Tag: POP

For ten strong years, from 1983 to 1993, Swing Set reigned as the Twin Cities’ finest exponents of hook laden, guitar driven pure pop. Their cool-edged, rock/pop sound sent the group’s first album Life Speeds Up quickly into the top 50 of the U.S./Boston Rocks college charts, and the group received commercial airplay in major markets from each of their next releases with the songs “Don’t look Now” and Casting My Lines” from the CD The Soul Remains; and “The Hero” from their DIG release.

Mike Nilles … Lead/background vocals, lead/rythm guitars, songwriter, founder of the group … plays guitar with taste and feeling … writes and enjoys music with seductive melodies and thoughtful lyrics … plays many instruments … also works a recording engineer … musical faves: Beatles, Byrds, The Church.

Dan Prozinski … Lead/background vocals, lead/rythm guitars, songwriter … his inventive, ethereal guitar style is a result of Dan’s love of the instrument and his never ending quest for a new “sound” … as a designer he helps create a stylish, modern visual look for the group … musical faves: Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler.

Ric Studer … Lead/background vocals, bass guitar … always positive, always upbeat, an effervescent prankster loved by all … and like his buoyant bass grooves Ric holds the band together … musical faves: Replacements, Bash and Pop, NRBQ.

Dave Nussbaum … Piano, synthesizer, songwriter, years of classical and pop training … an intuitive sense of melody and harmony … studious and inquisitive … just now coming into his own as a composer … provides the lush textures the band is known for … musical faves: you name it.

Mick Wirtz … Drums/percussion, background vocals, most musically trained and active of the five … is involved in jazz, big band, folk and computer drum programming … his style is fiery and imaginative … his upbeat, crazy yet steady good nature helps keep it all moving in time … musical faves: The Police, Weather Report, Box-Car Willie.

For ten strong years, from 1983 to 1993, Swing Set reigned as the Twin Cities’ finest exponents of hook laden, guitar driven pure pop. Their cool-edged, rock/pop sound sent the group’s first album “Life Speeds Up” quickly into the top 50 of the U.S./Boston Rocks college charts and received commercial airplay and rave reviews in major international markets.

Remixed by Michael Owens in 2024 @ Blackberry Way & Mastered by Andy Walter @ Abbey Road, Swing Sets debut album “Life Speeds Up” roars back to life in stunning fashion. Several tracks from “Life Speeds Up” find themselves in hit TV shows including Stranger Things & The OA on Netflix, Red Oaks on Amazon and Young Sheldon on CBS.  First released on vinyl in 1986, the remixed version is now available for purchase on CD’s & Downloads for the first time.

The opening track Blackout first released digitally on “Mini Hits of Minneapolis Vol 2” (The Best of Blackberry Way) has generated over 166,000 All-Time streams on Spotify.

“Elegantly simplistic, reminiscent of REM and The Pretenders.” -ALBUM NETWORK- “They’ve got the chops and the sense of style that show cool confidence…what a nice record.” – ROCKPOOL MAGAZINE- “The Soul Remains” the bands second release was named “Best Local Pop Record” by MPLS ST PAUL MAGAZINE Feb 1991.

The band found a significant following in Europe. Popular YouTube station 80zforever called Life Speeds Up “a brilliant alternative/Indie album, with no fillers. It’s a strong record from the beginning to the end.”

The Hero”, from their third album “Dig”, played in regular rotation on Cities 97 & “Don’t Look Now” from the Soul Remains played in regular rotation on REV105 in Minneapolis.

Airplay around the world has included Valley FM 89.5 Canberra Australia as well as Ardenn’ Café Radio Charleville Mezieres, France. Swing Set was featured on THE NEW MUSIC RADIO SHOW presented by Andrew John on RADIO SEAGULL Bridgend South Wales in the UK.

The Indie Cast Network Indiana, Spiders Dirty Rotten Weekend Canton Ohio, SDC Star Radio Denningan California, WKKC Pirate Radio St Lucie Florida, KDTN Radio One California, Bear Radio Buffalo NY, Radionomy Much More Music Radio Liverpool UK, Indie 104 iRadio Los Angeles CA and Sound Machine Radio Moyock NC. Sound Machine Radio is broadcast in over 100 countries. They are part of the Sony PSP/PS3 & Nintendo Wii system and they transmit worldwide thru this network. Swing Set was featured on The Artist First Radio Network world wide broadcast on 6/15/17. The average listening audience for this show is 98,000 listeners.

