TOWSLEY – DAMAGED
TOWSLEY takes ‘Deliberate’ and bold steps with raw yet inspirational new EP
SPRINGFIELD, MA – TOWSLEY is an unconventional musician with an equally unique introduction to music. At only 4 years old – after seeing a live bluegrass band – she knew that music was in her future … but she had to convince her parents of that fact. Begging them to buy her a guitar almost every day for a year, they finally relented and purchased what would become the first of many instruments that this talented artist would master. Mostly self-taught by ear, TOWSLEY developed a unique sound and style that caught the attention of anyone who heard her. With an astounding voice and an intriguing guitar style, she was soon being sought after for new music. Growing up in the church, she found her way into ministry as a worship leader and church music director. But she eventually left this path behind after coming out as a lesbian.
As with many others who have made that bold announcement to their families and community, TOWSLEY faced a lot of backlash and disappointment. Her response was to walk away from music and flee to the military. She enlisted with the U.S. Army, and for the past three years she’s been serving in Italy. It was during an especially dark and depressing time for her during the 2020 Pandemic and ensuing quarantine that she turned back to music as a source of therapy. And in the midst of that anguish she found her love for writing music again.
Out of that process comes her latest EP “Deliberate.” The five songs on the project perfectly express the meaning behind the name of the EP – a mantra, of sorts, for her life moving forward. Each of the songs on the project were chosen for a reason, with deliberate purpose and intention to bring listeners on a journey. She deliberately chose songs that highlight and expose different aspects of who she is as a person through stories with which other people can relate. And she puts those ideas against a style that has been compared to Amy Winehouse, Florence + The Machine and even Adele. The debut single from the EP, “Damaged,” is a perfect example of how this blend of ideas and sounds comes together in intriguing ways.
“All of the songs on this EP came from that place of isolation,” TOWSLEY said. “I was in a dark period of time trying to find some light and reconnect with my passion for writing. With ‘Damaged,’ I get very raw and show people who I am as a person. We’re all damaged, and this is my story of how I’m damaged. We’re all damaged, but that doesn’t mean we’re damaged goods. It’s an important message I want people to hear. You’re not alone. We’ve all been in a dark place and a little broken, but that doesn’t mean that’s the sum of who you are.”
With a drive to connect with people and the desire to be a voice for marginalized communities – especially the LGBTQ+ community – TOWSLEY hopes that listeners will feel a connection to her music and find inspiration to live their most authentic lives. With influences that range everywhere from jazz to blues to folk to Pop to classical to metal to rock to Gospel and everything in between, she has a vibe and stories with which fans all over the world will be able to relate.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUte5r0BmS4]
To listen to TOWSLEY’s music, or to follow her on social media, please visit the following links:
https://open.spotify.com/album/61h2Ee4rrXZNXd5Iyql4H0
https://music.apple.com/us/album/deliberate-ep/1574465510
https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0989K5MQJ
https://www.iheart.com/artist/towsley-763233/albums/deliberate-138464327/
https://www.instagram.com/mmtowsley/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/mmtowsleymusic/
Music
(Video) KING FAME – Goin thru it
Buffalo’s own rising star, King Fame, sets the music scene ablaze once again with the release of his latest visual spectacle, “Goin Thru It.” Shot on location in the heart of Buffalo.
With his signature blend of his raw delivery and poetic lyricism, King Fame invites listeners to join him on a journey of his pathway.
Turn the volume up as ” King Fame 👑delivers powerful bars like this one, “The ones that wish you blessings, be the ones that curse you,” viewers are captivated by the raw honesty and lyricism.
Tap in with King 👑 Fame via
Facebook : Stmb Fame
&
Instagram @Stmb_kingfame
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(Video) MUMU FRESH – “MY WHY” @maimounayoussef
Grammy-nominated Washington, D.C.-based singer/songwriter/emcee Mumu Fresh presents her new single “My Why”. Produced by Carvin Haggins and Johhny Smith, “My Why” will appear on The Healing, Mumu’s forthcoming album which will also feature contributions from DJ Jazzy Jeff, Nile Hargrove, 14KT, Daniel Crawford, Vidal Davis, DJ Dummy and more. Mumu has collaborated with Lil Wayne & Tech N9ne (stream “Too Good”), Busta Rhymes, Salaam Remi & Black Thought of The Roots (watch the music video for “No Peace”) and Common (watch Mumu Fresh and Common perform “I Used To Love H.E.R.” live) and Tobi Nwigwe (watch the music video for “Tundah Fiyah”). Mumu has performed on two separate NPR Tiny Desk concerts (watch Mumu Fresh featuring Black Thought of The Roots & DJ Dummy on NPR’s Tiny Desk) and has performed worldwide at events like the Essence Music Festival, Montreux Switzerland’s Jazz Festival and Dubai’s Sole Fest DBX. “State of Emergency” marks another chapter in a career of self-described “art activism” for the Baltimore native who has performed and given lectures within the US prison system, The Congressional Black Caucus, I.M.A.N. Central in Chicago & Atlanta, The W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Ford Foundation and The Indigenous People’s Movement. Mumu is co-creator of the Recording Academy’s “Best Song For Social Change” trustee award which went live in 2023 at the 66th GRAMMY awards show and was presented by The First Lady, Jill Biden. The winner of Indigenous Music, Washington Area Music (WAMMIE) and Urban World Music Video awards, Mumu has served as Musical and Cultural Ambassador for the US State Department, Ambassador of The Black Music Collective and is a former elected governor of the DC chapter of The Recording Academy. Mumu describes “My Why” as “a tribute to that person(s), place, or thing in your life that is your “WHY”. Your reason not to give up. Your reason to keep trying and to push a little harder than you thought you could. You why reminds you of what you’re made of and brings out the best in you.” The Healing drops April 19.
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Santa Sallet X Nemizzo (MSP) – “Big Hands”
DMV-based rapper/producer Santa Sallet and France-based producer Nemizzo are MSP, presenting their new single “Big Hands”. Sallet has been busy showcasing his brand of East Coast braggadocious rap across a slew of recent singles like “Camouflage” (watch on Youtube), “I Get Money” (watch on Youtube), “Championship Ring” (watch on Youtube) and “Chinese Funk” (watch on Youtube) in preparation for the release of Plutography, Sallet’s forthcoming album which blends salsa beats, southern trap, and eastern jazz with classic and conventional rap samples, reflecting Sallet’s international upbringing across South Africa, Dominica and the US. Sallet is planning a series of full-length releases, among them C.R.E.A.M. which recounts his journey from broke to financially free, and Women and R.A.P. which describe his pursuit of success in relationships and the music industry respectively. “This is the song that really started MSP Tunes,” Santa says. “Nemizzo had laid down his verse and I was like, let me try something on this and I just talked about what I knew. What I think is funny, the outro is actually me recording a bunch of potential beat tags. There was a miscommunication and Nemizzo extended the beat and made it the outro. I like it though lol.” Check out Santa Sallet merch here.