BBgail and Weston Smith, two DIY artists from Phoenix, Arizona, premiere their heavenly new track “if you let it.”
Devotion is a special, sometimes underrated quality in a musician, and BBgailhas all kinds of it. Today, we are helping to debut her latest track, “if you let it,” a collaboration between her andWeston Smith, due viaFort Lowell Recordson November 14th as a digital single. Soothing and original, the song ingeniously joins together many different sounds and musical styles. BBgail’s vocals feel calming and reassuring as you experience the soaring electronics of the song.
Despite her incredible talent, music is not BBgail’s only job. But it is her most important. She balances working two jobs while writing and producing her own music in the evenings, on the weekends, or whenever she gets a free slot of time. It’s the type of love that you need to really succeed at any art form, especially music. Despite her busy schedule, she is assembling an impressive collection of tracks that illustrate her amazing imagination for songwriting.
Commenting on “if you let it.” BBgail states:
“I wrote this song as a reminder to myself that life is out there waiting for me. I’m starting to realize the only thing that can hold me back from being where I want to be is myself. This song is a celebration of letting that go.”
Those are wise words that we should all be mindful of. The saxophone you hear in the song is courtesy of Smith, an artist with a special expertise in both the saxophone and synths. Both Smith and BBGail are exceptional young artists living in Phoenix, Arizona.
In “if you let it,” they find a perfect balance between Smith’s soulful sax playing and BBGail’s ethereal vocals. There’s a hypnotic element to the song that feels very positive. BBGail prides herself as an artist who is authentic and expansive. She is a true artist committed to her craft, no matter what it takes.
Wilmington, NC based multi-instrumentalist Blaseplays the kind of dreampop that is able listeners to an alternate reality where things are quite beautiful and, as an added bonus, age is not a number, but has come to a standstill. HisSomewhere Out Therealbum flows gently and might be mistaken for a long lost record from the golden age of psychedelic pop, when echo and reverb smoothed over the rough edges of real life.
Using the upper regions of his vocal range, Blase acts as the guide of his own world, pointing out places where it is OK to be on your own (Middle of Nowhere) or in good company (Finding Myself in You,Where Only We Know).Somewhere Out Thereis a collection of songs that deserves to be enjoyed with undivided attention, so turn off your phone and drop the needle on this gem of indie pop.
Somewhere Out Thereis released viaFort Lowell Records(translucent blue vinyl, digital). Release date: October 24.
Chicago-born and Wilmington-based multi-instrumentalist Blase unveils his most expansive and heartfelt project yet with Somewhere Out There, released through Fort Lowell Records. Known for merging shimmering synth layers with warm indie pop foundations, Blase has evolved from his early days as a Chicago drummer into a solo artist who transforms fleeting feelings into vivid musical worlds. Inspired by a transformative journey traveling across the entire United States, the album captures the essence of wide-open landscapes and the quiet revelations found on the road. With Somewhere Out There, he invites listeners on a journey that feels both personal and universal — an exploration of solitude, connection, and the unexpected places where we find meaning. The record balances quiet vulnerability with uplifting energy, making it his most immersive and captivating work to date.
The opening track, "Middle of Nowhere," embodies the heart of the album, born during a reflective moment in Joshua Tree National Park. It celebrates the idea of finding true presence and belonging far from the noise and chaos of everyday life. "Under the Same Stars" leans into the bittersweet ache of distance, capturing the tension between holding on and letting go, and the comforting thought that loved ones are never entirely out of reach. These songs speak to the tension between isolation and connection, suggesting that meaning often emerges in the spaces between what we leave behind and what we hold close. Rather than focusing on external escape alone, they examine the internal journey of coming home to oneself through shared experiences.
