Walkie Talkie

This album introduces a new twenty-two year old artist named Mara Hruby from Oakland, CA. She arrived on the scene at the start of 2010, playing shows throughout the Bay Area, and is releasing her debut EP, From Her Eyes. Mara has worked on this album for the past nine months; she has applied her multi-talented dedication to recording, arranging, and engineering her own work. She has performed on stage, dancing and backing other artists in the Bay Area; unconsciously preparing herself for this path. She has chosen to speak through music in order to connect with those of us who love music. 

These seven tracks represent the genesis of the view “From Mara’s Eyes” of the various works of her favorite male artists. Each song is connected to a memory experience in Mara’s young life. The beauty and elegance of Van Hunt’s “Character,” Bob Marley’s love of Jah, Mos Def’s soulful poetry, André “3000” Benjamin’s “Take Off Your Cool,” as well as D’Angelo’s “Send It On” – are all examples of art forms from today’s exceptional musicians. 

Take Off Your Cool

According to Wikipedia, "Helpless" is a 1970 song written and recorded by Neil Young.  As a boy, he contracted polio and I read where it still affects his walk today.  It was also recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in a later year.  I did this karaoke track rendition at Champions' Sports Bar and Grill in Richmond KY on 12/3/2025.  Thank you for listening.

Helpless (Champions 12032025)

Schematiks

Hold It Down

02 Reflections.mp3

Stream / Buy 12" : https://darkerthanwax.bandcamp.com/album/various-channels-vol-1-nyc-compiled-by-marco-weibel 

Brooklyn-based Singer-songwriter/producer James Tillman blesses our ears in the form of his thrilling masterpiece ‘Arizona’, the second single from the Various Channels NYC compilation. Haunting synth lines accompanied by a tight percussive groove, ‘Arizona’ is a journey through the off beaten path that rides steady into the sunset with Tillman’s heavenly vocals carrying away all weight of the world. 
Having garnered comparisons to Marvin Gaye, Nick Drake to name a few, alongside being featured on NPR about landing a sync on Netflix’s ‘Dear White People’, Tillman’s reach has grown from strength to strength, from headlining shows in Tokyo, to a residency at Brooklyn’s Pioneer Works, pay attention to this rising soul star.

Deeply inspired by the new wave of creative energy in New York City, Darker Than Wax is proud to present ‘Various Channels Vol. 1 : NYC’. Curated by selector Marco Weibel, the compilation serves as a snapshot of a moment in time, highlighting key artists at the forefront of NYC’s blooming music ecosystem.