Hi Friends!
It feels like summer is just racing by, doesn’t it? I hope you’ve been able to slow down, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy this ridiculously nice weather. Fingers crossed none of you got caught in the tech tumbleweed of that recent Crowdstrike/Microsoft situation: my condolences to anyone who was unlucky enough to be in an airport! This week's newsletter is a spotlight from Ankord Labs: I’m excited to talk about Guin Records!
Guin’s Got Your Summer Playlist Covered!
The team at Guin has been working hard this summer. With a new project in the words, bLAck pARty joining the ever-growing roster of talented artists at Guin Records! But that's not all Guin Records has been cooking up this summer. Their CEO, Misha Kordestani, has been hard at work, implementing innovative ways to utilize AI and streamline Guin's operations. This means not only will the label continue to offer cutting edge support for its artists, but the team will have a smoother, more efficient workflow that allows them to focus on what really matters: being a part of impactful new music.
Speaking of fantastic summer jams, here are a few new Guin releases to add to your August rotation:
- Barny Fletcher: “Scotch Of St. James" is a dance-pop anthem infused with funk, capturing the electric energy of London's legendary club scene.
- Benji: Producer Madness’s smooth R&B/funk grooves back Benji’s soulful vocals as he serenades a love interest in "Radio.” His new song “Better” maybe one of the most conscious records from Guin this year.
- Ketu: "Like A Fairytale" blends Neo-Soul and R&B, weaving a dreamy soundscape that celebrates love's transformative power like a timeless story.
- Tempest: In "Cha Cha Freestyle," Tempest throws down the gauntlet to doubters, urging listeners to embrace artistic freedom and live life on their own terms.
- Avara: "runnin'round/flawless" blends neo-soul with an empowering message, using Avara’s silky vocals and lush instrumentation to depict a journey of self-belief and positive vibes.
Guin Huddle with Adam Gross: You can also listen in to Guin’s CEO, Misha, on the most recent episode of Guin Huddle! This month, she chatted with Adam Gross, President of Ineffable Records, and had a fascinating discussion about building a thriving indie label. Adam shared his rise to the top, the label's growth story, the power of teamwork and reputation, and why artists choose them over major players. Definitely check out the episode and get the inside scoop on the challenges of running a record label in today's music industry!
Finally, I put hours into curating playlists on Spotify, you want to listen to the sonics that power me throughout my long days, you can follow some of my playlists here. I maintain a playlist of all Guin releases here too.
BTS from the Book Preparation Process
The summer winds may be calling me outdoors, but I'm currently knee-deep in the final edits for my manuscript, Moonshot Moments: Ushering in the Next Human Renaissance Through AI, Transhumanism, and Psychedelics! It's been a wild ride, especially finalizing edits on the concluding chapter. Here's the hardest thing about finishing a book – you always have this lingering question: "Did I do enough?" Did I pack it with enough wisdom, enough inspiration to truly empower my readers? Could I have added even more anecdotes, or interviews, or sources? It’s hard to cut off your ideas and decide on the final version to set in stone. These last edits have definitely been a challenge, but one I've been excited to conquer.
Everyday I see real-world examples from my book pop up – news stories about breakthrough peptide treatments, podcasts about cutting-edge transhumanist research, and of course updates from the ever-evolving landscape of AI development. It’s encouraging to see that the world is mirroring the themes in my book, and I can't wait for you all to dive in and gain confidence navigating these fascinating topics. Pre-ordering a copy would hugely support my journey as an author, and it would mean the world to have you on board for this exciting launch! My distributor, Simon & Schuster, has set up a wonderful homepage for Moonshot Moments so you can pre-order today!
Of course, if you check out that link, you’ll see that I’m still in the process of finalizing a cover for the book. My goodness, what a fun but frustrating roller coaster cover design has been! I have been working with a great designer to try out different versions, but our challenge has been building an image that encapsulates all the power of moonshot mindsets, while also embodying the psychedelic and transhumanist ideals of the text. To make it even harder, so many of my favorite authors, from Tegmark to Azarian, have amazing cover art on their books, so I want to rise to their level without being derivative. Thankfully, after a few late-night sessions of Dall-e generated sketches, we’re well on our way! Stay tuned for a cover reveal in the coming weeks.
That's a wrap on this week's update! To keep the momentum going, next week's newsletter is another book club letter, diving headfirst into Aldous Huxley's Perennial Philosophy and why it’s even more relevant now than ever. And hey, if you have any book recommendations, don't hesitate to send them my way. The same goes for any burning questions you have – this newsletter thrives on your input, so please connect here and let me know what you’d like to see more of. Make sure to tune in next week, and stay hydrated during these hot summer days!
Kindly,
Milan Kordestani