"Finding Myself in You" offers a tender exploration of love as a mirror, revealing unexpected depths and a sense of renewal. It channels the excitement and vulnerability of discovering new parts of one’s identity within a relationship. In contrast, "Dirt Into Gold" reflects on resilience and transformation, celebrating the quiet strength it takes to turn life's uncertainties into moments of growth and hope. Written and recorded after returning home from his cross-country travels, these songs capture the album’s essence: turning wandering into understanding, and distance into deeper connection. Each track invites listeners to step inside Blase’s world of subtle revelations and emotional landscapes, encouraging them to see their own journeys with fresh eyes.
With Somewhere Out There, Blase has created an album that feels like a trusted companion during quiet drives or moonlit evenings, a soundtrack for those seeking moments of peace beyond the familiar. This record confirms his place as a musician capable of blending heartfelt storytelling with lush, genre-spanning arrangements. It reminds us that even in life’s most remote and uncertain moments, beauty and connection are always within reach. In this new chapter, Blase invites us to wander alongside him — and perhaps discover new parts of ourselves along the way.
Blase Somewhere Out There is now available everywhere.
From the creator of Outer Banks (Netflix), Jonas Pate, comes a new YA series The Runarounds(Amazon Prime), which follows the formation of a band of five boys at the end of their senior year of high school in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The show features music from threeFort Lowell Records artists:
He does... with Kid Congo Powers of Gun Club, the Cramps and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. It's called Tucson Safari, and it is being released by In The Red Records on October 17, 2025. Be sure to check it out, and watch the music video below.
Don't forget to grab your copy of Naïm Amor's latest solo record, titled Stories, which was released by your truly here just last year. There are only a handful of copies left, so don't wait!
LET'S DANCE is a Vinyl DJ Night hosted by Fort Lowell Records, featuring a variety of music — Pop, Disco, Boogie, Indie, Hip-Hop, R&B, Electronic, etc. — including the latest hits and spanning the past five decades.
LET'S DANCE is held monthly at The Underfront Co. on the Saturday following every First Friday — AKA: RizzyBeats' Hip-Hop Fridays. Dancing starts at 8:00pm and goes all night. A $5.00 cover charge will be collected at the door upon entry paid via Cash, Credit Card, or Venmo.
Like chocolate and peanut butter cozying up in a candy bar, the union of musicians JPW (Jason Patrick Woodbury) and Dad Weed (Zachary Toporek), who created this fantastic offering, also results in a sweet treat. Released in April on Fort Lowell Records, the 11-song "Amassed Like a Rat King" sounds and feels like the intersection of several pertinent moments in music: the breezy spirit of '70s light rock, gritty '80s radio rock a la Tom Petty, and those jangly moments of R.E.M. before they emerged from the shadows. We felt like pulling out some Posies records after the first listen. Instead, we simply took "Amassed Like a Rat King" for another few spins. It may be loaded with a variety of inspirational influences, but don't try pinning it to any one style. These expert music-makers crafted a group of tracks brimming with great melodies and catchy riffs and topped them with JPW's rich, earnest vocals. At times, you catch a laugh or feel a spark that underlines the pair's chemistry. We hope a sophomore effort is in the works.
Nearly twenty years after Kim Ware first picked up a beat-up guitar and started writing songs, the Good Graces return with the Grand EpiphaniesEP, their tenth studio release—five folky indie pop tracks that wrestle with regret, resilience, and connection. We already knew the only cover, of Jeff Fortgang’sSome Guys Have All the Luck, from the 2023HomelyLP, but it returns here in a different version.
As always, the storytelling of the self-penned tracks is unsurpassed: “There’s a red bird just outside the door // I can’t say what he was sent here for // Maybe he is checking in on me // Bringing me a sense of freedom and serenity” (fromOld/New). All those beautiful lines—sung heartfeltly—are framed in warm, full-band arrangements of guitar and piano. A fertile ground to emerge some unexpected truths.
The Grand EpiphaniesEP, produced by Steven Fiore and Justin Faircloth, is out now digitally via Fort Lowell Records; a CD version is available through the band itself.
