Introducing: Lorem & Friends
Welcome to Lorem & Friends, our new monthly newsletter inspired by the playlist.
Pictured: Saya Gray, Love Spells, Jane Remover
Pictured: Mei Semones
Dear reader / listener,
Welcome to our beloved microcosm. We’re finally launching our little baby newsletter - born out of the community built around our Lorem playlist cultivated over the past 5+ years.
Lorem is dedicated to indie artists who open our minds and hearts, those influencing the future of music and who have shaped our taste over the years, and to listeners who believe in music discovery as a daily ritual. Here, we get the chance to go beyond the playlist: hear directly from artists, the community of listeners, and enjoy the second best part about listening to music - talking about it :)
A major theme that emerged last year that’s still on our minds: embracing stardom in indie music. It’s felt “uncool” for so long to promote your own music, especially in the alternative / indie space. But now, artists who previously took a step back seem to be coming forward, doing interviews and owning their projects. We think it’s honestly partly in thanks to Mk.gee last year. He came right out and said it in his now iconic New York Times profile: ‘I made the best record ever,’ Gordon said, at first as if it were slightly naughty to admit his ambition. But then he said it again. And again. This is simply rare in indie, but why? If you’re truly putting out your best work, fans will want to support you. (On that note, could Mk.gee have even inspired known fan Timothee Chalamet’s recent award speech?)
We’re excited to see what bubbles up this year… from major upcoming releases (!) to the future obsessions we don’t even know about yet.
Look out for monthly posts and for now, enjoy our first issue featuring Maria Zardoya, Cameron Winter, and more… <3
Sincerely,
Lizzy
Photo by Jaxon Whittington
Honestly: María Zardoya, dream girl.
Welcome to “Honestly”, where we invite a new artist every month to open up about their creative lives. This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with The Marías front-woman María Zardoya. 2024 was the undeniable breakout year for the band, who started releasing music during the bedroom pop golden era of 2017 and have since collaborated with Bad Bunny, Eyedress, Still Woozy, and more. Their visual aesthetics on tour even furthered the allure created by their album Submarine, as seen across the country including two nights at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and even opening for Billie Eilish. If you also love María’s style, here’s a tip: she shares a lot of her outfit details on her account, plus her favorite place to shop in LA - below!
Now that it's been out for some time and you've had space to process it, how has it felt to have fans gravitate so heavily towards "No One Noticed”?
It feels incredible that fans noticed a song that has always felt special to me from day one. It tells me that people are wanting to get in touch with their emotions. Confronting the emotion of feeling sad, nostalgic or lonely takes a lot of courage! You can either confront it or distract and avoid it. I’m proud that fans have confronted it.
How does it make you feel that in addition to "No One Noticed" & "Sienna," your Spanish language songs, like "Lejos de Ti," are also trending?
I’ve always loved writing in both English and Spanish as both languages make up who I am at my core. And I think a lot of people can relate to that duality of language and culture. I love that fans are embracing that side of themselves too.
What are some brands you're loving, favorite places to shop, or items in your closet you're holding dear right now?
I usually shop vintage! My favorite vintage store in LA is Aralda Vintage in Beachwood Canyon. The owner, Brynn, has always supported the band from our early days. On the occasions that I don’t shop vintage, I make sure to really get good use out of my pieces and rewear. I’m a proud outfit repeater. ;)
Can we tease something here that is coming or that you haven't talked about yet?
“For radio or not?”
What's the best advice you've been given?
Everything is impermanent.
Ten songs our indie editors have on repeat this month…
Dutch Interior “Fourth Street”
Further listening our team recommends: Cph+ (the sound of Copenhagen & beyond), and our collection of artist & editor mixtapes. Albums in rotation HERE from Oklou, Broadcast, Radiohead, Men I Trust and more…
Pictured: Nourished By Time
We asked, you genuinely called it first… The Lorem community SPEAKS.
