From Philadelphia to Johannesburg: The Hill’s ‘Catch’ Carries a Personal Story Around the World

The Hill, a Philadelphia based folk artist, follows up their 2025 LP Noble Station with a new single about a dog entitled “Catch.” The song is a tribute to the artist’s mixed breed dog that passed away last year. “I normally don’t like to direct the listener on the story behind my songs, but this one is in memoriam, so I think it may make sense here,” says Jon Kowit the singer/songwriter behind The Hill. The single follows his relationship with Valerie, a mixed breed basset hound and is the second song about dogs by Kowit. “Dogs impact our lives in so many ways, how can they not be written about?” asks Kowit. Kowit had been behind the scenes with Ascend Records and had never released his own music until The Hill’s debut album in 2024. The debut LP Get In Line and follow up, Noble Station have received radio play in North America and overseas. A following developed in places like South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. “It’s such a gratifying experience to see Shazam results coming from places like Johannesburg and Brisbane. To know the music has traveled thousands of miles to a cafe and someone wanting […]

Music Mirror reflects on new EP by acoustic-duo The Zacas

The Zacas is an acoustic folk duo originating from South Africa’s capital Pretoria, consisting of brothers Luigi on vocals with Salva Zaca on guitar. Their new E.P entitled “I me” was recorded at Undahouse Studios in South Africa and features the acoustic single “Bored With Me”. These recordings harness the melodic and instrumental beauty of an acoustic arrangement and suit the personal nature of the songs. Passion The Zacas describe their music as “…going back to the roots of acoustic music, representing who we are, our identity and our passion for a raw acoustic singer-songwriter style music”. Salva studied classical music at Pro Arte Alphen Park and became a renowned classical guitarist in South Africa. His influences include Miles Davis who he grew to love while studying Jazz at Tshwane University of Technology. Design Luigi studied Architecture and design and was trained for Opera before discovering a passion for jazz and rock through his biggest influence, Myles Kennedy. The Zaca brothers have played a lot of shows in South Africa including the well-known Barnyard Theater but have since moved to Indianapolis in America where they are currently based. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeiZ3oh4_Qc Social media:     And their music for purchase: