Jeeni Blog

Helping the next generation of talent to build a global fanbase

Kissing the Flint – ‘100 Or Less’ Single Review

/ By Doug Phillips
Kissing the Flint – ‘100 Or Less’ Single Review

Australian singer songwriter, Leah Chynoweth-Tidy takes a break from the bohemian, Celtic-inspired tracks with her group’s newest single, ‘100 Or Less’ taking the form of a rebellious alt-rock track with attitude, passion and a clear message. As they put it themselves, “100 Or Less is a music mission to rock the foundations of a bureaucratic lack of support for the undervalued Arts”.

The track opens with a fiery guitar performance, reminiscent of the great Neil Young, specifically tracks like ‘Cowgirl in the Sand’ that feature powerful, striking guitar solos with plenty of distortion and fuzz. Add to the mix a rolling bassline and a heavy beat in with Leah’s feisty vocals and you have Kissing the Flint’s lively new single, ‘100 Or Less’. 

Kissing the Flint release a pent-up frustration in the prolonged pandemic and various restrictions and choices made by the government. This frustration seems to come as a result of a clear and evident passion for performing the music that they love for the people who love it.  

The single ends with an almost hopeless and exasperated “Why won’t you let us play?” which holds an emotional and pained impact for the final moment of the track. Despite such a heart-aching close, electric and powerful tracks like ‘100 Or Less’ certainly helps those that miss the thrill and fun of live music. 

Check out ‘100 Or Less’ and the dynamic music video now on Jeeni: https://jeeni.com/100-or-less-kissing-the-flint-official-music-video/ 

How can Jeeni support artists like Kissing the Flint?  

JEENI is a multi-channel platform for original entertainment on demand. We’re a direct service between creatives and the global audience.  

• We give creatives, independent artists and performers a showcase for their talent and services. And they keep 100% of everything they make.  
• We empower our audience and reward them every step of the way.  
• We promise to treat our members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect.  
• Access to artist liaison and a supportive marketing team. 

Check out Kissing the Flint’s Jeeni page: https://jeeni.com/?s=kissing+the+flint 

04
Jun

Top Ten Tips on How To Promote your Music Independently

Let's set the scene. We believed there would be a load of "How to Videos..." giving expert advice to help musicians, artists and performers along their merry way. We thought just Google it and the rest would be simple. But the quality of what we have found raises the question, "how helpful are these videos really, and do musicians and performers use them"? Do these videos add real value? To find out more, we're asking the new 400 Unsigned Artist Community members what they think. Maybe they have found a video or a blog which changed their fortunes, and they are willing share and let us know why it had such an impact. Let's see how far this forum opens new discussions and debate. Having listened to Jasmine from Ditto in the video below, we started to think that our first job might be to start a discussion around "how to promote and market your work". So you don't have to watch the whole 7 minute video, we have just listed the headlines to get a discussion going. (approx. 60 seconds read time) 1. Making great music, music always comes first. 2. Play as often as you can, make them remember you. Put on a killer live show and make an impact. 3. Start locally, go nationally and then head out on tour. Ed Sheeran says he played at least a thoiusand shows, before he became known in the music industry. 4. Create a website and build a mailing list - which links to your music, bio, promo images, tour dates, mailing list and sign-up form. 5. Get your social media sorted! Keep a consistent brand identity! Include competitions, polls, track snippets, press shots, backstage videos. Use targeted social adds, do not use mass advertising. 6. Check out what other successful performers are doing and learn from them, rather than starting from scratch. 7. Get your tracks PLAYLISTED. 8. Manage your own PR and contact journalists directly. Create an Electronic Press Kit, write a press release, upload your music, send to bloggers & journalists. 9. Surround yourself by the right people. Just because you are independent, that does not mean you have to do everything on your own. 10. Know your audience and focus on your niche! So that's it folks, let's create our own list and add value to this vital conversation. If you would like to join the new Unsigned Artists Community check us out and send in a request to join today. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2529935880656436/?source_id=459365401133253 https://vimeo.com/396502327

