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Artists Worth Checking Out

Big Sky Brewing Company show is a special homecoming for Fitz and the Tantrums’ drummer John Wicks

The upcoming Fitz and the Tantrums show at the Big Sky Brewing Company in Missoula, Montana is a special homecoming for their drummer, John Wicks.  Wicks calls Missoula his home, and recently opened Drum Coffee in March 2016.   What sets this coffee shop apart from all the others in town is the fact that Drum gives back to the community through its Donation Station, where patrons can vote on their favorite of three designated charities.  Drum then sets aside two percent of its profits which it donates to those charities according to their popular vote, with all three receiving something.  The charities are changed quarterly.   Currently those charities are the Watson Children’s Center, the Humane Society and Garden City Harvest.

Founded in 2008, Fitz and the Tantrums is composed of co-vocalists Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs, James King on saxophone and flute, Jeremy Ruzumna on keyboards, Joseph Karnes on bass, and Wicks on drums and percussion.

The band released their latest album on June 10, and several songs are already climbing the charts, including the seriously infectious “Handclap.”

Fitz and the Tantrums will storm Wicks’ hometown on Sunday, August 28, 2016.  Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Big Sky Brewing Company and Rockin’ Rudy’s Records, by calling 866/468-7624 or online at www.ticketweb.com and www.knittingfactory.com.  Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the show.

You can keep up with the band by checking out their website or Facebook pages, by following them on Twitter and Instagram, or by subscribing to their YouTube Channel.  Click on the link about to connect with Drum Coffee’s of Wicks’ official Facebook pages.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards

Getting to know the 2016 LA Music Critic Award winners – Riddle & the Stars

Our next featured LA Music Critic Award winning artist is one I have personally known for about 15 years, well, two-thirds of them that is.  Beginning with having them in the competitive mix of both the Orange County Music Awards and later the SoCal Music Live Awards, the Fallen Stars have grown to become one of the best loved Americana bands, both in California and across America and Europe.  Their latest project, Riddle & the Stars, is a boutique band formed when Australian singer-songwriter Ben Riddle joined this Orange County, California based husband and wife duo, which is composed of Bobbo & Tracy Byrnes. They were the winners of the Best Americana/Country Band category.

Sit back and learn things about this amazing band.  Thanks to Bobbo for the enlightening interview.

IVB:  How long have you been performing?

RATS:   We met Riddle when we were touring in Germany back in late 2013.   Riddle was from Australia, and he came out to spend 17 days with us in California.  During that time, we wrote the entire first album, This is Happening, which debuted in 2014.  We used a couple of original songs we had previously written, and Riddle contributed a couple more to the mix.  We found that we were very productive in the short time we had together.  When it came time to record our second album, New Coastline, we did the entire collaboration through sessions on Skype and online, and released it in May 2016.

IVB:  Who are your influences?

RATS:  They are all over the map – Riddle introduced us to some Australian artists like Paul Kelly and Kurt Vile, while we introduced him to some of our favorites like Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, and the Stone Roses.  There really are too many to name.  We love listening to Stone Roses when we’re on tour.

IVB:  What made you decide to DIY?

RATS:  When we (the Fallen Stars) first started, we were always waiting for a label to come in and wow us, but we got tired of waiting for that to happen.   Ben was also an indie artist.  The funny thing is that while we were “waiting,” we ended up getting signed to a German label, which also signed me (Bobbo) as a solo artist.  They aren’t throwing heaps of money at us, but they are helping us book our tours and are managing our catalog.   Now when we go to Europe we have places to play and fans who know our music.    But at the heart of it all, we are so DIY that we did our own silk screening of our t-shirts in the kitchen between gigs.

IVB:  Are you seeking to be a mainstream artist?

RATS:  Isn’t everyone?   But in today’s new music business, other local bands aren’t our competition anymore.  We’re now competing with mainstream artists like Katy Perry and the like.  The playing field is more level, and everyone is “competing” with us for fans and website clicks.  This has created more of a worldwide audience.   In fact, we (the Fallen Stars) even had a song that ended up at #43 on the German charts.

IVB:  What are your future plans?

RATS:  We have a European tour coming up in October after my solo tour in September, where I’m playing 25 shows in 23 days.  Then I get two days off before Ben and Tracy come over and we start the tour for RATS.  Our future goal is to continue making great music, to travel the world, meet new people and enjoy some wine.

IVB:  Any good stories from touring/recording/performing?

