Checkmate formed in London out of restlessness rather than intention. Different neighborhoods, different backgrounds, same impulse: to move, to react, to play music that refuses to stand still. Ska was never a costume for them, it was a language. Fast rhythms, sharp turns, humor used as defiance. They grew up surrounded by noise, contradictions, and crowded streets, and their sound reflects that constant motion.

Their music is playful but not careless, political without slogans, chaotic but precise. Each member brings a different energy, and none of them try to smooth those edges out.

Checkmate thrives on contrast: bright melodies against nervous tension, joy next to disruption. What comes out is loud, physical, and alive. Their releases are heard only on Filodyo and NOT FM, where movement matters more than polish and nothing is forced to sit quietly in the background.

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Leo Marlow, an artist whose music seems to philosophize the dew on the grass with his songs, began his journey amid the high-stakes intensity of Brit-pop. Launching his career initially as the luminary of a Brit-pop boy band that didn't reach the stratospheric heights intended, he managed to transform his career path in the most unexpected way. Rising from the ashes of a failed group, he learnt to echo his own feelings while showcasing vulnerability, thus crafting a musical legacy that was wholly his own.

Based in the enchanting city of Manchester, Marlow has certainly found his unique sound, a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary. The artist serves as a sonic architect, masterfully constructing retro-futuristic synth landscapes that capture the essence of loneliness universally felt, yet seldom depicted so eloquently in music. The wistful melancholy of his music, tinged by synths, creates an environment as expansive as the cosmos yet as intimate as a whispered secret. His power to convey emotions and experiences with profound depth sets him sincerely apart.

One of Marlow's most notable musical creations is the ode "Best Night Ever". The track serves as an entrancing journey through Marlow's sombre narratives to the sound of shimmering synth-pop. Even whilst conjuring the myriad of emotions embedded in personal loss, "Best Night Ever" paradoxically stands as an alluring anthem for unforgettable nights and the ephemeral moments that make life so magical. It's an apt testament to Marlow's extraordinary ability to portray the human condition through his music, and certainly highlights why his magnificent sound continues to resonate with audiences far beyond Manchester's confines.

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Jenny Star is a British pop-dance artist known for her electrifying performances, powerhouse vocals, and emotionally charged songwriting. Blending syncopated rhythms with deep lyrical storytelling, she has carved out a unique space in the music industry, delivering high-energy tracks that pulse with raw intensity.

Born in London, Jenny grew up surrounded by a fusion of underground breakbeat and mainstream pop influences. From an early age, she displayed a fierce passion for music, writing her first songs as a teenager and experimenting with vocal phrasing that would later become her signature. Her breakthrough came when she independently released a viral track on social media, catching the attention of producers drawn to her hard-hitting vocal delivery and undeniable stage presence.

Her latest single, "Lost Inside" is a high-octane anthem that perfectly encapsulates her sound—driving breakbeat percussion, emotionally gripping verses, and a chorus that hits with syncopated fire. The song explores themes of identity, escape, and the struggle to find clarity in a chaotic world, resonating deeply with fans who connect with its hypnotic energy and heartfelt lyricism.

With a growing fanbase and a reputation for mesmerizing live performances, Jenny Star is not just another pop act—she’s a force redefining the boundaries of emotional dance music. Her music is a sonic rollercoaster, filled with tension, release, and a fearless authenticity that sets her apart in the modern music scene.

Jenny Star is more than just a rising star—she’s a movement, and the world is ready to listen.

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Eli Varnish spent most of his life drawing straight lines for crooked cities. As an architect, he designed libraries, train stations, and far too many gray, forgettable office buildings. He was always more interested in light than concrete — the way it moved through windows, shifted on floors, or disappeared behind closed doors. But deadlines piled up, and inspiration gave way to invoices. When he retired at 62, he didn’t throw a party. He just handed in his keys, took the long way home, and listened to the silence.

That’s when the music came back.
In his youth, Eli had played piano quietly — always in private, never in public. Now, with no blueprints to chase, he returned to the keys. Slowly. Gently. A few friends joined him — a bassist who used to drive a bus, a trombonist who sold insurance, and a drummer who once taught math. They started meeting weekly above an old bookstore. No gigs, no names. Just music.

Eventually, they found their way into a small jazz bar — dim, warm, and half-forgotten. That’s where Eli plays now. No spotlight, no talk. Just a glass of red wine, a crooked hat, and a piano that creaks in all the right places. The audience doesn’t clap much. They just nod, like they recognize something they forgot they knew.

Eli doesn’t miss architecture. “Buildings are meant to last,” he says, “but songs... songs are meant to leave.” And so he plays — not to impress, but to remember. To trace old lines in the air. To build something no one can own, but everyone can feel.

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Brimming with techno energy and crispy beats, Sandra Johanson will make even the stiffest wallflower sway. She is not just your next-door DJ, but rather the queen of EDM who knows how to heal souls through rhythm.

