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EP Review, Music

Try and “Act Like You Don’t” Love Brooke Eden’s Debut EP “Welcome To The Weekend”

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It has been a long time coming, but today we finally have Brooke Eden‘s debut EP, Welcome To The Weekend. Eden is a part of the CMT’s Next Women of Country and is well on her way to stardom. She has a dynamic and powerful voice that will instantly turn heads wherever she is performing.

Welcome To The Weekend is Eden’s first EP after signing with RED BOW Records. Eden co-penned all four songs on the EP while Jacob Durrett and Nick Brophy produced the project.

”Welcome To The Weekend” EP Review

The first track on the EP is titled, “Diamonds,” which sets the tone for the EP and is also the lead single. “Diamonds” gives us a glimpse into a time in Eden’s life when everything was so simple but so magical at the same time.

Shining like diamonds, dancing in the headlights / All the boys are watching us right now / Welcome to the weekend, everybody’s drinkin’ / Everybody’s here to throw it down

 

Eden co-wrote the song with Chris DeStefano and Brett James, two of Nashville’s most sought after songwriters. “Diamonds” shows off Eden’s vocal range and the ability to effortlessly blend pop into a country anthem. The lyrics stay true to Eden’s upbringing and is song that will resonate with many.

“Act Like You Don’t” (co-written by Cary Barlowe and Jesse Frasure)  is about missing your ex and him possibly missing you too, but needing him to act like he doesn’t. It can be hard to let go of a relationship that might not be the best for you, but it doesn’t make missing that person any easier.

So when you wanna have a late night drive-by / Drunk dial my phone ’round midnight / Say you miss me waking up by your side / Act like you don’t / Like you don’t 

“Act Like You Don’t” is certainly a song many will listen to after a break up, when they are still missing their ex, but know it’s for the best they are no longer together. “We’re better apart, we’re not what we need.” This is one of those upbeat and catchy songs that will surely have you singing along with the windows down and give you the strength to leave the past in the past.

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“Silence Speaks” was co-written by Ingrid Andress and Will Weatherly and it is one of the most personal songs by Eden. “Silence Speaks” is a song about an ex of Eden’s who wanted to go on a “break,” but ended up with a new girlfriend a few days later.

Eden shares “’Silence Speaks” is a song I wrote to vent my emotions when I found out my ex had a new girlfriend.”

‘Cause I ain’t crazy / I’m a classy lady / And I ain’t wasting no more time on you / I bet you’re expecting / Some psycho ex girlfriend /  But I  don’t need words / Since silence speaks louder than / I hate you, I never want to see you again

The song is a play on the phrase “Silence speaks louder than words” and the lyrics are created from it. Eden shows that you do not always have to speak to get a clear message across. The track features a catchy melody with a strumming banjo to go along with, which creates a stomp your feet feeling to it. Eden vividly creates the image to the story with memorable lyrics and a soulful vocal performance that will leave you wanting more.

Rounding off the EP is the final track titled, “Sunday Mornin'” which was co-written by Justin Wilson. “Sunday Mornin'” has a punchy melody that is always a fan favorite at Eden’s shows. The song is about Eden not wanting to be just your Saturday night.

But boys like you don’t know girls like me / Girls like me / Ain’t just some pretty little thing, baby / Hey if I’m going to be your Saturday night / I’m going to be your Sunday mornin’

From one listen through it is clear to see why this is a fan favorite. It is an in your face attitude with guitars riffs that will have you up off your feet and dancing around. The lyrics show confidence that she’s more than just a fling and you have to give to get. Eden’s rock edge is in full force in this song and it is infused well with her pure country talent. “Sunday Mornin'” is the perfect “ending” to Eden’s weekend and will leave you wondering what happens during the week.

Overall, Welcome To The Weekend showcases almost every side of Eden and has something that everyone will love. With Eden’s raw raspiness to her voice, it is clear to see how she stands out on her own. Each song builds off one another and paints together what a “weekend” could be full of. Eden’s personality comes alive on each of the songs that will teach you a little about herself. Eden is one artist that you will NOT want to miss. Through Eden’s infectious personality and flare on stage, it is one live show that you will not want to miss. Eden is also working hard on her debut album that is scheduled to be released sometime in the following year.

Listen to “Welcome to the Weekend” on Spotify!

Purchase “Welcome to the Weekend” on iTunes!