Music that creates discussion is one of the most magical parts of Lorem. So for this section, we’d like to invite you to tell us more about your relationship with music - what are you noticing and loving right now? We reached out to some friends to get the ball rolling... Want to be included in the next newsletter? Fill out this form & bookmark for future editions...
What are you listening to right now?
MIKE, Fievel Is Glauque, Machine Girl, Dean Blunt & Elias Ronnenfelt, Massive Attack - Marco, A&R
bjork’s first three records, oklou, and a ton of dean blunt - Sam Austins, artist
George Daniel's recent electronic releases, old Kacy Hill ("Everybody's Mother"), and always the Marías - Henry, artist manager
Which artists or albums are underrated and deserve more recognition?
Hovvdy, Ally Evenson, Paul Dally - Will, artist manager
DJ Houseplants, roro, Daniel Aged, The Fields, Arlo Sims - Irene, A&R
bassvictim needs to be turned up loudly. both mixtapes are phenomenal. - Sam Austins, artist
Babymorocco, CMAT, Sydney Ross Mitchell, Cecile Believe (!!) - Henry, artist manager
Most exciting trends happening in music right now?
songwriting is back!! - Willie, artist manager
i think the brat summer was a huge door opening for all of the interesting niche electronic music that’s waiting to be discovered. there’s so much good art happening right now! - Sam Austins, artist
The age of the viral hit is going away. We are moving back to artists cultivating meaningful fan bases over a longer period of time, and that resulting in long lasting careers. The artists succeeding in the current and next phase of the music industry are those who have put their 10,000 hours in, and less of those who got lucky on a viral social trend. Having a cult (and potentially non-commercial) fanbase is cooler than having a hit and I am here for it. - Marco, A&R
In 2024 we saw the meteoric rise of artists who had already been cutting their teeth for years and years – this starkly contrasts the more instant fame-driven era we have all grown accustomed to. As a fan, it's been incredible to watch because we're seeing artists who are *ready* for the success rather than scrambling to figure things out for the first time. This has resulted in a level of quality, confidence and therefore individuality that listeners have been craving. I really hope to see this trend continue and I can't wait to see who's up next. - Henry, manager
Photos by Cole Silberman
It’s Cameron Winter this, Cameron Winter that these days am I right? Deserved.
We reached out to Cameron Winter himself for some untold LORE behind the new album everyone’s talking about…
Did you spend deep winter listening to the lead singer of New York band Geese’s insanely beautiful debut? If you haven’t yet, you need to check out Heavy Metal immediately. It’s a raw, emotional, fresh, serious and unserious, beloved by critics and fans.
We recently saw him play at the Barnsdall Theatre. Just Cameron and a piano, with not a word spoken by the crowd during his entire performance. But after? It’s some of the most fun we’ve had at a show, dissecting how we felt, what he reminded us of (everyone had a different take - from Tom Waits to Thom Yorke), and letting what we’d just experienced sink in.
We can’t wait to hear what’s next for Cameron and Geese. For now, read this LORE….
“I was in the final phase of production for the record Heavy Metal, and I felt all gummed up inside — something about the music was nothing like how I’d envisioned it, something was wrong, and no matter how long I sat at my desk staring at Pro Tools I couldn’t figure out what wasn’t working. I went out and sat in the dirt in the park by my apartment, full of disappointment, and contemplated scrapping the album entirely. I hadn’t seen anyone approaching me, but suddenly a man spoke to me from behind.
‘Wash your hair, get a job,’ he said.
I turned to face him but he was already walking away. A drive-by. I never saw his face.
Suddenly I was completely reinvigorated. It’s possible I need to feel like I’m sticking it to some asshole to get myself to do anything. I took half of his advice and finished the album that same week.”
- as told by Cameron Winter
Thank you to Chissy, Leila, Lisa, Carla, and all friends of Lorem. Would you catch us if we stage dived? Happy listening, see you next time <3
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Have been listening to The Marías since early 2018 and it’s been crazy to see the rise they went through over the years :) thanks for featuring this!
Saya Gray album is on repeat!