Well folks, July came & went – a fast month in the sun with plenty of sensational music releases & industry updates to stay on top of.
Despite almost half of all new music now being AI-generated, there is, as expected and hoped for, a fast-rising underbelly of organic music currently grappling with the big machine.
If you’ve tapped into the right algorithm on Instagram, Spotify, YouTube – you’ll be swamped with live performances, catchy indie tunes, and outright outspoken creativity from some of the world’s most focused, driven, and hard-working artists.
In example, July saw the masterful campaign and release of Mr. Record Label, by the already impressive, now rather legendary Scott Helman. The song directly tackles the unfair balance between the business moguls and the musicians who ultimately pay their rent, and it does so with one hell of a catchy groove.
July was also a big month for independent festivals and projects, with songwriter Patrick Norris launching Pass The Music: Change a Life, supporting people going through real struggles in the modern world, and many other great initiatives and gatherings clocking in with exciting potential.
In bigger industry news items – The UK Government launched Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music, a new national strategy to strengthen the music sector through 2026 – 2029. They also announced the Music in Libraries Programme, which aims to transform the UK’s libraries into creative music hubs with recording studios, rehearsal rooms, and performance spaces.
This past month also saw the release of the beautiful folk-pop acoustic gem Together, by Al Sam and Natasha Liard, and the Underworld inspired progressive melodic anthem HEARTSOAR, by the UK’s own LiGHTBRiNGERS and producer Lee Avant (FKA Twigs, Frozemode).
In other genres, Rubenzuque delivered intoxicating creative dance soundscapes from Guadalajara, Tommy Simpson broke down all boundaries as Macro/micro, with A.fter I.ntelligence, and wavestart’s fantastic about u hit streaming platforms as one of the most immersive and catchy dreamwave-electronica singles of the whole summer.
We also caught a valuable interview with the creative mind behind phase trois. The Magic Maze II is one of the most colourful retro-eclectic dance projects of the entire year, and we talked everything from emotional inspiration to ambition, AI, creative identity, and plenty more.
Top Indie Releases From Different Genres…
• London’s Seb Rock City channelled Smashing Pumpkins with the highly-anticipated punk rock single Under The Rain.
• DownTown Mystic captured the essence of classic rock and roll, with their latest EP Mystic Highway Road Trip.
• PRAX & CHELLY collaborated for a beautiful mainstream-underground crossover that was CRAWLING BACK.
• Toronto’s Wine Lips exploded into view with the unmissable psych-punk indie hit Projector.
• Songwriting legends Blue Julius continued their climb, with Dani Stacy’s beautiful vocals igniting the passion and unique perspective of folk ballad Oh, Love.
• Collaborative ensemble Sinistra launched the incredibly distinct world music and metal fusing Symbol.
• Mike Welch captured the simplistic escapism of a timeless folk-punk treasure, with the short yet stunning Half Ok.
• Brooklyn’s Sean Waterman pushed the boat out for creative genre fusion, with the unique layering and organic humanity of Slow Heat.
• West End Performer and half of global touring duo Tiano, Shimi Goodman, released the immense and unmissable collaborative neo-classical single Adagio.
• Frank Migliorelli & the Dirt Nappers kept their promise of a surf-rock album designed to uplift and provoke thought, with Abnormal Conditions.
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As ever, we cover all corners of the creative spectrum, from unplugged intimacy to soaring electronic, rock and neo-classical soundscapes, and everything in between.
We have been trying to steer away from the AI generated music, as it doesn’t personally connect in most cases, but there’s often an unspecified crossover. Many producers now use the tools available to help aid their process, but do they also use them to finish or even start lyrics, melodies, and ideas?
The discussion remains open, but the future is happening now; there’s no denying it. We all have choices to make. And we all love music, to our core – that’s what unites us – and that never changes.
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If you’ve created something you’re proud of, have poured your time and emotions into, have built from the ground up and simply wish to reach listeners who’ll connect with and value it – you’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime, at StereoStickman.com.
Stay Creative.