Brooke Eden – Welcome to the Weekend EP

EP Review, Features, Interviews, Music

Marit Larsen Opens Up About Her New EP ‘Joni Was Right II’ and Writing With Joy Williams – Listen

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Norwegian, singer, songwriter Marit Larsen has just released her latest EP, Joni Was Right II. This is a follow up EP from her independent release, Joni Was Right, which amassed over 1.6 million streams on Spotify.  You may remember Larsen from the duo, M2M, whose debut single, “Don’t Say You Love Me” became a global hit.

Larsen was featured as “Songwriter of the Week” on American Songwriter and her album, When the Morning Comes,  received rave reviews in Norway and earned her two nominations for the Norwegian Grammy, “Spellemansprisen,” in the categories Best Lyricist and Best Composer.

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Joni was right II features five songs all produced and arranged by Larsen. The EP features the track, “Winter Never Lasts Forever.” “Winter Never Lasts Forever” was co-written by Joy Williams, formerly of The Civil Wars. The song features a powerful vocal performance by Larsen, with a soothing, melodic backing track. This perfectly embellishes the lyrical content of the song:

Set your little heart on fire / Go on / Step into the dark / You will never lose your way / No matter how far you stray

 

The rest of the tracks each tell their own story, with Larsen’s voice bringing them to life. Listening to the EP is a refreshing journey as Larsen proves to not only have strong vocals but a long lost sound of raw, talented vocals that aren’t drowned out by production. Joni Was Right II is filled with songs that tell stories in a way that will take listeners on a visual journey.  We got to interview Larsen about her EP, check out the interview below!

Variety Beat: How would you describe the overall feeling of your new EP Joni Was Right II?

Marit Larsen: To me, this EP sounds like September. Bittersweet, longing, hopeful, sun drenched, dwelling, ever-changing September. My favorite. It is filled with little hints and nods to Joni Mitchell both lyrically and musically. 

Variety Beat: Were there certain instances that happened that inspired some of the songs on Joni Was Right II

Larsen: Like every other song I’ve written, sparks stood out from the rest and slowly materialized into something more interesting. «Joni was right» is a lyric about childhood, about changing perspectives, excitement and eventually growing up. «Bluebelle mountain» is a metaphor about friendship and a tribute to my new favorite pastime.

Variety Beat: How did your co-write with Joy Williams come about and what was it like writing with her?

Larsen: We met through a mutual friend who is also a brilliant songwriter. The three of us collaborated beautifully; she has a unique presence and is a wandering poet. 

Variety Beat: What’s the most important part about making music to you?

Larsen: I’m in love with the whole journey of it. Getting an idea, struggling to let it unfold, deciding when it’s complete, then arranging, imagining and producing it and leaving something in the world that would not have existed had it not been for that spark and moment in time. It’s definitely got a magical flair to it.

Variety Beat: What’s in store for you following the release of your EP?

Larsen: We’re wrapping up a tour in Norway, then I’m flying out to Brooklyn, NY to spend some time in my new home there. Meanwhile, I’ll keep spreading the word about ‘Joni was right’ online through my little indie label. This is such a wild year for us. 

Variety Beat: What’s something you want fans to know about you?

Larsen: My home is where my music is, and even if I may not have been to your city for a while, I keep you in mind when I create new things and adore all the feedback I get on my socials. I’m so thankful for all the devoted ears and hearts out there.

Listen to Marit Larsen’s EP!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EP Review, Features, Music

Cody Webb’s EP Track By Track! 

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Cody Webb is a new comer to Nashville, the singer songwriter released his self-titled EP in late July. The South Carolina native has a history of hunting, fishing, sports and of course music which are all reflected in his debut EP! When talking about his musical journey, Webb shares:

“I write a lot, It’s probably my biggest passion. When I moved to Nashville, I’d probably written 20 to 25 songs and I probably only still play one of them. This town takes songwriting so seriously and it has inspired that in me as well. Writing is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. As a musician, melody is probably my strongest suit, but there are days I can’t write lyrics fast enough. And then there are days when nothing is working. Whether you have that magic writing session where a song just falls out or you grind through an idea you’ve had for months, ending up with a song you’re proud of is the greatest reward there is. Or it seems like it is until someone else hears that song you wrote, feels exactly what you felt and sings it back to you from the audience. That bond you get with a fan through the songs … there’s nothing better.”

