Lauren Rathbun’s ‘Into You’ Is An Unabashedly Charming Joyride Through The ‘70s

New York's Young Pals Music proudly announces its first post-pandemic release from a young charming artist destined to connect a timeless bridge to music fans

Young Pals Music · "Into You" by LAUREN RATHBUN

 Lauren Rathbun’s new single 'Into You’ is a cheery, sweet romp through the most captivating adventures of the 1970s. Lauren’s thrilling homage to this bygone era features tons of familiar beats, classic country melodies, and instrumentation that’s brimming with charisma through and through. It’s a joyride of a melody that relies on energy as much as its rich lyrical narrative and vocal showcase. Rathbun approaches the verses with a gratifying edginess which complements the exhilarating, uproarious chords on the electric and bass guitars. The melody builds slowly over the course of the composition, with a cascade of percussion and the hard-hitting strokes on the piano.  

 The production is composed of a brilliant tempo buoying the song through the ecstatic highs of the rock ‘n’ roll era showcasing Rathbun shine through with a sincere, hearty voice that’s both comforting and just a little mischievous. The bridge of the piece is perhaps the most appealing, with Rathbun's vocals soaring through the high notes in ease and a boisterous guitar solo hammering in the 70s-era vigor all the harder. 

 The project is being released by New York City-based Young Pals Music helmed by producer Ayhan Sahin and mastered by Ryan Smith at New York City’s Sterling Sound. The track was produced by Sahin, founder of Young Pals Music; written by Rathbun and Sahin. The production includes a posse of New York City-based renowned musicians: Mike Sorrentino on drums, Carras Paton on bass and sax, Gene Blank on guitars, and Rob Preuss on piano and synth. Keith Fluitt and Jerri Bocchino are on backing vocals. 

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 Sahin notes: "The journey of writing and making a song is for me the most rewarding work. For "Into You" we had a very specific model to start with. But throughout the two years we worked on the song, it went to a completely new place. We were open to new ideas and had the flexibility to adjust our initial model to the time-changing experiences in our lives. 

 As a whole, the tune is designed to send listeners down memory lane. The classic rock sounds are somewhat reductive, but it doesn’t take away from the crowd-pleasing upbeat that keeps your feet moving and your head bobbing. What’s most impressive is that Lauren Rathbun is a young, up-and-coming artist who might not have had direct exposure to the vintage rock hysteria, but she makes up for it with heart and charisma to boot. She’s only been singing professionally for a few odd years, but it’s obvious that with the right platform, she can go the distance and find her path. 

For more information, please contact 917-693 2688, or info@YoungPalsMusic.com

TheAkademia Awards

I’m thankful to receive The Akademia Awards for 2020 Artist Of The Year in Pop-Rock genre, and 2021 Rising Stars categories.

My music and thus this recognition is a mutual effort and combined skills of many talented musicians and writers who work with me in my productions with Young Pals Music. I’m always aware that as one I can only see the mirror and it’s reflection, but with collaborative work, I will be reflected fully to the world.

https://youtu.be/AkNIYqu_ssY

https://youtu.be/YSr6IYskUhY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RpTwDuGQhw

 

Happy to announce that the music video to our latest song

"Come And Get Me Now" is ready and up on YouTube.com. The making of the video for me was a long journey to decide on what the message was. Although everything emotional is and can be related to our troubles with the pandemic in 2020,  I still wanted to maintain a brighter side of a character in the story of our music video who is lonely, left alone in solitude and yearning for the days gone by. We first shot essential footage at a church in upper east side late May with Bernadette and Emre while we were doing the photoshoot for the cover of the single. We came a long way with the post production, but I still was not in love with the dark side of me that was exposed. I looked ugly, I looked old and I looked tired. It was bothering me.

Ayhan Sahin's fourth single from the album "Pop"

Right after that day we shot the footage, I went to Fire Island and stayed there for the entire summer thanks to my friends Gene and Steve. It was great to be away from the city during the pandemic, and the protests going on. I was admiring the scenery of the island. Somehow seeing the environment on a daily basis made me discover new corners and details about the place, although I’ve been there at least once or twice every summer through the years. I was taking all these pictures day and night, sunrise/sunset, full moon/stormy weather, sunny beach/deserted beach, and everything I took daily was landing on a last picture of the boardwalk that connected our unit to the beach. At one point,  my friend Al suggested that I take periodic footage of the boardwalk just to see if it would bring any inspiration.

