STRING QUARTET - Musical Artizan Composed by David Nicholas Slater[2026]

 

Key: C major as home, but it uses sharps and flats throughout.

This is not a polite diatonic quartet. It is rooted in C major for clarity and resonance, but lives chromatically.

1. Chromatic Language - Sharps and Flats Throughout:

From bar to bar, every player encounters accidentals — F# against F natural, Bb against B natural, Eb, C#, G#. These don't fit any conventional key signature. They form an exotic, non-diatonic scale that runs through the whole work. The quartet never settles — it colours C major with constant tension, brightness, and darkness.

2. Octave Jumps — The Signature Gesture:

A defining feature of the writing. Lines leap an octave, often suddenly: Violin I singing low, then vaulting to the E-string in one jump

Cello from its low C-string to high tenor in a single bound

Viola and Violin II echoing with matching octave displacements

These jumps give the piece its drama and virtuosity — it uses the full range of all instruments, not just high or low, but the distance between high and low.

3. Arco & Pizzicato:

Marked on your title page, and used structurally:Arco: For sustaining those exotic intervals and making the octave leaps sing.

Pizzicato: For rhythmic clarity — when plucked, the chromatic notes and octave jumps become crisp, percussive, almost like a plucked folk ensemble.

The Result: Four voices, all equal, all pushed to their limits — low to high, bowed to plucked, natural to sharp to flat. C major is where it starts and ends, but the journey is through every accidental and every octave.

For: Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Violoncello

DNS copyright © 2026 • Kingdom Blessings

AMANDUH

Embraces Carefree Chaos On Dual Release
'Hot Head' & 'Crossing The line'


Out Friday, October 2








Previous Support For Amanduh


'Hydroplaning' played on Triple J Prism


"Love this from Amanduh!! The vocals are incredible <3 <3 <3"
4 / 5 (Jordan Barr, Triple J) [About 'Eye To Eye']


"this track is so lush <3" 4 / 5 (Ebony Jade, Triple J) [About 'Hydroplaning']


"An indie pop record that has that aloe vera balm quality to it while also sliding fluidly in a way that does justice to the track title" 4 / 5 (Tommy Faith, Triple J) [About 'Hydroplaning']


"The chorus just ERUPTS on this one! An important lesson here: parents will always clock a bad egg before we do and that's a fact" 4 / 5 (Lauren Guerrera, Triple J) [About 'Sparks']

"Amanduh draws you in with her intimate and confessional musings."
(AU Review) [About 'Sparks']


"Amanduh's ability to convey such personal and relatable experiences makes her music stand out" (AAA Backstage) [About 'Sparks']








Stream 'Hot Head' & 'Crossing The Line'
Download Press Images / mp3 / wav








Melbourne/Naarm-based pop artist Amanduh returns with her new dual release, ‘Hot Head’ & ‘Crossing The Line’, set for release on Friday, October 2, 2026. Connected as two sides of the same story, the tracks explore attraction, emotional chaos and what happens when a carefree relationship begins to cross the line.


Amanduh has a knack for finding humour and personality within messy, relatable situations, all tied together through her catchy pop sound. Since releasing her debut EP in 2024, she has steadily built her catalogue with a run of singles, and earlier this year featured on SORCHA’s ‘Air’.


Along the way, her music has earned support from Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, Apple Music playlists, community radio across Australia, The AU Review, Aus Music Scene, MILKY, Scenestr, AAA Backstage, Good Call Live and more.


With ‘Hot Head’ & ‘Crossing The Line’, Amanduh presents a playful two-part narrative. ‘Hot Head’ introduces the character and the warning signs, while ‘Crossing The Line’ explores the consequences of ignoring them. Together, the tracks turn a messy relationship into a story filled with humour, confidence and emotional tension.


The first track, ‘Hot Head’, introduces a confident and deliberately chaotic character who knows exactly what her reputation is and has no desire to change it. Sassy, carefree and firmly in control, she embraces being a hot mess simply because she can, keeping romance at arm’s length. Rhythmic acoustic guitar locks into punchy drums, while subdued synths, buoyant basslines and playful vocals give the track a polished, hook-driven pop sound.


Retro-inspired synths open ‘Crossing The Line’ with a nostalgic edge before the hard-hitting beat drops in, adding a sense of urgency as piano and acoustic guitar fill out the arrangement. That nostalgic pop influence also finds its way into the lyrics, with a nod to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ echoed in the track’s feel.


Together, the two tracks capture what happens on either side of that carefree chaos. Amanduh explains:


“Hot Head is definitely one of those super fun, sassy songs that just makes you feel a little bit naughty, while still being in control. It's the idea of being a hot mess because you can be.”


That carefree confidence comes with a warning, with ‘Crossing The Line’ exploring what happens when someone gets a little too close.


“You got the Hot Head to date you, now you face the repercussions of being with someone who is a little unhinged and forms an obsession. They overstep, they potentially love bomb, but you were warned right? I told you I was a Hot Head.”


