We Speak Indie Artist
xskarma Reveals Captivating New Track “Hello”

Charles Grimsdale AKA xskarma is a songwriter/producer/drummer from Bristol, UK, creating a blend of indie pop and trip hop, driven by quirky retro funk-inspired beats. He is also a tech entrepreneur who co-founded one of Europe’s first streaming services, OD2, alongside Peter Gabriel. He is an active technology investor and is non-exec Chairman of on-demand vinyl platform elasticStage. He is also passionate about conservation and tackling climate change, and with previous single “Changing”, he has partnered with OneTreePlanted and donates all streaming revenue for the track towards planting trees in Uganda to help restore some of the most important forest for Chimpanzees.
Filtered drum grooves, wobbly synth pads and deep, punchy basslines are the foundation of many of xskarma’s tracks, and he draws inspiration from bands such as Portishead, Massive Attack, Zero 7, Morcheeba, Lamb and Tame Impala. xskarma only started releasing music in 2020 and already has a multitude of releases under his belt and a fast-growing audience. Looking to build on his momentum, he has just unveiled his brand-new single and first release of 2023, “Hello”.
“Hello” was written and produced by xskarma and features vocals from glasscat. Featuring a smooth, downtempo beat, the track commands attention in the first few seconds and is elevated further once glasscat’s captivating voice kicks in. The track also stands out for its infectious and almost hypnotic chorus. A must-hear single, “Hello” will no doubt draw in new fans for xskarma as it becomes clearer with each release that he is one to watch.
Speaking further on “Hello”, xskarma says, “The track is about the unspoken darkness in a relationship and how sometimes a partner can seem distant and distracted, living in a parallel universe. The inspiration came from a glitchy Timbaland track. I then played the live drum beat as an evolution of that and built the rest from there.” “Hello” is available to buy/stream now on all platforms: https://xskarma.lnk.to/hello.
Keep up to date with the latest from xskarma:
We Speak Indie Artist
Feelgood Frequencies: Why CR Srikanth’s “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™” Is The Sonic Hug You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you’ve been looking for a track that feels like a warm, nostalgic hug wrapped in shimmering synths, CR Srikanth’s new single “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™” might be exactly what you need. It offers a beautiful balance of emotional depth and danceable energy, pulling you out of your head and into a place where you can just breathe, feel, and move. In a world that often feels overwhelming, this track delivers a sense of calm and release.
Srikanth, a US-based Indian composer and sonic storyteller, has carved out a unique musical space with his self-created genre, VS Pop™ (Very Smooth Pop). Drawing from vintage 1980s synthpop, ambient soundscapes, and cinematic orchestral touches, he’s crafted a style that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. “Dancing in the Dark” continues that evolution. It is at once intimate and expansive, polished yet deeply human.
The track features vocals from Junior Paez, whose delivery adds emotional texture to the lyrics. There’s a quiet honesty in lines like “Don’t you think you’re losing your mind again?” and “Hold on, I’ll take you a little higher tonight.” These words speak to the chaos we often feel inside, but instead of staying stuck there, the song encourages movement, connection, and hope. It is music that acknowledges the darkness but chooses to dance through it anyway.
The production is rich with shimmering arpeggiators, retro synth bass, and crisp electronic drums. It brings together nostalgia and futurism in a way that feels effortless. Imagine flickering neon lights, soft motion blur, and the kind of energy that makes you want to close your eyes and sway. It is cinematic but never overwhelming. Every layer serves the emotion at the heart of the track.
What makes “Dancing in the Dark” so appealing is how well it adapts to your mood. Whether you’re heading out for a solo night drive, setting the vibe for a weekend gathering, or simply lying on your bed in need of a reset, this song fits the moment. It never pushes too hard, but it always lands exactly where it needs to. There is something comforting about how sure of itself it feels.
CR Srikanth is not just making music for the sake of it. He is building emotional landscapes for listeners to get lost in and to find themselves again. With “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™,” he offers more than just a catchy tune. He gives us space to reflect, to feel seen, and to find joy in the act of simply moving forward. So press play, turn it up, and let yourself be lifted. This one’s for the heart, the soul, and the feet.
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