EP Review: "Live In Munich" by Alex Francis

22nd April 2020 //

Hey everyone!

Remember that fun thing called live music?

At this point of social distancing and isolation it feels like such a distant memory.
And while we are all staying at home to flatten the curve and support the front line workers all over the world, our favourite artists are really stepping up their game.

It's times like this which show us just how important creatives are.
Whether that's the artists doing live streams, the writers supplying us with interesting pieces, the photographers sharing beautiful moments or film makers giving us something to take in.

It's the artists that share their craft to keep us entertained and I think we should keep that in mind.

Alex Francis couldn't have picked a better time to release his live EP as it allows us to feel that sweet feeling that live music brings to us, the feeling music fans around the world miss so much.


Artist: Alex Francis
Title: Live In Munich
Genre: R&B, Soul
Label: frtyfve records
Release Date: 3rd April 2020


Alex Francis is a singer/songwriter originally from Hitchin, UK, currently based in London.
His sound combines the classical singer/songwriter elements with sprinkles of R&B and soul, creating a unique listening experience for his fans.

Alex first introduced himself to the music world with his single "Make Believe" back in 2017.
Ever since he has gone from strength to strength, convincing not just the British airplay DJs, the Spotify Germany playlist makers but also acts such as Kelly Jones who invited Alex and his band to support the Stereophonics on tour.

Besides touring with Stereophonics, Alex has also supported Sting, James Bay and Melanie C - on whose single "Hold On" he also features.

His music has allowed Alex to travel a lot, appearing on SXSW, performing at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, playing The Isle Of Wight Festival, Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City and more.

On top of that Alex played his first headline tour in Germany last year and during this stop in Munich, the "Live In Munich" EP was recorded during his show at Zehner.



Tracklist:
1) Make Believe
2) Whatever Happened
3) Desire


"Make Believe" lets you find the groove in a gentle and enticing way. The simplicity of the song is refreshing and inviting, giving you the time to relax and dive into the music. Often it's loud and busy songs that grab our attention at gigs, but Alex has found the perfect alternative with the mellow and soulful sounds in his repertoire.

"Whatever Happened" follows up that calming atmosphere absolutely beautifully. It invites you to dream, to listen to the harmonies Alex and band mate Gui Rezende deliver seemingly effortlessly. The combination of acoustic and electric guitar gives the song everything it needs to captivate an audience.

Blending a few lines of Womack & Womack's "Teardrops" into the intro of "Desire", the two musicians made everyone in the crowd boogie from the first line on. "Desire" is one of those tracks that just get you in a good mood, the lightness of the instrumentals, the soul, the vocals, the guitar solo - it all works and keeps the repeat button busy.


To sum it up: As someone who was at that exact show in Munich, it's absolutely wonderful to hear the songs again the way the were performed that night. But even if you weren't at the show, this EP allows you to have that sweet feeling of live music in your ears and is a definite reminder of why you should attend an Alex Francis show as soon as we're all able to again.


You should listen to these tracks: Really just listen to the entire EP.





- buy and/or stream "Live In Munich" here -



Alex Francis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: JP Boardman via Alex Francis

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HITS exclusive: "Desire" by Alex Francis

28th September 2019 //

Hey everyone!

Autumn is well and truly here, isn't it?
While we're all busy drinking tea (and perhaps eating gingerbread because it's already available in supermarkers - and let's be real - who can resist?), we need some amazing music to listen to as we gear up for the colder months.

Today we are thrilled to share an exclusive performance again.
We love sharing these acoustic performances with you and we can't wait for you to see the one Alex Francis had in store for us.


Alex Francis is a singer/songwriter originally from Hitchin, UK, currently based in London.
His sound combines the classical singer/songwriter elements with sprinkles of folk and soul, creating a unique listening experience for his fans.

Alex first introduced himself to the music world with his single "Make Believe" back in 2017.
Ever since he has gone from strength to strength, convincing not just the British airplay DJs, the Spotify Germany playlist makers but also acts such as Kelly Jones who invited Alex and his band to support the Stereophonics on tour.

Besides touring with Stereophonics, Alex has also supported Sting, Melanie C - on whose single "Hold On" he also features - and most recently, James Bay. 

His music has allowed Alex to travel a lot, appearing on SXSW, performing at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, playing The Isle Of Wight Festival, Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City and more.

During his German headline tour ealier this month, Alex played shows in Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne.


We got to catch up with Alex and got you front seats to his HITS exclusive performance of his brilliant track "Desire".
The video below was filmed by the Isar river in Munich.


Watch Alex's performance of "Desire" right here:




- buy "Desire" -
- stream "Desire" -


Alex Francis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words & Video: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: JP Boardman

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Video Interview: Alex Francis

16th August 2019 //

Hey everyone!

Sometimes you need to step back to find your focus.

After releasing our first print issue last month, things felt a little uncertain over here.
Turns out that after spending months and months working on a different kind of medium, you feel a little lost and overwhelmed the moment you step back into what you've been doing before tackling the new adventure.