11
Jun

Inside Story with Keithian

Kethian is a Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actor and Producer based in the US and who performed his song ‘Communicate’ in the JAM Festival collaboration in April.  Kethian is relaxing in his Californian back yard as the interview with Kate takes place. “You recorded your track ‘Communicate’ live from your home studio for the JAM Festival, we have all faced the technical difficulties of working from home over the last year, but did you face any whilst recording?” she asks.  He says that there were not any technical issues as such but recording at home always presents some issues, for example the neighbour had the lawnmower on but luckily, he didn’t think we could hear.  His song ‘Communicate’ is beautiful and very emotive. When asked about his inspiration for writing it, he said that it came from his friend, who so sadly committed suicide, and so the song was an open letter to this friend, as well as anyone else that is struggling and needs to communicate as it is one of those things that “you actually have to do to feel better or to get your thoughts out, so that’s exactly what that song was about.” Kethian was born in New Orleans into a “showbizzy family.” Kate asks about what influence their work had on him as a child growing up and how it inspired his music and career.  He grew up in Louisiana and Texas, “New Orleans is just full of music, everywhere you go”, his parents were in music as well as his grandparents so making music for him was something that “just happened, I’ve never known any different.” Kethian was previously signed to a major record label, but has ended up going independent, Kate asks why he made this decision  “It wasn’t really the best experience. I figured if I went independent, I could give myself the better experience, and control creativity and stuff like that, and now that I’m my own everything, I’m able to understand myself more as an artist, what I need, what I want, how I want to promote, or what songs I want to choose” he shouts excitedly. In 2018 Kethian was working on music for Rhianna, he said “it was one of those things that just happened, although she hasn’t actually released the music yet and I wish I had some insider knowledge as to when she will, but I don’t! Basically, after I left the label, I was a writer and producer...I was writing for various artists and one of them said ‘this is gonna be for Rhianna’ and I was like ‘what?!’ and that’s how it happened. I met the [person] that I work with now and produce most of my music with currently and it has just been cohesive since then.” Kethian is currently raising investment for his next project: “It makes me feel really good as an artist when someone invests in me because it means that they believe in me as an artist, and as an art, a lot of our motivation and motivators are to make people happy and just to feel something or have an outlet, so to be supported in this way makes me feel so much more confident.” In response to this comment, Kate explains what Jeeni is: a platform for new and upcoming artists which seeks to support them in the best way possible and asks Kethian what his advice would be for aspiring artists that are just starting out. “Simply be the best artist that you can be and be the most you can be in life for you. It’s one of those things…being an artist is so giving, you walk around with your art, you are your art, and so when someone says something a little different or a little insane, it touches you more…just be confident, stay close to your art and stay close to you as a person and just love every bit of it.” What can we expect from him in the future?  He expresses his excitement in regard to doing more shows with Jeeni and is hopeful for the future of live shows and touring as the world returns to normality after the Covid-19 pandemic.  He says that he ultimately wants to “put out as much music as my fans want me to and as much as I want.” Through AmplifyX, one of our collaborators from the JAM festival, Kethian is working on his new EP called Green Clouds which is due at the end of May and you can invest now. To find out more about Kethian, listen to his music and invest, please visit https://jeeni.com/showcase/keithian/

04
Mar

Jeeni’s Giant List of Channels!