‘Hot Head’ & ‘Crossing The Line’ will be available from Friday, October 2, 2026. Amanduh will celebrate the release with a special launch show at Melbourne’s Bergy Bandroom on Friday, November 15, joined by Gypsy Lee and Ambraya.


Single Launch
Sunday, Nov 15 - Bergy Bandroom, Brunswick (Melbourne) | Tickets
w/ Gypsy Lee & Ambraya

Follow Amanduh
Website | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Facebook | Instagram

KWASI

Pulls At Your Heartstrings On ‘Room Full of Broken Hearts’
Ahead Of Debut Album


Single Out Wednesday, September 30
'Outstanding MISFIT' Debut Album Out Friday, October 16












Praise For Kwasi


'Troublemaker', 'Ready To Go', 'POISON' - Played on Triple J

'Motions' Added to Apple Music's New in Hip-Hop

'Gold On Her Tongue' Added to Apple Music's Aussie Hip-Hop

"Kwasi’s ‘LIT!’ Is A Bold Moment of Experimentation" (CLASH)


“Propelled by unwavering and fearless energy, the track surges forth, igniting a fire within and leaving no room for apologies.” (AAA Backstage)


“Emotions, grit and late night confessions all collide on this one!” (Declan Byrne, Triple J)


"Don't know what I was expecting from this single but holy moly this is great! Kwasi is charged up and packs a punch!" (Anika Luna, Triple J)

Stream 'Room Full of Broken Hearts'
Download Press Images / mp3 / wav








Battling tensions of identity and alter-egos, proud misfit and Naarm/Melbourne artist Kwasi finds himself caught between going all in or running away from love. His new hip-hop and punk-infused lead single, ‘Room Full of Broken Hearts’, featuring Nathan Wong, is out September 30.


Following two singles released earlier this year, ‘Room Full of Broken Hearts’, continues to piece together the story of ‘Outstanding MISFIT’, Kwasi’s forthcoming debut album, out October 16. Adding to his genre-bending catalogue, Kwasi has built a reputation for his signature hiphop, punk blend, earning industry recognition and praise, as well as sharing stages and collaborating with artists including Genesis Owusu, Illy and 360.


Trading in his usual abrasive rap intensity for powerful vulnerability, ‘Room Full of Broken Hearts’, finds Kwasi embracing melancholic guitar, live drums and honest melodic crooning. Still carrying his high-energy blend of hip-hop, trap and punk influences, the track moves between Wong’s emo-inflated chorus and Kwasi’s signature gruff vocal inflections. The track's upbeat vocal blend creates a conflicted atmosphere, shifting between open vulnerability and darker, restrained vocals that mirror Kwasi’s internal conflict with himself and his misfit alter-ego.


‘Room Full of Broken Hearts’ offers a glimpse into Kwasi’s debut album, a fourteen-track collection, featuring several collaborations, that cohesively tells the story of identity, acceptance and embracing all parts of yourself. Across the album, Kwasi navigates feelings of alienation and belonging, struggling to find his identity alongside the ‘MISFIT’ alter-ego that shadows him throughout the album. Kwasi says:


“‘Outstanding MISFIT’ is the story of an underdog and the rise of an anti-hero. It’s about learning to embrace the parts of yourself that make you feel like you don’t fit. I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling like I existed somewhere between different worlds, and for a long time I thought I needed to figure out which one I belonged in. This album came from realising that maybe I don’t have to choose.”


Bringing the world of ‘Outstanding MISFIT’ to life, Kwasi will launch the album with ‘KWASI PRESENTS: THE SCORE — OUTSTANDING MISFIT’, an immersive live cinema experience at Village Cinemas Rivoli on Halloween, Saturday, October 31. Combining an original short film with live performances from Kwasi and his band, the screen and stage will unfold as one continuous narrative, inviting audiences to step inside the world of ‘Outstanding MISFIT’ for the night.


Embracing genre-bending and his vulnerable side, ‘Room Full of Broken Hearts’ finds Kwasi chasing connections in a dynamic haze of uncertainty and struggles with identity. Out Wednesday , September 30, the single offers a peak into ‘Outstanding MISFIT’, his debut album arriving Friday, October 16, before Kwasi brings its world to life at Village Cinemas Rivoli with his immersive live cinema album experience on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.


KWASI PRESENTS: THE SCORE — OUTSTANDING MISFIT
Sat, Oct 31- Village Cinema Rivoli, Melbourne | Tickets

Outstanding MISFIT
Out Friday, October 16
Cover art by Tyler Cox






Follow Kwasi
Official Website | https://linktr.ee/soundslikekwasi
Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Thank you to all who downloaded

Thank you — Kingdom Poetry Volume 1 reached 7 countries!

Volume 1 had readers in UK, USA, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Italy this week — thank you to everyone who downloaded.

