Anaïs & The Hoops Will Make Your Music Loving Heart Extremely Happy With Glorious New EP, “Growing Pains”

We recently had the delightful experience to check out the new EP, “Growing Pains”, from rising Brooklyn – based artist Anaïs & The Hoops. You can listen to “Growing Pains” Here

We here at The Whole Kameese… love music… We live it, breathe it with every fiber of our being. So when we hear something that moves us, we want to scream it from the rooftops and share it with the universe. This is definitely the case with the stunning new EP, “Growing Pains” from Anaïs & The Hoops.

We were immediately taken by the timeless and fresh vibe of Anaïs & The Hoops.

Anaïs & The Hoops is the project of Brooklyn-based, San Diego-raised singer and songwriter Anaïs Lund. She got her start performing in jazz clubs and restaurants before finding her own musical footing in 2019, when she began writing the songs that would shape her project, Anaïs & The Hoops. With her jazz-inflected vocals, sharp yet vulnerable lyrics, catchy pop melodies, and a captivating retro aesthetic,

On Growing Pains, Anaïs channels her signature fusion of indie-pop, jazz, and folk into a collection that’s nostalgic, playful, and brimming with authenticity.

The six-track EP has been three years in the making for Anaïs. Along the way, she brought in producer Ben Coleman, as well as her bandmates and fellow New York musicians, to give each tack its own collaborative imprint. That spirit of collaboration extended beyond the band, with her mother helping refine the lyrics of her first French-language song, “Passe le temps,” and a poem by her friend Alex Brady becoming part of “Cool.” It’s been fun to cobble together,” she shares. “Basically, every song was touched by someone in or around the live band.”

Across Growing Pains, Anaïs explores themes of identity, nostalgia, and self-discovery. The songs capture the tension of growing up while still wanting to hold on to the kid you once were. “These songs were some of the first I wrote that truly felt like me,” Anaïs says. “Most of these songs came together after I moved from California to New York, at a time when I was figuring out who I wanted to be. That chapter of my life gave me the chance to embrace the traits and experiences that now define me as both an artist and a person.”

Every song on , “Growing Pains”, from Anaïs & The Hoops is a heartfelt gem that we absolutely cannot get enough of . However, the on song on the EP, that we absolutely are completely head over heels for is … “Stick to the Script”, we honestly can’t say enough about this flawless and melodic work of art … We are completely and utterly smitten.

You owe it to your music loving heart to check out the brilliant new EP, “Growing Pains” from Anaïs & The Hoops.

The Reverend Shawn Amos Delivers A Flawless Cover Of “Twisting The Night Away”

We recently had the opportunity to check out the second single from The Reverend Shawn Amos Dance Party, “Twisting The Night Away

You can listen to Twisting The Night Away” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

“This second Dance Party groove is from Sam Cooke—who was more than a beautiful face and voice. Brother Cooke used his massive popularity to sway people’s conscience in the struggle for civil rights. He understood the necessity of raising your voice and spirit. Sam Cooke knew why we should dance. Sometimes dancing is a righteous act of joyful defiance.” 

Celebrated recording artist and NAACP Image Award-winning author Shawn Amos, best known as joyful bluesman The Reverend Shawn Amos, is an astute storyteller of multiple mediums. Shawn invests his unique creative vision and business savvy in both his own work and the endeavors of countless collaborators. He first honed these skills—and a restless entrepreneurial spirit— as a child of 1970s Hollywood, helping his father Wally “Famous” Amos launch a now-iconic cookie brand on then-gritty Sunset Boulevard.

Following a stint at NYU film school, Shawn wrote scripts for A & M films by day, recording and performing original music focusing on race and identity by night.

The Reverend Shawn Amos Dance Party!—an album of originals and 1960s dance classics—is forthcoming.

The Reverend Shawn Amos, artfully gives new life to the classic , “Twisting The Night Away” by honoring the great Sam Cooke , while also adding his own personal touch.

Tomás Doncker Releases Spectacularly Soulful New EP, “Hard Is Hard”

We recently had the splendid opportunity, to check out the EP, “Hard Is Hard”, via True Groove Records, from NYC-based alternative-R&B producer, singer, songwriter and indie label CEO Tomás Doncker. You can listen to “Hard Is Hard” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here.

“Hard Is Hard “ from Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All – Stars is a brilliantly woven collection of soulful songs that are perfectly on point.

Tomás Doncker has long been a prime mover on the New York music, arts and culture scenes. From the early 1980s, as a member of groundbreaking No Wave and Punk Funk bands The Contortions and Defunkt, international touring, recording and songwriting collaborations with luminaries such as Bootsy Collins, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ivan Neville, The Specials and the legendary Ms. Patti Smith, to helming his own band, The True Groove All-Stars, Tomás has established himself as a cross-genre innovator without peer.

