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Friday Roundup Issue #1

Friday Roundup Issue #1

One single, one album, and a look BTS | 11.20.20

November 20, 2020

📻 Hi, thanks for tuning in.

The focus of Arpeggio is to provide fresh, curated music as well as data & analysis of the music biz. Curated music is important because, in a world dominated by streaming companies, there are independent artists who deserve the spotlight.

In this curated series Friday Roundup, I’m sharing one single, one album, and one behind the scenes look revealing a recording artist's creative process to listen to at your leisure over the weekend.

The behind the scenes of an artist’s creative process is curated storytelling with both artists and music enthusiasts in mind. Enjoy!

“Madison Beer” – GK3

I don’t know why this song hit for me.

Maybe it’s the dream chaser theme in his lyrics that got my attention as an indistinguishable feature of some of the more imaginative and omnipotent artists like Mac Miller, Kid Cudi, and Tyler the Creator, to name a few

GK3 is finding his voice with a a string of singles in 2020 and his latest release from this week is promptly named “Zoom.”

GK3 is a 19 year old, self taught musician from Pennsylvania, GK3, is influencing the music industry with his melodic beats and relatable lyrics. Although classified as a Rap artist, GK3 demonstrates a variety of genres. While multitasking being a full time business student at The University of Tampa, he is carving his path by releasing singles such as “Madison Beer” and “Julio Jones” and his first album, Blow. Released in early 2020, Blow was GK3’s first project recorded in a studio with an engineer. It was a way for him to find his sound and express himself in a way he couldn’t before.

– Internal Escape Music Entertainment

FRIEND GOALS – Tank & The Bangas

“A secular church experience, with freewheeling improvisational chops and positive vibes.”—Rolling Stone

“Tank and the Bangas string together grooves from funk, hip-hop, rock and gospel; serious storytelling, self-empowerment exhortations and dance instructions share the band’s exuberant stream of consciousness.”—The New York Times

“The New Orleans collective came off as an unlikely Mothers of Invention-inspired soul revue, with lead singer Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball’s mixture of little-girl and full-gospel vocal inflections putting her in a singular category altogether.”—Variety

Today is the much-anticipated release of Friend Goals. A few weeks ago we heard from the group in their virtual press conference ahead of the release of the six-track EP.

I asked the band what their reaction was to being placed on the Obama’s annual playlists, and, simply put, the energy on the zoom call EXPLODED as they each exchanged turns expressing their joy. First Michelle’s. Then Barrack’s? You can’t argue with that.

That contagious energy shines through not only in their performance in this EP, but their songwriting as well. “TSA” featuring PJ Morton is a prime example of the group’s carefree personality that can light up a room, yet is still uncompromising in it’s production and storytelling.

As a group that undoubtedly delivers great music after forming only a few years back, Tank & The Bangas still provides us with the reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and to enjoy life.

“It feels so good to do a song that influences grew right out of our very own backyard in New Orleans. With artists like Hasizzle, Keedy Black, Big Choo and Peter CottonTale, we cultivated a unique piece of work that feels homegrown because of these artists. Bounce music is so special to the people of New Orleans because we grew up with it. We shake a long day away and twerk like our ex is watching lol it’s time for us to bring it back, and work with some special artists that only New Orleans can provide. This the one y’all”

– Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball, frontwoman and lead vocalist

BTS with Cleo Sol

If you’re sleeping on Cleo Sol in 2020… here’s your wake up call.

It’s not often we see an interview diving into the London singer-songwriter’s creative process, given most Q&As she’s done are from early in her career. She’s truly a star in the making, having honed her craft as a solo artist and now songwriting and performing with SAULT.

From this interview you can learn about her background, where she pulls inspiration from, and her advice for those looking for a start in the music industry.

For anyone who needs an introduction to Cleo Sol, I’d recommend her full-length album released this year, Roses in the Dark, linked above.

P.S., if you’re looking for a little workday soul, check out this list I made for a friend in Philly who’s stuck in quarantine. We could all use a Soulful Escape this year!

Thanks for reading & listening! I’d love to hear your comments, questions, thoughts.

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– Jimmy Seykot