Both Volume 1: Taking The World By Storm and Volume 2: New Beginnings are now available at £2.99 / $2.99

Kingdom Poetry volume 1: taking the world by storm 

Kingdom Poetry volume 2: New Beginnings  

Dare to Believe — The Poetry of God's Promises

top 20 charts in the uk on N1M need I say more!

N1M Piano Chart — 9 tracks in the Top 20! Thank you.

#12 The Prometheus Factor • 
#13 The Prometheus Syndrome 
• #14 Solo Piano in F Major
• #15 Sunrise Waltz 
• #16 Warriors Arise 
• #17 Solo Piano in G 2026 
• #18 The Spanish Arm 
• #19 Peg Leg Pelog 
• #20 Iwato Wato

Official Music Merch: https://direct.distrokid.com/davidnicholasslater/home

N1M https://www.n1m.com/davidnicholasslater

BLANK INSTRUMENT

Discovers Freedom In Not Knowing On Final Single
'Know Nothing' Ahead of Debut Album Release


Single Out Friday, September 25 | Debut EP 'Jumping At Ghosts' Out Friday, October 23

Stream 'Know Nothing'
Download Press Images/ .mp3 / .wav



Blank Instrument, the musical project of Boorloo/Perth-based singer-songwriter Kim Franklin, announces her new single, ‘Know Nothing’, set for release Friday, September 25. This track marks the third single from her forthcoming debut album, ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, out in just a month on Friday, October 23.


As the third single from ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, ‘Know Nothing’ continues Blank Instrument’s deeply personal songwriting journey while shifting the focus more directly onto Franklin herself. Warm Hammond organ, acoustic guitar and subtle vocal harmonies create a reflective country-folk atmosphere, while lively drums add a brighter, more buoyant edge.


Where earlier singles ‘Brand New’ and ‘Green and Blue’ were shaped in part by the memory of her late friend Julie, whose generosity continued after her passing and helped fund the project, ‘Know Nothing’ turns inward, exploring Franklin’s relationship with intuition, perfectionism and decision-making.


Inspired by her tendency to search for the “right” choice, the track reflects a shift in mindset as she learns to accept uncertainty and embrace the idea that several workable paths can exist, rather than one perfect answer. Franklin states:


"Some decisions aren’t simple or easy. I've struggled with the idea of making the ‘right’ decision. This is, I've realised recently, because I'm a perfectionist. While it's often seen as a positive trait and the perfect job interview answer, living with it can be difficult. There is no amount of information that can make a decision easier when you’re looking for a level of certainty that’s impossible to find."


That shift in perspective also shaped the recording process. While recording ‘Know Nothing’, Franklin and Elliot Smith, who contributed drums and percussion to the track, invited Lee Jones to experiment with a glockenspiel despite having never played one before. After a short period of experimentation, Jones developed a bright hook that became part of the final track. Franklin notes that, had she been more concerned with finding the “right” sound, the part may never have made it onto the recording.


Ultimately, ‘Know Nothing’ moves away from the pursuit of a perfect answer, instead embracing uncertainty and the possibility of multiple paths. The song’s recurring hook captures this shift in perspective, reflecting on the limits of certainty and what it means to keep learning without having everything figured out.


‘Know Nothing’ arrives on Friday, September 25, as the third single from Blank Instrument’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Jumping at Ghosts’, due Friday, October 23.



Follow Blank Instrument
https://blankinstrument.com
Spotify | Apple Music
Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

New store now open on distrokid

STORE NOW OPEN. 

My official music merch store is now open on DistroKid.

Shop:https://direct.distrokid.com/davidnicholasslater/

Thank you for all the support that got us here:

1,472,154 Total Plays • Views • Reads
YouTube 4.59k / 202 videos / 401K • SoundCloud 674K • N1M 155K • Blogs 243,827 views (Artist Blog 132,107 + Kingdom Poetry 111,720)

And thank you for downloading VOLUME 1 — now 16 readers in 7 countries: UK, USA, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Italy.

VOLUME 1 & 2 are still available on Amazon Kindle — £2.99 / FREE with Kindle Unlimited — but the new DistroKid store is for my music merch only.

David Nicholas Slater • Musical Artizan • Dewsbury, UK

Yorkshire Prestige Winner 2024 • ISSA Gold

musicalartizan.com • musicalartizan.co.uk  • daretobelieve.biz

Thanks for downloading my Book

"Thanks for downloading Volume 1 this week. If you enjoyed it, could you tap a star rating on Amazon? Just stars are enough — no need to write anything. It helps my book show up in Amazon's search."

 

Thank You World — 16 Readers, 7 Countries, 132,107 Blog Views

What a week.

My Kindle book VOLUME 1 just hit 16 readers in 7 countries:

🇬🇧 UK – 2 paid + 2 free

🇺🇸 USA – 6 free

🇩🇪 Germany – 1 free

🇫🇷 France – 1 free

🇨🇦 Canada – 2 free

🇯🇵 Japan – 1 free

🇮🇹 Italy – 1 free

Total: 2 paid, 14 free = 16 readers worldwide.