RATS:  The world is becoming so small.  During one of our early visits to Germany, we did a house concert in Germany for about 25 people, including the mayor of the town.  The next time we came around, there were 75 people.  By the time we came back for the third time, the town had to build us a stage and we played forseveral hundred.  They even threw us a Fourth of July party, where everyone at the show sang the National Anthem to us.  I’m not the most patriotic person, but that gesture really brought me to tears.  We have also played to about 600 people in a 1,000 year old cathedral, as well as playing to 700 people in a tent at a festival.  Whenever we play in the small town of Achim, Germany, we end up on the front page of their newspaper.  This has always been our goal from the early days of OCMA.   It is what I dreamt about, but wasn’t exactly sure how we would get there.  Those early competitions were great springboards for us to get known outside of California.    It’s been a great ride.

IVB:  What about social media?

RATS:  Besides the website, we have a Facebook page.

IVB:  What, no Instagram or Twitter?

RATS:   Gonna set up an Instagram page right now!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards

Getting to know the 2016 LA Music Critic Award winners – Un5gettable

Our next feature on one of the winners of the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2016 is on the comedy quintet Un5gettable, nominated by Jennifer Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions.   The boys won the award for Best Video (Comedy) for “Honest Singing Telegrams.”

As you can probably imagine, getting a straight answer out of these clowns was nearly impossible.  Just laugh out loud to their zany responses to our interview questions.

IVB:  How long have you been performing?

UN5: Since 2002…or since Brendan hit puberty basically. 

IVB:  Who are your influences?

UN5: Electronic Mayhem really resonated with us all.

IVB:  What made you decide to DIY?

UN5: We started doing this during the last breath of late 90s/early 2000s boyband era and we wanted in on that!  We did a couple of shows but soon after we all moved away from Indiana to pursue other things.  A few years ago we wanted to have a reunion and record some brand new songs just for ourselves. We basically shot the video for “Sorry” just so we’d have a funny memory to look back on.  But after we posted it on Funny or Die it immediately hit the “Most Buzz” list and this thing started blowing up.  Since then we haven’t wanted to mess with our DIY formula.  We have a really good, fun relationship with our fans and we want to remain as close to them as possible.

Plus we all really love HGTV’s “Fixer Upper!”

IVB:  Are you seeking to be a mainstream artist?

UN5: I think what you’re trying to ask us is “do dreams ever die?” And the answer is “yes.” They died a long time ago. 

We also don’t like to be boxed in by terms like “mainstream,” or “money-generating,” or “good.”

IVB:  What are your future plans?

UN5: Well, it’s kinda hush hush, but right now we’re spending most of our time and effort building our own proprietary Virtual Reality experience for our fans called Virtually 5gettable.  We’re shooting for a launch date of 2024.  But in the meantime, we are busy creating more content in the form of music videos and sketch videos.  We’re also working on our live show and plan to record a full-length comedy music album later this year.  We’re most excited about playing in a city near you very, very soon!

IVB:  Any good stories from touring/recording/performing?

UN5: There have been a few times when some ladies threw their underwear up on the stage while we were performing, but one time, in the name of gender equality, we threw our underwear back at them. We were asked not to come back. 

Most recently we showed up to a gig and there were only 4 microphones, no mixing board, no air conditioning and they had cut their serving staff because they didn’t think people would come to the show apparently.  We sold the place out…but we still had to pay for our own drinks. Awesome.

IVB:  Do you use social media?

UN5:  YES! We’re big on social media!  Which reminds us, we’ve been putting it off lately but we really need to get around to updating our Top 8 on Myspace…

You can connect with us directly on the following platforms to stay up to date with us:  Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and our website.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube and Spotify channels.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards

Getting to know the 2016 LA Music Critic Award winners – Kaylee Keller

We are back with our next feature on one of the LA Music Critic Award winners of the first half of 2016.  Today’s featured artist is the amazingly talented 18 year old phenom Kaylee Keller, who won for her VIP video remix collaboration with the VinylJackers of her hit song “Diamond.”

Sit back, enjoy the ride and learn things about Ms. Keller.

IVB:  How long have you been performing?

KK:  All my life, really, from talent shows and competitions to  performing for my family and friends.  I really love to jam with my family.  I learned to play guitar about a year ago.  I have also tinkered with the snare drum and keyboards.    I once bedazzled my guitar for a couple of years before learning how to play it.  At the time I was taking acting lessons and not into pursuing my music.

IVB:  Who are your influences?

KK:  Definitely Shirley Temple when I was younger, but around middle school I fell in love with the music of Jamie Grace, Shania Twain, ABBA and the Go Gos.  I also started to check out other artists like Hanna Montana (Miley Cyrus), Hillary Duff, and High School Musical.  Lately, I’ve been grooving on Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Adele and Ellie Golding.   Glee made a big impact on me as well because it was so creative and featured top notch acting.  But I had to stop watching because the content was too mature for me.