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It’s an interesting concept almost like writing a diary to see what changes the nature suggests to a stationary object with differing conditions. The fact that I was able to edit the things I was filming instantly with Final Cut Pro made me ask myself “why not use this for the upcoming single’s music video.” To bring a brighter view to the story we wrote in the song with Bernadette was intriguing. Things we suffer from past choices, future doubts of incompetence, and its effect on the present— they would all be optimistic to find a way to deal with just like how the nature finds its way with everything—even pandemic. This routine went on till September 13. That's when I started editing the full song video.

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Among the people in my network who I mostly rely on to play my ongoing work for early insights and critics is Lauren. I am always comfortable  showing early stages of my work to get a constructive feedback when I feel  I'm too much involved with the project. Her eyes and ears are very well trained to get a vision of the artist and his/her raw work during its formation. Plus our relationship allows her to be sincere without holding back any aspect.  So when I showed her the first edit, she gave me all these thoughts on the phone. The same day she sent me three different takes of her dancing on the track just in case I needed to use. I ended up  using her footage that she sent from the West Coast in the instrumental outro thinking what better way to relieve stress and strain that we bring with the song  than a water-ballet turning the track into a dance number by throwing cyber lights and entertainment, with multi images of sirens dancing on the waves, making you feel like you’re watching a Vegas show. At least that became the vision in my head. 

Instrumental outro with the water ballet

It’s November 2 now. I finalize the music video with a fulfilled heart and a content soul.

The music we recorded were all made possible with the talented and renowned musicians I work with who understand my style of music-- they almost feel like my band and very gracious to be involved in my productions namely Mike Sorrentino in drums, Carras Paton in bass guitar and horn sections, Emre Yilmaz and Gene Blank in guitars, Rob Preuss in synth and keyboards, Thomas Gallaher in piano. And besides these names, Keith Fluitt, Jerri Bocchino and Lauren Rathbun add additional and background vocals to give it the Abba vibe that I die for.

Cagri Keskin designed the artwork for the project. I am proud to feature his work with his company Donum Noktasi as our display on every project bringing in the cover of the record from suggestions into reality. In the meantime Chuck prepares the wording of our presentation. His writing becomes our press release, and in many cases turns into the liner notes of the record we are producing. Just like Bernadette and Emre, I am grateful to him for being there all along since day 1, sharing our enthusiasm and positive vibes with every record since 2007.

May 2020, Album artwork photoshoot me and Bernadette and I waiting for Emre

Looking back, I realize Bernadette and I have been working, writing music almost for 15 years. on and off here and there this and that. Our partnership goes beyond business where I accept her as one of my true closest friends in life that I can trust and enjoy the time with. 

Our new song is out. It comes with a challenging story at a challenging time where we all face a little bit of doubt about future. Our intention is to spread out light with fire when the thoughts are at their darkest. Please leave us some comments on YouTube.

Ayhan

“Come And Get Me Now” - Ayhan Sahin’s new single from the album “Pop”

Best Pop-Rock song of September 2020

Ayhan Sahin - Come And Get Me Now (Music Video)

I have been working on this video throughout the entire summer. Me, Bernadette and Emre started the video making with footage that we took at an upper east side church, but my images resembled a worn out old man, so once I found myself in there fresh air and lots of sun in cherry grove, I started taking photos, videos of this beautiful summer place without making any plans. Sharing a series of border walk photographs with my friend Al, everything found its own universe and I realized this was enough footage for a music video. The rest was adding new footage whenever I needed a fresh one -- just by stepping outside, getting into the character and my phone did it all. Post production was tedious but again led to a clean product. Then my friend Lauren stepped in from the west coast and sent me all these spontaneously performed footage. I loved how creativity steps in and links the missing parts with material in your hands. That's magic to me. Enjoy guys!

PS. Its not the final edit

Producer & Songwriter Ayhan Sahin Releases New Single ‘Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow’ from Award-Winning Album ‘Pop’

Issued by indie label Young Pals Music, the joyous pop song promises a better tomorrow

To acknowledge the summer of 2018 , Young Pals Music has released the new single “Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow.” This marks the ninth release accompanied by the music video from the upcoming album “Pop,” the first full-length namesake collection from New York City-based songwriter &producer Ayhan Sahin.

The joyous chug-along song (with lyrics by Frank Carrado) hints at the best of 70’s acoustic rock, with the insistent snap of percussion, a cascading fan of acoustic guitars, and a surprising injection of horns that help propel the infectious beat to toe-tapping bliss. Hearing “Where Do You Want To Be Tomorrow,” ELO’s Jeff Lynne would most certainly offer an affirming thumbs up.