Webb started out as a guitar player playing gigs at fairs and festivals. He was inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Hank Williams Jr during his early years and in college was introduced to more modern country music. Webb learned every note and word to Eric Church’s Sinners Like Me and Carolina albums. He credits Church’s music as one of the main influences that pointed him toward Country Music. That, paired with a trip to Nashville is what led him to become a songwriter as well. Webb quickly realized the city was filled with lots of guitar players and he needed to set himself apart. That influence is reflected in his EP, Cody Webb.

Webb’s entire EP is full of catchy, upbeat songs with strong hooks and memorable melodies. A majority of the songs are about love, but each song approaches a different aspect of the diverse subject. All of the songs are filled with slightly up tempo beats and reflects a sound that is heavy on guitar but blends everything together for a smooth sound.

Cody Webb EP REVIEW:

“More Then A Little” the 1st track on the EP is all about the feelings on a first date and the feelings one experiences when they first fall for a person.

“She Ain’t Right” delivers one of the best hooks of the album in the form of the line Got my heart skipping beats like a scratched up CD . The song is all about a guy loving a girl who wants to have a good time and isn’t afraid to not fit the standard norm associated with females.

 
“My My My Girl” talks about a fairly new relationship but it finally reached the point where the guy in the couple is questioning whether the girl wants to be his.

 
“Love Me Like I’m Gone” is about treating a relationship like it’s a long distance one in order to keep the passion and spark alive.

 
“Nothin’ On You” is the simple story of a girl trying to find something to wear and her boyfriend simply listing things he likes as well as what he likes her wearing which is of course nothin’.

 
“Better At Night” Is all about how the magical moments between a couple happens in the nighttime. How things seem great in the sunshine but that they are even better once the sun goes down.

LISTEN TO CODY WEBB’S EP:

Cody Webb can be purchased at most digital retailers and more information about the album and the artist can be found at codywebbcountry.com

 

EP Review, Music

Go Inside Olivia Lane’s Self-Titled EP! 

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Olivia Lane unleashes her self-titled Ep Friday July 29th! The EP features 7 new songs all about love, life and figuring out your place in the world!

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The EP kicks off with the song “Lighting” a song that anybody with a dream can relate to; it compares following your dream to the thunder and lighting of a storm and how someone who is driven by their dream can light up the world like a lighting storm!

“At some point every dreamer makes a choice to actively pursue their goals and along the way their will be hardships and haters but at the end of the day you just have to believe in yourself and everything else will fall into place. I wanted to write an ode to following my heart.”

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Any 20 something year old can relate to the second song “Quarter Life Crisis,” it revolves around that question every one has after they have finished college and entered the real world. The question of now what? The song sums up the life of someone in their 20’s with these lines:

21 having too much fun /22 you sure miss 21 /23 nobody likes you anyway /24 can’t drink like your college days /25 what am I going to do with my life? 

“The older I get the more I understand that life is crazy, chaotic, messy, funny and challenging but as long as you make yourself happy through all the chair, you should be OK…. It’s an honest tune about realizing that “ain’t anybody got ‘life’ figured out.””



“Make My Own Sunshine” is a song Lane refers to as her anthem! It is all about seeing the positives in life, despite what’s happening around us! It tells the story of those kind of days everyone has; when your phones dead, your running late, traffic is horrible. But like the chorus of the song says:

Hey, hey I’m okay / Hanging right here in my happy place / Living it up / Living it up / While the rain comes down / And oh no I don’t mind / I got a suitcase full of sliver lining / I know I’m gonna be just fine / I make my own sunshine

Watch the video for “Make My Own Sunshine” below!


“She Fits” is a unique look at a lost love. It’s about loving someone but realizing that it will never work in the end because both people want different lives. The song is 1 of 6 that lane co-wrote on the album, she says that “She Fits” is her most personal song on the EP because it was inspired by a relationship she had.

“I dated this guy for a while in college and we were both graduating. Naturally we were going to try to make a long distance thing work. It didn’t. I went to Nashville to pursue my dreams and he stayed. He met a girl and settled down with her and [they] FIT each other. She fit the life he wanted and I never would have. It’s a bittersweet song about lost love and being at peace with the choices made.”

