Artist to Watch Archives

Kassi Ashton Stuns In “Pretty Shiny Things” Video

April 9, 2019/in Blog /by Danielle Tornatore

Filmed in Nashville and directed by Kristin Barlowe, one of our favorite rising artists and 2019 Artists to Watch, Kassi Ashton has released a stunning official music video for her newest, powerful track, “Pretty Shiny Things.”
Styled in a blush-toned silk gown, diamond-embellished earrings, with her hair teased up high and a dolled up face of makeup, Ashton is seen laying on an auditorium stage, surrounded by literal pretty shiny things; glamorous trinkets of sorts, mirrors, and chandeliers. Ashton’s hauntingly beautiful presence corresponds flawlessly with the painful honesty in this track. The message in this song is exceedingly relatable; the pressures women face to put on a facade, despite the pain we may feel on the inside. Ashton’s staggering vocals on the acoustic track add depth and simplicity to such a lyrically heavy song.

The songstress shared some insight behind the video, “In our society, it feels like we’re forced to evaluate our reflection everywhere we turn, always waiting for a confirmation from someone else that we are enough. Putting that, and something so personal for me, into a visual is a weird task. I wanted it to feel real, not forced. Kristin Barlowe helped me so much in marrying what I wanted artistically with the real emotional monologue.” In a recent interview with Paper Magazine, Ashton revealed the inspiration and intention for this video was to mimic a ballerina doll trapped in her jewelry box.

Watch the video below.

We first heard the song when the singer-songwriter debuted it at The Ryman Auditorium during CRS week in Nashville and we were automatically hooked on her honest lyrics. Ashton candidly continues to prove herself as an unapologetic artist that will not hold back, solidifying our choice to feature her as one of our Artists to Watch this year.

Keep up with Ashton on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to not miss any upcoming music releases.

“Pretty Shiny Things” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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[Listen] 2019 Artist to Watch Brandon Ratcliff “Number in My Phone”

February 1, 2019/in Blog /by Erica Zisman

Primed for a big year, rising country artist and our Swag Spotlight artist, Brandon Ratcliff released a new song across all platforms earlier today. After finding success with his debut single, “Rules of Breaking Up,” the singer-songwriter is sure to keep the momentum going with his new song, “Number in My Phone.”

The track was written by the Louisiana native, along with talented songwriters Pete Good and A.J. Babcock. Not to mention, the song was produced by two of the more recognizable names in Nashville, Shane McAnally and Good. “Number in My Phone” is a charming and clever story about how a relationship can begin from a simple gesture, such as getting someone’s number, and then all of a sudden that person means the world to you. On the contrary, it tells the full story, as that person, that number, becomes just a number again, after a breakup.

Like his last hit, “Rules of Breaking Up,” the new track features a catchy chorus with a relatable story, making it a perfect future radio single. “Cause you were just a number in my phone / Till I called you up and we talked until you were a first date, red wine kiss / And you were staying later every night, until you were an angel in my bed / Leaving your clothes at my place / You were the best damn thing I ever had till you were gone / Now you’re just another number in my phone.”

With a great team around him, smooth vocals, and a unique blend of R&B and new wave country, Ratcliff is proving that he is worthy of a spot on NYCountry Swag’s Artist to Watch 2019 list. Catch Ratcliff on Kelsea Ballerini’s ‘Miss Me More Tour’ with Brett Young this Spring. For more information and dates head to brandonratcliff.com

Take a listen to the track below and click here to check out our New Country Music Spotify playlist for all of the newest country music.

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NYCS 2018 Artist to Watch Where Are They Now: Ryan Griffin

November 1, 2018/in Blog /by Molly Holmberg

Here at New York Country Swag, we pride ourselves on being tastemakers, finding and championing new and up-and-coming artists and introducing our followers to the best of the best of the rising acts. Back in January of this year we named the 10 artists below in our “Artists to Watch in 2018” and we are proud to say, we know rising talent before they make it big. Someone to add to your watch list is Ryan Griffin.

Photo Credit to Dove Shore

Griffin has had an interesting start to his career as a singer/songwriter, as an intern at Broken Bow Records. Now that might not be that surprising but what it was at the time BBR had a new singer on their list named Jason Aldean who needed someone to go on the road with him. Griffin being free, soon became Aldean’s tour manager. While being on the road was great he wanted to be a songwriter himself. Since then he has scored songs on many records and his most popular was Kelsea Ballerini’s “Dibs” that hit number one. Since then Griffin been recording his debut album in bits and pieces.

This last year Griffin’s work has finally paid off. He was named one of Nashville Lifestyles Most Beautiful People of 2018 which highlights athletes, attorneys, singers, songwriters, doctors and more around Nashville. On top of that Griffin just signed into a joint publishing and development deal with songwriter/producer busbee and Warner Music Nashville partnering with Altadena, officially launching his own singing career. This partnership wasted no time in jumping right in as the rising artist is now currently in the studio working on new music with the producer, which is slated for release next year. Griffin also released three new songs earlier this year that have been highlighted on Spotify playlists, gaining attention from new fans, and he was selected to be a SiriusXM “On The Horizon” artist.

“Good Company”, “Play It By Heart” and “Best Cold Beer” combine Country, R&B, and Pop making each one suitable to any listener. “Play It By Heart” documents an affectionate side of Griffin, “Good Company” turns it up with slow guitar strums, irresistible vocals and a beat that makes you want to dance, and “Best Cold Beer” is a new take on a waste of money at the bars.

Griffin mentioned at his show at The Listening Room in August that in the past that he has always enjoyed the process of creating music. With this new album, he is trying to be intentional with the music that he puts forth, perfecting his sound and honing in on his songwriting. Indeed, “Best Cold Beer,” “Good Company” and “Play It By Heart” are insights of who he is: fun, soft, emotional, and a touch of hipster. To make sure you stay up to date with Ryan Griffin, you can follow his social and add him on Spotify to be the first to listen to any new music he puts out.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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