We'll admit, it took a little bit of time to adjust to the fast paced online world again,
but thankfully with a little help from our super wonderful and talented friends, we made it back.

All we really needed was to be reminded that our main goal has always been to connect music fans and musicians on a more personal level.

So here we are, doing just that by sharing something with you we actually have never shared before - a Skype interview recording.


It's slightly old school but we think you'll really enjoy our conversation with Alex Francis.


Alex Francis is a singer/songwriter originally from Hitchin, UK, currently based in London.
His sound combines the classical singer/songwriter elements with sprinkles of folk and soul, creating a unique listening experience for his fans.

Alex first introduced himself to the music world with his single "Make Believe" back in 2017.
Ever since he has gone from strength to strength, convincing not just the British airplay DJs, the Spotify Germany playlist makers but also acts such as Kelly Jones who invited Alex and his band to support the Stereophonics on tour.

Besides touring with Stereophonics, Alex has also supported Sting, Melanie C - on whose single "Hold On" he also features - and most recently, James Bay. 

His music has allowed Alex to travel a lot, appearing on SXSW, performing at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid, playing The Isle Of Wight Festival, Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City and more.

To catch Alex live, head over to his website (linked below), German fans will be the first ones to see him live next month.


During our conversation, Alex told us more about his latest single, "Desire", experiencing music as a musican and music fan, how he evolves as a musician and a lot more.


Watch the interview right here:



We'd like to say a massive thank you for Alex for taking the time to have this wonderful chat
& to AK for setting this up for us.


Listen to Alex's latest single "Desire" right here:




Alex Francis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words & Video: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via Alex Francis 

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Song Of The Day: "With You" by Hannah Grace

Hey everyone!

Should we just take a moment to appreciate the amount of brilliant releases 2019 has already seen?

I mean, come on - it hasn't even been a month and yet here we are,
constantly adding new music to our playlist.

Our fellow music blogger friends are sharing one fantastic piece after the other and it's safe to say that 2019 is off to a great start.

So let's continue listening to what January has to offer.


- Song Of The Day -
"With You" by Hannah Grace


Hannah Grace is a singer/songwriter from South Wales.

Her variety in sounds is just as wide as the spectrum of influences that inspire the young musician.
Drawing inspiration from incredibly talented female artists such as Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks and Florence Welsh, it's no surprise that Hannah's sound varies from Folk, to Soul, to Jazz with sprinkles of Pop and Rock.

Her tremendous talent soon caught Gabrielle Aplin's attention, whose label, 'Never Fade Records', Hannah is now signed to.

Over the years Hannah released her debut EP "Meant To Be Kind", toured with Gabrielle Aplin and supported Irish phenomenon Hozier, played countless festival sets and released her well received EP "Mustang" in 2016.

Later on Hannah released "Praise You" - her version of Fatboy Slim's track, which was chosen for Lloyds Bank nationwide campaign, subsequently sold in excess of 50k copies and was played on BBC Radio 2.

Her previous single "Oh River" did not only leave us speechless, but also saw Dermot O'Leary and his team sharing the track on his Radio 2 show, allowing even more listeners to discover Hannah's talent.

Even Lady Gaga shared Hannah's cover of her song "Million Reasons", calling Hannah a superstar.


And now she's ready to wow us all over again.


"With You" doesn't waste a second.
Right from the first chord on, the song grabs your attention and lets you travel through the verses which are led by Hannah's stunning voice.

It's a soulful journey we get to go on as we follow the track,
it's a song full of empathy, support and comfort.
The lyrics talk a good friend through a tough time and really highlight the importance of having great friends around you.

Hannah's soulful voice makes every track she releases and absolute joy to listen to and "With You" is no exception. The control she has over her voice and the belts that she's able to present so easily are enough to give you goosebumps right away.


Listen to "With You" right here:




- buy and/or stream "With You" -



Hannah Grace online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via Wilful Publicity

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Song Of The Day: "Almost (Sweet Music)" by Hozier

Hey everyone!

I often think that a lot of you might roll their eyes when I start rambling about how music is pretty magical.
I mean, to be fair, I think it sounds cheesy, too.

But hear me out.
To me, magic is something that is powerful in subtle ways,
something that can affect you without trying too hard.

And let's be real - music does exactly that.

So, to me, music is magic and I was reminded of that today, when I listened to Hozier's new single.
It didn't take more than the first chord to get me super excited to get to know the track and as soon as the percussions kicked in, magic unfolded.

And so, we need to talk about the track.


- Song Of The Day -
"Almost (Sweet Music)" by Hozier


Besides releasing a brand new track today, Hozier has also just announced the release date for this second album, "Wasteland, Baby!". The new record will be out on March 1st.
You can pre-order it right here.

