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

Rosalee Photo Credit Eris Manzanillo

Rosalee “Hmmm”

December 1, 2016

Though home to some of the world’s most beautiful terrain, equally situated between the Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, St George Utah with its population of a mere 80,000 is not known for its vibrant art community. It is however the hometown of Rosalee – now based in Las Vegas – whose single, ‘Hmmm’ proudly shares a message of peace, love, and harmony.

Amir Higher “I Am Ready” Ft. EVS

December 1, 2016

Sounding every bit like a Eurovision winner, Israel-born Amir Higher creates an infectious dance pop atmosphere with his debut single, ‘I Am Ready’.

‘A Crafty Cigarette’ By Matteo Sedazzari Is On The Road For My Generation

November 27, 2016

With a foreword by punk poet John Cooper Clarke, and a subtitle of ‘Tales Of A Teenage Mod’, you start out with a good idea of what to expect from Matteo Sedazzari’s story of a half English half Italian boy growing up in the leafy Surrey suburbs.

HomiSYD Of ETC Are ‘Strictly 4 Tha Area’ With Debut EP

November 25, 2016

Rap duo HomiSYD Of ETC have released their debut EP, ‘Strictly 4 Tha Area’ on 24 November, through Ditto Music.

Danophone’s Debut Album ‘Rerun’ Is A Melancholic Feast

November 25, 2016

Set for release on 2 December, Danish band Danophone’s debut ‘Rerun’, is in their words an album of, “melancholic songs from the happiest city in the world’s happiest country.”

Jamie-Lee Dimes Releases ‘Liminality’ Ahead Of USA Tour

November 24, 2016

Australian Jamie-Lee Dimes has collaborated with engineer and producer Callum Barter on her debut release, the mini-album ‘Liminality’.

Jordan Alexander Gives Her Grandmother A Night To Remember In ‘Take Me Out Tonight’

November 24, 2016

Toronto-based pop artist Jordan Alexander, who has been described by AfterEllen as “the next gay pop star”, gives her grandmother a night to remember in the video for her new song, ‘Take Me Out Tonight’.

Ian Haywood’s New Release ‘City Story’ To Raise Funds For The Homeless

November 23, 2016

Pianist and singer songwriter Ian Haywood will release his Christmas charity single, ‘City Story’, on 2 December. Proceeds from the track will go to raise money for Veterans Aid, and Shelter.

Little Triggers Announce Details Of New Single ‘Silly Cigarettes’ Taken From Forthcoming EP

November 21, 2016

Liverpool indie rock band, Little Triggers, have announced the release of their latest track, ‘Silly Cigarettes’. The guitar-led song harks back to a simpler time, and carries with it a feel of the likes of Oasis, and The Thrills.

Georgia’s Mariam Mamadashvili Takes Junior Eurovision Crown In Malta With ‘Mzeo’

November 21, 2016

Junior Eurovision sounds like what it is – the Eurovision Song Contest designed for children. There is however more to it than that, as the this year’s contest, held yesterday at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta, Malta showed.

Eclectic And Energetic Rumjig Release Self-Titled Crowd Funded Album

November 18, 2016

Rumjig, currently located in Liverpool, find their inspiration in a variety of artists and have as their “soul” intention to “uplift and ignite people’s lust for life”. The band has released their debut, self-titled album.

DrawnSword Is Reflective In New Track, ‘Mirrors’

November 18, 2016

We interviewed Raffael Schieber aka DrawnSword back in August about his life, music and his EP, ‘Still Too Few’. Now he’s back and has a new EP, ‘Ghost’, with the first track to be released, the reflective, ‘Mirrors’.