Pop essentials and a little bit more

Author: Lisa Hafey

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat. Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

Dici’s New Single, ‘Do What I Can’ Is A Message For All Of Us

April 11, 2022

We introduced readers to rapper Dici back in February, with his cleverly titled single, ‘U N I’. Now he returns a few short weeks later with his latest track, ‘Do What I Can’.

Stormy Weather: We Speak To Miss Storm About Her Music, Her Activism, And What We Can Do To Fight Injustice

April 8, 2022

We first encountered Miss Storm in February with her single, ‘Quicksand’, and were struck by her heartfelt emotion as she told the story of the African American experience. She told it with such power that we were moved to reach out and speak to her further about her music, and what we can do to get involved in the fight against injustice. We hope that others will be inspired by her answers.

Fun With Science: We Speak To Darren Ollinger Of Calgary Band Julius Sumner Miller About The Band’s Name, Their Music, And Why They’re Really Well Known In Australia

April 8, 2022

We introduce you to Darren Ollinger, frontman of Julius Sumner Miller – or as we like to call them, JSM.

Rayon Baugh Speaks To Us About ‘City Of God’ And His Inspirations

April 8, 2022

We recently covered Virginia based Christian songwriter and musician Rayon Baugh and his single, ‘City Of God’, which was inspired by the words of Psalm 46, in the Old Testament. Lisa took the opportunity to discuss further with Rayon about his faith, his music, and his inspirations.

tyDi & JES Asks Us To ‘Just Believe’ With New Release

April 6, 2022

Vinylly is an app that bases dating recommendations on our listening habits, capitalising on the idea that the songs we love reflect our personalities, the people we are, and those things we value. We get to see the app in action, in the video for ‘Just Believe’, the new single from electronic artists, tyDi and JES.

Sp8ce Owl Takes Us On A Journey With ‘Miami 1987 (Earth 246)’ With Surreal New Single

April 6, 2022

The electronic ambient vibes of Sp8ce Owl are in ample evidence in their latest release, ‘Miami 1987 (Earth 246)’. While the video is more inclined to be a Blade Runner-esque glimpse into the future, the sound is firmly planted in our present reality, with perhaps a harking back to the recent past.

King Riley Doesn’t Need To Do Anything For ‘Clout’ But That’s The Name Of His New Single

April 6, 2022

If there’s anything King Riley doesn’t have to do, it’s chase clout. The singer songwriter, who’s inspired by the rich musical influences of Nigerian Afro-beat, follows up his recent release, ‘Substance’, with new single, ‘Clout’.

We’re Doing Our Math Revision With Snypa’s New Single, ‘Times2’

April 4, 2022

Atlanta’s up and coming rap artist Snypa returns with his new single, ‘Times2’ and we’re hitting the books letting him teach us some lessons.

We’re Reminded That We’re All ‘Brothers’ In New Single From Bosco Focusing On The Conflict In Ukraine

April 4, 2022

In times of the greatest trouble there have risen up mighty protest voices to speak out against injustice. Folk singer Bosco is clearly influenced by these artists, and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine saw his own opportunity to stand up and be counted, with his own protest song, ‘Brothers’.

Keep On Walking: Jimmy Mack Releases New Single, ‘Walk The Line’

April 4, 2022

Referencing human rights injustices and those mighty warriors who stood up to be counted, as well as the victims whose names we sadly know all too well, Jimmy Mack’s new single, ‘Walk The Line’ is a sobering track, and serves as a reminder to us that racial equality is something we need to be striving for and conscious of all year round, not just during Black History Month.

Turn The Beat Around: STONKS Bros Declare ‘WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON’ And We’re All For It

April 4, 2022

With STONK Bros dance track, ‘WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON’, we believe we can fly and we’re excited about it.

Grisecon Releases Latest Single ‘Ozymandias’

April 4, 2022

Synthpop artist, Grisecon, has released his brand new single, ‘Ozymandias’. With a sound falling somewhere between Jaden Smith and Tiësto he combines pop sensibilities with EDM vibes.