Mike Nilles: Guitars, lead and backing vocals

Dan Prozinski: Guitars, lead vocals

Dave Nussbaum: Keyboards

Mick Wirtz: Drums, percussion and backing vocals

Ric Studer: Bass guitar, lead and backing vocals

Produced by: Michael Owens and Swing Set

Engineered by: Michael Owens and Kevin Glynn at Blackberry Way Recording Studios 1985

Remixed at by Michael Owens at Blackberry Way Studios 2024

Mastered by: Andy Walter @ Abbey Road 2024

Illustration Design: Dan Prozinski Photography: John Campbell

This song was written for an individual who procrastinates and is hesitant when making life changes. It reminds you to make all choices yourself and don’t let anyone influence your decision. It inspires you to not listen to anyone and just be yourself.

“They tryna control everything that we own but body and mind is your zone don’t be afraid to be yourself..” –  says Keeana. A unique melody and captivating lyrics are created by Keeana Kee over the infectious beats made by the talented beatmaker Dedov.

Singer Tyla‘s sexy song “Water” has been dripping in success ever since it dropped earlier this year.

“First of all it’s a banger, like it’s a crazy song,” Tyla, 21, tells PEOPLE of her Afrobeat-tinged breakout about a steamy romance, which climbed to No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The tune has been an even bigger winner on social media, with thousands of fans using it over their own videos and testing their skills with the Water Dance Challenge based on the star’s impressive moves in her music video.

“Even before the challenge started, before the video went viral, people were loving the song. But I think what really took it to the edge was my performance of it,” says Tyla. “I worked with my choreographer in South Africa and we made that dance and when I performed on stage I just threw water, like I didn’t even think about it.”

Most recently she dazzled Jimmy Fallon and his studio audience, making her American television debut performing “Water” live on The Tonight Show. It’s been a whirlwind year for the young South African star and she’s just getting started.

Here are five things to know about Tyla:

She was born Tyla Laura Seethal in Johannesburg, South Africa

Tyla, pronounced TIE-Luh, “grew up listening to Afrobeats, amapiano, house Kwaito and all of that,” says the singer of popular genres in her home country. “But also a lot of R&B and pop also played in my house and I looked up to a lot of R&B and pop artists.”

As for her American influences, “I really looked up to Michael Jackson as a performer specifically. I also looked up to Rihanna and Aaliyah as well.” But when it came time to figure out her own sound, she says, “I knew that I wanted my culture in it. I made my first amapiano song ‘Getting Late’ and added pop and R&B melodies to it. With ‘Water’ I’d describe it as the perfect blend. Being from South Africa is the reason why my sound is what it is.”

In school she studied mining engineering before focusing on music

“Music was always the plan, but when I consciously started working towards it, I was in my last year of high school,” says Tyla, who kickstarted her career by posting singing videos to social media. “I was studying and writing my final exams but every weekend I made sure to go to the studio and just record, experiment, shoot pictures and just go for it.”

That said, her parents weren’t always going for it. “When I finished school my parents asked me what I’m going to study and I told them immediately I want to go into music,” she says. “After a lot of convincing they allowed me to do just that.”

She has over 6 million TikTok followers, and loads of admirers

Tyla isn’t new to social media, but she’s the first to admit things have changed. “I grew up on social media,” she says. “Like maybe at age 12 or 13 I would borrow my father’s phone to make social media accounts. I wasn’t supposed to be on it at that age but I just fell in love with pictures and making videos and musical.ly.”

These days, after going viral with both of her singles, “I am starting to feel the pressure of social media now because the numbers are rising much faster and I just understand the influence that I have now,” she says. “I have to be more careful and use my platform right.”

As for wishful suitors shooting their shot and expressing interest in the beautiful star on social media: “My DMs are always active honey! I’m telling you, there’s always someone in there that I wouldn’t expect, so yeah, it’s booming!”

The viral music video for “Water” almost didn’t happen

Tyla fans can thank themselves for bringing “Water” to life on camera. “We weren’t actually going to shoot a video, and then the song just went viral,” explains Tyla. “We were like ‘Oh my word!’ We ended up working with [music video director] Child and I’ve always wanted to work with her so that was exciting. It was a little bit stressful, but I had so much fun on set.”

That didn’t stop the rising star from having jitters ahead of the video’s release. “I was so nervous,” she says, “like I literally couldn’t sleep. I was just waiting for it to drop. But after I saw the response was good it was such a relief. I just felt so much better after all that.”