With "Almost (Sweet Music"), Hozier shares another taster of what is yet to come.
2018 saw the return of the soul powerhouse with lyrics to drool over, as he released his "Nina Cried Power" EP showcasing four songs, the title track featuring the legendary Mavis Staples.

Once music fans all over the world had digested the new EP, he quickly followed up with "Movement", arguably one of his best songs to date.


And now we get to hear yet another new track of the upcoming album.


"Almost (Sweet Music)" holds all the key elements a Hozier fan would want it to hold, but at the same time sounds extremely refreshing and slightly surprising.

Right from the first chord on, you get the feeling that you're about to listen to a very lively song.
Unlike "Movement", this track has a light feeling to it.
Whilst the previous single wowed us with elegance and mystery, this fine track is convincing us with a melody and rhythm so brilliant, was it a photograph you'd wanna frame it.

The combination of the instruments creates a, dare I say reggae-esque, atmosphere.
With a voice like Hozier's, an artist could get away with lazy songwriting - but that's one thing you'll search for without success when it comes to Hozier's writing.

Not only do his lyrics fall under the category of poetry, his instrumentals are crafted so carefully, allowing every element to play an important role.
With "Almost (Sweet Music)" we get a lot of the classic Hozier; the percussions, the clapping.
Yet something about the track sounds new - and we cannot wait to hear more of it on the album.


Listen to "Almost (Sweet Music)" right here:


- stream "Almost (Sweet Music)" -



Hozier online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via Hozier

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Video Of The Day: "Movement" by Hozier

Hey guys!

Although I'm a music blogger and "have to" listen to new music during my work hours,
I actually am a very boring music listener in private.

And I don't mean boring as in I only listen to boring music,
but I actually have a handful of artists I listen to on repeat.

One of those acts is Hozier.
His music has been on my playlist ever since I heard "Cherry Wine" in 2014.

So, today I'm extra thrilled to chat about Hozier's new track, "Movement".

- Video Of The Day -
"Movement" by Hozier


Usually this is the part of the post in which we introduce you to the artist, but I'm pretty sure that Hozier doesn't need introduction.

So, let's dive right into the song and video.

Now, I'm not going to lie, "Nina Cried Power" is a song I don't think I'll ever get over.
Hozier's latest EP once again proved why a lot of people think of him as the songwriter of a generation.

And with "Movement", his brand new single, Hozier is once again, back at his best.
The song starts off calm, with a drum beat and the classic Hozier clapping, a combination you can find in a lot of his tracks.
Both, the first and the second verse are kept simple, relying on only the drums, the percussions, the keys and Hozier's vocals.

This simplicstic arrangement prepares you for the chorus which consists of the same elements, yet they sound bigger.
In fact, it is Hozier's voice that controls the intensity of the first and second chorus,
before the third and final chorus practically explode and just grab you.


The beautiful thing about Hozier is that you can love him for his lyrics, his arrangements, as well as his voice. Each element has its' very own purpose.


In the video we see the brilliant dancer Sergei Polunin, whose resume is more than just impressive.
In 2015 he released a video of his dance routine to Hozier's "Take Me To Church" which blew everyone's minds.
In "Movement" he convinces with not just one role, but three - leaving us completely speechless.


To see these two exceptional artists collaborate is so powerful, so make sure you don't miss out on this masterpiece.



Watch the video for "Movement" right here:





Hozier online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via Hozier

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Video Of The Day: "Oh River" by Hannah Grace

Hey guys!

If you could relive or change any moment in your life, what would it be?

That's exactly the question Hannah Grace made the theme of her new music video. 

So I would like to ask you - what moment would you relive or change?

I probably wouldn't change things, afterall every step in life leads us somewhere, so I'd like to think that the past has done alright for the present.
However, there are a lot of moments I would like to relive.
To keep this interesting for you, I'll pick one you might be familiar with.

If I could relive any moment of my blog life, I'd relive our house in the sand gig in Berlin.
It was honestly my favourite day and night of running the blog and even now it still blows my mind.

Thankfully we have this video which allows me to relive it in some way.

Now that we've gotten a little emotional, let's get even more emotional and watch Hannah's new video!


- Video Of The Day -

"Oh River" by Hannah Grace


Hannah Grace is a singer/songwriter from South Wales.

Her variety in sounds is just as wide as the spectrum of influences that inspire the young musician.
Drawing inspiration from incredibly talented female artists such as Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks and Florence Welsh, it's no surprise that Hannah's sound varies from Folk, to Soul, to Jazz with sprinkles of Pop and Rock.

Her tremendous talent soon caught Gabrielle Aplin's attention, whose label, 'Never Fade Records', Hannah is now signed to.

Over the years Hannah released her debut EP "Meant To Be Kind", toured with Gabrielle Aplin and supported Irish phenomenon Hozier, played countless festival sets and released her well received EP "Mustang" in 2016.

