed in my piano just thinking about a special place I have in France. Sometimes a simple melody becomes strong enough to bring powerful emotions. Le Berry is describing a very special place that I will call home one day.” – Jordi Forniés

https://jordifornies.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/jordifornies.artist
https://www.instagram.com/jordifornies

https://www.instagram.com/me.ringo

Brand new release! A mix of jazzy electronic and instrumental hip hop sure to tickle your eardrums.

https://garyoakland.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/gary_oakland

http://prot.cl/monocule-vol2

After teasing the world with "You Don't Know" back in March, Nicky Romero, as Monocule, releases the full version of his anticipated "Monocule Volume 2" EP, which features two brand new tracks that represent his Monocule moniker's signature dark sound masterfully. Following the groovy opening "Find You," a progressive gem with dreamy vocals and undulating melodies, he switches gears with "Silence," for which Monocule teamed up with Protocol's veteran DØBER and UK-based singer/songwriter Bertie Scott. It employs soulful, haunting vocals and melodic yet dark soundscapes with images of late-night drives and after-hour vibes. Closing out, we have the moody "You Don't Know," which ends the "Monocule Volume 2" EP. The release is a direct follow-up to "Monocule Volume 1" EP from 2020, and we hope Monocule will keep them coming.

After taking the world by storm with early hits such as "Legacy" with Krewella and #1 single "I Could Be The One" with Avicii, Nicky Romero quickly proved that his talent is ever-evolving and here to stay. After launching his Protocol Recordings imprint in 2012, the renowned performer, producer, and label head continued his personal successes with a string of high-profile releases, ranging from collaborations with Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Mike Williams & Amba Shepherd, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, W&W, DallasK & XYLØ, Timmy Trumpet and Steve Aoki & Kiiara to remixes for the likes of Robin Schulz, Kygo, Rita Ora, Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix, Jess Glynne and more. While showcasing his label's roster via his weekly Protocol Radio show, Nicky Romero continues to innovate and evolve during these unprecedented times in the music industry. He debuted his ultra-modern "Another World" live stream concept last summer and keeps proving his ability to turn into gold everything he touches.

More info on Monocule / Nicky Romero / Protocol Recordings:

Monocule: https://www.instagram.com/monocule/

Nicky Romero: https://www.instagram.com/nickyromero

Protocol Recordings: https://www.instagram.com/protocolrecordings/

Artist shared with Nagamag few words behihd this song inspiration:

"This song is a groovy, fun, and feel-good bop that is sure to put listeners in a great mood. I wrote the song from my own awkward, naive, and unaware perspective. It's all about the feeling you get when you realize that you're in love with someone, but you don't quite know how to tell them. The groove is very Shawn Mendes inspired with a John Mayer guitar flare." - Andrew Poston

https://www.instagram.com/andrewposton96

Andrew Poston is an award winning vocalist and songwriter based out of New York City. Originally from a small town in South Carolina, Andrew got his start in the church performing at a very early age. His musical influences include many genres including pop, rock, rnb, gospel, jazz, and soul. Post college, Andrew made the move to NYC, where he quickly booked the national tour of "Kinky Boots." After touring the country, He continued to work regionally in theaters, concert halls, and performance venues across the country. In 2020, he recorded his debut EP and it is expected to release in 2021.

Artist shared few words behind the inspiration of this song:

" Adoration is a simple but powerful corporate worship song composed with vary thoughtful melody and instrumentation. The vocals by Daniel Moraine Smith are strong, passionate and transparent. This song was written late last year during the pandemic, it is one of several songs I wrote and will be releasing as singles. During that time God was continually reminding me that Christ is my sole sufficiency " - More Rain

https://www.instagram.com/morerainmusic
https://morerain.com/

https://www.annabmay.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/annabmaymusic

Anna B May is a music composer/producer born and raised in Russia, where she also studied classical piano and music theory in a music college. She is currently residing in Hong Kong. 


Being concentrated on mainly instrumental music that tells a story and shares the emotion, Anna enjoys combining classical routes with modern electronic sounds. Sometimes she is experimenting with blending different styles to get the exact sounds she wants to create.

“Anna B May explores textural soundscapes affording the listener a moment of total inner peace. Introspective and poignant, her music is best described as drinking from the well of revitalization.”~ Blue Dot Studios, Nicholas Gunn

Inspired by Scarlett Archer's poem "Tarot" and reflects the importance of a decision we make for our lives.

https://www.instagram.com/juliano_piano_music