Hailing from Mound, Minnesota, the gifted singer-songwriter, Jared Justen is proud to announce the release of his third studio album, “A Bend in the Light.” Set to hit the shelves on November 3rd, 2023, it promises to be a musical marvel that underscores the ever-evolving artistry of this talented musician.
The album stems from a deeply personal journey and explores the varied symbology of water, an element that inspired Justen following a health scare tied to dehydration. With each track, Justen navigates different aspects of this mighty element. From ideas of drowning and drought to notions of cleansing and growth, the songs offer a reflective exploration into the life-giving and transformative powers of water. Stand out tracks like “Arrow” and “Above the Water” are testament to this.
In partnership with a dynamic team, Justen has crafted an album that resonates with crystal-clear clarity and emotional richness. Having penned and produced every song, his authentic approach to music making shines through. Adding depth and finesse to this creative endeavor are Richard Becker, who expertly handled the mixing, and Adam Haggard at Mount Olympia Mastering, who took care of the mastering.
Justen’s penchant for open tunings enhances the vibrational power of his acoustic guitar, a characteristic that’s evident in every track on the album. His dedication to his craft, reflected in his intricate lyrics and poignant notes makes “A Bend in the Light” a must-hear masterpiece for fans across the globe.
Inspired by personal challenges, the power of water, and his unique fusion of acoustic and folk style, the album promises an all-encompassing listening experience. From vulnerable narratives to rhythmically pronounced beats, “A Bend in the Light” indeed brings forth Justen’s distinctive sound.
Jared’s hit tracks “Vanquish All”, “Prove the Only”, and “Arrow” have found significant success on Spotify. Music enthusiasts can also enjoy Justen’s latest single, “New Crown”, offering a taste of the harmonious blend of rhythmic beats and vibrant melodies that will feature in the upcoming album.
Justen’s musical journey began in college where he nurtured his passion for guitar and poetry. Over the years, he’s developed a unique acoustic/folk style that has won him critical acclaim and captured the hearts of listeners worldwide. His idiosyncratic and introspective style, nurtured by diverse musical influences ranging from gangsta rap to underground indie rock, has shaped his complex, emotionally-loaded sound.
Having first picked a guitar in college, Justen has evolved into an accomplished musician, exploring keys, producing music, and mastering songwriting. The captivating complexity of his music, evident in his debut album ‘Sky Align’, continued to resonate in his sophomore album ‘Wolves Teeth’. Now, with “A Bend in the Light”, he seeks to explore deeper facets of life’s mysteries.
Justen is more than a musician; he’s an explorer—a dreamer who finds comfort in the profound and the intricate. His songs serve as a reflection of his mind and emotional spectrum, confronting existential quandaries and emotions head-on. So, while Justen’s musical charm might invite comparisons with legends like Ben Harper, his intimate vocal style is distinctively unique.
The release of “A Bend in the Light” is one of the most anticipated music events in 2023. While the countdown has begun, fans can get a taste of Justen’s sound on all major streaming platforms. Besides, you can follow Justen’s musical journey through his website and social media sites, including Instagram and Facebook.
In the world of music, Jared Justen stands as an artist unafraid to bare his soul and weave intricate musical tapestries. With “A Bend in the Light”, he invites listeners into his world – one shaped by water, emotion, and a melody that resonates deeply within the soul.
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Some artists talk about grinding. Others actually live it. Calvin Davenport, better known as GMDCASH, falls squarely into the second category. The Seattle-born rapper has navigated the kind of obstacles that would make most people quit, including incarceration, legal restrictions on his content, and the predatory side of an industry that loves to take advantage of independent artists. He’s still here, though, and with previous coverage in outlets like Earmilk and The Source already under his belt, his recent output suggests he’s figured out how to turn setbacks into fuel.
