133. Fifteen Minutes of Fame Spotlights: May, Part 1
Originally Published on May 21st, 2025
Spotlights
Welcome to the first Fifteen Minutes of Fame Spotlights article! The intention for spotlights is to try to cover more artists on a monthly basis. As we trial out this new FMOf feature, we will try to implement 1-2 Spotlight articles per month. These articles will be shorter features of 3-4 artists, and may even contain a Blind Reaction. I hope you enjoy this new Fifteen Minutes of Fame feature!
Glass Figure by Fireside Shadow
Fireside Shadow is no stranger to Fifteen Minutes of Fame special features. In fact, it was her special edition article that launched our official website just two months ago! Fireside Shadow, out of Minnesota, is a one-woman powerhouse of synth rock with gothic undertones. She is fresh off of a release of her debut EP Cut You Out
About the Song
Glass Figure is the most recent release by Fireside Shadow. This three minute single released on May 9th 2025 and features vocal and instrumental performances by Fireside Shadow.
About the Music
Glass Figures is a slow jam that dwells in its guttural rhythm guitars. As the song opens, Fireside Shadow introduces to the softer, sweeter capabilities of her vocal performance, backed by a clean guitar playing a simple progression. As the song progresses, there is a haunting melody introduced by the guitar accompaniment by industrial percussions programmed behind the song.
In its closing phrasing, the guitar opens up, is backed by a rock organ and a more open, organic percussion. Fireside Shadow’s vocal performance is a very special one; often teasing at an eruption, but leaving us with a whisper. This is a wonderful performance by Fireside Shadow!
Follow Fireside Shadow:
Additional Media:
Listen to Glass Figure:
Comets (White Trash Mix) by Unobliterated featuring White Trash
Unobliterated is a UK born alt-pop/rock artist out of Portugal. Unobliterated, in his own words, is the culmination of years of writing and collaboration. Listening to his catalog of music, he has a diverse catalog of music that he draws inspiration from. Whether it’s more traditional rock like his song Let it Go or more experimental and programmed features like his slow groove, What It Means, you can be rest assured, Unobliterated is unafraid to experiment with his sound leaving every release unpredictable and exciting as the last!
About the Song
Comets - White Trash Mix is the latest release of Portugal artist, Unobliterated. It is a remixed version of the March release of Comets. This remix features production by the artist, Mega Mega White Trash. Comets, at just over 4 minutes, released on April 13th, 2025.
About the Music
Comets backs off of the more rock sound of its original release. Though both performances are very strong, I really enjoy the infused electronic version of this song. The White Trash mix enhances the vocal performance of Unobliterated. Both renditions of the song stand on their own, but there is no doubt that Mega Mega White Trash has showcased their extraordinary talent for revisionary performance.
My favorite moment of this song is, hands down, the bridge where Unobliterated’s voice is seemingly carried away by a saturated reverb as he repeats the phrase “The way we’re feeling.” The progression throughout the bridge and incorporated arpeggiated instrumentals and vocoders. I can’t stress how special this moment is musically. It is done so beautifully.
Follow Unobliterated:
Follow Mega Mega White Trash:
Additional Media:
Listen to Comets:
Back in Town by Dorian Whisper
Dorian Whisper and I are cut from the same cloth. This composer and musician from the Netherlands and I both have a similar understanding that sometimes, when something is just so bad, there’s nothing to do but laugh. His website states he is a “genre-blending” artist who produces rock, progressive rock, and electronic music. He has had some notable success on Spotify with songs like Brand New Day, the acoustically appealing Better Not Be Late, and Fate Cut Another Ribbon, which have all garnered hundreds of thousands of streams on the platform.
About the Song
Back in Town is the latest release by the Netherlands recording artist, Dorian Whisper. A political satire, it was ironically released on April 1st, 2025, (April Fool’s Day). Back in Town has a run time of just under 3 minutes. It was released by Arthur Bos.
About the Music
If you’re a politically sensitive person, your politics are conservatively aligned, or you support the presidential administration of Donald Trump, this is your trigger warning. You may not want to read beyond this point.
If you’re still reading, congratulations on being a rational human being. This is what I referred to when I said Dorian Whisper and I were cut from the same cloth. He has joined the long line of performance artists who take to their art to protest. I, too, felt compelled to do this with my January 20 (Inauguration Day-not an accident) release of Here Come the Wolves.
Dorian takes a different approach than Here Come the Wolves, which was meant to be more ominous. He utilizes sarcasm, irony and satire to voice his frustrations. The truth is, this song would be hilarious. If it weren’t all true. With every day that passes, there is less to laugh at, as each insane idea becomes another disastrous reality for the United States of America. Artists have joined together to protest this devious reign of mockery and deception, whether it be through music, movies/television, or this visual artist who created this incredible work of art entitled “Critical Race Theory.” (Artist’s name is Jonathan Harris)
At any rate, the song is unapologetically accurate, it is great satire, and I would be laughing. If it weren’t all true. The song is funny. Dorian Whisper is a pioneer. It’s just harder for Americans to enjoy satire-not that we don’t. But the reality is crippling. This isn’t a criticism of Dorian’s brilliant song. In fact, we need more people like him releasing more songs like this. The criticism is of the corrupt administration that sucks the humor out of the room, the nation, and the world. The criticism is the cult of personality that surrounds a person who could not be less deserving. A convicted felon, a failed (honest) businessman, a glorified game show host, a racist, sexist, homophobic, tyrant, who is immune to compassion, sympathy, empathy, or accountability.
Follow Dorian Whisper:
Additional Media:
Listen to Back in Town:
Final Thoughts
Three very different artists. Three very different songs. From the darker sounding Glass Figure, the atmospheric electronic Comets-White Trash Mix, to the satirical Back in Town, Fireside Shadow, Unobliterated, and Dorian Whisper are three examples of the diverse and talented independent artists who have released music in just the last month. Their ways of expression are evidently different but equal in passion for the music they produce. Three artists. From three countries. Producing music in their spare time, between jobs, between mortgages, between bills. Where they can fit a moment in the rapidly changing lives that they; we live. They represent us all. When we take fifteen minutes to listen and share their music, we build them up. We build ourselves up.
Go press play.
Comments
Post a Comment