I can hardly contain my excitement for today. It’s new music release day for the incredibly talented Irish alt-pop artist, Ocean Tisdall. I first discovered his enchanting artistry through his 2022 debut EP, “Boys Don’t Cry,” and it was an instant connection. Interestingly, his track “White Lies” became my most-played song on my Spotify Wrapped that year (something I doubt Ocean knows!) His powerful, emotive songs and poignant lyricism have truly captivated me. After a year filled with introspection and growth, Ocean Tisdall unveils his most vulnerable piece yet. The hauntingly beautiful track “Sugar In His Tea.”

Don’t miss out on this one!

Ocean’s vocal prowess consistently pulls me in, making me hang on every poetically beautiful word he utters. His remarkable songwriting ability enables him to express sadness in a wonderfully exquisite way that is utterly captivating and always tugs at my heartstrings. I am truly an enthusiastic supporter of his debut EP “Boy’s Don’t Cry.” Yet, when I listened to “Sugar In His Tea” for the first time, I was taken aback by the profound emotional depth and unfiltered vulnerability in his voice. It’s simply exceptional.

Moreover, clearly reflected in the entirety of his discography, Ocean emerges as a master storyteller. Effortlessly drawing listeners in with his evocative and intimate narratives. Subsequjently, the lyrics are rich in detail, offering profound insights that resonate on multiple levels. And notably connecting with our shared human experiences while inviting us to reflect on our own lives.

He shares…

‘‘I wrote “Sugar in His Tea” kind of by accident, to be honest. I’d been with someone for two years when they asked if we could go on a break – and those two weeks of limbo felt like hell. I was a mess. At one point early on, I left the house just to get a coffee – because that’s all I could stomach – and on the walk, I started seeing him in strangers. I had to do double takes, realizing it wasn’t him. I felt like I was losing it”.

“I think when someone breaks up with you, people expect you to feel anger, bitterness, maybe even hatred. But for me, it wasn’t like that. I wasn’t angry – I was heartbroken, trying to make sense of why I wasn’t enough to make them stay”. Ocean reflects

Indeed, it’s hard to comprehend how Ocean maintains such composure while sharing this deeply vulnerable track, which pulsates with raw heartbreak. The stripped-back acoustic soundscape not only highlights the emotive, soul-crushing lyrics but also showcases Ocean’s profoundly soul stirring vocals. Every aspect of this release has remarkably elevated itself. Above all, the sense of poignancy resonates, lingering with us long after the final notes fade away.

Ocean Tisdall hits a home run with “Sugar In His Tea.” This song is very relevant in today’s music scene, and it grabs your attention right away. The quality of his storytelling and emotion makes it a track you can’t help but listen to again.

Connect wit Ocean Tisdall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceantisdall/

The post Listen to “Sugar In His Tea” by Ocean Tisdall appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

I recently stumbled upon the incredibly talented London-based alt-pop singer-songwriter Jason Kwan, and I was immediately drawn to the lead and title track, from his upcoming debut EP “Deja Vu.” Jason’s masterful use of indie electro-pop with alluring lyrical content resonated deeply with me. Similarly, his music videos, which skillfully convey meaningful narratives through authentic visual storytelling, further intensified my admiration for his artistry. Today, I am excited to share an exclusive preview of the music video for his latest single, “Paradise,” directed by Darius Shu. This preview comes just before the highly anticipated release of the “Deja Vu” EP on Friday, June 7th.

We all have our own individualized notions of paradise. It might encompass the delight of lingering in bed for an additional hour, embarking on a journey to a picturesque island or scenic holiday destination, or savouring the tranquillity of solitary moments. However, for Jason Kwan, paradise holds a deeper significance. It revolves around finding moments to discover the beauty and joy amid the complexities of adversity and the quest for authentic living.

By the same token, the EP is comprised of compelling narratives, and emotive vocal tones evoking vivid memories of Jason’s 2am experiences growing up in Hong Kong. Yet moreover, the music beautifully captures the complex emotions of navigating love, grappling with sexuality. And furthermore, embarking on thrilling adventures while still in the closet.