His latest single “Bump A Whore Pt. 2,” released January 16th, 2026, sees him team up with MikeJack3200 and Frostydasnowmann for a polished follow-up to the original. But it was his comeback track “I’m The Product,” dropped at the top of the year, that set the tone. That title isn’t just a song name. It’s a thesis statement. The track positions GMDCASH as someone who’s done waiting for opportunities to find him. Instead, he’s become the opportunity. With a new EP on the way, he’s building momentum on his own terms.
We caught up with GMDCASH to talk about what drives him, how he creates, and what’s next.
GMDCASH / January Cover
Take us back to a specific moment when you knew this was what you were going to do. What happened?
I think after getting out of jail I geared my focus towards my music career. I really needed a positive outlet, something that woke me up, drove me, and inspired me and the people around me. Music did that for me.
If someone’s never heard your music before, how would you describe what you do?
I would say my music is for everyone. I have a pretty big catalog and it’s forever expanding, so if you don’t hear something you like, check back every now and again. I’m sure something will catch your ear. And if not, it’s more than music. It’s my life story. I want people to be inspired by my music. I want people to hear it and know that anything is possible.
Who or what shaped your creative voice the most?
My family is a big part of my influence. Both my parents and some of my family members have been in the industry. Growing up in a musical household is number one. I have a unique style. I couldn’t say one thing shaped my creative voice, and I feel like my creativity is forever changing every time I’m in the studio.
Walk us through how you actually create.
Honestly, I book a session and spend four hours minimum in the studio. Sometimes I don’t even book. I’ll just feel something and call a studio and get to work. Most beats are made as soon as I pull up. The producer gives me the sample, I approve, he starts the loop. Most of my lyrics are life experience, so it’s not hard for me to make a song. I just rap how I’m feeling. Sometimes it’s a smooth process, others take time. Then they mix and master and I schedule the release.
What’s something you had to figure out the hard way?
I think going to jail at the end of the year was really a wake up call. I have to protect myself and keep people around me who want what’s really best for me, not just have anyone around me.
Is there anyone you’d love to work with down the line?
I really would like to collab with Hurricane Wisdom.
Where are you at in your music career right now?
This is just the beginning. I feel there’s so much more to come. Music is my passion. I don’t think I’m leaving the mic anytime soon.
What are you working on that you’re excited about?
I’m excited for my next EP coming out early this year. I focused on songs with uplifting, positive energy and the GMD, Get Money Daily, vibe. I’m hoping to do at least two shows before the middle of the year. I’m just excited about the possibility of the new year and all the good things it has to bring.
If there’s one thing you want readers to take away from this feature, what is it?
I’m an up and coming Seattle rapper. Check out my music, be inspired, follow my page, interact, share your thoughts.
GMDCASH
What stands out about GMDCASH isn’t the adversity itself. Plenty of artists have tough stories. It’s the clarity that came out of it. He’s not chasing validation or waiting for a label to cosign his vision. Beyond music, he has plans to move into artist management and eventually relocate abroad. For listeners who connect with authenticity over polish, that long-term thinking is the whole point.
Some artists spend years waiting for their moment without realizing it already came and went. Lil Deezull knows what that feels like. He’s been rapping since 2015, freestyling with friends in Cambridge, Maryland long before he thought of it as a career. It took seven years and a viral track before he understood what he’d been sitting on.
The Cambridge rapper, born August 16, 2005, didn’t start out with a plan. His first actual track, “Big Booty,” got passed around locally and gave him his first taste of what connecting with an audience felt like. But it wasn’t until 2022 that everything clicked. A track called “Purple Rain” went viral, and suddenly the kid who’d been rapping for fun had people actually paying attention.
Lil Deezull
“Since then I started taking my music career seriously,” Lil Deezull says. That shift shows in his output. His 2024 album, For All The Snow Bunnies, marked his biggest project to date and helped establish him beyond his Eastern Shore hometown.
The numbers tell part of the story. His track “Suffering” has pulled over 106,000 plays with solid engagement, while newer releases like “NO KINGS” show he’s building consistent momentum rather than chasing one-off hits. He works primarily in hip-hop and rap, pulling from the melodic trap style popularized by artists like The Kid LAROI and Polo G, but he’s not interested in staying in one lane.