And my artist blog just passed 132,107 all-time views — 670 of you today alone. My Kingdom Poetry blog is at 111,720.

Combined: 243,827 views across both blogs. This month alone: 13,418 here.

THANK YOU.

Volume 1 used up its 5 free promo days, so it's now back to paid — I've reduced it to £2.99 / $2.99 for you. Volume 2 is also out now at the same price.

If you grabbed Volume 1 for free — thank you. Please leave a review and grab Volume 2 when you're ready.

Amazon links:

Kingdom Poetry volume 1: Taking the world by storm  https://amzn.eu/d/06Y9CNZW

Kingdom Poetry volume 2: New Beginnings https://amzn.eu/d/07JGIcqn

If you have Kindle Unlimited, both are free 

— David

The enigma machine

📚 FREE Today — Kingdom Poetry Volume 2

My new book, Kingdom Poetry Volume 2: New Beginnings

https://amzn.eu/d/0egRwCsA

FREE on Kindle for 24hrs — Wed 30th Sept 8am to Thu 1st Oct 8am UK. 




Direct Amazon: Author Page

All my links: snd.click/@musicalartizan

Listen on Apple Music: Musical Artizan | Daretobelieve David Nicholas Slater

Vinyl/CD: elasticstage.com/musicalartizan

Number One Music: https://www.n1m.com/davidnicholasslater

David Nicholas Slater – The Enigma Machine (String Trio) – New Release

Built on a 150-year-old musical cypher.

Composed using Giuseppe Verdi's Enigmatic Scale: C – Db – E – F# – G# – A# – B. So unusual that Verdi himself considered it an enigma.

Scored for violin, viola and cello, 

The Enigma Machine spins that scale into a tense, cinematic journey — the violin searching, the viola shadowing, the cello turning like rotors in a code machine.

From Musical Artizan David Nicholas Slater, Dewsbury UK. Yorkshire Prestige Award Winner 2024.

— David Nicholas Slater | Dewsbury, UK | Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2024 Winner

My Official Vinyl & CD Shop is Now Open — Two Releases Available Made To Order

After years of streaming, I wanted something real that you can hold.

My official made-to-order shop is now open:
👉
I’ve partnered with ElasticStage (UK). Nothing is mass-produced. When you order a vinyl or CD, your copy is manufactured as a one-off first-generation master, just for you. No waste, better sound, ships worldwide.

Every physical copy includes an exclusive original handmade artwork inside the cover that you don't get with streaming.

TWO RELEASES NOW LIVE:

1. Piano 2025 Album

My reflective piano album — for quiet listening, reading and writing. This is the soundtrack to read my Kingdom Poetry work.

Includes exclusive artwork.

 
2. Em Soprano and Bass — Single/EP

My NAF flute and bass exploration. Four tracks: Em Soprano and Bass
Gm Bass NAF
Song of the Mountain
Song of the Warrior

 
Why made-to-order?

With 1,472,154 total plays/views/reads across YouTube (4.59k subs / 202 videos), SoundCloud (674K), N1M (155K) and my blogs (241K), I’ve learned streams are fleeting but a record on your shelf is forever.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey — Yorkshire Prestige Awards Winner 2024, ISSA Gold Member, N1M Artist Pro — from here in Dewsbury, UK.

Shop both releases: elasticstage.com/musicalartizan

Websites: musicalartizan.com • daretobelieve.biz • musicalartizan.co.uk • windshaker.co.uk
More releases coming soon.

— David Nicholas Slater
Musical Artizan

 #vinyl #cd #madeToOrder #elasticstage #musicalartizan #piano2025 #emsopranoandbass #nativeamericanflute #dewsbury #independentartist #vinylcommunity

Why I Opened a Made-To-Order Vinyl Shop — Musical Artizan on ElasticStage

 After writing about thousands of other artists on this blog, I decided it was time to press my own music properly.

I’ve just launched my official vinyl and CD shop: elasticstage.com/musicalartizan

This isn’t a normal record shop.

Nothing is mass-produced. 

Every copy is made to order.

I’ve partnered with ElasticStage in the UK. They don’t press 500 copies that sit in a warehouse. When you order a vinyl or CD, your copy is manufactured as a first-generation master — one by one. It’s better for the planet, with no waste, and the sound quality is significantly higher than traditional pressing.

And because it’s made to order, I can do something special:

Each release includes an exclusive original handmade artwork inside the cover. No stock photo. A real piece of art you only get with the physical copy.

What’s in the shop right now:

1. Piano 2025 Album

My reflective piano album. Made for quiet listening, reading, and writing. If you’ve followed my Kingdom Poetry blog, this is the soundtrack to that world.

Why vinyl, why now?

In a year where I’ve had 1,472,154 total plays, views and reads across YouTube (4.59k subs, 202 videos), SoundCloud (674K), N1M (155K) and the blogs (241K), I’ve learned one thing: streams are fleeting, but a physical record on your shelf is forever.