Hard Is Hard’ was produced with James Dellatacoma (Bill Laswell, Herbie Hancock) and mastered by Michael Fossenkemper (Paul Weller, LL Cool J, Miles Davis) and includes guest instrumentation from Frank Benbini (UB40, Fun Lovin’ Criminals), Adriano Rossetti-Bonell (UB40) and The Specials Horns. With elements of soul, blues, funk, rock and some jazz thrown in for good measure, ‘Hard Is Hard’ is a five-track masterclass in Doncker’s innate knack for genre fluidity. The EP lyrically explores themes of racial inequality, social injustice and keeping a positive mental attitude through hard times.

On the EP, Doncker says, “Things are difficult for everyone right about now. As a songwriter I’m very fortunate to be able to have so many songs to sing, to hopefully strike a match in the darkness of these uncertain times. This music has been blessed by the contributions of some dear friends – true legends, and we’re grateful to share it now, with you…join us!

, artfully takes music to another level, with his ability to make music that listeners can instantly connect with .

From the opening track “Do Or Die”, we were instantly hanging on every well formed melody and lyric.

Solid tracks such as “Rich People Problems, and the stunning title track, “Hard Is Hard” showcase Tomás Doncker, at his absolute best . If you are not dancing by the end of the EP….. listen to it until you are .

Doncker was recently invited to support Fun Lovin’ Criminals on their extensive tour throughout the UK and Europe alongside his band, The True Groove All-Stars, which include members of The Specials Horns.

On the tour, he says, “I’m so honoured, and excited to have been invited to be a part of the upcoming Fun Lovin’ Criminals fall UK/EU tour. They’ve really made me feel welcome as a member of the international / UK music community, and I am forever grateful for this opportunity. It’s gonna be a lot of fun for sure!

You need to stop what you are doing immediately and check out the amazing new EP, “Hard Is Hard” , from Tomás Doncker

LIVE DATES:

July 12th 2025 – Cosmopolitan Arts Festival, Leicester

July 25th 2025 – Barefoot Festival, Leicester

July 27th 2025 – High Tide Festival, Twickenham

August 1st 2025 – Le Pub, Newport

August 6th 2025 – Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham 

September 4th 2025 – Sub 89, Reading (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 5th 2025 – Waterfront, Norwich (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 6th 2025 – The Garage, London (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 7th 2025 – Concorde 2, Brighton (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 18th 2025 – Arena, Torquay (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 19th 2025 – Thekla, Bristol (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 28th 2025 – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 2nd – La Madeleine, Brussels (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 5th 2025 – Werk2, Leipzig (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 6th 2025 – Hole44, Berlin (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 7th 2025 – Hirsch, Nurnberg (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 8th 2025 – Backstage Halle, Munchen (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 10th 2025 – Das Rind, Russelsheim (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 11th 2025 – Opderschmeltz, Dudelange (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 12th 2025 – Patronaat, Haarlem (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 14th 2025 – La Salle des Fêtes, Bordeaux (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 30th 2025 – Lucerna Music Bar, Prague (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

Jonathan Plevyak Releases Red Hot New Single, “Disco Dolly”

We recently had the amazing opportunity to check out rising Nashville soul singer, Jonathan Plevyak, and his scorching new single, “Disco Dolly” You can listen to “Disco Dolly” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

Jonathan Plevyak, has a one of a kind vintage sound , that we are absolutely positively over the moon about . Right from the first note on “Disco Dolly”, we had literal goosebumps. Jonathan Plevyak, sings like his soul is on fire . “Disco Dolly “ is a well crafted and written song that makes us love music even more.

Jonathan was inspired by artists like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke and Billie Holiday to develop his own retro style, which he ran with. Jonathan’s successful debut EP, “Made In The Shade,” was released last year and sounds just like a vinyl record pulled off the shelf in the ‘50s.

Jonathan will be offering The Jukebox Jam 2 on July 12th at The Basement East in Nashville , tickets and info Here

Silk perfect vocals with melodies that are straight fire . Jonathan Plevyak is an artist with a song , “Disco Dolly” that simply can’t be ignored.

Cooper Kenward Releases Popping New Single, “‘53 Bel Air”

We recently had the stellar opportunity, to check out the new single, “‘53 Bel Air”, from LA-based songwriter and instrumentalist Cooper Kenward. You can listen to , “‘53 Bel Air”, Here You can check out the video below

Bel Air,” is the second release from his forthcoming album, haha, now I’m sad, set for release onAugust 29 via Soggy Anvil Records. Anchored by unruly horns and chaotic percussion, “Bel Air” careens through the absurdity of a bank robbery with a wink and a wild grin. It’s a bluesy, cinematic opener to an album that explores the strangeness and hilarity of being human in a crumbling world.

“’53 Bel Air’ is a fun song that came together when I started playing it with the band in the studio. Each take got more and more wild until we all were committing musical crimes,” says Kenward. “The lyrics came from Raymond Chandler and John Fante stuff. I’ve never robbed a bank, but I’ve still got time.”

