Belgian composers/producers Dmunsch (House) and  UnionSteve (Funk/Disco) receive recognition abroad. They came second with their song “Free World” in the End Of Year Song Contest 2020 hosted by Claudia eRecords Limited. 

The international label has already supported several artists on their way into the charts. They helped Australian Pop and Soul singer Zacharria to #1 in the Swiss Dance Charts and Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci to #16 in the UK Club Charts. For the End Of Year Contest 2020, Claudia eRecords shortlisted 15 songs, that have been submitted, for the public to vote for and over 600 voters cast their vote. Dmunsch & UnionSteve's fresh disco house song 'Free World' emerged from this vote as number 2.

“We would have loved to come first, but any place in the Top 3 is great. It proves that people like what we do and it's great to get this appreciation,” said the duo.
 
Dmunsch (Alexander Diemunsch) started composing at the age of twelve and after years of experimenting, he has just recently released his first singles. UnionSteve has been creating music for quite some time. Since the early 2000s, UnionSteve has collaborated with various Belgian and foreign artists, including DJ ESP, Nidia Ortiz and DJ Liberty. Several of his tracks placed in the Dance Top 30 in Belgium. However, in recent years, he has focused on his own projects.

"The origin of ’Free World’ goes back three years ago," said the musicians. “From a simple jam session, a solid house beat was born, supplemented with catchy piano chords, a funky bass line and cheerful trumpets. We called the project ’Free World‘ without much thought. COVID-19 gave this title a whole new dimension in 2020, because who wouldn't want to party again in those strange times? The lyrics of the Romanian singer Florian M (not unknown in his country) expressed that nostalgia perfectly.”

With their single “We Own The Summer” Dmunsch & UnionSteve also took second place earlier this year in the Mid-year Song Contest 2020 by Claudia eRecords.

Canadian singer/songwriter Kristen Renée has released her second original single 'Sixth Sense', accompanied by her first music video featuring powerhouse vocals and breathtaking soulfulness. 

Influenced by powerful female performers such as Sia, Julia Michaels, Amy Winehouse and Alessia Cara,
Renée is an artist set on forging her own path. Finding her voice and exploring its ongoing potential at an early age, her powerful and poignant vocals enthral her listeners.

Born into a musical family, Renée found herself specializing in customized song writing for important life events and has recently employed her passion for writing and singing in her newest venture - performing her own original music. Semi-biographical in nature, Renée’s songs have their footing in the singer/songwriters own lived experiences and set out to examine not only the joy and happiness of
life’s journey, but also the sorrow, struggle and need for human connection we all seek.

For Renée it is this exploration of shared and individualized experiences, as well as the desire for a meaningful connection with her audience that she values most. Speaking about her latest track, Renée states “I want every listener of mine to know that they are not alone on their journey to finding love, and to be comforted by the organic, healing nature of music.” Perhaps more apt now than ever, given the global isolation caused by COVID-19, the reminder that we all have strength, that we are not alone, and that there is always hope is the exact reminder that we need.

Sixth Sense was officially released on October 27, 2020 across all streaming and social media platforms, such as iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play Music, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to name a few. You can find Kristen's music video for Sixth Sense on YouTube or click on it below. 
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A Full Time Beauty Therapist from South Wales Swansea, originally known as Lauren but going by the stage name Elle which has been created from the first initial of her name.

Elle has sure kept busy over the past few years. Whilst opening her own Beauty Business at the age of 20, she then Jetted off to Australia to work onboard a Princess Cruise Ship as a Spa Therapist. She later flew over to Greece and Italy to work on land as a Massage Therapist. Although she had experienced an extensive amount of enjoyment through meeting these milestones, her true passion and enjoyment has always been to ‘Sing.’

When Elle arrived back home from working overseas, she secured herself a Full Time Job at a Local Beauty Salon, Irresistible Beauty.

Back in April 2020, due to the Pandemic of Covid-19 she was Furloughed from work. She decided to use her time wisely by keeping herself busy at home, as well as entertaining others with her Singing during the lockdown. She recorded herself singing at home in her bedroom, then took to YouTube and uploaded four Cover Songs. Within a few weeks of doing this, Hollywood Music Producer “Danny Saber” reached out to her unexpectedly after her details and YouTube link were passed on to him. He believed she had the potential to make it in the Music Industry, therefore offered Elle the incredible opportunity to work alongside him and create original music of her own.

Danny who is currently based out in Los Angeles, California, has worked with some of the Greats over the years of his success. Such as ; “Bon Jovi, Madonna, David Bowie, U2, Seal, The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, Busta Rhymes, and many more successful musicians.

Completely blown away by the offer and once in a lifetime opportunity, Elle accepted Danny’s Business Proposal to work alongside him on creating music with song lyrics she had written. At the current age of 25 she felt she had finally built up enough confidence and was ready to pursue a singing career.
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While Elle and Danny have been very busy behind the scenes working on Writing and Producing four tracks ready to release Worldwide, there has also been talk about them creating a future Album together.​  

‘Young & Naive’ is a daydream of good times & reminiscing on carefree summers. This song will give you all the feels whilst taking you on a nostalgic journey through old roadtrip memories. 

“Summer 2020 may not have turned out how we expected. As we enter a new year I hope this song will remind people of those good times that will come again. 

Everyone has a specific memory of that special summer, the one they look back on with rose tinted glasses. ‘Young & Naive” is a tribute to all the summers we’ve had and the ones we’ve lost”
Soulful melodies laden with retro guitar lines and RnB beats take you back to the endless summers of youth, an uplifting anthem.

Born and raised by her punk parents in the shadows of the abandoned iron and steel works of Derwent Valley in Northern England, L'Ray, grew up singing in her hometown church. Surrounded by her parents eclectic musical tastes she began to bring together a range of influences from Bob Marley to Siouxsie Sioux from Musicals to Grime. 

L’Ray is making her mark with her sophomore release ‘Young & Naive’. Following her empowering debut single ‘Slow With It’.

'Young & Naive' is the L'Ray's second single, that was released 15th January 2021.
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Waterford based singer/songwriter Mark Duggan is set to release a new single “Lullaby (I’ll Be There).” The tune features a nostalgic ballad sound, complete with heartfelt guitars and sincere lyrics. Mark describes the song as an attempt at a mid-to-late 70s Bowie song, particularly some of the Berlin trilogy tracks.

The song came about from playing along to an old drum loop until Mark came upon a particular guitar tone with a simple descending chord progression where the notes seemed to hang in the air. He added some layered guitars, synths, and ambient tones to add to the late night, dream- like vibe.
Mark says, “The song is about the narrator trying to provide comfort to someone who can't sleep at night.The narrator can’t guarantee that they’ll be able to make it better, but they promise to be there the whole night until morning. The title became Lullaby (I’ll Be There) because though the lullaby may not work, it’s backed up by the promise of just simply being there with them.”

He goes on to say, “I didn’t want to make it entirely clear what is keeping the person awake so that listeners can apply their own reasons for sleeplessness.”

The track ends with a dramatic build to the last few lines of the song. Harmonies and hazy slide guitar create an emotional release, with all of the tracks increasing in feedback. Mark wanted this to sound like a sunrise; a last minute moment of comfort and the sound of morning coming. The song was written and recorded by Mark in his home studio.
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Mark Duggan is a singer/songwriter from Waterford. His music combines folk and indie with electronic elements, complete with clever lyricism and thoughtful songwriting. He is inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Joni Mitchel. He started releasing music in 2018, and his 2020 singles “Promenade Firework Show” and “As the Sun Hits The Day Down” saw his music reach wider audiences.
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