“I am a multi genre artist and I make music for everyone,” he explains. Recently, that’s meant studying country artists like Morgan Wallen, looking for ways to expand his reach beyond rap’s typical audience. It’s an unconventional move for a young rapper from Maryland, but it speaks to how he thinks about his career.
His lyrics draw from personal experience. Daily life, observations, things he sees and hears in Cambridge. He wants listeners to find something relatable.
“My hope is that people will relate to me and that my music can help them get through whatever they are going through in life,” Lil Deezull says.
‘Maryland Man’ by Lil Deezull
His next project, Maryland Man, drops May 16 and represents a return to collaboration after a solo-focused 2024. The album features fellow Cambridge rappers Lil Mop and Murda2x alongside international collaborator Brixton, who appeared on For All The Snow Bunnies. It’s a deliberate effort to spotlight his hometown’s scene while building on last year’s momentum.
At 19, Lil Deezull has already been making music for nearly a decade. He’s had time to figure out what he wants to say, and he’s also had time to accumulate regrets. “Don’t be like me and have a life full of missed opportunities,” he says. “Live your life and take any chance you get.”
It’s a surprising bit of self-awareness from someone still early in his career, but it tracks with why he finally got serious after “Purple Rain” took off. He’d spent seven years treating music like a hobby while the moment kept knocking. Now he’s answering the door.
Trains make for inherently cinematic settings: the claustrophobia, the momentum, the fact that you can’t just walk away when things go sideways. Dennis Dewall clearly knows this, and he’s using it to full effect in THE TRAIN, an espionage thriller that narrows his Spy Capital universe into the confined intensity of a luxury locomotive.
Dennis Dewall stars as Major Alex Stirling, a former SAS operative who finds himself in the middle of an intelligence turf war aboard the Majestic Imperator, a privately owned train carrying high-profile passengers through Central Europe. When rival intelligence services close in, what follows is a volatile mix of surveillance, manipulation, and direct confrontation. The train becomes a rolling battlefield where everyone’s watching everyone else, and nobody’s safe.
Boris Volodarsky / Westside Studios
What separates this from standard action fare is the man behind the camera. Boris Volodarsky isn’t just a filmmaker. He’s a legitimate espionage authority who’s written extensively on KGB operations, Stalin’s intelligence apparatus, and high-profile political assassinations. That real-world credibility shows up in the film’s approach, lending THE TRAIN grounded authenticity that distinguishes it from more stylized espionage entries.
Madalina Bellariu Ion / THE TRAIN / Westside Studios (credit: Davide Marconcini)
The cast pulls its weight. Madalina Bellariu Ion, who’s appeared in projects like THE YOUNG POPE and TAKE COVER, plays Natalie Krug, an operative who’s equal parts dangerous and magnetic. Anouk Auer holds her own as Stirling’s daughter Olivia, adding emotional weight to the high-stakes narrative. The ensemble rounds out with Peter Ormond, Alan Burgon, Martin Ploderer, Suzanne Grieger-Langer, Polina Kuleshova, and Nadine Grosinger, all contributing to the film’s international texture.
Peter Ormond & Cast / THE TRAIN / Westside Studios (credit: Davide Marconcini)
Dewall and his team shot across Vienna, London, Malta, Bangkok, Budapest, and Prague to capture authentic international locations. The action choreography, handled by martial arts expert Ali Kabalan, emphasizes physical realism. Dewall performs his own stunts, which adds weight to the physical confrontations and underscores the production’s commitment to authenticity.
Ali Kabalan & Dennis Dewall / THE TRAIN / Westside Studios (credit: Davide Marconcini)
THE TRAIN releases September 10, 2026 in Germany and Austria, with a London premiere and additional territories following a week later. Dewall’s emphasis on physical authenticity and real-world intelligence expertise positions THE TRAIN as a grounded entry in contemporary espionage cinema. Sometimes the best action happens when there’s nowhere left to run.