Focusing on the track “Paradise“, Jason says: “Paradise is a song I wrote about yearning. That’s probably the most overwhelming emotion that drives the core of my songwriting and is my exploration into dream-pop, magical-realism, and fantasy.”

In the music video, a collaboration with cinematographer Darius Shu, Jason embodies a character reminiscent of “The Little Prince” from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‘s renowned book. This deliberate choice is deeply meaningful, as the book holds a special place in Jason’s heart. (Being a book he grew up with). Similarly, the visual serves as a poignant reminder evoking the timeless Antoine de Saint-Exupéry fable that emphasizes the power of dreams and imagination to inspire hope and joy.

Jason says “As “The Little Prince” I search for a paradise which I feel I’ve lost, from growing up too fast. From leaving behind my innocence and naivety, and I try to reconnect with my unhindered imagination and dreams.”

Moreover, make sure to mark your calendar for the release of the “Deja Vu” EP on the 7th of June. This extraordinary piece of work is filled with enchanting melodies, deeply emotional lyrics, and powerfully emotive vocals. Fans of Cub Sport, Tsatsamis, and Ocean Tisdall will find the release especially captivating.

Also this summer, Jason will be playing his EP at Pride in London (Trafalgar Square), Brighton Pride, Manchester Pride, Birmingham Pride, and Canterbury Pride.

Pride Tour Dates:
May 3rd: Brasseri Zedel’s Acoustic Gig
May 24th: Birmingham Pride Mainstage
Jun 8th: Canterbury Pride Mainstage
Jun 29th: Pride in London Mainstage
26th Jul: Amsterdam Pride
Aug 3rd: Brighton Pride
Aug 24th: Manchester Pride
Sept 9th: Moongate Set at Omnibus Theatre

Connect with Jason Kwan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonkwanmusic
X: https://x.com/jasonkwanmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonkwanmusic/

The post Video Premiere: “Paradise” by Jason Kwan appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

Back in 2023, EQ Music produced pop singer-songwriter JORDY‘s first-ever UK Tour with special guests Myylo and Ocean Tisdall. The tour played in the key cities of Birmingham, London and Manchester during May 2023. If you were lucky enough to be there, you’ll remember the incredible performances that left the crowd spellbound. Although it’s hard to believe that it is almost a year since that tour, the memories are still fresh in our minds. Let’s relive what happened, by watching some live footage we gathered along the way from this truly memorable pop event that swept through the UK last year.

If you missed it, don’t worry – we got you covered.

The tour kicked off in Birmingham at The Hare & Hounds, where JORDY, Myylo and Ocean were cheered on by a truly appreciative crowd, (who themselves were word-perfect when singing along to the latest tracks of the three artists). Power pop tracks “Trevor” by JORDY, Myylo’s cover of “All Star” by Smash Mouth and original track “Being Born Kinda Sucks” proving especially to be popular choices.

The next stop on the tour was London at Amazing Grace. From the offset, the spellbinding pop mastery demonstrated by Ocean Tisdall with his stunning vocals and emotive lyrical pop captivated the at-capacity crowd at Amazing Grace. In turn, this set the tone for an incredible evening of LGBTQ+ pop. The vibe was then carried through by both Myylo and JORDY as the pop sensations enthusiastically delivered their fan favorite tracks.

Night & Day in Manchester was the perfect setting for JORDY’s three-date UK tour finale. With its intimate atmosphere, all three performances were truly captivating and left the audience spellbound. The energy in the room was electric as Ocean, Myylo and JORDY took to the stage. However, the most defining moment of the performances was when the crowd sang back the lyrics. This created an unforgettable connection between the performers and the audience and goes to show you that Manchester fans are truly as dedicated as they claim.

UK pop fans truly made their presence felt for an artist like JORDY on his first visit to the UK.

Thank you to all the fans, EQ Music readers and the promoters who gave their 100% by way of warm support, enthusiastic participating and unwavering appreciation.

Next up – EQ Music will be bringing Bentley Robles and Zee Machine to the UK for their very first set of UK dates. Join the party. Tickets on-sale now.