When she’s not singing and dancing, she loves lounging and scrolling

“I love to just lay down,” says the star, “close the curtain, maybe go on TikTok. Sometimes I watch TV or when I’m at home I love to just chill with my family.”

For Tyla, there’s no place like home, and especially a particular place in her home. “We do this thing where we just sit on our parents’ bed and we just talk about anything and everything. That’s something that I really enjoy doing. Basically, I just chill.”

Introducing Drax Africa, the dynamic twin duo, Golden Mumba and Kelvin Mumba, originating from

the vibrant town of Luanshya in Zambia, often referred to as “the garden town of the copperbelt.” Their

upbringing in this culturally rich city, nestled in the heart of north-central Zambia, has deeply influenced

their music, art, and worldview.

Drawing inspiration from legends like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Fela Kuti and Bob Marley, Drax

Africa masterfully blends pop, afrobeats, and reggae genres. Their melodious voices resonate with

the spirit of the emerging Gen Z generation, while honoring timeless influences such as Zamrock and

reggae music. In 2019, Drax Africa made a striking entry into the music scene with a double release

featuring consecutive No. 1 hits, “Turn Around” and “Heart Of Mine.” These songs earned them

recognition as Artist Republik’s Songs of the Summer in both 2019 and 2020.

Their momentum soared in 2021 when “Turn Around” received the prestigious title of Best Indie Track

globally and in Africa at the Djooky Music Awards, an honor celebrated by industry Esteemed judges,

including Grammy nominee Patrice Rushen, producer Sasha Skarbek (known for his work with James

Blunt and Miley Cyrus), Justin Gray (collaborator with John Legend and Mariah Carey), and producer/

engineer Brian Malouf (with an illustrious roster including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder

and Queen).

Drax Africa’s artistic journey is marked by remarkable collaborations with fellow artists across the

continent, including a notable partnership with Jamaican reggae luminary General Degree for their

2020 single, “Fine One.” As the sole independent duo in Zambia to claim the coveted Djooky Global

Music Award, Drax Africa offers a fresh perspective and a resonant voice that transcends geographical

boundaries, delivering a unique musical experience to the world.

Recently, Drax Africa achieved a significant milestone as their entire music catalog was featured on

Spotify editorial playlists “Viral Hits” and “Hits Italiane” for one week, garnering overwhelming support

from fans worldwide. Their recent single, “New Nyemu,”https://ffm.to/draxafrica-newnyemu  was release on December 1, 2023, serves

as a prelude to their forthcoming EP, “Afro In Space” In this emotionally charged composition, the duo

bravely explores the struggles faced by individuals striving to find their place in a challenging world,

addressing themes of mockery, rejection, and perseverance on the path to victory and renewal. Drax

Africa invites you to join them on this captivating musical journey, one that promises to touch hearts and

inspire minds.

Get ready to groove to the beat of the one and only Inamorato Ciardi (I.C.)! With a unique blend of words and sound, this musical genius creates a timeless symphony that will capture your heart. I.C.’s music is like a time machine, transcending age and transporting listeners to a world of wonder!

Audiences have been raving about his latest EP, “Heartbreak before the Love,” and his newest sensation, “The Greatest Time of Year,” is a musical hit, spreading joy and cheer wherever it’s played.

It’s hard to believe that this prodigy has been singing and dancing since the age of two, but his undeniable talent is a testament to his passion and dedication. I.C. is destined for superstardom, and we’re thrilled to be a part of his journey. Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience, because I.C. is here to stay!

Walter Hansen is a composer, singer, and award-winning multi-instrumentalist currently producing innovative synthwave and chillwave music. His complex, often unexpected instrumentations and warm, distinctive vocals are the product of a lifetime of diverse musical experience. Composing and arranging since he was a young child, he thinks and feels in melodies and expresses his full self with abandon. The result is expertly mixed and mastered music that blurs genre lines and grooves like a live performance. 

His first EP, 2016’s instrumental Perspective, is a delicious display of his artistry as a jazz saxophonist. Hansen is connected with his instrument in such a way that the soulful sound flowing forth seems at times to be more like a voice than a horn. A captivating chorus of organic instruments, synth soundscapes, and stripped-down vocals showcase the symphony that lives within him. Hansen’s more recent vocal-centric work is electric, energetic, and delightfully dynamic. Earnest storytelling pieces and experimental dance tracks alike feature his sundry instrumentation, deft production, and invariably smooth, expressive voice.