Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with incomparable R FLEX!!!

Canadian artist R. Flex returns with ONCE UPON A FLEX. In collaboration with multi-disciplinary producer David Psutka (ACT!, Egyptrixx, Anamai), the 2-track EP recalls the melancholic grooves of 80’s R&B. 

R. Flex’s vocal performances are deftly evocative. At the turn of a phrase, they flit from soft and understanding to tragic and downtrodden. The result is their most vulnerable, paranoid, and honest work to date. Their ability to navigate 80’s R&B while traversing topics like sex with downlow men & public breakdowns, makes for a cotemporal record that reveals queer emotions, experiences, and events that were always bubbling under the surface of 80’s R&B.

Taking influence from the likes of Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, & Luther Vandross, ONCE UPON A FLEX comes to life. “The Fog” unravels with cinematic soundscapes that captivate eerie tones and unparalleled ambiguity. R. Flex shares, “I ended up turning that feeling of moral ambiguity into sexual ambiguity. I, in turn, made a song about my experiences having sex with men on the downlow. Meaning, I made a song about men who have sex with men, but don’t identify as gay to avoid coming out.” Blended with a reverbarating rhythm and soaring vocal energy, they continue, “I think for a song that pulls from quiet storm, which is already known for expanding masculinity to embrace domestic sensuality, this song pushes beyond heteronormative expectations.” Leaning into a realm of quiet storm, pop and trap, “The Fog” comes to life.

“Hounds of Hell” is the second offering from the EP. Pinning down discourses into self-abandonment across both tracks, it’s R. Flex’s hope that the EP inspires listeners to feel. They confide, “I expose the paradox of centering oneself in the midst of a social ill while dissociating at the same time. There’s no centre; just an endless cycle of self-abandonment that brings the EP together.” Inspired by a line in Sky Ferreira’s “I Blame Myself”, “Hounds of Hell” serves something maniacal and yet vulnerable. Much like "The Fog", there’s a tension, but the beat feels lucid, pairing sublimely with R. Flex’s euphoric vocals.

Garnering humbling praise from the likes of Exclaim Magazine, Bandcamp, and The Star, R. Flex’s repertoire to date has been discovered globally, landing on queer playlists in Amsterdam, Toronto, and New York. Simply put, R. Flex is an underground star in the making. Supporting the likes of Haiku Hands and Khalifa, they also performed alongside BLCK*SYNC at the 2nd anniversary of Club Quarantine (one of the world’s biggest online dance parties). R. Flex is in demand and excited for you to CHECK THE FLEX!

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with singer-songwriter WASHBURN & THE RIVER!!!

Abundant feelings. Washburn and the River is Jake’s treasured indie-artist project that he’s been developing since early high school. A multi-instrumental songwriter turned producer with an urge for authentic truth telling, he seeks to leave a definitive mark on the industry with deeply introspective tunes about life, love, relationships, healing, and coping through this crazy journey we find ourselves in.

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with SHANNON FROM THE STONE FOXES!!!

Shannon and Spence Koehler are men of The West. Californians through and through, the brothers know that the Golden State encompasses two halves; abundance and pain. Fruit and fire. Their latest sound flaunts that dichotomy. It’s what they describe as “If Ennio Morricone and T. Rex had a baby.” To that, I say, yep. You can’t help but imagine them jamming out in spandex and spurs.  

Born out of both global and personal hardships, “On The Other Side” is an album of the heart. As the world was forced to look inward, so were the Foxes. Quite literally for Shannon, who underwent a painful open heart surgery (his second open heart surgery and fourteenth heart surgery in total). But, out of this pain came a sweeping soundscape that feels like both new territory and a return to roots. 

The production of this album was a journey in itself: written by Shannon and Spence, rehearsed in their parents’ basement, recorded in studios and living rooms throughout The Bay, and mastered in Nashville. But through heartaches, hardships and harbingers of doom, the connecting force has always been love; brotherly love, romantic love and, of course, the unbridled love of rock music. They exude this love during their unmissable live shows and when Shannon takes the band out on tour, the world is better for it.
 