The post Throwback: The JORDY 2023 UK Tour – with special guests Myylo and Ocean Tisdall appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Eeek! We can confirm that none other than US pop sensation JORDY has landed on our British shores for a string of three shows next week in the UK in Birmingham, London and Manchester. It’s the very first time that JORDY has performed in the UK and EQ Music is super excited to being chosen to produce these inaugural shows for him.

Of course it wouldn’t be an EQ Music Live show unless we curated some extra special talent to support the pop superstar – so it shouldn’t surprise you that we looped in LA pop wunderkid Myylo and rising Irish pop muse Ocean Tisdall to be on the lineup as well. Some of you may remember Ocean Tisdall from when he blew up all our collective minds at our last EQ Music Live showcase event in February.

This show is gonna be special…

So how did this special JORDY UK Tour come about you ask?

Well, having worked closely with Myylo over the last few years on international events, we were quite familiar with JORDY already and have been a massive fan since his track Long Distance came out, we knew we definitely wanted to work with JORDY if given the chance. So, rewind to last summer when I was at a Myylo show in LA, I clocked JORDY in the audience and went straight up to him to introduce myself. We had a little laugh about our online relationship over the years between blogger and artist, having felt like we knew each other already, but having never met! So naturally I asked him why he’s never toured the UK and he responded that “it was on the list”. Well, me being the impatient gig maker that I am talked to his people and pitched this tour idea and “voila!” nine months later – here we are!

So to celebrate the imminent JORDY UK shows kicking off next week, we will be celebrating JORDY WEEK with discounted tickets for Birmingham and Manchester which you can only get here on EQ Music Blog until Monday, 22nd May – so hurry, tickets are going fast and most likely will sell out.

But what about London you ask? Well, we only have a few tickets left for London available so you’ll have to be quick to scoop them up here or on DICE. And we have a handful of discounted London VIP tickets too, so if you wanted to meet JORDY in-person and grab a photo with him, now’s your chance!

Stay tuned to JORDY and EQ Music’s social media for the next couple of weeks for fun content while we are on the road bringing this unique gay pop extravaganza to you!

The post It’s JORDY Week! appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Although it was never in doubt. Jordy’s sophomore album, “BOY,” which was released on Friday, is full of relatable bops, heartfelt confessions, and artistic authenticity. Especially, since I am aware that storytelling is at the heart of his craft. It is when I noticed that JORDY takes the songs on this album to such a deeply personal level that the incredible openheartedness in his songwriting is unmatched. His style is so sincere and soul-baring that whenever I listen to these songs, I feel I am the friendly listening ear who picked up his phone call in his hour of need. We will talk for hours and not want to stop, and no topic is off-limits.

“BOY” chronicles a coming-of-age journey, heavily focusing on a young boy making his way in the world. When navigating love and relationships to discussing mental health and sharing thoughts about the inevitability of growing old. Equally, when prone to melancholy and introspection (“i get high,”) and when feeling hopeful (“Story of a Boy“). JORDY sings about his experiences using an endearingly empathetic manner at all times.

Commenting on the album concept, JORDY says of “BOY” …

“When you’re young, you look at adults and envy their wisdom and experience; but here I am, 27 years old, and there are many days where I feel lost. It makes me think about how when you are young, all you want is to be older, and once you get older, all you want is to stay young.”

Coinciding with the album release, JORDY shared a colourful video for the track “Good Not Great“. This is a song that shines a light on mental health and low mood. However, as he addresses his struggles, he willingly turns his sadness into an infectious earworm anthem. In a relatable and personable video directed by Lily Judge, JORDY appears restless and uneasy. He resorts to self-care and relaxation activities, reading and listening to music. In every scene, he is depicted as trying his hardest to feel on top of the world. Although, despite his best efforts, he has not yet achieved his goal of feeling as fabulous as his multi-coloured trousers.

Even when in his self-reflective state. JORDY still, maintains his relatable storytelling approach with integrity and a dash of fun.

