New Indie Music Discovery: “Fastracks” 21

Tom Tikka picked up the guitar at the tender age of six after hearing Paul Anka’s “Lonely Boy” in his father’s old Chevrolet. Soon afterwards, he began writing songs. Tom’s infatuation with music only deepened after his aunt’s husband Timo “Oippa” Oinonen introduced him to the concept of lead guitar and even more importantly to the music of such legendary groups as The Beatles and The Doors.

Tikka formed almost as many groups as he disbanded in his late teens and early twenties. Yet, when he finally signed his first recording contract on his 21st birthday, it was a solo deal and not a band effort. He recorded a three-song EP for Olarin Musiikki, a small indie label in Espoo (Finland), under the alias of Tom Spark. Unfortunately, the EP disappeared as quickly as it was released. Consequently, Tikka found himself in square one, without a band or a record deal.

​Disappointed, Tom withdrew from music for a few years but began writing songs again once his brother Lappe Holopainen suggested that they form a songwriting team. Lappe had founded a group he was convinced would go far and he needed tunes for his new outfit. This group was Carmen Gray.

Carmen Gray was signed to Sony/BMG in 2005 and during the next nine years, they went on to record three albums and one EP. The group’s entire catalog (including such radio hits as “Lost In My Mind Again”, “Gates Of Loneliness” & “Life Can Be Beautiful”) was penned by Tom Tikka & Lappe Holopainen.

​After Carmen Gray disbanded in 2013, Tikka formed his current group The Impersonators with poet Antti Autio. In 2017, The Impersonators signed with FBP, a German label based out of Frankfurt. Together with their producer Janne Saksa, the Josie Award-nominated The Impersonators have released tunes to rave reviews, considerable amount of radio attention and chart success. “Rodeo” rose to #1 on the International iTunes charts and “Scarlett Hell” to #9.

​In April 2020, Tom began working with MTS Records and has released three critically-acclaimed EPs since as well as six iTunes hit singles, “Working Class Voodoo” (#99), “Driving Me Insane” (#2), “Jaded Mind” (#4), “That’s What Winston Churchill Said” (#3), “Heart’s On Fire” (#2) & “Doormat” (#1).

​In 2021, Tom Tikka won an ISSA award for International Male Emerging Artist Of The Year. He has also been awarded four Josie-Award nominations. This year, the Josie Music Awards Event will take place on September 17 & 18 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

New album “This Is My Happy Face” comes out September 17, 2021.

A singer, songwriter and poet from London via Madrid, MIKE WALSH attributes his raw and observational writing style to influences in philosophy, literature, and music; infatuated by the works and words from the minds of Seneca to Jim Morrison.

Launching his debut project with lead-off single ‘PICKINGFIGHTS’, the single joined the iTunes chart at No. 10 in Spain and No. 115 in the UK.

Mike’s subsequent single ‘RIDE’ was accompanied by a music video, with both singles added to the playlist at Amazing Radio, Regional FM and Online Radio Stations in Europe and as far as Australia.

Mike’s new single ‘FALLING’ speaks of societal disharmony and how important it is to lose the egos and to care for each other.

“People in general judge other people without knowing them, people jump over other people, promise and don’t deliver… but even though I see it as a third party, sometimes I have to work on myself to avoid falling into these conditioned behaviour patterns too”, says Walsh.

Released on Wednesday 1st September, the single continues a journey of eight songs sharing Mike’s hidden secrets, fears and life experiences as a young man finding his ground.

Guyville is a Los Angeles based duo comprised of its founding members, Kat Hamilton and Emily Hulslander. The pair craft songs that combine elements of 90s rock, pop and country. As their name suggests, the legacy of Liz Phair brought these two powerful women together in songwriting bliss. The duo strikes the perfect chord with Hulslander’s intelligent pop approach and Hamilton’s confessional lyricism.

Guyville was formed during your usual Los Angeles writing session in the Valley. What was unusual, was the easy flow and chemistry between the two prolific writers. Within a few hours, the duo had written their first song “Should’ve Never Dated”.

Emily Hulslander had already made a strong name for herself in LA songwriting circles, but was struggling to find another writer who she could relax into the process with. Kat Hamilton was newer to LA, but felt unfulfilled as a writer. On that pivotal day, Emily and Kat found common ground in their failed relationships, artistic journeys and the women of the 90s.

This connection is highlighted in their debut Guyville single, “Nothing”. The end of summer jam combines elements of indie rock and 90s girl anthems with a sprinkle of Shania Twain. “Nothing” celebrates the wonderful post- breakup feeling of absolutely nothing for your ex. In the music video, Hamilton and Hulslander frolic in rose gardens and dance along sandy beaches. The result is a bubbly, tongue in cheek ode to getting over it and moving on.

Nashville’s very own, Boon, the 18-year old writer, singer, mixer, producer, and master of all his own music- not to mention shoots and directs all of his videos- has immersed himself into the music industry at a young age with his father as Carrie Underwood’s lead guitarist since the start of her career.

Boon’s releases “i might like u” and “You” were featured on Spotify’s “New Music Friday”, “Fresh Finds”, “hyperpop”, “Salt”, and Apple’s “Alternative” playlists. Boon exemplifies the meaning of creating his own unique sound and style of production, classifying him as a true, young prodigy. His last release “Can’t Be Love” features an enhanced rock driven sound that is heard throughout his upcoming project.