Her brand new single, "Oh River", is the first single off of Hannah's upcoming debut album and follow-up to her last release, "Praise You" - Hannah's version of Fatboy Slim's track, which was chosen for Lloyds Bank nationwide campaign, subsequently sold in excess of 50k copies and was played on BBC Radio 2.

"Oh River" is an attention-grabbing and breath-taking track.
It has a simple feeling to it, but wins you over with so much depth and detail - making it impossible to not fully commit to the song. 

The main elements, piano, strings and Hannah's powerful vocals, seem to melt together into one of the moving tracks we've heard in a while.
It's a song you'll most likely have on repeat, feeling the need to discover all the little details and layers. The songwriting, as well as the production allow you to sink into a dream world and give you the chance to go on a journey of emotions.

The video was filmed in Manchester and London and sees members of the public answering the question "if you could relive or change any moment in your life, what would it be?"


Hannah says about the video; "I wanted this music video to feature real people and to highlight the beauty in both the big and small moments in life. I was so overwhelmed with how open and honest people were with us. I'm so grateful to everyone who shared their amazing stories."


Watch the video for "Oh River" right here:




- buy and/or stream "Oh River" here -



Hannah Grace online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Hannah Grace (via Never Fade Records)

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7 songs: Jackson Dyer

Hey guys!

It's a Monday and I'm super stoked!
I've had some juicy pineapple for breakfast, the sun is shining, I'm blasting my favourite songs AND (drum roll, please!) the "7 songs" are back.

It's been a while and I've just realised how much I've missed the feature.
I love love love finding out what everyone listens to, but combining that with finding out why they love the songs and what they connect with them just takes things to another level.

So I'm not going to waste any more time - because we've got tunes to listen to!


Today our guest Jackson Dyer treats us to a brilliant playlist, so let's get to know him!


Jackson Dyer is a singer/songwriter originally from Sydney (AUS), now based in Berlin (GER).

His sound intertwines the classic singer/songwriter elements, Soul and Alternative with such grace.
He spent years playing his music on the streets and stages of Europe, played tons of festivals and supported acts such as Hozier, Hiatus Kaiyote, Mighty Oaks and Alice Phoebe Lou.

After all of that, he went back home to Australia to write and record his debut album. In a calming town in Northern NSW, he produced and created what we are about to hear - so buckle up and prepare for some Australian landscape inspired sounds.


In case you are Berlin based, lucky you - you've got the chance to see Jackson live at Baumhaus Bar on July 26th - here's the event.


Check out Jackson's performance of his song "Steal Away" here:




Jackson Dyer online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram


Let's check out Jackson's selection!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1) a song which makes you dance

"Pull Up To The Bumper" by Grace Jones

When I was a kid, my family would go on holidays to a small beachside town north of Sydney.
My Aunty and my Mum would often sing this song at the top of their voices and my cousins and I would think it is incredibly embarrassing.
 Now, whenever I hear this song, I am the one embarrassing whoever is close by with my "dancing".


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) a song that calms you down
"Canto de Xangô" by Fabiano do Nascimento

This man makes some incredibly beautiful music and this whole album, "Tempo Dos Mestres", is one of my favourites at the moment. One of those timeless releases that speak directly to the soul.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) a song with a deep meaning
"re: Stacks" by Bon Iver

This song has accompanied me through many hard and also incredibly positive times.
Every time I listen to it, I can hear something different in the lyrics and production.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"If You Got The Money" by Jamie T

Reminds me of simpler times when I was younger and had just discovered the joys and pitfalls of an ice cold beer, haha.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Velvet Gloves & Spit" by Timber Timbre

This song has only been out for about a year, but it has been on high rotation at home and I think it will be a favourite for a long time to come.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6) a song from your favourite genre
"Wililé" by Fatoumata Diawara

I don't really have a particular "favourite genre", but I've really been enjoying Malian and West African folky/blues music for a while. I remember seeing Fatoumata Diawara perform a while ago and it sparked an intense interest in the beautiful music from this part of the world.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"If You Need To, Keep Time On Me" by Fleet Foxes

When Fleet Foxes announced that they were releasing a new album after a 6 year hiatus, I was super surprised and excited, as I thought that they'd never release any music again and that I'd never get to see them play live.
I was over the moon when I was able to see them last year for the first time!


________________________________________________________________________________________________________


And that's it!
Did you enjoy Jackson's playlist?
Let us know in the comment or our social media channels.



Previous 7 songs features: Simon Alexander | GOUX | Meadowlark | Arlissa




Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words (Intro & Outro): Vanessa Jetwash | Words (about songs) & Image: Jackson Dyer

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Release Of The Day: "Oh River" by Hannah Grace

Hey guys!

I think it's safe to say that the year is in full swing and we're surrounded by briliant releases,
whether they come in album, EP or single form.

It's pretty amazing to see just how many attention grabbing tracks one can find out there,
and it would honestly be a shame to not share them with as many people as possible.

If you know where to look, you'll find some of the most incredible tracks out there.
And in order to save your time, we like doing the work for you - always presenting you what we think you'll love.