Coming out on 9/23/2025 digitally, it’s the newest EP, “Grand Epiphanies.” And, yeah, holy shit, I’m in love. Take the best of jangle pop, add a twang, a dash of nostalgia, indie rock, and a smidgen of country, and you get this absolute dream of an EP. Like, yeah, it’s that good (like HELL YES!). There’s something so soothing about the vocals, and the lyrics are superbly crafted and straightforward. Need I mention that the cover of, “Some Guys Have All the Luck,” is hands down the best I’ve ever heard? Where has this record been all of my life? Where has this band been all of my life? They’ve been around since 2008, so I’ve got a back catalog to explore! Get into them!
Releasing on 10/24/2025 on vinyl and digital, it’s the new LP, “Somewhere Out There,” by Blase. Fort Lowell Records again delivers us a killer artist that excels at creating a rich, unique sound. Indie pop, dream pop, psychedelic, electro rock, synth chill, jangle and so many other genres get blended up, resulting in a dreamy sound, somewhere between the Flaming Lips, a mellower MGMT, M83 and REM. This is intoxicating. Hazy, mellow, and dreamy, the tracks elevate the listener to a surreal headspace. The lyrics are catchy, and I’ve found myself singing along after just two listens. I’ve no doubt you will find yourself doing the same. This album was a real treat. Personal, heartfelt, catchy, and cosmic, it’s a release you won’t want to skip.
Kim Ware and the Good Graces — who have shared the stage with artists such asIndigo Girls,Sierra Ferrell,andThe Love Language — have released their tenth studio offering titled Grand Epiphanies [Digital EP] and it is available today everywhere and anywhere!
Chicago-born and Wilmington-based multi-instrumentalist Blase unveils his most expansive and heartfelt project yet with Somewhere Out There, released through Fort Lowell Records. Known for merging shimmering synth layers with warm indie pop foundations, Blase has evolved from his early days as a Chicago drummer into a solo artist who transforms fleeting feelings into vivid musical worlds. Inspired by a transformative journey traveling across the entire United States, the album captures the essence of wide-open landscapes and the quiet revelations found on the road. With Somewhere Out There, he invites listeners on a journey that feels both personal and universal — an exploration of solitude, connection, and the unexpected places where we find meaning. The record balances quiet vulnerability with uplifting energy, making it his most immersive and captivating work to date.
"Dirt Into Gold" the fourth and final single from Somewhere Out There by Blase is out now on all platforms.
Kim Ware started off as a punk drummer, and started the Good Graces after purchasing a beat up acoustic guitar in 2006. Her latest single, "Missed the Mark," is a laid back singer-songwriter track with a gentle country lilt. It has some of that 90's mainstream alt-rock sound from artists like Liz Phair and Lisa Loeb, and doesn't shy away from its country side at all. It's also the perfect song for this time of year, where summer isn't quite ready to die and fall is slowly asserting itself. "Missed the Mark" is also the kind of song that you end up loving more with every listen, as a simple song starts revealing more of itself to you with repeated listens.
You can watch the video for "Missed the Mark" below. Grand Epiphanies is due out September 23 on Fort Lowell Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Kim Ware and the Good Graces, check out the artist's website.
LET'S DANCE is a Vinyl DJ Night hosted by Fort Lowell Records, featuring a variety of music — Pop, Disco, Boogie, Indie, Hip-Hop, R&B, Electronic, etc. — including the latest hits and spanning the past five decades.
LET'S DANCE is held monthly at The Underfront Co. on the Saturday following every First Friday — AKA: RizzyBeats' Hip-Hop Fridays. Dancing starts at 8:00pm and goes all night. A $5.00 cover charge will be collected at the door upon entry paid via Cash, Credit Card, or Venmo.
Are you a fan of any of these artists: Beach Fossils, Cigarettes After Sex, Color Temperature, Day Wave, Mac DeMarco, Ducktails, The Flaming Lips, Goth Babe, Hoops, Lauds, Men I Trust, No Vacation, The Radio Dept., Stray Fossa, Surf Rock Is Dead, Swimming Tapes, Tame Impala, TV Girl, or Wild Nothing?
