Jo's Picks Of The Month is a regular monthly contribution, published exclusively in the Sound Café magazine with the intention of providing you with information on artists that you might not have heard of, but we think are truly worth exploring further.
LOLA YOUNG
Lola Young is 24 years old and a singer-songwriter from Beckenham, South of London. She was introduced to music at a young age. Her Mom and step Dad were both musical talents. At 6 years old she began playing piano, guitar, and singing. She also developed a deep love for songwriting. After graduating in 2018, she started performing at local gigs and open mic nights, eventually she caught the attention of Nick Shymansky, Amy Winehouse's former manager, and Nick Huggett, who first signed Adele.
The two became her managers. In 2019 Lola signed with Island Records and released her debut album "6 Feet Under". Her next album Renaissance was released in April 2020. In 2021 she was on the Late Show with James Corden. "Stream of Consciousness" was released in November 2022, followed by a successful European tour.
The album, My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely, was released in 2023. Young's album, This Wasn't Meant for You Anyways, was released in June 2024.
"Messy" gained popularity through TikTok, which led to international popularity.
I hope you like "Messy"
ALEX WARREN (HUGHES)
Alex Warren is an American Singer songwriter. He is also a comedic video creator on YouTube. At a young age his father bought him a Fender guitar and introduced him to Coldplay, Linkin Park, Train, amongst a few others. He released his first single "One More I Love You" about his traumatic childhood experience in 2021. His Father was diagnosed with terminal cancer twice and died from kidney cancer when Warren was nine. His mother was an alcoholic.
He left home as a teenager and was homeless, sleeping in friends' cars for a while. In 2022 Warren signed with Atlantic Records. The debut single, "Headlights", received 74 million views on TikTok prior to release. Warren then released "Chasing Shadows", "Give You Love", "Change Your Mind", "How Could You (Be Ok)" and "Yard Sale".
In February 2024, Warren released "Before You Leave Me", "Save You a Seat", and "Carry You Home". Listen to all of these if you're inclined, but my pick is "Burning Down", it was very hard to decide which song to pick.
Enjoy!
"My collection of K-TELS playing on my portable candle record player is where my relationship with and love for music of all genres began. It continued throughout my life, from going to concerts through to my more recent luck in being involved in an album production, from studio recording to mastering. WOW! What an experience, and from it I've gained an even greater respect and appreciation for what it takes to make great music!
Couple that with my air guitar acumen, and that of course makes me a consummate professional in bringing 'Jo's Picks Of The Month' to you.
All kidding aside my repertoire of songs is vast and what an honour it is to share my picks with the readers of The Sound Cafe Magazine!" - Jo.
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