And dear HITS readers - today you're in for a real treat - check it out!


- Release Of The Day -
"Oh River" by Hannah Grace


Hannah Grace is a singer/songwriter from South Wales.

Her variety in sounds is just as wide as the spectrum of influences that inspire the young musician.
Drawing inspiration from incredibly talented female artists such as Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks and Florence Welsh, it's no surprise that Hannah's sound varies from Folk, to Soul, to Jazz with sprinkles of Pop and Rock.

Her tremendous talent soon caught Gabrielle Aplin's attention, whose label, 'Never Fade Records', Hannah is now signed to.

Over the years Hannah released her debut EP "Meant To Be Kind", toured with Gabrielle Aplin and supported Irish phenomenon Hozier, played countless festival sets and released her well received EP "Mustang" in 2016.

Her brand new single, "Oh River", is the first single off of Hannah's upcoming debut album and follow-up to her last release, "Praise You" - Hannah's version of Fatboy Slim's track, which was chosen for Lloyds Bank nationwide campaign, subsequently sold in excess of 50k copies and was played on BBC Radio 2.

"Oh River" is an attention-grabbing and breath-taking track.
It has a simple feeling to it, but wins you over with so much depth and detail - making it impossible to not fully commit to the song. 

The main elements, piano, strings and Hannah's powerful vocals, seem to melt together into one of the moving tracks we've heard in a while.
It's a song you'll most likely have on repeat, feeling the need to discover all the little details and layers. The songwriting, as well as the production allow you to sink into a dream world and give you the chance to go on a journey of emotions.

Hannah says about the track; "I wrote this song with a wonderful songwriter and friend Jessica Sharman and as soon as we wrote it, I knew it that it would be one of the defining tracks on my debut album.
My Dad always said to me growing up "Be with the ones you're with" and it is a phrase that has stayed with me ever since. "Oh River" is about appreaciating the world around you and living in the moment."


Listen to "Oh River" right here:




- buy or stream "Oh River" -




Hannah Grace online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit! 

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via Never Fade Records

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7 songs: Arlissa

Hey guys!

What have you been listening to lately?
And what have you been listening to when you were younger?
Which song has a deeper meaning to you?

Which track makes you boogie?
And which song calms you down?

Those are just a few questions we ask our guest DJs who join us for our 7 songs features.

Today we are thrilled to listen to Arlissa's playlist, which is definitely going to make you boogie at one point.


But first, let's get to know today's playlist curator!


Arlissa is a German and American singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

Born in Hanau, Germany, the young musician knew she wanted to write and record her own music ever since she was a kid.
When her father, who played in a Prince cover band, introduce her to Prince's famous song "Purple Rain", she realised how much she wanted to make music and quickly began writing her own material at the age of 14.

Just a year later she found herself in the studio for the first time and continued to work on her vocals and performance.
At just 19 she signed her first record deal and released "Hard To Love Somebody" with NAS and "Sticks and Stones" - both song did very well.

But Arlissa didn't enjoy the restrictions that came with her contract and felt like she was losing control over her music and identity.
So she took it upon herself and published her own songs online. 
 
The acoustic version of her song "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie" reached 1 million streams in less than a week without Arlissa having a management or following.
By now the song has been streamed almost 50 million times. 

DJ and producer Jonas Blue discovered the song and immediately knew that he wanted to be involved. And so the two artists worked on the rhythmic dance version of the track which is a first taste of Arlissa's upcoming debut album.


Check out the music video for "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie" featuring Jonas Blue:




Arlissa online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram


Let's check out Arlissa's playlist!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1) a song which makes you dance

"Lemon" by N.E.R.D & Rihanna


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) a song that calms you down
"Lilac Wine" by Nina Simone


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) a song with a deep meaning
"Evergreen" by YEBBA


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"Check On It" by Beyoncé ft. Bun B & Slim Thug


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Lover, You Should've Come Over" by Jeff Buckley


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6) a song from your favourite genre
- I don't have a favourite genre!!! -
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"Hot Shit" by Towkio


________________________________________________________________________________________________________


And that was Arlissa's selection - let us know what you think!


Previous 7 songs features: Marion Harper | Jalen N'Gonda | Hannah Slavin | Violetta Zironi





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via MCS Presse | Playlist: Arlissa

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EP Review: "Bad Timing" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

I don't know about you, but I'm already loving 2018 in this industry.

We're seeing musicians speaking up politically (uhm, hello - how incredible was Stormzy's performance at the Brits?), we get to watch impressive lyric videos (Eminem's "Untouchable" is genius) and all our favourites are touring (remember when I cried at a Paramore show last month?) - long story short: the situation could be worse.

And - spoiler: it's not going downhill.

Tomorrow (if you're reading this on February 22nd), one of house in the sand's favourite acts is releasing his debut EP - and if he isn't one of your favs yet, this will do the last bit of convincing you might need.