If so, check out Blase, and be sure to reserve your copy of his new album Somewhere Out There, which is due out on October 24th.
Tracy Shedd performed live in concert at Bourgie Nights in Wilmington, North Carolina on Friday, August 22, 2025 as part of their 'Good Vibrations: A Songwriter Showcase honoring the music of Brian Wilson' event. Here are the video recordings of those three songs that Tracy Shedd played that evening in order of how they were performed. Enjoy!
‘Finding myself in you’ is the new single by Blase. Starting with a synth heavy atmosphere, it swirls into a dream pop territory, where it can roam freely. There’s moment, near the 2:27 mark of the song, where the electronic drum swerves the mood into a solemn denouement.Somewhere out thereis out on October 24th.Pre-orderwithFort Lowell Records.
Blase recently released the third single, “Finding Myself in You”, from his forthcoming album, Something Out There, which is due out on October 24th via Fort Lowell Records.
This is the heartfelt bedroom pop of Chicago-born and Wilmington-based multi-instrumentalist Blase Settecase.
Wilmington, NC based multi-instrumentalist Blasemight have found the cure for aging on his new singleFinding Myself in You. As long as he is together with his significant other "the days never grew old", because each day comes with a new way to find himself as part of the equation. Drenched in synths and guitar flourishes he created a dream pop maze for the listener to wander around in.
Finding Myself in Youis released viaFort Lowell Records. TheSomewhere Out Therealbum is available for pre-orderhere(translucent blue vinyl, digital). Release date: October 24.
Chicago-born and Wilmington-based multi-instrumentalist Blase unveils his most expansive and heartfelt project yet with Somewhere Out There, released through Fort Lowell Records. Known for merging shimmering synth layers with warm indie pop foundations, Blase has evolved from his early days as a Chicago drummer into a solo artist who transforms fleeting feelings into vivid musical worlds. Inspired by a transformative journey traveling across the entire United States, the album captures the essence of wide-open landscapes and the quiet revelations found on the road. WithSomewhere Out There, he invites listeners on a journey that feels both personal and universal — an exploration of solitude, connection, and the unexpected places where we find meaning. The record balances quiet vulnerability with uplifting energy, making it his most immersive and captivating work to date.
The opening track, "Middle of Nowhere," embodies the heart of the album, born during a reflective moment in Joshua Tree National Park. It celebrates the idea of finding true presence and belonging far from the noise and chaos of everyday life. "Under the Same Stars" leans into the bittersweet ache of distance, capturing the tension between holding on and letting go, and the comforting thought that loved ones are never entirely out of reach. These songs speak to the tension between isolation and connection, suggesting that meaning often emerges in the spaces between what we leave behind and what we hold close. Rather than focusing on external escape alone, they examine the internal journey of coming home to oneself through shared experiences.
"Finding Myself in You" offers a tender exploration of love as a mirror, revealing unexpected depths and a sense of renewal. It channels the excitement and vulnerability of discovering new parts of one’s identity within a relationship. In contrast, "Dirt Into Gold" reflects on resilience and transformation, celebrating the quiet strength it takes to turn life's uncertainties into moments of growth and hope. Written and recorded after returning home from his cross-country travels, these songs capture the album’s essence: turning wandering into understanding, and distance into deeper connection. Each track invites listeners to step inside Blase’s world of subtle revelations and emotional landscapes, encouraging them to see their own journeys with fresh eyes.
WithSomewhere Out There, Blase has created an album that feels like a trusted companion during quiet drives or moonlit evenings, a soundtrack for those seeking moments of peace beyond the familiar. This record confirms his place as a musician capable of blending heartfelt storytelling with lush, genre-spanning arrangements. It reminds us that even in life’s most remote and uncertain moments, beauty and connection are always within reach. In this new chapter, Blase invites us to wander alongside him — and perhaps discover new parts of ourselves along the way.