With contributions from their usual co-conspirators (you might even catch Spence on stage) and a bevy of new voices, the band continues its journey into the great void of the future. A little older and a little wiser, they’re pioneers searching for a new world. But along the way, the path is filled with fruit and fire.

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with Swedish independent artist, producer and musician YARLIE!!!

YARLIE made quite the debut last year with her EP ”Stupid With A Sore Heart” which received attention all the way from north of Sweden to Abu Dhabi. For example she got playlist placements in Spotify’s ”GRL PWR” and Apple Music’s ”Made In Sweden”, to name a few. Coverage in Sweden’s biggest newspaper, Aftonbladet. Radio rotation in East Africa. Nominated as Best Pop Act in ISR Awards. She was also headhunted as a model for Swedish fashion brand MONKI and performed live on Swedish national TV.

YARLIE takes being an independent artist and entrepreneur to the next level with her Instagram, where she has gained a stable following and became known for her original Y2K-photos and edits. Not only does she create all of her music and social media content on her own, but she has also quickly become an unstoppable force in the body positivism and feminist movement.

With that being said, it’s safe to say that YARLIE has made quite the debut, and is more than ready to take 2022 by storm.

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with singer-songwriter NATALIE SHAY!!!

Natalie Shay is an indie-pop artist hailing from North London. The multi-award-winning musician has established an ever-growing presence and loyal fanbase through her explosive live performances and unforgettable anthems, recognising her as one of the UK’s hottest emerging talents. With indie synth pop leanings and ferocious guitar playing, Shay's references range from Haim and Taylor Swift to Little Comets. Her relatable lyrics touch on love, self-discovery and the everyday experiences of a twenty-something.  

Combining her youthful and charismatic aura with her classical training and time spent at the prestigious BRIT School, Shay has finessed the ability to produce undeniably catchy music, whilst maintaining musical maturity. Written alongside George Gianluca in his Brixton studio, Shay’s incredible new single “Heaven” came to life. Her new track comes of age in an ode to personal growth, exploring the point in time in which a girl feels like she has become a woman. Shay confides,  “I feel like in lockdown I learned a lot about myself and growth.  In essence it's a song sung to my younger self about what I’ve discovered and how I see myself getting through life now. I think it's important to reflect on the most unique parts of your personality, and as a songwriter I think transparency comes from writing about your own flaws, not just those of others." 

Shay’s dynamic melodies pair with soaring vocal energy and the layering harmonies that bring an overarching warmth to “Heaven”. The familiar acoustic arrangements pair sublimely with Shay’s unique musicality, as her lyrical reflection captures key moments of her life. Portraying her personal story across her repertoire, “Heaven” is the next single ahead of Shay’s highly anticipated EP, where each track explores a key feeling sensed when writing during the lockdown. She continues, “I hope I can inspire other girls in particular to get into songwriting as so many female singer/ songwriters inspired me to do so and it's saved, changed and made my life.”

Shay continues to pique the interest of audiences across the globe. Garnering attention from notable publications such as Billboard, Clash and The Line of Best Fit, to name a few, Natalie also performed "New Wave" on CBBC's "Saturday Mash Up!" late last year, and has landed on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist in 12 countries. She has also worked on EDM tracks with the likes of Grum and Kryder, racking up millions of streams to date. Having sold out venues across London, most recently the Camden Assembly and Oslo, tickets are now on sale for Natalie Shay's upcoming headline show at The Omeara in London on 25th November. After a very big summer appearing at renowned festivals such as Reading, Y Not, Hyde Park BTS and 110 Above, it looks like 2022 will continue to be an explosive year.

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with singer-songwriter SABBY SOUSA!!!

Sabby Sousa, the self proclaimed 'Floss Pop princess' sees her music in a dream state. A world she has carefully pieced together with angelic candy coated odes. Inspired by Marina, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj she uses conceptual visuals and cute pink aesthetics to highlight her storybook of dreamlike songs. Releases like her EP 'The Dream Palace' (2019) and viral single 'Cream n' Frosting' (2020) show how indulged she is with creating an intertwining connection with music to her pink world. The singer is set to release a confectionery of new music in 2022.

