This segment features artists who have submitted their tracks/videos to She Makes Music. If you would like to be featured here then please send an e-mail to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
Children at heart who love comedic, poetic, theatric, yet at times serious storytelling alongside truly magical music, should prepare themselves for the surprising world of Ronley Teper. Born in South Africa and growing up in Toronto, she is an active composer, producer and multimedia artist. Teper invites a rotating roster of some of the finest musicians, animators and multimedia artists to publicly improvise around her storytelling and songwriting styles that cycle through many influences from folk, funk, jazz, cabaret, cinematic, post rock and pop musical sensibilities. She has been described as reminiscent of artists including Tom Waits, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Laurie Anderson, Kate Bush and Frank Zappa. A musician and performance artist, Teper has been an active member in the arts scene for almost two decades. Over this time, she has recorded 5 independent LP’s; with an upcoming 6th Everyone Loves A Good Story (coming Jan 2021). Of her latest single 'New Love' Ronley says: "In a world of uncertainty and chaos and an overall general sense of loneliness, the possibility of companionship that comes with new love – be it romantic or any type of connection – has greater meaning now than in any other time. 'New Love,' embodies our yearning for the what if, nestled in the hope and possibility for loving connection." Listen below.
X62 (Ten-Sixty Two) is a pop/soul duo from Edmonton, Alberta. Think of that thrilling and terrifying period of time when you’ve fallen for someone, but don't yet know if they feel the same. Their new single, 'Hopelessly Hoping,' is about "those nights spent laying awake in bed picturing life with this person, desperately hoping they feel the same, knowing full well you can’t force someone else’s emotions. To turn it into a duet, we created a story where both people feel the connection, but neither is bold enough to let the other know. Mutually wondering if it's a hopeless endeavour or something greater. The song ends and we still don’t actually have an answer. We'd like to think that it ends happily and they both figure it out." Listen below.
A self-taught multi-disciplinary artist inspired by the human condition, the cosmos, our ancestors and the spaces in between – Romana experiments with several mediums to express her journey as a woman of colour in Toronto. A true artist, Romana is a singer-songwriter, painter, installation artist and experience designer. As an expressionist and artist, Romana feels that it is her responsibility to use her art as a platform for awareness. Her music specifically lends a voice to the issues and ideas that are important to her and the many diverse communities she belongs to. Romana's music addresses identity, belonging and healing. Topics that are not often addressed in the mainstream, Romana's messages are made accessible and easily consumable through smooth 90s R&B-inspired sounds. Her musical style is definitely a reflection of her experience growing up in a desi household in the 90s. Romana is changing the way we view artists today and giving people everywhere permission to do it all. "I have had many conversations with my friends about energy vampires: individuals that can drain the life out of you!" says Romana. "My new song, 'ENERGY,' is about the give and take that each relationship needs to be healthy. Jeia Rouge produced this track and it was one of the most floetic, fun and egoless experiences I have had. Jeia is also the first and only female producer I have worked with. There is always something special about women coming together to create! If something or someone is not actually adding to your life then it has got to go! I want you to assess your own circles to make sure that there is no one in your life who is sapping your energy." Listen below.
With meaningful lyrics and a dreamlike atmosphere, ‘Graceless’ is the perfect ethereal pop soundtrack. Gefahrgeist combines the different musical expertise of two of Scotland’s most promising young musicians - Fiona Liddell and Niall Rae. Fiona Liddell is a singer-songwriter from Glasgow with a ten year music career performing with various bands and musical projects (Jack Hinks, Echo Arcadia, Loud Poets). This summer, she released a live album of original songs with her husband, Sam Thorne, on piano. Niall (Neel) Rae is a producer and bassist from Aberdeen. With a degree in composition from Edinburgh Napier University, Niall has taken his skills to new heights with Gefahrgeist. With his creative drive and musical imagination, Niall is able to transform songs like ‘Graceless’ from a simple piano piece into an eclectic pop anthem. Listen to 'Graceless' below.
Violet Hull is a 20 year old singer songwriter of Thai and American descent currently developing her craft in Sydney, Australia. 'Buy This' is her debut single and is self-written, recorded and produced. "It unleashes a lot of feelings I have about the world right now– the pleasures and pressures," explains Violet. "When will our selfishness eat us up? Will we make it out or sell ourselves into the ground? Creative sampling and satire taps into poignant realities about consumerism, narcissism, and social media. Though spacious, the song crescendos like the feelings of crisis that are palpable at the moment." It was first released with a stop-motion music video (created with conceptual artist and painter Kaye Mahoney) on youtube and IGTV. "'Buy This' doesn't just allude to consumerism, but the self-centred ideologies thrust upon us in a world that supported Trump's rise to US President," she continues. "I would love more people to be able to hear its message." Listen below.
Trouble In Time marks a first for husband and wife collaborators, award-winning Seattle based singer-songwriter Tekla Waterfield and multi-instrumentalist and producer, Jeff Fielder. Their two aesthetics have found maturity, meshing together to produce sensual, ephemeral songs nestled in lush beds of laid-back and stripped down grooves. Most of the album’s nine songs were written in 2020, in response to the heavy and anxiety-filled events taking place around the world. Despite the heavy subject matter, there is a resounding takeaway of hope for a brighter tomorrow in this collection of beautiful and haunting songs. Trouble in Time is out January 8. Stream the title track below.
Tekla Waterfield · Trouble In Time
Heartfelt lyrics and emotive vocals have helped Jade Hilton evolve into her distinctive sound. The singer-songwriter fuses earthy folk melodies over lo-fi soundscapes. After graduating from the University if Illinois at Urbana-Chapaign on a full athletic scholarship, she moved back home to Toronto and began releasing music featuring her indie folk style with R&B-pop production. "My new song, 'Falling,' is about that uncontrollable feeling when you first start liking someone, but not finding the words to tell that person how you feel," says Jade. "The more time you spend with that person, the more you realize how beautiful they truly are. Writing this song was my way of expressing that." Listen below.