People still want something real to hold. I do.

I don't actually have a physical shop in West Yorkshire, but ElasticStage ships worldwide.

If you want to support independent music in its most tangible form — this is it.

Shop link:https://elasticstage.com/musicalartizan

album link: piano 2025

 
Thank you to everyone who has followed the journey — from Yorkshire Prestige Awards Winner 2024, to ISSA Gold Member, to now.
More releases are coming soon.

— David Nicholas Slater
Musical Artizan
P.S. All orders for the Piano 2025 album placed this month will receive the January 2026 artwork variant.

#vinyl #madeToOrder #elasticstage #musicalartizan #piano2025 #hybridmetal #independentartist #dewsbury #yorkshiremusic #vinylcommunity

Clair Perrott

CLARE PERROTT

Turns Growing Pains Into An Ode To Friendship On Indie-Folk Single

 
'How Can I Tell You?'


Single Out Friday, September 18

Praise for Clare Perrott


"Soft nylon-string guitar and melancholic melodies set the tone, with a subtle alt-country flavour." (Rolling Stone AU/NZ) [About 'Philadelphia']


"Philadelphia finds Perrott’s stunning vocals joined by raw, nylon acoustic guitar as she tells a story of grief following the changes in a relationship." (Countrytown)
[About 'Philadelphia']


'Philadelphia & 'Biting On The Hand' Added to Triple J Unearthed rotation


Featured on RTR FM Sound Selection


'Biting on The Hand' added to Spotify's Tapestry & Fresh Finds Folk playlists


Added to Apple Music's playlist Today's Acoustic


"Heart on the sleeve and pure honesty - thank you for opening up and bearing it all for the listener Miss Clare Perrott <3" 4.5 / 5 (Anika Luna, Triple J)
[About 'Biting On The Hand']


"This one felt like it really touched my soul. How did you do that!!!! One of the most touching debut offerings." 4.5 / 5 (Claire Mooney, Triple J Unearthed)
[About 'Philadelphia']

"You've got me tearing up at my desk on a Wednesday morning. Your voice is undeniable and this is a stunning debut." 4.5 / 5 (Abby Butler, Triple J)


"Clare Perrott has arrived! Absolutely floored at every chord, simply astounding and impeccable songwriting." 5 / 5 (Katherine Devaney, ABC Country)
[About 'Philadelphia']

Stream 'How Can I Tell You?' | Download Press Images / mp3 / wav








Clare Perrott celebrates the strange beauty of life with an ode to her friendships in her new coming-of-age indie-folk number, ‘How Can I Tell You?’, out September 18. Filled with her luminous vocals, Perrott transforms life’s little moments and unsaid feelings into a heartfelt ballad. As she navigates growing pains and the awkwardness of unsaid feelings, the track becomes an expression of gratitude for her friends and the strange privilege of being alive.


With just two singles behind her, the Boorloo-based artist’s unique take on indie-folk has already earned her support from Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Triple J, Triple J Unearthed Spotlight feature, Spotify, Apple Music and more.


Perrott’s approach to folk has seen her take stages across Australia this year, playing the Woodford Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival, winning the Emerging Artist award at Nannup Music Festival and supporting Lloyd and the Leftovers on their East Coast Tour.


Packed with airy vocal flips and cosy folk feels, ‘How Can I Tell You?’ is a raw and sincere ballad soaked in twangy guitar and warm, understated crooning. Playful vocal harmonies weave around expressive slide guitar, gradually building into a rich slice of Americana folk-rock grounded in plainspoken truths and open emotion.


At its core, ‘How Can I Tell You?’ is about appreciating friendship and loving life while still overthinking, overanalysing and coming to terms with growing up. Perrott captures the awkwardness of holding back feelings, biting your tongue, and finding the vulnerability to really express your emotions. As Clare Perrott shares:


“‘How Can I Tell You?' is about honest communication and appreciating all the love and light I have in my life. Sometimes it's easy to take love in any form for granted, and you gotta bridge that gap and get over yourself. Tell them how you feel! Feelings are everything, and even though they are ours, they deserve to be shared.”


Seizing the love that is easily taken for granted and the feelings we hesitate to share, Perrott transforms them into an introspective, powerful indie-folk song that showcases the beauty and guts it takes to share affection. ‘How Can I Tell You?’ is out September 18.


‘How Can I Tell You?’ Single Launch:
Fri, Oct 9 - The Bird, Northbridge WA






Follow Clare Perrott
Spotify | Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

1,472,154 — I Finally Added It All Up (Plus New Banners & A YouTube Milestone)

1,472,154 Total Plays • Views • Reads

This afternoon I sat down and finally added up everything since 2013.
It started with a simple SoundCloud upload from my little studio in Dewsbury Moor.