The album “Pop” features 12+ diverse vocalists & musicians across a myriad of styles, including R&B & soul, dance, jazz, country and of course… pop. All songs are co-written and co-produced by Sahin with hit songwriter Bernadette O’Reilly, who has also worked for three decades in artist relations, management and song placement.

Among the songs released under “Pop” are Randy Jones’ dance club anthem, “Hard Times” that launched at No. 42, as the second-highest entry among five new songs on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, for the week of August 26, 2017 with Jones being the only member of the Village People to

score a solo hit.

Previous single“Another Bad Mistake” featured lead vocals from beloved disco act Anita Ward, renowned for her seminal No. 1 “Ring My Bell,” which hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Disco, and Soul Singles charts in 1979.

The album “Pop” is the first namesake project for award-winning Turkish-born songwriter & producer Sahin. In April, he was awarded The Akademia Music Award for Best Rock Song for “Pop” single “Drink” as well as the best music video for “L.A. Nights.”

Meanwhile, he has achieved notoriety in a range of musical genres, from pop, rock and dance to musical theater, while working with Olivia Newton-John, Mexican superstar & Broadway actress Bianca Marroquín, Melba Moore, Phoebe Snow, Turkish superstars Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, Sandra Bernhard and five “American Idol” finalists. He has appeared on Telemundo, while his music has been featured on CNN, The Los Angeles Times, Playbill, MTV, Yahoo! Music and “The Wendy Williams Show”; and heralded by USA Today, New York magazine, MTV and The New York Daily News.

Veteran Recording Artist Jerri BoKeno Rekindles Holiday Jewel "This Christmas”

Classic 1970 Donny Hathaway song released by Young Pals Music, featuring a host of renowned New York City musicians in new live recording.

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Veteran recording artist Jerri BoKeno is rekindling the holiday jewel "This Christmas," originally recorded in 1970 by renowned Grammy-winning soul singer Donny Hathaway. 

Released by New York City-based Young Pals Music Monday, December 17, to all major download and streaming sites, the song expresses the joy of the season, as BoKeno sings with glee: “Hang all the mistletoe, I'm gonna get to know you better, This Christmas/And as we trim the tree, How much fun it's gonna be together this Christmas.”

The joyous anthem, written by Hathaway and Nadine Theresa McKinnor, has the distinction of being released twice, first on Atco Records in 1970. The song then became a holiday staple after being included in 1991 on Atco’s revised edition of a 1968 Soul Christmas compilation album. Since, it has since been covered by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Chicago, Pentatonix and Mary J. Blige. ASCAP reports it as the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.

The acclaimed BoKeno, meanwhile, has recorded, performed and written with a stellar group of artists, including John Lennon, Cher and Michael McDonald. She was signed to Phil Spector and recorded "Here It Comes And Here I Go Again" for his Spector International Label. The single was an international hit and featured on BBC's Top Of The Pops.

Adding their talents to the new recording of "This Christmas" are a host of professional New York City-based musicians: live drums from Mike Sorrentino, bass and horn section from Carras Paton, classical guitars by Emre Yilmaz, acoustic and electric guitars by Gene Blank and piano from Tom Gallaher. Artwork photography for BoKeno’s release comes courtesy of renowned artist Matt Blodgett.

Ayhan Sahin, Young Pals Music founder & CEO, notes, “Talk about divine inspiration. My dear friend Bo recently took me out to dinner for my 50th birthday and we started talking about recording a Christmas song. She knew exactly what she wanted to cover—and within days we had assembled our dream team of musicians. We started recording on thanksgiving morning in a deserted Manhattan studio, and the rest of the production followed it in less than a week. It’s a classic song, but I am so pleased… this version sounds brand new.”

Adds BoKeno, “‘This Christmas’ is one of my most beloved Christmas songs… I love the fact that I not only had the opportunity to record one of my favorites, but also to give it a new twist, thanks to the amazing new arrangement with these musicians live in the studio. I am thrilled.”

For information, contact:

Susanne White

718-935 0256 - susanne@youngpalsmusic.com

YoungPalsMusic.com

AVAILABLE NOW AT https://youngpalsmusic.com/digital-download

Randy Jones - "Hard Times" Music Videos

Music Video for "Hard Times" by Randy Jones (A2B / Epic Extended Disco Hustle Mix)

Randy Jones' two separate music videos "Hard Times Remixes" was launched on September 15 with a glamorous party at Manhattan's hot spot "Beautique" in midtown with more than 100 guests.

Music Video for "Hard Times" by Randy Jones (Mark Saunders / A Night at 54 Disco Mix)

In June 2017, Young Pals Music released "Hard Times," the first single from Randy Jones' upcoming full-length album, Still Makin' Noise. The single reached #42 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and was the first chart placement from any member of the Village People as a solo artist.

