Songwriter, screenwriter and Philanthropist Nicole Simone, releases “Sober”

With a powerful and enveloping sound from beginning the end, Canadian singer-songwriter Nicole Simone, A.K.A “Late July”, presents her new single “Sober”, a song that exposes the struggles against addictions, not only for the people who suffer from them but also for those around them.

To put it in Nicole's words “anyone who has been impacted by someone with a substance abuse problem feels the anxiety, hoping the person is going to pull through addiction - and when they don't - you somehow feel like you've completely lost the person. Having a lot of sober people in my life has given me a respect for what they go through and knowing all you can do is hope for the best but prepare for the worst”.

Late July defines her music as “a mix of Beirut and Lana Del Rey with a certain 90’s vibe. As a lyricist I’m heavily influenced by Tom Waits, Elliot Smith, The National, and my all-time favorite, Jeff Buckley”. This specific song was produced by Jessica Taylor and in it, they used a lot of 80's-inspired synths, resulting in a neon-soaked beach-y 80's prayer. Nicole's voice feels velvety throughout the 3-minute track and this makes the contrast with the synths and dramatic lyrics result in a very intriguing vibe.

Towards the end of the track, voices are superimposed as a type of choir and sounds that provide a lot of tension for a few seconds, until it starts giving way to Simone's powerful voice, who closes the last lines of the song without accompanying music. This allows us to better appreciate the emotional subtleties of her performance for a song that's certainly about a complex and tough subject..

Late July is first generation Canadian, as her father is from Sicily and her mother is of Irish descent. While in high school Simone began teaching herself music and working after school at a local record store. An Artist and philanthropist, Nicole Simone also has an original web-series titled "On a List,". Nicole is the founder of Redemption Paws, which rescues vulnerable dogs and finds them forever homes.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mariana González – Venezuelan journalist

I am interested in novelty, talent and creativity. I put my lyrics at the service of those who genuinely strive to build an alternate narrative about the common and humdrum. Rival Magazine has been the open window to put a face on emerging talent.