JORDY will tour the UK for the first time in May with special guests Myylo and Ocean Tisdall

Birmingham – Hare & Hounds – May 23rd
London – Amazing Grace – May 24th
Manchester – Night and Day – May 25th

Click Here to purchase General Admission or VIP Meet and Greet tickets.

Connect with JORDY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialJORDYmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jordymusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordymusic/

The post Watch “Good Not Great” by JORDY appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Video Interview by Raj Rudolph / Words by Mandy Rogers

The other week, in a terrific performance, Australian singer-songwriter TIN performed his typical heartfelt and authentic songs at EQ Music Live. He entertained us with a selection of new and well-loved tracks alike in a phenomenal set. These included “Chasing Highs” and “Buzzed“. Much to our delight TIN also slipped in a particularly touching cover of the Spice Girls track “Viva Forever“.

After his super fun slot, where he supported EQ Music Live headliners Ocean Tisdall and Sofi Vonn, TIN met with Raj backstage for a chat and a catch-up. In Raj’s interview with TIN, he reveals why he chose to cover “Viva Forever.” Shares the story behind his whimsical diss track “Weasel.” In addition, he candidly speaks on his latest song, “Buzzed“. Furthermore, he discusses how he coped with the pandemic since it relates to this track.

Check out our live footage of TIN at EQ Music Live and enjoy our backstage chat with the super fun up-and-coming artist who thrives on creativity and authenticity in equal measure.

Be sure to check out our other live footage and interviews from the night with artists Sofi Vonn (here) and Ocean Tisdall (here)

Connect with TIN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinofficialmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinofficialau

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinofficialmusic/

The post INTERVIEW WITH TIN AT EQ MUSIC LIVE appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Video Interview by Raj Rudolph / Words by Mandy Rogers

The “Boy’s Don’t Cry” EP by Ocean Tisdall undoubtedly is one of our favourite bodies of work in a while. For this reason, we were stoked to have the Irish alt-pop breakout artist play EQ Music Live at The Camden Club, where Ocean performed the entire EP for the first time.

Following his magnificent set, Raj caught up with Ocean backstage and asked him about the importance of storytelling in his lyrics and what Ocean is working on in the studio…

Also discussed in this interview with Ocean Tisdall is the powerful, emotionally charged song “Boys Don’t Cry” in which Ocean wrote about society’s views and the issues related to body image and mental health from a masculine perspective. In addition, Ocean also opens up about his experience as a young Gen Z growing up in today’s world modern and diverse world.

We were honoured that Ocean Tisdall brought his spellbinding pop mastery and authentic narratives to EQ Music Live.

Check back soon for our other EQ Music Live interviews and live footage with Sofi Vonn and TIN.

Connect with Ocean Tisdall
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oceantisdall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceantisdall/

The post INTERVIEW WITH OCEAN TISDALL AT EQ MUSIC LIVE appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Video Interview by Raj Rudolph / Words by Mandy Rogers

Rising electronic pop singer-songwriter Sofi Vonn was one of the new artists we showcased at EQ Music Live in February. Sofi’s set was jam-packed with lyrically orientated tracks spanning the dance and pop genres. Moreover, the mix of relatable and resonating lyrics with slick pop production was an instant hit with The Camden Club crowd.

Raj caught up with Sofi backstage to talk about how she felt when recently charting on the UK commercial pop chart. Sofi also explained a little about why she wrote the new track “Afterglow” and the change of musical direction for the song and why she enjoys sharing personal life experiences through her lyrics and music.

Raj is a big fan of her song “Famous” so of course he got the low-down on that track. We also got to hear why Sofi covered the Robyn mega-hit “Dancing On My Own” in her live set as well.

We were thrilled to have Sofi Vonn perform at EQ Music Live along with Ocean Tisdall and TIN.

Be sure to check out our other live footage and interviews from the night when they drop.

Connect with Sofi Vonn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofivonn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sofivonn
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sofivonnofficial

The post INTERVIEW WITH SOFI VONN AT EQ MUSIC LIVE appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

EQ Music Live is very excited to announce that pop sensation Jordy will be performing in the UK for the first time in Birmingham, London and Manchester with support from Myylo and Ocean Tisdall.

