EL MAR

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Joey Primero alongside a collective of NYC musicians, aka El Mar, just dropped the self-released track “Just My Body,” a smooth, alternative rock track premiering exclusively on Billboard.

Written in 15 minutes on the ukulele (I know, right?!) the track features both powerful vocals and a powerful message for women. “’Just My Body’ is a song that's very special to me,” says Primero. “It's for and about women, and the difficult choices they sometimes have to make. Those decisions are tough, and incredibly personal, and women should have the right to do what is best for themselves and their bodies.”

El Mar’s debut EP The Road is out now and a full length album is expected in early 2017. Jam out to “Just My Body” below. - Billboard

Joey Primero, known to most under the moniker El Mar, is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter with a promising career ahead of her. Along with a collective group of musicians, El Mar is gearing up to release her debut full-length and today you can check out the second single from the album, “Drifting,” exclusively on Paste.

Written during a rough patch Primero refers to as her own ‘little quarter-life crisis,’ you can hear the sincerity and pain in “Drifting” as Primero battles with herself. The artist expands on the track saying, “I was depressed and questioning everything - every lover, every job, every decision. I think it's something we all struggle with from time to time, and it can often feel like you're drifting further and further away from the person you thought you were as a child.” Full of powerful vocals and both melancholy yet ethereal vibes, “Drifting” is a knockout single. El Mar does something impressive with her music by connecting with the listener and saying the things we’re too afraid to say out loud.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more new music from El Mar in the upcoming weeks, but in the meantime, check out “Drifting” in the player above. Fans in the New York area can catch El Mar headlining the Mercury Lounge tomorrow, February 7th! More information on the show can be found here.

For more on El Mar: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram - Paste Magazine

Coal mining in the Appalachian mountains might be dead, but the musical legacy of appalachian life is alive and kicking and can still be heard everywhere under notes of the most talented upcoming indie artists from LA to NY. In this case we are referring to El Mar, the music-child and self proclaimed mystery mermaid rock project of Joey Primero, a well known figure in the NY music scene. In “Grow”, the old school appalachian sadness feeling, upbeat circus drums and distinct country bluegrass chorus, swell and explode into chills down your spine as the love song exposes every heartbreak you have ever experienced.

Joey says, “Grow” is about being in a really, really low point in a relationship and seeing that the end could potentially be right around the corner, but realizing you’re not ready to just let the love die. Those low points help get you to the highest of highs.

Shot on a cold NYC January day, “Grow” came together after director, Jillian Cantwell saw the band perform the song acoustically at Sidewalk Cafe in NYC in 2014 and was inspired to put together a silent filmesque narrative which shows our protagonist Joey literally exposing her heart to her partner. The whole thing is a spooky visual delight - Ladygunn

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter El Mar faces her self-described mid-life crisis by delivering her debut album 'Try To Forget,' full of rock and soul cuts that showcase her impressive vocals and lyrical skill...the album has the heart of an artist who has finally found her outlet to bare it all. Primero’s voice shines with an impressive control and distinct vibrato, and the lyrics being delivered have a discernible edge that only comes with sharing absolute truths. - Billboard

Brooklyn’s EL MAR shines on lovelorn folk-pop cut “You’d Know Today,” focusing on vocalist Joey Primero’s powerhouse vocals and sharp guitar riffs. Her romantic sound is perfect for long summer days. - New York Observer