Today:

☁️ SoundCloud: 674,320 plays • 31k likes • 11,467 reposts

▶️ YouTube @MusicalArtizan: 4.59k subscribers • 202 videos • 401K views

🎧 Number One Music: 155,140 plays • Artist Pro • 199,833 profile views

📝 Musical Artizan Blog: 130,685 reads (you're here!)

📖 Kingdom Poetry Blog: 111,009 reads

🐦 X @DavidNSlater: 3,112 followers • ISSA Gold Active Member

Total: 1,472,154

And that's before Mixcloud, Facebook, Spotify (as David Nicholas Slater / Daretobelieve / Musical Artizan), and ElasticStage vinyl.

Awards along the way:

_ Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2024 WINNER
_ ISSA Gold Active Member
_ Number One Music Artist Pro
_ Nominated — Student Side Hustle Awards (£2500 + mentor scheme — voting open now!)

I've also just updated all my headers to match. New YouTube banner, new X header and profile, new SoundCloud banner — all dark navy + gold with the 1.47M on them. If they look clean today, that's why.

My SoundCloud banner now respects SoundCloud's overlay — left side blank so my avatar doesn't cover the numbers. Little details matter.

My two Kingdom Poetry books are now both in paperback on Amazon — Vol 1 & Vol 2. Links on musicalartizan.com

Thank you. From Dewsbury, UK, with a home studio and 13 years of stubbornness.
DNS © 2026

musicalartizan.com | daretobelieve.biz | musicalartizan.co.uk | windshaker.co.uk
youtube.com/@MusicalArtizan

Having fun with the 1564 chord progression

David musical artizan Slater · Neopolitian Collection

The song is in C Major Ionian mode and C minor Aeolian mode remember that the minor has a sharp 7.   

Because the Neopolitan scale is different to both C Ionian and C Aeolian it has a very different tone - semitone pattern.

C Major Ionian C D E F G A B C

1 C E G
5 G B D
6 A C E
4 F A C

C Minor Aeolian  A B C D E F G# A

1 A C E
5 E G# B
6 F A C
4 D F A

C Neopolitan Major C Db Eb F G A B C

1 C Eb G
5 G B Db
6 A C Eb
4 F A C


C Neopolitan Minor C Db Eb F G Ab B C

1 C Eb G
5 G B Db
6 Ab C Eb
4 Eb G B


If you listen the bass takes on a different pattern when it changes to the neopolitan varients

Michael Ward

Celebrates The Good Side of Life On 'How Good Can This Get?'


Out Friday, August 28

Praise for Michael Ward


“Michael’s stage presence is unmistakable: grounded, generous, and electrifying. He doesn’t just perform to an audience — he performs with them. Every grin, every stomp, every guitar lick feels like an invitation. You’re not an observer. You’re part of the moment.”
(BTN - Gig Review)

''It's like Poison had a baby with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Keith Urban was the godfather. Scorching country rock that hits harder than a pack of Fisherman's Friend!"
[About 'No Regrets] (Gareth Bryant, Scenestr)


"Michael’s infectious energy drove the set flying on top of some damn fine country rock”
(Gidgestock Music Festival - Review)

Stream 'How Good Can This Get?' 

Ahead of an 18-date national tour, Western Australian singer-songwriter Michael Ward returns with an uplifting new single, ‘How Good Can This Get?’, a heartfelt celebration of gratitude, grit, and the embrace of life's unexpected moments, due for release on Friday, August 28.

Winner of the Homegrown Hundred National Countdown and established touring artist, Michael Ward’s career spreads far and wide across the Western coast of Australia, far from the salty swamplands of Stratham where Ward was raised.

Coming off the back of his most recent single, ‘No Regrets’, Michael Ward continues to draw from the influences of Australian rock, roots and blues, further building his reputation for writing songs that connect with real people and form authentic experiences. His latest release ‘How Good Can This Get?' continues to provide Ward’s knack for authenticity and communitas, delivering a feel-good anthem that balances reflective verses with infectious optimism.

‘How Good Can This Get?’ blends warm acoustic guitars, earthy roots-rock grooves and an instantly memorable chorus to capture the spirit of finding joy in the everyday. Driven by Ward's bona fide storytelling and honest vocal delivery, ‘How Good Can This Get?' is a reminder that even after life's challenges, there's always another reason to smile.

Speaking on the track, Michael Ward acknowledges the distraction that life's troubles and tribulations can bring, reminding us that it’s imperative to stop and breathe:

"’How Good Can This Get?’ is about appreciating where life takes you," says Ward. "Sometimes we spend so much time looking for what's next that we forget to enjoy the moment we're living in. This song is a reminder to stop, look around and realise just how good things can be."

The production allows the song's uplifting message to shine, combining organic instrumentation with a polished sound that blends quintessential country elements with a contemporary edge, further expanding Ward’s music reach to country fans old and new.