So let's check it out, yeah?

Artist: Rhys Lewis
Title: Bad Timing
Genre: Soul, Pop
Label: Decca, Universal Music
Release Date: 23rd February 2018

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, originally from Oxford (UK), now based in London (UK).

His sound is influenced by legends such as Carole King, Bill Withers and James Taylor.
Rhys' signature sound is a blend of Soul, Pop and Blues with hints of Rock and Folk here and there.
The diversity of his sounds, paired with his talent for story telling has led to millions of streams on his previously released singles.

Rhys has quickly gained a large following, allowing him to sell out shows in the UK and Europe inbetween support shows for JP Cooper and James TW.

Before he's heading on his second European headline tour in April, Rhys can be seen at SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas (US).

But first he's treating us with his debut EP, "Bad Timing".

So let's check it out!


Tracklist:

1) Bad Timing
2) Reason To Hate You
3) Bloodstains
4) Don't Wanna Believe It (Acoustic)


Opener and title track "Bad Timing" is a timeless and refreshing track.
There's something about the way it is arranged that feels like you've heard it before, like it's an old friend you haven't seen in a while.
But every element in the track offers excitement in the most comforting way. The dark instrumentation acts like a highlighter, intensifying the heavy emotions felt in the situation which Rhys describes with his words.

For "Reason To Hate You", all we hear is Rhys' voice and the electric guitar.
This simplicity could be tragically monotonous to listen to, but it isn't - instead it soaks you in and makes sure you listen to the track with all of your attention.
Maybe it's Rhys' confidence in his writing, maybe it's the universal and relatable heartbreak he's singing about, maybe it's magic.

"Bloodstains" is our personal stand-out track.
It sounds like Soul-Pop music you would've heard in the 60s or 70s somewhere in the States, it's classy but also modern.
The beat is straight forward and marches confidently through the track, the bass is booming through the speakers and will get you on your feet to dance along.
Rhys sings about the addictive feeling you can get in relationships that might not be working out.
Rhys' e-guitar soars in a dirtier and heavier manner than before and it works brilliantly, underlining the frustration we hear in his voice.

To sum it up: Not many four-track EPs can win you over with variety. But Rhys surely found a way to showcase different elements while still keeping the theme of the EP cohesive and meaningful. 

The listeners get to follow him through a journey of emotions and his honesty and vivid storytelling make it so easy to relate to his emotions. 

No matter how hard you try to listen to the instrumentations (and you should try hard because they are brilliant!), you just can't go without mentioning Rhys' warm and expressive vocals that just shine in any set-up - whether that's in a full band situation or during an acoustic performance.
We've said it before and we'll say it again - we can't wait for the debut album.


You should listen to these tracks: Bad Timing, Bloodstains





Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interview | Song Title Challenge







Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Universal UK

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7 songs: Jalen N'Gonda

Hey guys!

I think learning about a musicians personal music taste is such a fascinating experience.

Little did I know our "7 songs" feature would be such an insightful one, but it really is.
You get to pinpoint their influences, find out which songs they have a personal connection with and you might even find songs you'll add to your own playlist.

That said, we're thrilled to present you another round of our guest-playlist feature right now.


But first, let's get to know the DJ!


Jalen N'Gonda is a musician originally from Maryland (US), now based in Liverpool (UK).

He got into music at the age of 11, inspired by his father's record collection which mainly consisted of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and Classics.

Jalen moved to Liverpool in 2014 and made the city his music home of choice.
He's been gigging through the country and various other places ever since and has played sold out headline shows in London and Geneva.

The musician has also supported acts such as Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

His single releases have been well received by his loyal fanbase and the excitement for his upcoming songs is growing.


Check out his live piano version of "I Need You" right here:




Jalen N'Gonda online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram


Let's check out Jalen's selection!

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1) a song which makes you dance
"Dancing In The Street" by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas

A song that definitely makes me move is "Dancing In The Street". I never fail to request this song on a night out.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) a song that calms you down
"They Really Don't Know You" by Joni James

Joni James' "They Really Don't Know You" helps me relax.
From the strings to the melody and right down to Joni's voice, it's a definite soother.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) a song with a deep meaning
"Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan

There are so many songs with a deep meaning, so this is a tough one.
But if I had to pick one, it would be "Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"I Went To Sleep" by The Beach Boys

Although I never knew this song as a child, The Beach Boys' "I Went To Sleep" always puts me in thoughts when I was 5, playing with my cousins and brothers for some strange reason.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Where Did Our Love Go" by The Surpremes

The Surpremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" is one of the earliest Motown tracks that I heard, and wherever I go, I always wind up hearing this song.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6) a song from your favourite genre
"Deception" by Miles Davis

I don't have a favourite genre, but I love Jazz, so here's a random Jazz track I love.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"I Just Want To Be Your Friend" by The Millennium

The Millennium's "I Just Want To Be Your Friend" was very much to my surprise.
I thought the song was just gonna be a standard boss nova pop song, then I heard the middle 8.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________


And that was Jalen's playlist - let us know what you think!