Photo album for Randy Jones' launch event on September 15 with soundtrack of "Hard Times" by Randy Jones (DJ Drew G /  Bigger Room Mix)

The Village People’s Iconic Cowboy Randy Jones Returns To The Billboard Top 40 With Solo Smash “Hard Times”

Dance Club hit aligns with 40^th anniversary celebration of The Village People, including beloved hits “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy.” With “Hard Times” success, Jones is the only group member to achieve a solo hit.

Let the hard times roll! In the midst of the 40^th anniversary celebration of the iconic Village People’s chart-topping music career—including global smashes “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy”—the group’s beloved cowboy, Randy Jones, is keeping the fire burning. His solo single “Hard Times” is a top 40 hit on Billboard’s Top Dance Club Play chart.

The dance club anthem, released by New York City-based Young Pals Music, includes an original studio version and eight re-rubs from renowned music mixologists Mark Saunders, Eric Kupper, Tim Cox, Date Night (f/Brannew), A2B (f/Emre Yilmaz), DJ Drew G, Onur Koc, and Peacemode. A 10-track single was released to all major digital outlets in July.

“Hard Times” launched at No. 42, as the second-highest entry among five new songs on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, for the week of August 26, 2017. Adding to the achievement, Jones is the only member of the Village People to score a solo hit.

With Jones’ vocal machismo guiding the joyous uptempo fanfare, “Hard Times” is driven by a flourish of acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and a chorus of angelic voices, alongside an empowering message that tough times may come and go, but with the will to win, you can always land “on the right line.”

Amid Jones’ own five-decade career, the renowned vocalist, film star, philanthropist—and all-round nice guy—has helped sell 100 million singles/albums and fostered a quarter billion views on YouTube, thanks to the Village People’s beloved catalog of disco songs. Add to that 75 Gold and Platinum record certificates, the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, alongside a co-starring role in the 1980 musical comedy film “Can’t Stop the Music,” directed by Nancy Walker—and also starring (then) Bruce Jenner.

Continuing a career as an actor, singer and dancer, he has also released a number of solo CDs, including most recently, “Ticket to the World,” "Your Disco Needs You!" and in 2016, "Mister Right." In 2018, he is slated to release a new full-length project, tentatively titled “Still Making Noise.”

RANDY JONES DEBUTS AT BILLBOARD CHARTS

40 years after The Village People enters Billboard Charts, the group's iconic cowboy Randy Jones debuts on Billboard charts with his "Hard Times Remixes" written by Jones, Bernadette O'Reilly and Ayhan Sahin with no less than eight club remixes from renowned producers such as Eric Kupper, Drew G., Mark Saunders, Tim Cox, and more.

 Jones says: “It’s so good to be back in the game… oh, no wait, I never stopped playing the game,” Jones told Music Industry News Network. “Seriously, keeping my voice out there and persistently being able to perform is not only great fun, but it is a testament to those fans who have stayed strong with a cause that is so much greater than anything I could ever do. I’m proud to still be doing what I love to do… every damn week!”

GET YOUR CD NOW AT YoungPalsMusic.com

The Village People’s Iconic Cowboy Randy Jones Sets Summer On Fire With A Cascade of Remixes for Single ‘Hard Times’

Released by Young Pals Music, Jones follows the release of his successful single “Hard Times” with no less than eight club remixes from renowned producers and  D.J.s like Mark Saunders, Erik Kupper, Drew G, Tim Cox and more.

If it takes a “Village,” then Randy Jones is ready to rope in the masses for the summer of 2017. The renowned vocalist, film star, philanthropist, all-round nice guy—oh, and the beloved cowboy from American Music Award-winning The Village People—follows the release of his successful single “Hard Times” with no less than eight club remixes from Mark Saunders, Erik Kupper, Drew G, Tim Cox and more.

Randy Jones’ 2017 single “Hard Times” from Young Pals Music offers an empowering message that tough times may come and go, but with the will to win, you can always land “on the right line.” 

Jones not only remains a fixture among New York City’s entertainment illuminati, but he is a gifted solo artist. Collaborating with songwriter/producers Ayhan Sahin and Bernadette O’Reilly, Jones brings his vocal machismo to the joyous uptempo fanfare, driven by the track’s flourish of acoustic guitars, pounding percussion and a chorus of angelic voices. 

