Another spotlight to end the work week! If you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, writer, etc., and would like a feature on The Spotlight, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more info!

Today, we have UK pop punk/alternative rock band White Eskimo! Comprised of members Will Sweeny (vocals), Alex Lewis (drums), Ryan Smith (guitar) and Marcus Crestwood (bass), the band all went to college together, each studying music. They eventually formed a group, and were glad to just jam together and create music. “It was just a love that we took very seriously,” the band said in a statement. “We just love being together, rehearsing every day. It’s a dream come true that we can play music for a living.” Interesting side note: One Direction’s Harry Styles was actually a part of the band back in the day!

Though hailing from Manchester, England, White Eskimo was more moved by American bands that made an imprint on their sound. Artists that have inspired them include Foo Fighters, Blink 182, ACDC, Elvis, Ray Charles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many more legendary artists.

The group has been hard at work, performing and making music. In fact, they released their debut EP, 100X last year, with production by James Lewis (Rudimental, Rae Morris, Sunset Sons). The band also recently released a new single as well entitled “Game Time,” which they say was “born out of the hilarity of trying to pick girls up in a bar!” Mark Winterburn engineered the track at John Delfs’ The Edge Studios,” and it received a “nod of approval” from Ivor Novello award-winning and Brit award-nominated producer Pete Kirtley. White Eskimo has recently wrapped a music video for the track, directed by Karl Beattie, who has worked with Madonna, Elton John, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson. “We are so proud of the end result,” the group said of the video, which should be released soon. Check out the track below!


Currently, White Eskimo is preparing for showcases in L.A. with A&R Worldwide, which is definitely really exciting! In terms of what separates the group from other bands out now, they believe it’s their energetic and catchy music as well as their performance style. “Our live performances are a breath of fresh air as there is nothing like us out there at the moment. We are not Heavy metal and we are not an indie band but we engulf the energy and popularity of both,” the members stated. “With such a huge range of musical influences, our sound is so different and our live sets must be seen! We are unique because we have never set out to be like anyone else…[we] just [want to] be the people we are and play the music we like.”

When it comes to the future, White Eskimo simply wants to play their music and reach as many people as possible. “We will always play music. It’s in our blood, whether it’s to 20 people down a pub or 50,000 in a stadium,” the band said. “Our longevity will last as long as we are physically able to pick up our instruments."

You can check out more from White Eskimo on their official website, SoundCloud, and YouTube. You can also follow the group on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

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Love featuring a diverse group of artists, designers, and on The Spotlight! That's the best part of the job! As always, if you or your client would like to be featured on the blog, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information. 

Today, we have rock/pop group Young-Borra! The group, comprised of Jonas Young-Borra (lead vocalist/lyricist), Garrett DeTemple (vocals/bass/lyricist), and  Michael Curley (production), definitely has a unique sound that resonates with listeners. Jonas first met and began playing music with Garrett during their time at Purchase College in New York.





Jonas, the group’s founder, was raised in the Bronx by his mother, who was a former Broadway actress/singer, and his father, a jazz saxophonist who studied with Jimmy Lyrons. “All I heard until age 10 was pre-1970's jazz, classical and Broadway music,” the singer admitted. “I didn't discover anything beyond that until my dad's guitar player left some cassette tapes at the house with music from the 60's, 70's and 80's. He soon fell in love with artists like Van Halen, Fine Young Cannibals, David Bowie, The Village People, the Rolling Stones, and The Beatles. Though Jonas admits that each of the band members have their own unique interests, they all “weren't so much into what was the "norm" that other kids were listening to,” he said. “Together, our New York, fast-talking, fast-walking lifestyles certainly have affected our sound.”

Young-Borra’s latest track, “Surround Sound,” is an example of the group’s standout sound. Inspired by the band VHS or Beta, Jonas began working on the track on GarageBand a long time ago, but didn’t began working on it again until adding Michael on as producer. “Mike took the original ideas I had and melded it into something new,” Jonas said. “Garrett and I worked on lyrics until, after changing the melody several times, we finally got something that we liked.” The band recently released a music video for the song, which was mixed and mastered by the head of production at Purchase and Michael’s former professor, Peter Denenberg (Spin Doctor's "Two Princes" producer). The video itself was directed and edited by Erik Christopher Lopez. Check out the video below!


In the future, the group wants to travel the world, playing the biggest stages for audiences. “Young-Borra is a lifelong project now!” Jonas said. “Our goal is to be playing and writing music full time. This is all I want, all we want. It's exciting.” Jonas himself wants the band to “exist with relevance,” not just being the next best thing coming out for the moment, and then the fire fades out. The group is definitely talented, passionate and fired up, so be on the lookout for more from them in the future!

You can check out more from the band on their official website, SoundCloud, and YouTube. You can also connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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I really am grateful for the opportunities to interview the up and coming! I got an email from a reader last week saying how he appreciates my features, and how he’s found some great artists because of the spotlights I do, which made my day. Doing what I love and having people connect with that is the greatest feeling!

Just to let y’all know, I have some great events and interviews to finish out 2014, so definitely be on the lookout! Celebrity news has been pushed to the backburner a lot, I know, which I’m trying to get back on track with. Pray that I find a balance come 2015!

Ok, enough personal stuff. I have another spotlight for you all today. Check out Swedish alternative pop-rock duo Manfred Kidd! The duo, composed of members Victor Crusner and Fredrik Folkestad, first met in elementary school but then went their separate ways for a while. They randomly bumped into each other on a tram in Göteborg, and discovered that they both had turned to music, which inspired them to work together. “The music we made became something neither of us could do on our own,” they said in a statement. “Finding that out was probably the moment we knew we wanted to do this.”