Previous 7 songs features: Hannah Slavin | Violetta Zironi | Saint Alto | Chris Stringer





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words (Intro): Vanessa Jertschewske | Words (about songs): Jalen N'Gonda | Photography: Liz Gander Photography

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Video Interview: Jalen N'Gonda

Hey guys!

Whenever we get the chance to talk to interesting people, we usually grab it.
Even if that means turning a day off into a work day.

You know how they say "if you love your job, you won't have to work a day in your life" - well, we can't completely agree with that. Work is work, whether you love it or not.

But, if you really love your job, there will be times in which work doesn't feel like work at all.

For us it's when we get to interview artists and chat to them about their music and plans for the future.

In January I got to film my first interview of the year in Liverpool with Jalen N'Gonda - which was definitely a great place to kick it off.


Jalen N'Gonda is a musician originally from Maryland (US), now based in Liverpool (UK).

He got into music at the age of 11, inspired by his father's record collection which mainly consisted of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and Classics.

Jalen moved to Liverpool in 2014 and made the city his music home of choice.
He's been gigging through the country and various other places ever since and has played sold out headline shows in London and Geneva.

The musician has also supported acts such as Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

His single releases have been well received by his loyal fanbase and the excitement for his upcoming songs is growing.

In case you are Berlin based, you can catch Jalen live on February 28th at Barkett - click here for the event.


During my day trip to Liverpool I got to meet up with Jalen and we had a chat about moving to Liverpool, what inspires him to write, where he would build a house given the chance and a lot more.


You can watch the interview below:




I would like to say a massive thank you to Jalen for taking the time to have this lovely chat and for providing the location to film at.

Also a huge thank you to Christian and Beate for setting up the interview.


Check out Jalen's latest single "I Need You":




Jalen N'Gonda online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske

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7 songs: Hannah Slavin

Hey guys!

Happy New Year!
It's our first post of the year and we are more than excited to kick it off with one of our favourite features - the 7 songs.

This year is going to be filled with new and exciting music and we can't wait to be your trusty source for discovering true gems and learning more about them.

house in the sand is a home for music lovers and we've got tons of seats reserved for you guys!

Let's discover them tunes!!!

Here's to 2018!


Hannah Slavin is a singer/songwriter originally from Glasgow, currently based in Leeds, UK.

Drawing inspiration from legendary acts such as Amy Winehouse, Carol King, Joss Stones and Aretha Franklin, her sound walks on the fine line between Soul and Pop.
Hannah gives the classic elements a modern touch and has seemingly effortlessly created her unique sound.

Last November Hannah released her debut single, "Daydream", which was well received by her ever growing fanbase.

Once you listen to Hannah's music, you'll quickly find yourself wanting to hear more.


Listen to Hannah's debut "Daydream" here:




Hannah Slavin online: Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



Let's check out Hannah's selection!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1) a song which makes you dance
"Man! I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain

Let's Go Girls!

I mean in what world does this song NOT want to make you dance?
It just NEVER gets old! I think it's more of a hairbrush in hand, strutting your stuff across the room kind of fance, but none the less it genuinely makes me feel ridiculously sassy and makes me want to move every single time without fail.
A very good alarm clock option because then you'll definitely want to get out of bed. What a bop!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) a song that calms you down
"Livewire" by Oh Wonder

This was the very first song I heard of Oh Wonder's first album, and oh my it's just incredible.
The whole album is very simlar chilled out vibe with beautiful piano and little added synths. The us of both male and female voices as the main vocal is just so unique and really puts me at ease.
I also like that their songs never really climax, it's never over the top and their voices fit so beautifully together - love it! "Landslide" and "Drive" are also just as good!


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) a song with a deep meaning
"No Me No You No More" by The Staves

This song. Is just so haunting. It's so incredibly emotive. And I'm not sure if it's possible to not shed a tear or ten.

When I saw this song played live a couple of years ago, it's impossible to feel every single word and every bit of pain without weeping. They manage to create the most incredible, heart wrenching sound and make you feel completely submerged in their pain.
The Staves manage to hit me right in the heart with their incredible harmonies and lyrics.
It is so moving all the while being very simplistic.
It's so honest, yet so simple.

"Let me be myself again" just gets me every time.
Incredible!


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"Super Trouper" by ABBA

Who doesn't love ABBA?!
ABBA has always been a massive part of my musical life ever since I was a kid and I have so many fond memories of their music when I was younger.
I think it was genuinely on repeat for every family car journey we took and it's probably the only band that I will never tire of listening to a million times.

I'm originally from Glasgow, so I always get far too excited whenever they sing that line: "When I called you last night from Glasgow."
It always reminds me of home and some great, great memories, even though I did read somewhere that they only used Glasgow because it's the only word they could get to rhyme.

Whenever ABBA is playing, it's always a good time!


