Dwight & Nicole – ‘Hi-Lo’

Roots artists Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson are now based in Burlington, Vermont, but they had a lifetime of music apart before finding each other a few years back. Originally from New Jersey, Dwight had played in a variety of bands throughout the past decade, and found himself in New York and Boston; Nicole was originally from Brooklyn, New York, writing and performing for many years, before also gravitating to Boston. The pair met and the rest, as they say, is history. Dwight & Nicole joined forces and with the help of crowdfunding released two albums, in a fresh mix of blues, garage rock, and American soul. They’ve recently brought in drummer Ezra Oklan, who brings with him a stabilising element, and allows the music to flow at a steady pace.

JES – ‘Get Me Through The Night’

For the past decade Grammy nominated New York artist JES has been one of the most exciting forces in dance music. She has a distinctive sound and bold and unique fashion sense, and is a singer, writer, producer, and DJ, with the knack of cutting straight through to the emotional core of a song. JES’s latest track, ‘Get Me Through The Night’ follows in similar vein to her previous recordings – it’s wonderfully danceable, it’s beautifully sung, and it offers the same message of hope and comfort in hard times that have become her signature.

jacobs run – ‘Sleepwalking’

Melbourne Australia band, jacobs run comprises Michael Jacobs, Fabian Bucci, and Peter Curigliano. The trio have played in bands together for a number of years and it’s this which has led them to craft their self-assured and polished sound, showcasing their mastery of songwriting and orchestration. ‘Sleepwalking’, their latest single, shows to perfection their message as a band, who set out to create music for people who believe in the power of rock and roll to be uplifting, intelligent, and have a substantial meaning.

Liyah Bey – ‘Million Dollar Girl’ and ‘Can’t Stop Loving You’

Los Angeles based Liyah Bey has a powerful voice that is classic, flexible, and endlessly adaptable. Having trained and performed professionally since she was a child, her breadth of talents and confidence have given her extraordinary opportunities, including singing Lauryn Hill’s parts at a Fugees concert in Moscow. Additionallym, Liyah has developed a successful show, ‘Lady Soul’, which is a gorgeous vocal tribute to the great Aretha Franklin.