Part three of the Artist Spotlight Series features artists submitted by our partners Warner Bros. Records and Warner/Chappell. This group of up-and-comers offers a little something for everyone. They are unique, they are edgy, and they are all ready to impress your eardrums. Take a listen below…
Royal Blood
Royal Blood is a mixture of anguished vocals, ferocious drumming and bass that provides intricate detail as well as a rumble of rhythm. Royal Blood are the result of a lineage that stretches from present day heroes Queens of the Stone Age to the influential Led Zeppelin, and all the way back to early blues pioneers. Yet this wall of sound emerges from just two men: Mike Kerr howls venomous lines such as “I’ve got a gun for a mouth and a bullet with your name on it” as his bass elicits a roar that a blind test would predict is the result of multiple musicians. Meanwhile drummer Ben Thatcher complements his band-mate’s attack with the controlled aggression of a young Dave Grohl. Royal Blood wrap the primal essence of ferocious rock ‘n’ roll power around a surprisingly innate ability to craft deft melodies and soaring hooks.
Phases
Phases is a tight-knit group of friends with no shortage creativity and humor. True to their personalities, their record is fun, but it also showcases their top-notch musicianship and dedication to next-level production. It fills a void in contemporary music of skilled musicians who don’t take themselves too seriously—no surprise that they were inspired by bands of the early-80s, like Bananarama, Human League, and Tom Tom Club. But this isn’t just a retro band. Their album is Blondie meets Thriller, but it lives decidedly in 2015.
Kaya Stewart
Over the past year and a half, Kaya Stewart has devoted herself to her craft, feverishly documenting her experiences for the songs that are featured on her upcoming debut album for Warner Bros. Records. For Kaya, making the album enabled her to preserve her experiences with an eye toward looking back on them with more perspective. The album was produced by Dave Stewart, who sets Kaya’s naturally soulful voice atop a sound that channels rock and R&B elements into pop songs driven by edgy electronic beats. Her first single, “In Love With A Boy,” is set to debut this spring, and strikes a universal chord with lyrics about having a crush and being afraid to tell anyone.
Andra Day
Take one look at Andra Day, with her saucy rockabilly-inspired look (she routinely rocks a bouffant and red-stained lip) and you know you’re in the presence of a unique individual. The San Diego-bred singer and songwriter’s eye-catching personal style complements her brassy, yet alluring voice, as well as her music, which is both groovy and bluesy. “I call it retro-pop-soul,” she says. “It’s a blend of jazz, soul, doo-wop, plus a little bit of rock, and a little bit of hip-hop on the underbelly.”
Day is now signed to Warner Bros. Records through Buskin’ Records, which will release her debut album later this year. Adorning her siren sound with uncompromising poetry, Day writes about the mistakes she’s made and the heartbreak she’s both caused and experienced. “They lyrics highlight the lessons I’ve learned,” she says. “My goal is to speak the truth,” she says. “It sets you free.”
Warner Bros. Records is one of the most successful recording companies in music history and home to some of the most influential and innovative artists of our time. Its reputation and extraordinary roster of new and established recording artists is unparalleled, and its collective influence on pop culture is without precedent. With a visionary approach toward discovering and nurturing musical talent, the Warner Bros. Records family of labels is currently home to an impressive generation of major artists. The Warner Bros. roster includes Avenged Sevenfold, The Black Keys, Biffy Clyro, Michael Bublé, Deftones, Jason Derulo, Disturbed, Foals, The Flaming Lips, Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Groban, Iron and Wine, Linkin Park, Mastadon, Muse, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Regina Spektor, Seal, Tegan and Sara, and many others. Up-and-coming artists include Atlas Genius, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., JEFF The Brotherhood, Gary Clark Jr., Kimbra, Lianne La Havas, LP, Nico & Vinz, Surfer Blood, and Wavves. The rich and diversified catalog on the Warner Bros. family of labels includes recordings by Black Sabbath, Miles Davis, Dire Straits, the Grateful Dead, the Kinks, Madonna, Randy Newman, Prince, the Ramones, Talking Heads, James Taylor, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, Van Halen and others.
Warner/Chappell Music, the global music publishing company of Warner Music Group, is home to a wide array of legendary songwriters and a rich catalog of contemporary hits and influential standards. With offices in more than 40 countries, Warner/Chappell provides deep expertise across a range of creative services and the most innovative opportunities for songwriters and copyright holders. Warner/Chappell, which has a history dating back more than 200 years, currently publishes and administers music from Barry Gibb, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Eric Clapton, fun., Gamble & Huff, Green Day, Jay Z, Katy Perry, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Miramax Films, Muse, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M, Roc Nation, Stephen Sondheim, T.I., Timbaland, Wayne Hector, and Kacey Musgraves, among many others.