pop Archives | MendoWerks

Cover Songs for a Post-‘Punk Goes…’ World

28Oct

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

Cover Songs for a Post-‘Punk Goes…’ World

Like most emo kids on the Internet in 2010, I was practically raised by Fearless Records' Punk Goes... compilation series. More specifically, I sunk a ton of time into the Punk Goes Pop compilations; I got my taste of contemporary pop by listening to guitar-heavy cover songs performed by bands I was already a fan of. It's been a few years since we got a Punk Goes... album. However, the tradition is still very much alive, thanks to artists like Pendulum and Toadies, both of which released some cool, reimagined pop cover songs recently. Additionally, if you're looking for information about cover songs, we'll be including three key facts about the process, as well as links to these new covers, below. Pendulum covers Taylor Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMbiRjjTWj0 Pen...

New Milli Vanilli Documentary Takes You Beyond The Scandal (Review)

27Oct

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

New Milli Vanilli Documentary Takes You Beyond The Scandal (Review)

For a brief moment in time in the 90s, it seemed like Milli Vanilli were the future of pop music. Their songs were inescapable. Their debut album produced hit after hit on the charts. Until, at least, it all fell apart. Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus were on top of the world until they were proven to be frauds. Or that's the story that everybody remembers. In a new documentary from director Luke Korem, we're offered a lot more information about what really went down. The two young men were living in Munich and both wanted to be famous. They were dancers on a popular German music television show and eventually formed a band. Discovered by producer Frank Farian, he signed them to a contract and agreed to record their music. The only problem? He loved their look, but didn...

‘What Kind of Fool’ Are You? The Lovelines Help Us Find Out (Exclusive Interview)

15Oct

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Interviews

‘What Kind of Fool’ Are You? The Lovelines Help Us Find Out (Exclusive Interview)

"I love recording with my sister. It’s like dumping a box of Legos on the floor and building something together."- Todd goings, The Lovelines Many musicians consider their bandmates to be like family, but in the case of The Lovelines, the music truly is a family affair. A sibling duo, connecting across the Atlantic, is responsible for making the special sort of sickly-sweet pop music found on The Lovelines' streaming platforms, including a new single, "What Kind of Fool Would Want to Fall in Love?" If you're a fan of dreamy romantics, clever songwriting, and soulful femme vocals--this one is for you. We also come bearing exciting news: Todd Goings, one half of The Lovelines, connected with us here at MendoWerks Magazine and gave us a look into the band's origins, this new singl...

N3ptune and Rusty Steve: Genre-bending Pop in the Mile High City

7Sep

By Martin CroftNo Comments

Features, Music

N3ptune and Rusty Steve: Genre-bending Pop in the Mile High City

N3ptune and Rusty Steve from Denver, CO are making some of the most interesting music in the Mile High City right now. Named the “Best Breakout Artist of 2023” by local magazine Westword, N3ptune and Rusty Steve’s music blends pop with dark, thumping electronic beats, gospel music, blues, soul, and a healthy sprinkling of kickass guitar solos. N3ptune himself started music while still in high school, quickly proving himself in the Denver scene as a singer/songwriter and producer. His star has risen quickly, as him and Rusty Steve, his co-producer and guitarist, have since received placement on syndicated radio station KTCL Channel 93.3 with the single “Black Horse.” They’ve also headlined Denver’s Pridefest, performed at some of Colorado’s biggest and most beloved stages like Red...

Help! Mercury is in Gatorade! [a Retrograde Survival Guide, ft. Nick Neutronz]

2Sep

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Interviews, Music

Help! Mercury is in Gatorade! [a Retrograde Survival Guide, ft. Nick Neutronz]

“When the planet Mercury enters apparent retrograde motion, that marks the beginning of a span of misfortune down on Earth.” Wilder Davies, TIME. It’s that time again. What time? Well, we’re currently midway through the oh-so Internet-infamous, ‘Mercury in Retrograde,’ what’s what! Now, there are a few things you might be thinking: Oh no, not this again... Oh no, not THIS again! Or, perhaps– Oh no, what even IS this?! Regardless of where you fall on the astrology-reaction-spectrum, this article is for you. That is because we are going to explore what exactly ‘Mercury in retrograde’ refers to, what it means for this particular season, and offer up some tunes to listen to while we wait for this chaotic season to pass. We also co...