Cooper Kenward, is squarely in the driver’s seat with the melodically and sonically thrilling , “’53 Bel Air’. This without question a song you can’t miss.

Written the night before tracking began, “Bel Air” sets the tone for the entire record, part character study, part existential spiral. “Money buys a lot of things / But stealing it brings me joy,” Kenward croons with both menace and empathy, cracking open the criminal’s psyche like a car window with a crowbar. It’s storytelling at its most unhinged and tender, reflective of the album’s broader ethos: finding the silliness in sorrow and the sacred in chaos.

We can’t wait for “haha, now I’m sad” But in the meantime we are going to vibe out to the sensational “’53 Bel Air’”

L

War Honey Unveils Latest Musical Triumph With New EP, “All You’ll Ever Be Good For”

We recently had the mesmerizing experience, to check out the new EP, “All You’ll Ever Be Good For”, from Brooklyn, New York , based Alt-Rock band, War Honey. You can listen to their third EP, “All You’ll Ever Be Good For” Here

We first heard the exquisite sound of War Honey, back 2023, when reviewed their single, “I Don’t Blame The Rats”, which we were instantly enthralled with.

Their new EP, “All You’ll Ever Be Good For” , from War Honey, is a well curated collection of music that may just be one of the best EP, of 2025

In our opinion the best music is not pigeon holed in to one genre, but rather is a cornucopia of sounds and styles, War Honey, has accomplished this and then some. On “All You’ll Ever Be Good For”, War Honey ( vocalist Gabrielle Dana, guitarist Ben Fitts, bassist David Bloom, and drummer Victoria Smith) are a group of next level musicians, who’s attention to detail on “All You’ll Ever Be Good For”, is both noticeable and appreciated.

The intro, “This Time It Will Be Different “, has a cinematic feel that immediately made us take notice. Gabrielle Dana , sends every track on “All You’ll Ever Be Good For “ into the stratosphere, with her beyond flawless vocals. “My Little House “ is a stunningly beautiful track that literally gave us goosebumps.

“The Ballerina” is more than just an ordinary song , it is a musical event that we won’t soon forget. Perfect vocals , that had many different vocal stylings woven together. We were left absolutely speechless. The closing composition, “Behind The Glass”, was a hauntingly beautiful way to end a sensational collection of music.

War Honey , is band who has just released an EP, “All You’ll Ever Be Good For” that has done some we thought was impossible…. It has made us love music even more .

All You Need Is “Benergy”, Ben Basile, Releases Epic Debut Solo EP

We are absolutely beyond thrilled to finally check out in it’s entirety, the phenomenal debut solo album, “Benergy”, from Big D and the Kids Table Bassist Ben Basile, via , Sleepwalk Sounds. You can listen to “Benergy” Here

Ben Basile, (pronounced  “ba-sill-ee”)has crafted a vibrant, melodic work of art with “Benergy” , that is a must listen for anyone who calls themselves music lovers.

We were absolutely captivated by the three singles that were released before the album, ( “Mountain Road,”74 Leonard Street” and “Cacao Knibb”)

Benergy’, the album’s title, originated from a lighthearted moment with one of Basile’s bass students. “When I play ska punk, like with Big D and The Kids Table, it’s all about playing on top, playing with momentum and energy. Pushing the music the entire time,” Basile explains. His student’s response? “Benergy?”—a phrase that stuck and ultimately became the album’s name.

Ben Basile is a Hudson Valley-born musician who grew up in Wappingers Falls and now lives in Rosendale, NY.

His passion for music ignited in his youth, sparked by a stack of ska and punk rock CDs from his sister.

A graduate of Dutchess Community College and SUNY New Paltz, Basile studied jazz and business before launching a career that’s taken him across six continents with legendary acts like Pilfers, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, and Big D and the Kids Table — all while staying deeply rooted in the Hudson Valley music scene.

The new album, ‘Benergy’, is a culmination of Basile’s years of musical exploration and passion, featuring a stellar lineup of musicians from the ska and jazz worlds. Recorded at multiple studios across the East Coast and mastered by Tom Rosato of Zena Mastering,

Every song on the album is brimming with “Benergy”

Some of our favorite tracks on “Benergy” are “Dub 215”, “87 to 90” and “Hot Drop” However, our favorite track on the album, is “Whataboutism” We are completely smitten with track . Ben Basile , has created a brilliant and memorable groove that is absolutely top notch. ( We freaking love it )

Go find your favorite music listening device and get lost in the beauty of “Benergy” from Ben Basile.

Upcoming Shows:

Thursday, June 5th: All Points West – Newark, NJ
Friday, June 6th: Reason & Ruckus – Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday, June 7th: TBA – Boston, MA
Sunday, June 8th: Hutghi’s – Westfield, MA
Tickets at benbasile.com