IVB:   What made you decide to go the DIY route?

KK:  Well, my mom has been with me every step of the way.  I felt inspired by God since the age of 6 and never really wanted to do anything else but music.   I did musical theater as well as acting in film and TV in New York City.  The opportunity opened up when I graduated two years early (at age 16) and since then the connections have all been coming together.  I simply love being an Indie artist and although I have been offered things by the labels, I’m not ready for that yet.   I want to make sure I have the right team together before I sign with anybody.

IVB:  Are you seeking to be a mainstream artist?

KK:   I do want to be signed to a label and go on tour, but more importantly I want to see what doors God opens for me.  I also would love to have what Meaghan (Trainor) has.  I’m happy learning songwriting and am open to all opportunities.  I want to try them all.

IVB:  How did the collaboration with VinylJackers come about?

KK:  My song “Diamond” was submitted to Radio Diego in the Netherlands and it kept popping up in the Top 5.  The VinylJackers worked alongside of them and reached out to do something with me.  They used the original video I made for “Diamond” to create the VIP remix.  They are two guys who won the title of Best Producers in the Netherlands in 2015.  At the time they were the youngest to win that title.  They have also worked with Chris Willis on his song “Blood in my Veins,” as well as working with Star Beats and performing at big dance parties.  I believe there will be more collaborations in the future.

IVB:  Did you write “Diamonds?”

KK:  My mom and Jeff Pardo wrote it with me, as well as three other songs.

IVB:   What are your future plans?

KK:  I’m going back to Nashville in August to work with Nathan Meckel.  We’ll be writing more music at the Cowboy Clinic Studio over the course of a couple of weeks.  I love working with Jen (Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions) – she has such a good heart and is one of the few people that I can trust.   So many cool things keep coming up because she believes in me.

IVB:  Any good stories from touring/recording/performing?

KK:  Once, I was performing on stage in a musical.  It was a really rough performance.  Early in the play, I was supposed to walk off the stage but instead I walked into the side of the house set piece.  I was talking to the audience and not paying attention to where I was on the stage.    I also broke a plate backstage to create a breaking sound and one of the techs got cut.  I also poured an entire plate of spaghetti on another actor.

IVB:  What type of social media presence do you have?

KK:  I have the usual, including my website and Facebook pages, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

Thanks to Jennifer Lyneis for the nomination.

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Reviews

Joe Nichols comes ‘Undone’ at Missoula’s Wilma

Four-time Grammy winner Joe Nichols brought his “Undone” tour to the Wilma in Missoula on Friday night, July 29, and reminded the packed house why he is just as popular today as he was back in 2002 when he released his first single “The Impossible.”

The night opened with Salt Lake City’s own Royal Bliss, who brought their rousing country rock music to Missoula for the seventh time.  With a keen mixture of originals and covers, including a stunning rendition of Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” the Bliss got everyone into party mode, providing the perfect atmosphere for Nichols to take the stage.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

Bliss was on fire as they turned in one of the best opening sets this reviewer has been fortunate to see, culminating in the deliverance of their big hit, “I was Drunk.”  Lead vocalist Neal Middleton turned in a memorable performance, with incredible backing from Taylor Richards and Memphis Hennesy on guitar, Jake Smith on drums and Dwayne Crawford on bass.  Check them out on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

After a short 30 minute intermission, it was time for the headliner, who kicked things into high gear with his song “Freaks Like Me,” from his upcoming as yet untitled ninth studio album.  Since he burst on the scene in 1996, Nichols has had 18 Top 40 hits and five of them have made it to No. 1, including two from his most recent album, Crickets.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

Nichols’ set included 18 songs, culminating with a two-song encore of “Tequilla Makes her Clothes Fall Off” and “Sunny and 75.”  Nichols also paid homage to Merle Haggard with a cover of the Hag’s “Big City,” which brought the house down.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

The packed house sang almost every note of every song, including his latest single, “Undone.”  They swayed to the songs, raising their phones and brews while keeping the rhythm of the music.  Considering that most of the crowd were just teenagers when Nichols’ first song hit the airwaves, it was a most impressive sight.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

One of the highlights of the show occurred during the first song of Nichols’ encore, when he left the stage and headed down into the audience to give them some personal attention.  The crowd swarmed around him, singing along at the top of their voices.  It proved once again that country artists understand their fans, and consistently deliver some of the best value for the entertainment dollar.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

Keep your eyes and ears out for the release of Nichols’ new album towards the end of 2016.  In the meantime, check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Thanks once again to Chelle Stipe of Chelle-S Imaging for the photos, and thanks to Dan Torti of the Wilma for his professionalism and support.