Now Defunkt – Old Enough

Published

4 years ago

October 5, 2020

Built on family, compassion and community in a trying time, Now Defunkt releases their new album

At the beginning of the pandemic, three friends — Scott Macklin, Steve McMahon and James Hunter — put together a song with the expectation that they would release the track and return to their normal lives. Months later, the trio, with the help of their equally talented children and some friends, are releasing a full album titled “Skills Are Handy, Feel is Gold” under the name Now Defunkt.

Macklin described how their group came together, explaining how their one project and a camping trip to the Joshua Tree where their daughters filmed the music video for the track, led them to exchange more ideas and fully realize what is now known as Now Defunkt. “My daughter Nikko and I, James and his daughter Amaris, and Steve and his daughter Anastasia all went out to the Joshua Tree to film this music video for a song called “Death Valley, Scotty”. As we sat around the campfire, we started coming up with ideas for other songs. My friend, Steve kept nagging, ‘Hey, we should do more.’ And I figured, ‘Hey, I’ve already checked ‘write and record a song’ off my bucket list. I’m good.’ But the COVID situation gave us the opportunity to really sit down and think, and from our own places of geographic isolation, we collaboratively created the next two songs, three songs, seven songs, then we said we should put out an album!”

With such a varied group of contributors, the sound of Now Defunkt is always evolving. Often, though they define with the Rock and Alternative genres, there are hints of Funk, Folk, Motown, Choral music and more throughout their album. “One of the interesting comments that we heard while working with a choir in Venezuela, the choir director said, ‘Your music is like listening to Led Zeppelin if Tim Burton was scoring a film. Your music is really cinematic.’ Our music is cinematic in the sense of trying to create stories. But there’s energy to it. There’s a mind to our music.”

The group’s album, “Skills Are Handy, Feel is Gold”, is a collection of songs, each with its own interesting and deeply motivated background. “One of my favorites is “Old Enough,” a song that my son Case Macklin wrote. He’s 22 years old,” Macklin explained. “It’s an introspective song looking back at growing up and being told, ‘Are you old enough? You’re not old enough.’ Now that he feels that he’s old enough, he’s questioning it and it has this sort of Motown-feel good sound and he’s actually rapping on the song with a friend, Nick Edney. They’ve been friends I think since they were seven years old. So it’s like two friends doing a song together, and there’s another friend by the name of Kya Barnes who sings the background vocals in the track, who just brings a flavor to it. And then there’s this really interesting trumpet part that weaves through the song, and then Steve puts in some pretty tasty Blues guitar.”

Some of the other songs include “Teachers,” written by Nikko Macklin, which is both a tribute to the amazing teachers who have been so fundamental in her life as well as a call-out to some of the more negative parts of the school system. Anastasia McMahon also contributed “Creeping Cthulhu,” which discusses the intricacies of relationships and the negative impacts of gas lighting. Macklin described this song as having a Joy Division feel to it. The recent protests and uprisings framed the song “Big Water” asking the question, ‘what does one do with their privilege in face of systemic racism and oppression.’ There are also songs such as “The Ballad of Billy Sunday and Madam May” and “Death Valley Scotty,” which have a more historical feel to them, creating fictional stories to describe interesting and somewhat unknown historical figures.

Currently, the group is working on putting out music videos and other media for the tracks in “Skills Are Handy, Feel is Gold”, all of which are being created by members of the Now Defunkt family. They are also working on making their music as accessible as possible so that the greatest number of people has access to the work they are doing. Now Defunkt hopes to continue putting out new projects and creating as much as they can in the near future.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6f5YWGWXDo]

Now Defunkt plans a virtual release happening for October 20, 2020. Check out the music and social media platforms of Now Defunkt with the links below.

www .nowdefunkt .com

https ://www .facebook .com /nowdefunkt

https ://www .instagram .com /nowdefunkt

“Old Enough”

https ://distrokid .com /hyperfollow /nowdefunkt /old –enough

Music

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3 weeks ago

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3 weeks ago

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Music

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Published

1 month ago

December 4, 2024

admin

International pop sensation Ivanna Melay is set to release her latest single “Tell It” today, a bold new track that blends powerful vocals, infectious rhythms, and raw emotion. The song is produced by none other than Grammy-winning producer, rapper, and songwriter Really Doe, known for his extensive work with Kanye West and his unparalleled talent in shaping some of the most iconic sounds of the last two decades.

This highly anticipated collaboration between Ivanna Melay and Really Doe brings together two creative forces from different sides of the world—Ivanna, a celebrated Ukrainian-born artist, and Really Doe, a Chicago native whose influence spans global music culture. “Tell It” is a perfect fusion of their distinct energies and backgrounds, showcasing the universal power of music to transcend cultural boundaries and connect hearts around the world.

“I’m so excited to share ‘Tell It’ with my fans,” said Ivanna Melay. “This song is a reflection of my journey as an artist and as a person. Working with Really Doe has been an incredible experience. His vision and expertise have brought a whole new dimension to this track.”

Tell It arrives with a visually stunning music video that was filmed in October 2024 at Chicago’s renowned Cine City Studios. The video, directed by a talented international production team, highlights Ivanna’s dynamic stage presence and her unique fusion of Eastern European elegance with contemporary global sounds. The video’s cinematic feel enhances the emotional depth of the song and solidifies Ivanna’s reputation as a boundary-pushing artist on the rise.

Known for her international acclaim and consistent chart-topping hits, Ivanna Melay has become a household name across three countries, dominating top TV and radio charts while earning multiple awards for her contributions to pop music. With “Tell It”, Ivanna continues to push her musical boundaries, exploring new sounds and collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry.

About Ivanna Melay:

Ivanna Melay is an award-winning pop artist whose music has captivated audiences around the world. Recognized for her innovative approach to pop music, Ivanna has earned her place as one of the top performers on TV and radio charts in multiple countries. With each new release, Ivanna continues to grow as an artist and influence the global pop landscape.

About Really Doe:

Really Doe is a Grammy-winning producer, rapper, and songwriter who has worked alongside industry giants like Kanye West for over two decades. Known for his exceptional ability to blend genres and create timeless tracks, Really Doe has become a cornerstone of the American hip-hop and pop music scenes. His collaborations have shaped the sound of modern music, making him one of the most sought-after producers in the world.

For more information about Ivanna Melay and her new single “Tell It” follow her on social media.