Communion Presents CMJ 2015

LA based duo POWERS set the internet into a lather with their tracks 'Money' and 'Gimme Some', two examples of genre-bending pop too progressive to ignore. This should come as no surprise when digging into the backgrounds of POWERS. Comprised of Alex Da Kid protege Mike Del Rio and accomplished songwriter Crista Ru, the band take inspiration from a "collage" philosophy while maintaining deep roots in traditional songwriting . Their collaboration with The Knocks on 'Classic' led to the creation of an internationally charting track, with the song featuring on a large ad campaign by Victoria's Secret.

After spending some time refining their sound, the duo return this week with new track 'Beat Of My Drum', an infectious pop track which sees Del Rio shine on lead vocals and a chorus that will stay with you long after first listen. Speaking on the track, POWERS states:


"Beat of My Drum" feels like an appropriate introduction to the world that we've been crafting over the past year in the studio. The song is about doing your own thing and making your own way, which has always been our mantra as POWERS"

B3SCI Records will release "Beat Of My Drum" this June via AA side Single on limited edition Crimson Red 7-inch vinyl.


The group - formed of Esa Mankinen (vocals/guitar), Marko Heikkinen (lead guitar), Jyri Pesonen (Bass/vocals) and Olli-Pekka Ervasti (drums) - have generated a reputation for creating powerful indie pop. 2012 saw the band release their debut album ‘Phrases to Break the Ice’ before touring extensively through Europe. The same year the bands music spread through much of the blogosphere. 2013 album ‘Pine Trails’ lead by single ‘Campfire’, headed straight to No.1 on the Hype Machine, and the band hailing from Oulu, Finland toured extensively around Europe and played big festivals such as Spain´s Arenal Sound.

2014 saw the bands streaming numbers run into the millions, packing out club shows in a touring year culminating in their first Festival stage headlining slots, No mean feat for a group that have always released their material independently, with dedicated release partners around the world. Between their list of Festival appearances in 2014 the band decamped to the UK for 2 months to record in the Kentish countryside with renowned producer Simon “Barny” Barnicott, who had previously worked with bands like Arctic Monkeys, Temper Trap, Kasabian and Bombay Bicycle Club, to name just a few. The band now had their producer of choice to release the sound that the songs had stored away.

Satellite Stories first offering from the forthcoming album is the track entitled “The Trap”. Starting with a cacophony of Horns blaring the call to arms for a relationship tested to its limits when faced with the harsh reality of losing it all, in an ever controlling society"

Shrill tremolo guitar riffs and catchy vocal hooks about adolescent romance." - NME

"Energetic Finns who specialise in bright sounding indie pop." - Q Magazine

“Frontman Esa Mankinen has a lot of presence and a mercurial quality to his vocals” - Clash

“Their set but it’s delivered in a way that only the cold and callous could refuse to enjoy” - The Fly

“Upbeat Sunny Indie Pop” - MTV UK

"Indie pop at its most brilliant" – The Line of Best Fit UK


It is a rare moment that you find a musician that can captivate you in a single song. Creating a sound that is grounded by honest lyrics but lifted by resonant percussion and melancholic reverb, HOWQUA gives even the most unseasoned of gig-goers that feeling of witnessing an artist on the brink of something huge.

Carrying a certain enigma with his musical style, HOWQUA’s raw and compelling lyrics draw you in, while his performance leaves you yearning to know his story. Not one to shy away from baring his soul through his music, HOWQUA displays all the traits of a phenomenal storyteller and performer.

HOWQUA's debut EP ‘Naked’ was co-produced with Hayden Calnin. The EP was mixed by Tim Carr (Matt Corby, The Herd) at Studios 301 in Sydney. The EP is currently available in Australia and New Zealand.