There’s No Need to “RUN&HIDE,” Saint Slumber! [Exclusive Interview]

8Jun

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Interviews, Music

There’s No Need to “RUN&HIDE,” Saint Slumber! [Exclusive Interview]

The 'best band you've never heard of' has finally entered the future; Saint Slumber released their first single of 2023, "RUN&HIDE." After six long months of silence, we were so excited to see this song pop up on our Release Radar--and we were even more excited to have a chance to connect with Joshua Perna, Saint Slumber's vocalist, and chat a little bit about what the band has been up to. Read on and get reacquainted with our favorite New Jersey kings. Check Out "RUN&HIDE" by Saint Slumber on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/18FEyxoHraL8xr1DyYfacA?si=8MWHH8CSRoafia6ECekMJA Real talk: does Saint Slumber "RUN&HIDE" from the winter? Like many northern species, it seems that Saint Slumber tends to hibernate during the winter. This isn't surp...

Fair Pay at SXSW: Please Pay These Brilliant Brits!!

31May

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

Fair Pay at SXSW: Please Pay These Brilliant Brits!!

Despite the fact that it’s held in March, SXSW is still on a lot of minds–especially right now. Before I dive into a recap of the incredible artists I saw live in Texas, I want to bring your attention to something important that is happening today: a protest outside of the Penske Media Corporation NYC Offices that is demanding fair pay for artists at SXSW. This protest is led by the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers, and is made up of a coalition of music workers organizations, music industry unions, local organizing groups, and more. Protesters are gathering in front of Penske HQ because the media conglomerate is the festival’s largest stakeholder, as of 2021; after similar protests were held in Austin during SXSW this year, the festival made a pledge to reassess the situati...

National Library Week: A Celebration of Books Through Music

28Apr

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Music

National Library Week: A Celebration of Books Through Music

It’s National Library Week here in the United States, and this year’s theme is “There’s More to the Story.” This is definitely fitting (for our purposes, at least), especially given the fact that this article is not only about libraries themselves... but also about music related to stories or literature in some way. Before we get to all that, we need to set the record straight: libraries are awesome. While COVID may have had a tremendous impact on library systems due to closures and low foot traffic, and many people consider libraries to be ‘dead’... They aren't. But they do need your help. And honestly, you probably need your library more than you think, too. "What do I need a library for? I have my cellphone/the Internet/whatever." Listen—I get it. I love my han...

Hunter Hayes Takes The Next Step in His Musical Evolution With “Sober”

18Jan

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Hunter Hayes Takes The Next Step in His Musical Evolution With “Sober”

Hunter Hayes is a true artist. He continues to push boundaries and is never content to rest on his laurels. The Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and platinum-selling artist has released "Sober". The song is included on his upcoming album Red Sky which is set to drop this spring. Photo Credit: Andrew Zaeh Hayes had this to say about the upbeat pop song. "'Sober' speaks to confidence and self-worth because I want to be loved as I am, without pretending to be anything else. It's not about drinking really, it's about many different forms of ‘intoxication’”. "Sober" is a track that showcases the depth of his songwriting. That, and the emotional connection that he makes with his listeners. "I’m not looking for a lover, I’m just asking for a friend," says Hayes on the track. He co...

Brutal Pop 2 EP: SUN Honors Late Cousin Karine’s Artistic Legacy

12Jan

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Brutal Pop 2 EP: SUN Honors Late Cousin Karine’s Artistic Legacy

SUN is a rising brutal pop artist that has emerged from the German Black Forest and Paris. She's caught the attention of fans across the globe for her innovative incorporation of raw and melodic elements into her music. Mixing elements of metal and pop, SUN has established a devoted fan base with her in-your-face sound. And now, she's back with a brand new EP, Brutal Pop 2. According to SUN, this EP is dedicated to her cousin Karine, who passed away in 2017. Karine was an incredibly talented painter, known for her unique style that combined collage, painting, and tearing up layers of paper to create stunning artwork. SUN says that she's been able to express herself through her music and the new EP is a way to channel those feelings. I only know how to express myself through my...