As a reminder, amid a four-decade career, Jones helped sell 100 million singles/albums and fostered a quarter billion views on YouTube, thanks to "Macho Man," "In the Navy," "Go West" and "YMCA." Add to that the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, alongside a co-starring role in the 1980 musical comedy film “Can’t Stop the Music,” directed by Nancy Walker—and also starring (then) Bruce Jenner.

“It’s so good to be back in the game… oh, no wait, I never stopped playing the game,” Jones jokes. “Seriously, keeping my voice out there and persistently being able to perform is not only great fun, but it is a testament to those fans who have stayed strong with a cause that is so much greater than anything I could ever do. I’m proud to still be doing what I love to do… every damn week!”

Adds producer and co-songwriter Sahin, “Having Randy Jones coming full force for ‘Hard Times’ has been crazy fun. Then, adding these incredibly talented remixers to the project raises the bar all the more. I can’t wait to hear Randy across clubs all summer.”

Indeed, “Hard Times” arrives at the ideal time. The Village People are celebrating  their 40^th anniversary since “Macho Man” became the group’s first U.S. top 40 hit. That, of course, was followed by the beloved “Y.M.C.A.,” “In the Navy” and countless dance hits. Add to that the 40^th anniversary of “Saturday Night Fever,” whose soundtrack ultimately sold 15 million copies. Disco resurgence, anyone?

‘Where Is Your Heart?’ from Award-Winning Album ‘Pop’ Released By NYC-Based Young Pals Music

Moody anthem helmed by Producer & Songwriter Ayhan Sahin 

explores those moments when inner darkness find a pathway to light. 

There are times when life events prompt us to hide behind inner walls, and then, methodically, to break out of loneliness, darkness and anxiety. That journey—and its ultimate redemption—personify the sonic triptych of “Where Is Your Heart?”

Recording of "Where Is Your Heart?"
at Shelter Island Studios in Manhattan

Co-written and co-produced by award-winning Ayhan Sahin with hit songwriter Bernadette O’Reilly and released by New York City-based Young Pals Music, “Where Is Your Heart?” is the unprecedented eighth single from the album “Pop.”

As the song explores that internal pilgrimage to find strength on the other side, its gently cascading melody, acoustic guitars, plucky piano and rat-a-tat percussion boost the track with an inherent spirit of optimism that helps propel its missive of recovery.

In the lead vocal from Sahin, he sings, “When night goes never-ending, when winter is your heaven, why is this the story of my life?/Where is your heart, Where is your soul, Who reaches out there when you fall?/Never say never when you’re down.

“Where Is Your Heart” was recorded live with renowned New York musicians Tom Gallaher on piano, Rob Preuss on keyboards, drummer Mike Sorrentino, and bassist Carras Paton, with background vocals from Jerri Bocchino & Keith Fluitt. It was mixed by Sahin and mastered by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound.

“This single is particularly close to my heart and to Bernadette’s, reflecting on a very real struggle that a dear friend endured,” Sahin says. “The happy ending is that through such sadness she found strength she never knew she had.”

The album project, meanwhile, “took three years of planning to find the right vocalists to go with the songs. We’ve been really fortunate to gather so much talent,” he adds. “It’s been so gratifying—and a lot of fun—to release each single and watch them find their audience in diverse and often unexpected ways.” 

Indeed, “Pop” is the album that keeps on giving. “Where Is Your Heart?” follows last winter’s single “Hard Times,” sung by multi-platinum recording artist and American Music Award Winner Randy Jones, who is beloved as The Village People’s iconic cowboy. 

Other Singles Released From The Album "Pop"

The single before that, “Another Bad Mistake,” features lead vocals from beloved disco act Anita Ward, renowned for her seminal No. 1 “Ring My Bell,” which hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100, Disco, and Soul Singles charts in 1979. 

In all, the 12-track “Pop” showcases more than a dozen diverse vocalists & musicians across a myriad of styles, including R&B & soul, dance, jazz, country and of course… pop. All songs are co-written and co-produced by Sahin. In April, “Pop” was awarded The Akademia Music Award for Best Rock Song for single “Drink.” 

The album is the first namesake project for award-winning Turkish-born Sahin. He founded independent label Young Pals Music in 2007, through which he has released a dozen albums over the past decade. He has worked with Olivia Newton-John, Mexican superstar & Broadway star Bianca Marroquín, Melba Moore, Phoebe Snow, Turkish superstars Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, Sandra Bernhard and five “American Idol” finalists. 

Sahin has appeared on Univision, while his music has been featured in Billboard, The Los Angeles Times, Playbill, MTV, Yahoo! Music and on CNN and “The Wendy Williams Show.”

RANDY JONES AT LE POISSON ROUGE