We Speak Indie Artist
Tony Shades Impresses With “Nightmare Fuel”

Fast-rising electronic DJ/producer Tony Shades has returned with his anthemic new single, “Nightmare Fuel”. Starting with a subtle hypnotic electronic beat that slowly builds throughout, the six-minute track features vocalist Jessie Westreich and will no doubt have listeners transfixed as it reaches its atmospheric climax. The track builds on Tony Shades’ growing momentum in the electronic scene following previous successes “Go Gaga” and “Far From Home”.
Speaking further on the new release, Tony Shades says, “‘Nightmare Fuel’ is about the place the mind can sometimes end in when struggling to achieve your goals or find your best self. It’s about the feeling of knowing those emotions always inevitably come to the surface at some stage in one’s journey.”
Born and raised in Switzerland, and originating from a drums and cello-playing background, Tony Shades actually never expected to become an electronic DJ. In fact, he wanted to be a hip-hop artist and studied live sound engineering and music production in Los Angeles. However, he became disillusioned with this dream when he felt that some rappers were sending negative messages to the youth. Surreptitiously in 2019, he met and immediately bonded with two electronic music producers, who showed him the ropes and fuelled his journey in the electronic scene. Having released several successful singles already, “Nightmare Fuel” is shaping up to be his biggest release yet and marks him out as one to watch.
“Nightmare Fuel” is available to buy/stream now on all platforms: https://lnk.to/eUef2uNG.
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We Speak Indie Artist
Marz Starlife Makes A Striking First Impression With Healing

Every once in a while, a debut comes along that doesn’t just introduce an artist – it reveals a soul. Marz Starlife’s first EP, Healing, is exactly that. It’s raw, it’s heartfelt, and it doesn’t pretend to have everything figured out. Instead, it leans into the messiness of real life – the mistakes, the heartbreak, the isolation – and tries to make sense of it all through music. Born in Jamaica, raised in the UK, and now back on the island, Marz brings a cross-cultural perspective to his storytelling, but at the heart of Healing is something deeply human: the need to reckon with the past in order to move forward.
Across the project’s standout tracks, Marz doesn’t hold back. In Bad Memories, he opens up about years lost to incarceration, fractured relationships, and the weight of regret. “Spent four birthdays locked up, baby remember me please,” he raps, in a tone that’s both matter-of-fact and aching. The production stays subdued and moody, letting the lyrics breathe. There’s no glorification of the streets here, only reflection. He admits to being young and caught up in the chase for fast money, but he also shows growth, making it clear that he’s not the same person he once was. It’s a track that lingers, not because it tries to be flashy, but because it feels real.
The title track, Healing, is where everything clicks. Marz taps into something almost spiritual as he raps, “I turn pain into power, darkness to light.” The song is layered with poetic lines and subtle emotional shifts, balancing toughness with tenderness. There’s a determination to rise above, even when the scars still sting. He reflects on his upbringing, his time in the streets, and the inner battles he continues to fight. “No shrink can understand how I’m feeling,” he says, and honestly, it’s hard not to believe him. The pain here is too specific, too lived-in. But instead of letting it swallow him, he uses it to fuel something greater.
What’s refreshing about Healing is that it doesn’t try to fit neatly into any one genre or narrative. Marz blends elements of UK hip-hop, Jamaican rhythm, and emotional rap into something that feels uniquely his own. He’s not here to be the loudest or the flashiest; he’s here to be honest. And in a world full of over-produced, over-polished music, that honesty stands out.
With Healing, Marz Starlife has given us more than a debut; he’s given us a mirror into his journey, and maybe even our own. Whether you’ve lived through similar struggles or are just someone who appreciates music with depth and heart, this EP is worth your time. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible, and that sometimes telling your story is the most powerful thing you can do.
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