Fruut Premieres New EP: Fruut Juice Pt. 1

When we first saw Fruut open for Lylyly and Spirithaus at Rumba Club last December, we didn’t know what to expect. Maybe another indie rocker? Another guitarist front-person backed by bass and drums would have made for a congruent bill. Instead, the performer was solo, accompanied not by live instruments, but a looped synth beat. As Fruut performed her first two songs, we realized we were in for a performance not often experienced in the venues we frequent. Fruut’s melodic rapping and larger-than-life performance style were the surprise hit of the evening.

Fruut is the project of songwriter Dani Mullen, who started making music in her bedroom five years ago. Her style and sound have recently outgrown the confines of her home and moved into the studio with producer FortuneWest. Her new EP, Fruut Juice Pt. 1 (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN), which comes out today, represents that growth. She describes the songs as being the start of a new chapter. “I recently came out and that has really changed my perception of myself and my relationships in such an amazing way,” Dani says. Personal and musical growth go hand-in-hand for Dani, and the new EP shows the rewards of both.

Dani’s personality is unbounded on Fruut Juice Pt. 1. She says most of all, she’s proud of the shift in style her music has taken. It’s more “upbeat, raw, and experimental” than ever before. For more shining examples of Fruut’s fun-loving personality, follow her on Instagram @fruutmusic. There you’ll find charming selfies and personal updates among show dates and release announcements. Most notably, Fruut announced the video premiere for “She Wants Me Over” directed by Alex Garcia. The video follows two partners in crime throughout a seedy motel on a heist for, not money or other valuables, but candy. A pillow case-worth’s of coveted Halloween treats. 

Fruut is performing as part of CVZ’s February residency at Ortlieb’s on 2/19. Mark this one on your calendar because you’re not going to want to miss it. Need further motivation to come out? The show is FREE. We’ll see you there. 

Music Video for "Now Here" by Hauntress is a Creative Delight

Philadelphia creativity knows no bounds.  This is made so clear in Hauntress’s premiere music video for “Now Here”.  The song is giving me The Smiths vibes with heavier metal/grunge edge to it, and the music video is the perfect visual supplement.  Kevin Cullen Hart, vocalist and guitarist for the trio (consisting of Richie Straub on drums and Sam Zettell) told us more about the inspiration for the song and the video.

Before we get into the video, let’s talk song inspiration. “The song is really an attempt at dealing with change, whether in transitioning seasons, the pursuit of one’s ambition, or fostering a new relationship.” This theme feels especially relatable right now. The song really nails the feeling that comes along with shifting into the winter season. I know I personally used to feel pretty sad when the days would get shorter and colder. But I’ve started to really enjoy the winter months forcing me indoors. It gives me a change to veg out with friends and family, focus on projects or just self care in general. Kevin tells me that this is another main theme of the song. “To me, the song acts as a reminder of sorts to focus on my relationships when the stressors of inevitable change in life loom large. It’s also very much a song about hibernating during the colder months, and allowing the introspection that comes with that to take shape into something worthwhile.”

Now, THE VIDEO. This stop motion animated video by animator and illustrator, Hannah Darrah is truly mind-blowing. “It was always a very visual song to me,” Kevin tells us, “she really captured the tone & setting of it flawlessly. She was also just an incredible collaborator to work with -- communicative, positive, engaged... It was a really fun project to work on throughout.” Kevin was already familiar with and a huge fan of Hannah’s work. When engineer for Hauntress’s upcoming EP, Matt Porier, recommended Hannah to Kevin, he jumped at the chance, “I knew as soon as he said her name I had to reach out to her...I remembered and loved her video for “I’m Blessed” by Speedy Ortiz (which came out about a year ago).” The stars aligned on this project and the outcome is just perfect. Kevin agrees that Hannah not only understood his concept, but took it above and beyond what he could have expected, “I gave her a rough outline of what I imagined the video to look like, and she brought it to life in ways that not only improved on my original idea, but enhanced the overall listening experience of the song.”

You can check out more of what Hannah is up to here!

And be sure to check out Hauntress on Bandcamp here and Instagram here!

New Music by You Do You

It’s starting to get REAL cold out there, but You Do You is warming us up with their new single Live It Up. This song is the musical equivalent to sitting by a crackling, cozy fire. It warms your heart and lifts your spirit, AND it makes you hot chocolate. What more could you want?

The band has been hard at work on the 11 song album since the release of their 2017 EP, Political Party, which (if you haven’t guessed already by the aptly chosen title) explores political themes. Live It Up is the first song off the upcoming full length concept album, Funky Dinos. It feels like it transports the listener to a different time, all the while discussing current issues. Katie Feeney, lead singer for the band, tells us that she was motivated to write about the current political climate by her own experience as an environmental activist (no pun intended there). Funky Dinos was recorded at Sound Plan Productions, Brolik AND Retro City Sound System, “y’know, where Lizzo records, NBD” Katie casually mentions to us. The entire album was mixed and mastered by Lucas Kozinski at Sleepless Sound Studio.

We’re already excited for the 2020 release of this album, but You Do You is giving us even more goodies by way of an accompanying full length visual concept that “tells an apocalyptic story of dinosaurs and wizards.” We don’t know what that means but we’re here for it!

You can follow You Do You on instagram here and facebook here! Check out the new single, Live It Up, below!