CLICK HERE to purchase General Admission or VIP Meet and Greet tickets.

The post JORDY + special guests Myylo & Ocean Tisdall – UK Tour 2023 appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Dear reader. Were you among the many lovely people who made it down to our EQ Music Live show on Wednesday? Those of you who joined us for our first showcase of the year may have noticed we had background music playing in between the artist sets from Ocean Tisdall, Sofi Vonn and TIN. What you were hearing just above the pleasant hum of socialising and chatter, was in fact, the first play anywhere of our “This Beat Is Poptronik” Playlist – March 2023 Spotify playlist. Without bias. I thought the latest update we curated of the playlist sounded extra spectacular in this edition.

MARCH 2023 features…

Choosing a contender for the opening spot on our “This Beat Is Poptronik,” playlist was not an easy decision to make on this occasion. We went back and forth between P!NK and Samira multiple times before finally settling on the seriously catchy club-bound bomb “Like This, Like That“, the debut track by Samira. Therefore, “TRUSTFALL” by P!NK slipped to number two on the list. Yet it is still a bona fide electro-pop stomper, in our opinion.

Because of the twenty-four years pause between the old stuff and the latest songs. We had to mark the return of Everything But The Girl with both blissful new tracks “Nothing Left To Lose” and “Caution To The Wind.”

We have never hidden our lifelong adoration of Depeche Mode. Therefore it was always a given that our favourite electronic stalwarts would make it through the playlist selection process with their melancholy, lyrically articulate and compelling track “Ghosts Again” – the first single from the upcoming fifteenth studio album “Memento Mori.” which is released on March 24th.

A new remix of the Madonna track “Sorry” recently impacted the internet as well – did you hear? The reworking by BLOND:ISH, Eran Hersh and Darmon was unleashed to coincide with the seventeenth anniversary of the track’s original release – furthermore making good use of Madonna’s back catalogue to make her songs even more relevant for Generation Z. The eagle-eyed among you may have noted I did not write about this update of “Sorry” on the blog. We felt the new version perfectly suits the playlist better.

Whatever you do, you should not miss these gems from PG Roxette, Sean Smith, Le FIL, ZEE MACHINE and Lemar. It goes without saying that you should also be paying attention to Sofi Vonn, Ocean Tisdall and TIN and discover their excellent music as well.

Put these emerging artists on your radar:

JORDY remains a favourite emerging artist of mine, whom I have written about countless times on the blog. Most recently I featured the track “Story Of A Boy” and I am uber excited about his upcoming sophomore album, “BOY“. JORDY is a songwriter with a remarkable way of saying things exactly how they are, meaningful and with eloquence. Without a doubt, he is poised for stardom.

Of course, Samira is not the first star on stage or screen to embark on a music career, and neither will she be the last. Yet with a song as enormous and earworm-worthy as, “Like This, Like That,” speaking truthfully, this is a launch on a colossal scale. She has undeniable star quality, dare I say it. As early as we are into 2023, undoubtedly, it is one of the boldest and most exciting pop songs of this year so far.

There is no doubt Grace Gaustad is turning heads and could also be the next global pop sensation. Each and every track they share with us is proof of that. Grace has earned cosigns from Lady Gaga and Mick Jagger and they know better what makes a bona fide pop star, probably more than anyone.

Because of masses of pop potential and the cracking tune “Salvatore“. I sense Bentley Robles is on course to make big waves in 2023. At the very least, it would be a good idea that you have him on your radar as we do.

Our reason for curating our “This Beat Is Poptronik” playlists is to help you discover a new favourite track and/or artist for yourself. Following us on Spotify is a good way of never missing out on updates in the first instance. If you like more info and insight about what you have listened to and discovered. Check back on the blog for more “This Beat Is Poptronik” news and an updated playlist sometime soon.

The post Stream It! “This Beat Is Poptronik” Playlist – March 2023 appeared first on EQ Music Blog.