Jeeni welcomes and supports a giant range of talent and art from music, spoken word, dance and more. Jeeni’s channels help viewers find exactly what they’re looking for and as a result, artists can select up to four channels that their art covers to reach those audiences.   Jeeni’s prime goal is to bring attention to artists that deserve it and luckily for all of our viewers, Jeeni is packed with them. Jeeni has over 100 channels of talent ripe for exploring and compiling. Anyone and everyone can create and share playlists from all of the channels that we offer and it’s absolutely free to sign up. Finding talent on Jeeni couldn’t be easier, simply choose a channel that interests you, from ambient, to death-metal, to slam poetry and begin unearthing Jeeni artists and their craft.   Here are just some of the channels Jeeni has to offer:  Hip-hop: https://jeeni.com/channel/all-channels/hip-hop/ One of Jeeni’s most frequented channels, hip-hop has anything from jazz rap (Cassius Gray) , hip house (WesLi D), afroswing (I K 8OY), conscious rap (Baby Panna) and instrumental hip-hop (Big Frank) added to it week-by-week.  Cassius Gray:  Cassius Gray is a 23 year old rapper, musician from South West London. Fusing soulful instrumentals, with introspective lyrics and a unique intonation, Cassius gives the listener an honest reflection on his approach to life - as a young man.   WesLi D:  Hailing from North West London, artist and producer WesLi D brings a refreshing take to UK underground and alternative rap using a blend of styles; from melodic and bouncy to somber and thoughtful, his expression is not limited sonically by any means.  I K 8OY:  I K 8OY is a Nigerian/British rising star. Although he describes his music as versatile, his musical style fits primarily within the Afrobeat mix genre with melodic rap – otherwise called as Afro-swing or Afro-pop.  Baby Panna:  Rapper Baby Panna is still in the preliminary stages of his career, but his new EP amplifies a hunger that seems to have been with him from the start. His style flitters between melodic, acoustically composed hip-hop and psychedelic trap.  Big Frank:   Big Frank is a Hip Hop producer from Cornwall, based in London. Since moving to the city in 2017 he has worked as a producer and engineer, and established his sound. His style is a blend of classic Hip Hop sounds, and experimental textures. Expect more releases with the UK underground's best rappers and singers in 2022.  Folk: https://jeeni.com/channel/all-channels/folk/ Daisy Chute A style of music as timeless and broad as folk never fails to both calm and inspire its fans. Keeping more traditional folk sentiments alive is the incredible Daisy Chute. Daisy has been an important and keen part of Jeeni by creating and uploading her enchanting tracks to Jeeni’s folk channel. She was also a key part of Jeeni’s artist partnership programme alongside Arianna May. Check out Daisy’s showcase here: https://jeeni.com/showcase/daisy-chute/  Richard Murray Bordering with country as well as folk is singer/songwriter, Richard Murray. Hailing from Northern Ireland, Richard Murray specialises in expanding the ideas some might have about country and folk music. He pushes the envelope in these genres by introducing alternative instruments, song writing approaches and mindsets. Richard contributed the entirety of his stellar last album, ‘Fire Sale’ onto Jeeni and we were then delighted to review the warm, romantic record, “With lush, full arrangements, creative use of instrumentation and authoritative vocal performances, Richard Murray’s newest album, ‘Fire Sale’ might just be his most impactful to date since his debut in 2007.” Check Richard’s brilliant and extensive showcase out on Jeeni here: https://jeeni.com/showcase/richardmurraymusic/    Rock: https://jeeni.com/channel/all-channels/rock/ Another strongly prevalent channel on Jeeni, is the sweeping genre of rock music. Jeeni boasts a formidable and growing roster of rockstars such as award-winning Eden James, revolutionary Giack Bazz and the newly formed five-piece, Respite.  Eden James:  Eden James is an indie rock-pop recording artist, winning multiple music awards from his native home of Australia and achieving a number one hit in Greece. Classic Rock magazine UK recently reviewed his new album 'All the Good Blank Are Taken' saying “Oozes urban cool and Springsteen swagger… a concise collision of catchiness and class.”  Here’s Eden James’ showcase on Jeeni: https://jeeni.com/showcase/edenjames/?view=about   Giack Bazz:  Giack Bazz is an explosive, relentless multi-instrumentalist songwriter based in London. The artist started igniting stages with his painfully honest lyrics and his screaming telecaster in 2015. He has since released three solo albums that were critically acclaimed (Blowup magazine, Decade, Rumore).  Check out Giack Bazz’s showcase here: https://jeeni.com/showcase/giack-bazz/?view=about   Respite:  Alt-rock quintet hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. Respite blends elements of punk, post-hardcore and pop music, with lyrics and vocals heavily inspired by pop-punk and emo. Influenced by bands such as Don Broco, Mallory Knox and A Day To Remember, Respite deliver catchy and energetic earworms with a subtle depth.  Check Respite’s Jeeni showcase out here: https://jeeni.com/showcase/respite-band/?view=videos   Jeeni also features a huge amount of the niche-est of niche genres and talents including slam poetry, audiobooks, various dance talent and loads more. Go exploring Jeeni's library of talent!