With a backstory as intricate as her synth lines, Sandra hails from a tiny town in North Dakota, where cornfields outnumber dance clubs. Just when her life was about to be earmarked by an inevitable career in poultry farming, destiny gifted her an antique turntable. It's said that turkeys ran wild with delight in her mix of The Chicken Dance, and Sandra knew she had found her calling. Trading hens for headphones, she burst onto the underground scene with distinctive fresh sounds, uplifting energy, and a disquieting affinity for bird-themed track titles.

Over time, Sandra has built a loyal following with her spirited mixes. Her quintessential creation "My Soul Is Healed" masterfully marries muted basslines, playful rhythms, and ethereal vocals, delivering pure ecstasy to every dance floor it touches. A mash-up of disco, house and electronica elements, it sways, it soars, and it heals- just as the title promises.

Sandra Johanson is more than a name; she is your everyday superhero with a mixer, who graces the dance scene with joyous vibrance. Keeping it casual with a cap and oversized sweater, and a personality full of wit that shines brighter than any disco ball, Sandra highlights that happy beats don’t necessitate flashy clobbers and ostentatious attitudes. Just press play, let the groove take over, and feel your soul heal at the hands of this musical maestro.

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Meet Jules Starlight Mercer, a dynamite indie-pop artist straight from the heartland of Starlight City. Known for his high-energy beats and infectious charm, he's setting the music scene alight, one glitter trail at a time.

This stellar dude is full of surprises. Not only does he pen and perform heart-popping tracks like the notorious banger "You Walked Away", but he also moonlights at a local music store. Proof his universe truly revolves around melodic notes. Oh, and did we mention he's rumored to have joined NBA legend LeBron James on some killer bike tours? Little more than a whisper doing the rounds, but let's just say we wouldn't be surprised.

When you listen to a Jules Starlight Mercer track, you're promised boundless fun, toe-tapping rhythms, and a ray of sunshine, whatever the weather. This lad makes music that's bright and buoyant as a bounce house, tunes that just scream 'happy', leaving you grinning like a Cheshire cat.

So, folks, buckle up, because Jules Starlight Mercer is a shooting star, ready to leap from the local scene to the galaxy cluster of superstars. You might want to keep your eyes (and ears) on this one!

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Rising from the enigmatic allure of Brighton's coastal shores, Loch Ness Monsters are a four-piece band reshaping the contours of alternative rock and pop.

Comprised of the ethereal vocalist Isla "Izzy" McLeod, the enigmatic guitarist Finnegan "Finn" Hartley, the introspective bassist Leo Summers, and the rhythmically ingenious drummer Pippa Clarke, the band weaves together threads of myth and modernity. Their name pays homage to the legendary creature of the deep, symbolizing the hidden depths and untapped mysteries they explore through their music.

Their breakout single, "I Fall Too Deep," plunges listeners into a whirlpool of emotion with its irresistibly catchy chorus and haunting melodies.

The song is a sonic journey, echoing the sensation of being submerged in one's feelings, fears, and desires. Izzy's haunting vocals glide over Finn's shimmering guitar riffs, while Leo's pulsating bass lines and Pippa's dynamic drumming create an undercurrent that pulls the audience into uncharted territories of sound. The track has become an anthem for those unafraid to delve beneath the surface, catching the attention of listeners in the stores where Filodyo broadcasts.

The band's origin story is as captivating as their music. Meeting by chance during a midnight swim on a dare at Brighton's pebble beach, the quartet bonded over shared tales of folklore, a love for genre-blending music, and a mutual sense of adventure.

Their performances are not just concerts but immersive experiences; they often incorporate visual art, storytelling, and atmospheric lighting to transform venues into mystical landscapes.

Loch Ness Monsters invite their audience to join them in the depths, challenging everyone to embrace the unknown and find beauty in the unexplored.

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Straight out of the indie heartland, meet Eliza Turing, the happy-go-lucky troubadour with a knack for knitting melodies that stick to your soul. Turing, unmistakably named in honor of her Silicon Valley roots, is a dose of sunshine in melancholic indie sound, with the main weapon in her musical arsenal being her 'filodyo' in enchanting harmony with her lyrics.

Every indie artist has their quirkiest, and Turing isn’t exempt. Yes, her crafty way of turning our text messages into her songs, it's like she's reading your chatbox through her chords. And yet, she carries an uncanny ability to transcribe these frivolous life ontologies into ballads with resilience and ample generosity – the persona aside her cat-loving nature.

Her standout track "Twilight" is a testament to this, translating the day's end languor into a jovial indie anthem that sets your feet tapping and heart humming. Turing taps into the secret sauce of scoring happiness, infusing a vibrant, peppy melody into her music.