‘How Good Can This Get?’ sees Michael Ward continue to establish himself as one of Western Australia’s most genuine voices in country-roots and rock. Honest, uplifting, and full of heart, contemplate the good with Michael Ward’s newest single, ‘How Good Can This Get?’ out Friday, August 28. Then, catch Michael Ward on tour - details below.

The 'How Good Can This Get?' Australian Tour
Thu, Sep 03 - Denham Town Hall, Denham, WA
Fri, Sep 04 - Onslow Beach Resort, Onslow, WA
Sat, Sep 05 - Whalebone Brewery, Exmouth, WA
Sun, Sep 06 - Bills Bar, Coral Bay, WA
Fri, Oct 02 - Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury, WA
Sat, Oct 03 - Mandurah Country Music Festival, Mandurah, WA
Sun, Oct 04 - The River Hotel, Margaret River, WA
Sat, Oct 10 - Gidgestock Music Festival, Gidgegannup, WA
Fri, Oct 23 - Exeter Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Sat, Oct 24 - Horsham Country Music Festival, Horsham, VIC
Sun, Oct 24 - The Mallee Hen, Lascelles, VIC
Fri, Nov 13 - 459 Bar, Perth, WA
Sat, Nov 14 - King River Tavern, Albany, WA
Sun, Nov 15 - Indian Ocean Hotel, Scarborough, WA
Sun, Nov 29 - Launceston Country Music Festival, Launceston, TAS
Fri, Dec 18 - Nickel Bar, Kambalda, WA
Sat, Dec 19 - 33 Degrees, Esperance, WA
Sun, Dec 20 - Lucky Bay Brewery, Esperance, WA

Follow Michael Ward
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UNGUS UNGUS UNGUS

Prepare for a psychedelic circus ride as you enter 'The Fun House'


Album Out Friday, Aug 28

Stream 'The Fun House'

Musical contortionists Ungus Ungus Ungus return to bending boundaries with more of their signature mind-tickling tracks on their seventh studio album 'The Fun House', out August 28th.

With six full-length albums under their belt and having taken the stage at an array of internationally regarded festivals, including Woodford Folk, Port Fairy Folk and Rainbow Serpent, Ungus Ungus Ungus are back with an electrifying album that promises to deliver an unpredictable and enlivening experience, at times intentionally disorienting in its stylistic turns but always staying on track to a good time - much like the fairground ride from which the album takes its name.

With players based across three states, the Naarm/Melbourne-centred band returns with their shapeshifting, dancefloor-friendly sound. Conceptually, the album explores foundational dimensions of life together with its assorted peaks, valleys and contrasting flavours. Bandleader Max Schollar-Root says of the album:

“As a band that plays fast and loose with genre, we have held nothing back stylistically, taking the listener on a journey from our signature circus party freak folk through psychedelic dub, funky hip-hop, electro swing, drum and bass, and ambient spaciousness.”

The album opens with ‘Funlerable’, a driving, moody track featuring circus organs and haunting vocals that speak to the duality of joy and vulnerability as an oscillating feature of life. ‘Poltergeist’ follows with a theatrical lament to lost love that builds from a slow cabaret feel to an uptempo frenzy. ‘Dr Quiet’ slows down the pace, giving way to atmospheric dub and sensuous, leisurely horns, setting the scene for the conceptual funk odyssey of ‘Wishes Three’, a foray into the foundations of where food comes from through deep grooves, group vocals and character-driven lyrics.

Opening the B-side (on the vinyl version of the album) is the mysterious, mellow ‘Secret Track’, which features a verse from acclaimed local MC Flash Poetry. ‘Sauna Swing’ rebuilds to bouncing electroswing, with the momentum further amplified by ‘Move’, a drum’n’bass-infused ode to the moving body with guest vocals from FemCee. Ambient instrumental track ‘Beginnings’ rounds out ‘The Fun House’ with a meditative, uplifting resolution, with warm synth textures gently releasing the listener from the carnival ride.

With its eclectic fusion of genres and styles, Ungus Ungus Ungus’ ‘The Fun House’ captures the chaos and unpredictability of life, as well as the pleasures and soft landings to be found along the way. Overflowing with boisterous creativity, each track reinforces their commitment to making inventive dance music for live performance. The album offers a taste of the spectacle to come at their album launch at Shotkickers in Thornbury on August 29.

'The Fun House' will appear on streaming platforms Friday, August 28.

Album Release Show
Saturday, August 29th - Shotkickers, Thornbury| Tickets
With Gusto Gusto, Trickbox X Flash Poetry


Follow Ungus Ungus Ungus
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KPR

SERGE & THE CURRENTS
Channel Decades of Experience Into Debut Single
'This Too Shall Pass'


Single Out Friday, August 28

Stream 'This Too Shall Pass'

Pain can feel permanent in the moment, but even the hardest chapters eventually pass. Built around that idea, ‘This Too Shall Pass’, out Friday, August 28, the debut single from Serge & The Currents, explores heartbreak, regret and the difficult process of accepting that what hurts now will eventually ease.