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“My Heartache” is the one track on the EP that Lane did not write but she said she recorded it because it was something that she could relate to because she had been through this emotion one too many times in a breakup.

“This song isn’t about being the victim; it’s about taking ownership of your heartache and being upset that the person you once loved is trying to devalue that.”

“There’s A Guy” gives hope that the right guy is out there when you’re ready for him. Not everyone reaches the same stages of life as the same age; some settle down right after college, while others pursue a career and get married and/or have kids when they are a bit older. While others around you may be entering these stages and you have these feelings of worry, ‘Should I also be doing these thing?’ ‘Will there still be someone when I’m ready to settle down?’ The song is full of emotion but also hope that love will be there when you’re ready.

The last song on the EP, “Keychain” is an upbeat song about getting to that moment in a relationship where things start to change and the little moments add up to the exchanging of keys and leaving items at each other’s houses. It’s a great way to end an EP that talks about lost love, high emotions, fun and hope!Olivia Lane’s self-titled EP is available at most digital retailers now!

Listen to Olivia Lane’s EP Now!

THANK YOU’s

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EP Review, Music

EP Review: Kelleigh Bannen’s ‘Cheap Sunglasses’ Is A Must Have! – Listen

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We are so excited that Kelleigh Bannen has finally been able to put out an EP titled Cheap Sunglasses! We’ve been following her career closely for the past several years and she’s released four different singles over that time: “Sorry On The Rocks,” “Famous,” “You Are What You Love” and “Smoke When I Drink.”

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It’s been a long wait to have something in the form of an EP/Album and with her courage and bravery of signing off on her current deal, she is finally able to put out new music!

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The best part of Bannen’s EP is that there are 5 brand new songs that have never been released before. “Welcome To The Party” is a personal favorite and includes our now adopted mantra Welcome to the freak show / it’s come as you are. It’s definitely a song you can put on repeat and sing while drinking a bottle or wine (or Dr. Pepper,) driving in the car, getting ready for the day and pretty much any other scenario you can think of.

“Landlocked” is a great song for everyone because it doesn’t appeal to one gender over another. It’s the perfect summer song, especially if you live in an area that isn’t close to a big body of water and it’s hot outside! The sky looks kind of like the sea / and a big box fan feels kind of like an ocean breeze. Making the best of circumstances is something Bannen knows all too well, but don’t worry because up next is the title song!

“Cheap Sunglasses” is one of those songs where you think it’s about one thing (i.e. a relationship) but it’s actually about something entirely different. The beauty of the song is that even though it’s about something specific to Bannen (drawing a line in the sand), it can be applied to so many different scenarios which makes it relatable. You won’t miss ’em much / only costs a couple bucks / I don’t want to be your cheap sunglasses/ … So easy to break / Just throw away / Well, I’m not made of plastic / I don’t want to be your cheap sunglasses.

 

As Bannen shares on her blog This Nashville Life:

So this week I’m going all in, again. I leave one chapter of my music behind, so that I can start a new chapter. It’s sad to say goodbye to the old chapter. I liked it. It was safe (safe-ish, I guess) but I wasn’t growing the way that I longed too, and I wasn’t able to put music out for myself, or share my music with my fans. So I’m going all in. And I’m starting with this small body of work—“Cheap Sunglasses.” And the title track is about making a change. Drawing a line in the sand. Standing up for yourself, and moving on.

“Once Upon A” slows things down a bit but showcases Bannen’s vocal ability as she shares the story of a relationship unfolding. When we think of the phrase “Once Upon A” it usually continues with the word “time” and tells the story of something that has already taken place and concluded. Bannen takes is another step to say she wants to start that story aka a “Once Upon A.”  Hey, you’re moving fast but you’re forgiven / Stay, every memory has a beginning / This is us, this is now / Starts tonight, don’t know how / Just know I wanna / Start a little once upon a

The EP concludes with “All Good Things” which is a great way to finish the EP before putting it back on repeat! It’s definitely a feel good song that allows the listener to just sort of appreciate life and who they have in it. All good things are wild and free / You’re the fire in my veins / I’m a runaway train / And together we’re crazy/ All good things are wild and free / No it don’t cost nothing / But your kiss is so money / So baby lay it on me. 

LISTEN TO KELLEIGH BANNEN’S CHEAP SUNGLASSES EP

Don’t forget to support the artist and songwriters by buying it on iTunes!