So next time the day weighs heavy, your vibe seeks the indie humming, or perhaps, your feline friend needs a den companion, you know whose Soundcloud account to check out. No autographs, please, Turing only signs on music sheets, with notes, duck!

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Straight out of the indie heartland, meet Eliza Turing, the happy-go-lucky troubadour with a knack for knitting melodies that stick to your soul. Turing, unmistakably named in honor of her Silicon Valley roots, is a dose of sunshine in melancholic indie sound, with the main weapon in her musical arsenal being her 'filodyo' in enchanting harmony with her lyrics.

Every indie artist has their quirkiest, and Turing isn’t exempt. Yes, her crafty way of turning our text messages into her songs, it's like she's reading your chatbox through her chords. And yet, she carries an uncanny ability to transcribe these frivolous life ontologies into ballads with resilience and ample generosity – the persona aside her cat-loving nature.

Her standout track "Twilight" is a testament to this, translating the day's end languor into a jovial indie anthem that sets your feet tapping and heart humming. Turing taps into the secret sauce of scoring happiness, infusing a vibrant, peppy melody into her music.

So next time the day weighs heavy, your vibe seeks the indie humming, or perhaps, your feline friend needs a den companion, you know whose Soundcloud account to check out. No autographs, please, Turing only signs on music sheets, with notes, duck!

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A staple in the riveting New York music scene and an embodiment of the city's ever pulsating rhythm, Tamie Ray is an artist who has imprinted her unique voice and interpretative prowess on the pages of modern jazz history. Born in the heart of Manhattan to a family of musicians, she was raised amid a symphony of sounds that reverberated through the walls of her childhood home, echoing from her parents' rehearsals, her brother's trumpet practice, and the vintage tunes from her grandmother's record player. The melting pot of New York, coupled with her musical lineage, became a cauldron where Tamie's music fervor was stoked, simmered, and metamorphosed into an intense passion for jazz vocals.

Tall, ebony-haired, Tamie Ray, known for her entrancing stage presence and sultry vocals, emerged in the New York jazz scene during the late 1980s. She began her journey as a vocalist in small jazz clubs, with talent that stood in stark contrast to her humble beginnings. Reminiscent of jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, Tamie's voice was a captivating amalgamation of richness, power, and vulnerability—a voice that bore the uncanny ability to pluck at the chords of one's heart with the gentleness of a seasoned harpist. Her rendition of classic songs garnered her respect within the music community, while her original compositions firmly established her as a dynamic artist with an intuition for imagery and metaphor that transcended through her lyrics.

In the prime of her career, Tamie Ray was revered as one of the eminent jazz vocalists of her time. Still, she kept evolving, never allowing the accolades to lull her into complacency. As the shifting current of music trends started to lean towards modern genres, so did Tamie, artfully redefining her approach while never losing her jazz roots. Today, she continues to reign supreme in her beloved city, sharing her unique musical blend of traditional jazz and contemporary influences while passing on her wisdom to the next generation through her mentorship and teaching.

Despite the passage of time, Tamie's love for New York, both as her muse and her home, has remained unaltered. From the kaleidoscopic whirl of colors, cultures, and sounds within its streets, she continually draws inspiration. Her music—a metaphorical canvas splashed with the hues of her NYC experiences—resonates with both the nostalgia of jazz's golden era and the vibrant beats of today's New York. Regardless of where the winds of change might lead, one can always find Tamie Ray, the emblem of New York jazz, right where she belongs—under the shimmering city lights, swaying to the overwhelming rhythm of the metropolis, and singing tales poured straight from her heart.

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The Absents are a four-piece synth-pop and modern disco-pop band hailing from Brighton, on the south coast of the United Kingdom. The lineup consists of Elliot Kane (vocals), Ryan Whitford (keyboards & production), Callum Price (bass guitar & synth bass), and Jamie Harlow (guitar & backing vocals). The four met in 2018 at a local music festival, where a late-night jam session revealed a shared passion for blending the melodic elegance of 80s synth-pop with the energy and polish of modern pop production.

Deeply influenced by the infectious hooks and emotive energy of Erasure, The Absents quickly began writing together, crafting songs that pair bright synth textures with tight bass grooves and subtle funk undertones. Their early rehearsals took place in a modest studio near Brighton’s seafront, a space that soon became their creative sanctuary and the birthplace of their signature sound.

In 2019, the band released their debut single, which found its way onto local radio playlists and began circulating through London’s club scene. Known for their vivid light shows, charismatic stage presence, and danceable, high-energy sets, The Absents built a reputation as one of the most exciting new acts in the UK’s pop landscape.

Today, The Absents continue to bridge nostalgia and modernity, reaching audiences far beyond the British Isles. Elliot’s commanding yet soulful vocals, Ryan’s shimmering synth arrangements, Callum’s deep, driving grooves, and Jamie’s melodic guitar lines come together to create a live experience that is as unforgettable as it is electrifying.

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