Being from Göteborg ,Sweden, Manfred Kidd is inspired by the seasonal changes of the country from grey to color, which they say is a true reflection of their own music. “As we see it, our sound is color while our lyrics are more of that grayer shade,” the group acknowledged. The duo also honored the Beatles’ George Harrison as an influence on their music.

The duo released their EP, Where Were You When You Were Us (WWYWYWU) on May 20, 2014 (you can get your copy here!). The debut single from the EP, “Lights” was actually a homage to Göteborg, and Victor and Fredrik produced the track together. “We have different roles within our collaboration, but keep it between us throughout the making,” the group said. Check out Manfred Kidd performing the track below!


How they function as a duo and “the electricity of our live set” is what Manfred Kidd feels sets them apart from other groups. In the future, they want to be actively touring and to keep putting out great music.

You can hear more on Manfred Kidd on SoundCloud and YouTube, as well connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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6:58:00 AM

On The Spotlight, I am dedicated to featuring more up and coming folks in the entertainment industry, including different artists. As an avid music lover, I have respect and appreciation for artists from all genres that have a great sound and powerful message! Today, I'm happy to present Monks of Mellonwah, an alternative/indie rock band hailing from Down Under--Sydney, Australia!

The group, made of Vikram Kaushik (Vocals/Guitar), Joe de la Hoyde (Lead Guitar), John de la Hoyde (Bass), and Joshua Baissari (Drums), has an incredible sound and strong, thought-provoking lyrics that are sure   Drawing inspiration from other rock artists such Led Zeppelin, Muse, Pink Floyd, and the Chili Peppers, Monks of Mellonwah have been going strong, garnering a huge buzz not only at home, but also worldwide! Check out more about the group below!


In the past few years, the group has released two EPs, Stars Are Out, and Neurogenesis, as well as a host of music videos, such as "Swamp Groove," and "Neverending Spirit," which definitely boosted their audience and airplay across the globe! They've also gotten a lot of media coverage from networks and magazines including MTV, Big Takeover Magazine, CMJ, Kings of A&R, Noise 11 and Tonedeaf, scoring them licensing spots from various production companies in the U.S. including Discovery Networks and Bunim Murray.

Even with all of the success, the Monks show no signs of stopping! They are prepping their debut full-length album, and have signed a deal with A&R Worldwide! Their album, Turn The People, is being released in three parts, with Ghost Stories being the first volume. Blending rock, electronic, and pop, Ghost Stories is definitely a great volume of music. Filled with powerful metaphors, the EP might take a second or third listen to really get their message! I LOVE music that makes listeners think beyond just the surface! My favorite track on the EP is probably the final song, "Sailing Stones,"which is a song about sailing away to reach one's goals or desires in life. The journey may be taken without a plan, and people may not understand your blind fall, but it doesn't matter. Vikram sings "I feel alive like none before, don't break my fall / Sailing away blind of what's in store/The sun's down, time to roll the sound and let sanity take its toll." I know that, as I embark on a new journey of my own, this song hits home pretty hard!

The Monks' talent is undeniable, and Ghost Stories is definitely a strong indication of what's to come from them! Listen and check out the video for the title track, "Ghost Stories," below!


Monks of Mellonwah are currently touring throughout Australia, and plan to hit the States this fall! You can learn more about the group on their official website, and connect with the group on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! You can also connect with their press contact, James Moore, and their band management contact, Chris de la Hoyde.

6:00:00 AM

VH1 has released a teaser of the TLC biopic, Crazy Sexy Cool, that the network plans to release this October! The movie stars Drew Sidora as Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, KeKe Palmer as Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, and Lil Mama as the late great Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Though the biopic and casting decisions were definitely questionable at first, this teaser shows that VH1 may have got right!

Check out the teaser below!

I was stunned. Actually stunned. Obviously they're no TLC, but they come pretty dang close!I was so worried when I heard who were going to be the leads, but I'm not so much anymore. People are still going to have their doubts and negativity about the whole thing, but I'm actually pretty excited to watch and review this in the fall! Looks like this film might be a great one!

In a press conference today, Chilli and T-Boz revealed that Lil Mama will be joining them on stage in place of the late Left Eye at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey Park, PA this weekend. Fans may be a little skeptical of the move, but Lil Mama has studied Left Eye to the tee, from the rhymes and choreography, to even her voice and mannerisms! We see that from the teaser!

What do you think of the teaser? Do you think Drew, KeKe, and Lil Mama will pull it off?

Image via VH1

11:04:00 AM

Look who's back! After rumors of a possible Danity Kane reunion kicked off a while back, the girls might actually be pulling it off! Last night, group members Shannon Bex, Aubrey O’Day, Dawn Richard and Andrea Fimbres, hit the studio with Freshm3n 3 (producers of Chris Brown’s song ‘Love More’) for a recording session! The studio was even the same studio that their sophomore album Welcome To The Dollhouse was recorded in!

Dawn is still working on her solo career as an independent artist, planning to release her sophomore album, Blackheart, in October!

Looks like this reunion might seriously be happening! And without Diddy and Bad Boy, which I'm actually A-Ok about! I'm excited for them! I wish that D. Woods was a part, but she's chosen not to participate, which is fine. Four out of five ain't bad at all! It would definitely be a great time for them to make a comeback. Female groups are seriously lacking in music nowadawys. There are some great ones of course, but since the 2000s there has been a huge decline. Danity Kane could come back and make a great impact if they play this right!

Are you excited for a Danity Kane reunion?

Image via Aubrey O'Day

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