Led by Naarm/Melbourne-based Latin guitarist, music educator and composer Sergio Ercole, Serge & The Currents brings together some of the city’s finest musicians, drawing on decades of lived experience through relatable storytelling and accomplished songcraft.

Marking a new guitar-driven folk and country-pop direction for the Florence-born musician, the project builds on more than 40 years of performance and composition across Italy, the United States and Australia.

Serge & The Currents' debut single sees them blend melodic country-pop with shuffling drums, bright acoustic textures, and expressive guitar work peppered by Southwestern and Latin influences. These nostalgic guitar tones sit alongside distinctly Australian vocals and melodies, giving the project a sound that feels both familiar and individual.

Despite its upbeat, playful and easygoing feel, ‘This Too Shall Pass’ carries a subtle melancholic undercurrent, capturing that sense of being caught looking back while trying to move on. Sergio Ercole speaks on the track:

“‘This Too Shall Pass’ is me arguing with myself in the wreckage of a breakup, replaying the laughs, the wine and the reasons I ran, while trying to believe the hurt won’t last forever. It’s a mid-life heartbreak song about that messy, honest moment where you choose to keep walking anyway.”

Reminisce on the past and replay the laughs with ‘This Too Shall Pass’, the debut single from Sergio Ercole’s newest project, Serge & The Currents. Bringing together decades of experience and musicianship, the track is due Friday, August 28, followed by an intimate single launch at the Wesley Anne in Northcote on Sunday, September 13.

'This Too Shall Pass' Single Launch
Sunday, Sept 13 - Wesley Anne, Northcote | From 3pm

Follow Serge & The Currents
www.sergeandthecurrents.com
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navy june

Confront the Things Left Unresolved on 'routine avoidance'


Single Out Friday, Aug 21

Praise for Navy June


"So pumped to hear what's in store for Navy June! This one's a dreamy, soaring, unravelling one that really hits the punch. An exciting band to be across for sure! EXCITING!"
4.5 / 5 (Claire Mooney, Triple J)


"such a deep, dark track that is layered so purposefully to build up to a high-class chorus"
4 / 5 (Ebony Jade, Triple J)


"Navy June are everything! feeling everything you're feeling and picking up everything you're putting down ... 'mister' is the real deal!"
4 / 5 (Anika Luna, Triple J)


'mister' - AMRAP Charts #6 Overall | #1 Indie/Alt | #1 Rock/Metal

Stream 'routine avoidance' | Download Press Images / mp3 / wav

Some situations are easier to avoid than confront, but eventually, the things left unresolved have a way of catching up. Wrestling with that uncomfortable space between holding on and moving forward, Boorloo/Perth-based band navy june return with a bittersweet single, ‘routine avoidance’, out Friday, August 21.

Following the release of ‘mister’ back in January, navy june have been on the grind. Alongside appearances at Bloom Fest, Blues at Bridgetown and Spaced Out Fest, the band has shared stages with Old Mervs, Great Gable, The Vanns, Fool Nelson, Cheeky Leash, Death By Denim, Sophian, Ruby Hoo, Nana's Pie, Devon Street and Darcie Haven, while also receiving a WAM Song of the Year nomination.

Now, with ‘routine avoidance’, navy june dance between intimate, acoustic-led folk and heart-crunching indie rock. What starts out with an understated, innocent folky bedroom softness gracefully blooms with fuzzed-out electric guitars, powerful drums topped with aching vocals and harmonies that pry at the heartstrings.

Beneath its warm melodies, the track carries a captivating aura to it. 'Routine avoidance’ lingers in the uncertainty that follows heartbreak, exploring the difficult process of growing beyond someone while remaining haunted by unanswered questions and everything left unresolved. Rather than offering easy closure, the track finds beauty in that emotional in-between, where resilience is built one step at a time. Speaking on the track, Ruby Barton-Taylor states:

“‘routine avoidance’ tells the story of heartbreak, resilience, and taking back control. It's about being torn between wanting their validation and needing to let go, spiralling through grief, anger, and obsession while searching for a way to move forward.”

Avoidance might be a coping mechanism, but it rarely brings closure. Fortunately, ‘routine avoidance’ is one thing worth confronting when it arrives Friday, August 21. Then, catch navy june launch the single at Lunar Fest in Fremantle on Friday, September 4, before an intimate acoustic performance at Sullivan Hall on Sunday, September 6.

Upcoming Shows
Friday, September 4 - Lunar Fest, Fremantle | Tickets
Supports include: Symmetrical Dogs, Jack Hamilton, Slow Horse, Oakabella Mae, Clare Perrott, Free Aviary, CNTR, Nugzy


Sunday, September 6 - Sullivan Hall, Fremantle | Tickets
Supports include: Caitlin Mias, Nadya Kadisha


Follow navy june
https://linktr.ee/navyjuneband
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Solo Piano in F Major

David musical artizan Slater · solo piano in F Major