We Speak Indie Artist
How Dayton Ohio’s Raxz Turned Adversity Into Opportunity
Every artist has a story, but few are as powerful as Raxz’s. The Dayton, Ohio native has faced challenges that could have stopped most people in their tracks. After serving an 11-year prison sentence and enduring the heartbreaking loss of both parents, he made a decision to rewrite his future through music.
A major turning point came when his mother left him a letter encouraging him to focus on his God-given talent. Her words became a source of strength and motivation, inspiring him to take his music career seriously and pursue the dreams he’d long put aside.
That dedication is paying off. Raxz has collaborated with respected artists such as Sally Sossa, Slatt Zy, and Trecinco, building a reputation for authenticity and determination. In 2022, he was recognized by XXL Magazine as an artist to watch, further validating his growing presence in the industry.
While success hasn’t come without setbacks, Raxz has remained committed to his vision. Whether battling self-doubt, maintaining consistency, or navigating the business side of music, he’s continued to push forward.
Now, he’s preparing for the release of City of Dragons, a project he describes as his most complete and hardest-hitting work to date. With production from Sauce Sinatra, Yung Steely, and members of 808 Mafia, expectations are high.
As his audience continues to grow, Raxz is proving that no matter where you’ve been, your story doesn’t have to define your future. Stream his new single “First Flight” below.
Connect
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ronnie_raxz?utm_source=qr)
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5oBH3FT2m19jkkREzOiVoI)
YouTube (https://youtube.com/@ronnieraxz?si=xT734aDd2Q4x483h)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.raxz.9?mibextid=LQQJ4d)
Plain Mister Smith returns with Bric-À-Brac Attack, a beautifully offbeat collection of indie-folk, pop and atmospheric songwriting. Released via Amelia Records, the album finds the Vancouver and London-based multi-hyphenate turning fragments of memory, relationships and everyday absurdity into something quietly cinematic.
At its centre is “Grindavik”, a shimmering, reflective track inspired by the Icelandic town shaped by recent volcanic activity. Bright acoustic guitars and steady drums carry a constantly shifting chord progression, mirroring the song’s central metaphor of a relationship under pressure and the hope that its fissures can eventually heal. Featuring Jordan Klassen and Kitt, the track captures the emotional tension that runs throughout the album.
Elsewhere, Bric-À-Brac Attack moves effortlessly between playful guitar-driven moments, lush arrangements and more introspective passages. “Miss Sunshine” brings infectious energy, while collaborations with Findlay Brown, Leeroy Stagger, Krystle Dos Santos and Tyson Mostenbocher add colour to an already eclectic record.
Former guitarist of Canadian darkwave band Moev and a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, Plain Mister Smith brings an unusually broad musical perspective to his songwriting. Yet Bric-a-Brac attack never feels overly calculated. Instead, it has the charm of something discovered rather than constructed.
Warm, strange, melodic and emotionally searching, Bric-À-Brac Attack is a record that rewards getting lost in its details. Plain Mister Smith may remain deliberately mysterious, but the music itself speaks with remarkable clarity.
Photo credit: Sandra Lockwood
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