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Primadonna Girl" by Marina & the Diamonds

Oh my god! This song...
I definitely turn into my diva/sassy alter ego whenever I listen to this song!
I can't believe that this song is five years old.
For me, it's one of those songs that I think is really recent but then it's actually been around for a while - maybe because I play it all the time.

It's a little bit of an anthem and whenever I've got it on it'll be because I'm on a mission to get stuff done and just need to go into complete sass-queen mode.
It's definitely one of those songs that'll give me that boost of confidence - yeah, pretty boppin' tune.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6) a song from your favourite genre
"Plot Twist" by Sigrid

I love Sigrid and I love Pop, so there is no doubt I'm choosing one of her songs from this genre.
She just seems to know what's what and is able to tell it perfectly through her songs.
"Plot Twist" is one of those songs that grows on you and you just fall in love with it the more and more you listen.

I'm all about lyrics when it comes to music and the fact she's so unpredictable with that she's going to say next, I love it.
She comes up with the most incredible phrases that are just as catchy and rememberable as the main hook!


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"Places We Won't Walk" by Bruno Major

Bruno Major is an artist that I've been encouraged to listen to by quite a few people, but never really thought I would like it - but I was so wrong.
I was so shocked at how much I needed his music in my life. I had heard of him for a while because he used to study at the same University I went to and it wasn't until quite recently that I came across this song and completely fell in love with it.

It sounds like an old classic and transports you into a completely different place like you're in a movie. I love the home-y feel it gives you, perfect for snowy Winter weather!


________________________________________________________________________________________________________


And that's Hannah's playlist - let us know what you think!

Previous 7 songs features: Violetta Zironi | Fanny Anderson | Saint Alto | Savannah Outen | Chris Stringer | Vanessa from HITS 

Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words (Intro & Outro): Vanessa Jertschewske | Image & Answers: Hannah Slavin

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Video Of The Day: "Whiskey" by Keeva

Hey guys!

It's December.
The last month of the year and we are thrilled to see you spending some time with us this Winter.

 We have a lot of cool features planned and can't wait to share them with you.

It's an exciting time and we're ready to end the year with a bang.
2017 has seen so many great releases and even in the next/the last few weeks of the year, there's so much greatness approaching us.

So, read on and discover your new favourite musicians. 

(We've got loads of them!)


- Video Of The Day -
"Whiskey" by Keeva


Keeva is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

The half-Jordanian, half-Irish musician grew up with Soul and Country classics around her and has managed to soak up all the great elements, honed her craft and found her bluesy signature sound.

In the past Keeva wrote, recorded and played multiple shows and festivals.
Her hauntingly beautiful melodies, expressive vocals and relatable lyrics have enough power to grab your attention for good.

With a solid online following and support from music critics, her first release "Whiskey" was well received.

"Whiskey" is a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad which will tug on your heartstrings for sure.
The emotion and realness of the track highlight Keeva's talent for writing personal, yet relatable songs.
The simple instrumentation is anything but shallow; it supports the track with such grace and allows you to feel all the feels.


Check out Keeva's music video for "Whiskey" here:




- buy or stream "Whiskey -



Keeva online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Keeva

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Song Of The Day: "Reason To Hate You" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

Over here at house in the sand, we love getting to know artists through their music.

You know, just by listening to an album, you get to hear multiple sides of an artists - maybe you'll hear how they sound when they're sad, or when they're happy, or in love.
It's super interesting and exciting to learn all of that just through music.

With the amount of versatile singles Rhys Lewis has released over the course of the past year, we've heard a lot of his musical sides - and not a single one has been a let down.

Today we're hear to share Rhys' latest single with you and we hope you are ready to cry.


- Song Of The Day -
"Reason To Hate You" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys has quickly created a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Berlin and Isle Of Wight, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

His third single "I Know The Feeling" was written for a friend who was going through a tough time. The song and its music video adddress the importance of men's mental health.

Followed by "Be Your Man", a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad that won us all over with it's simplicity and straight-forward attitude.

He got us up on our feet, dancing to his upbeat track "Wish I Was Sober" in September.  

To catch one of his upcoming Europe and UK shows, make sure to click here for the dates.


And just last week he released his brand new single "Reason To Hate You", a heartbreaking ballad.


Throughout the entire song, all we hear is Rhys' voice and the electric guitar.
This simplicity could be tragically monotonous to listen to, but it isn't.

In fact, it soaks you in and grabs you.
Maybe it's Rhys' confidence in his writing, maybe it's the universal and relatable heartbreak he's singing about, maybe it's magic.

But it grabs your attention.
With vivid storytelling, highlighting the vulnerable side of love and - of course, expressive vocals, it's no surprise that we found our eyes watering and our hearts breaking a little.



Listen to "Reason To Hate You" here:




- buy or stream "Reason To Hate You" -



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interview | Song Title Challenge





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Rhys Lewis via Universal UK

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