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with singer-songwriter-producer ST. HUMAIN!!!

St. Humain is a Singapore born, Sydney based singer, songwriter and producer whose music is a delicious amalgam of sounds and stories. The genre-agnostic artist blends pop and electronic with a healthy dose of R&B, to create something which is comfortably familiar, yet alluringly unknown. St. Humain strives to represent the everyday person, delivering honest and relatable songs which speak about his own battles and looks to explore the emotions that make us human.  St. Humain is back with his next tune “Memento” ahead of his upcoming EP METADRAMATIC. It originated as an idea from two friends in Indonesia: Songwriter Josh Palandi and producer Jon Mauliate. Jumping straight onto the track, St. Humain developed a pop-inspired ode to the remnants of a relationship and those bittersweet memories you often keep when things are hazy. He confides, "'Memento' came about from that core feeling of missing somebody, or longing for somebody at times. I wanted to express that emotion set against the dream land that is California. Imagine driving from state to state, trying to get back to where they are..."

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with singer-songwriter DREW THOMAS!!!

Raised in Nottingham, singer/songwriter Drew Thomas leads the charge of DIY rock musicians making waves on the unsigned circuit through hard work and powerful song-writing. Taking inspiration from the likes of The Killers, Radiohead and the intimacy of Bon Iver, Drew’s knack for writing arena sized choruses and nostalgic lyrics steals the listener’s attention immediately, merging passionate vocals and emotional soundscapes with a darker twist; spilling tales of rejection, broken relationships and addiction. Drew’s new offering Trying to Be You is all about learning to love yourself, accepting your sexuality and conquering the toxic habit of comparing yourself to everyone else. “I’ve always been the kind of artist to write what I live. It’s so easy to see where other people are going and lose track of how far you’ve come. My music is all about coming to terms with who you are and shouting it at the top of your lungs.”

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Join your host Greg Howard Jr as he gets to the heart of what makes a musician tick with singer-songwriter ANDREW ASH!!!

Andrew Ash is an upcoming pop singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon, who has a knack for fusing genres, whilst staying true to his pop roots. The artist has the vocals of Olly Alexander, the instrumentation of Phil Collins, and dance moves reminiscent of his icon, Britney Spears.

Andrew’s latest upbeat, smile inducing, 80’s inspired single ‘I Think I’m Ready for Love’ is the first to be taken from his forthcoming EP ‘Pep Talk’ and recently won the ‘Best Male Pop Song’ award from USA Pop Smash Radio. It’s an uplifting, toe-tapping pop-meets-dancehall track, complete with horns, a xylophone hook, playful synths, and a lot of La, La, La’s.

Andrew’s cheeky lyrics are based on his transition from being a commitment phobic ‘playboy’, to a fully committed gentleman who ‘won’t run away from a good thing’ or ‘sabotage’ his new relationship. The track is accompanied by a must-see music video that is literally filled with heart, and a highly TikTokable dance routine.

Speaking further about the track Andrew says: “I dated a lot in my 20’s, kissed a bunch of frogs, sabotaged my own relationships, felt an insane amount of heartbreak, feared commitment, I was all over the place. I then found someone who changed how I treated relationships, they made me a better person, they challenged me, they were the real deal, and they made me want to give up on my old ways, try harder, and lean into the commitment that I was so afraid of.”

Some of Andrew’s accolades include his music being featured on ‘The Hills’ and ‘‘The Jersey Shore’, and his most recent live performance was a heartfelt moment for him as a proud, openly gay man, which was in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, on the mainstage at PDX Pride. Andrew’s joyous live performances are a feel-good affair, with high energy and the perfect blend of wit, humor, good vibes and audience interaction. He will make you laugh; he will make you dance!

Through his music, Andrew hopes to spread some love, laughter, and joy.

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A week long celebration of the first year of Your Life the Mixtape! Coming to your favorite podcast platforms December 2022.