Tag: Ace of Wands

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Best of 2020 indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Best Music Videos of 2020

We’re back with our list of the best music videos as featured in our Monday Mashup column.  Like our list of best singles, we are listing them in the order they were featured in our blog.

Volume 1 – The Spider Accomplice, “Enough”

Volume 2 –  Sonja Midtune, “Lonely Bones”

Volume 3 –  Ace of Wands, “Feminine Values”

Volume 4 –  Deleo, “Unfair”

Volume 5 – Casey Ahern, “Sunday Driver”

Volume 6 – Alyssa Jacey, “Why I Left”

Volume 7 – Nicole Boggs and the Reel, “Money”

Volume 8 –  Chelsea Williams, “Wasted”

Volume 9 – The Spider Accomplice, “Crawl”

Volume 10 –  Sean Ardoin, “Came Thru Pullin”

Volume 11 – Ben Fuller, “Find my Faith”

Volume 12 – Dauzat St. Marie, “Common Ground’

 

Volume 13 –  Scout Durwood, “Sad Ukelele”

Volume 14 –  The Imaginaries, “Walking on a Wire”

Volume 15 –  Brooke Moriber, “Better Days”

Volume 16 –  Kris Angelis, “Ghost (I’m Alive & Breathing)”

Volume 17 –  Lucy & La Mer, “Better Than I was Before”

Volume 18 – The Imaginaries, “Hometown Christmas”

Volume 19 –  Eric Bellinger, Inigo Pascual, Sam Concepcion, Moophs, Zee Avi and Vince Nantes, “Rise (Together)”

Best of the Rest – Baby Taylah, “Good Enough”

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 3)

Did R.E.M. get it right when they said “It’s the end of the world as we know it?” or is this just a chance to reboot how we do things in the indie music community?  We have been amazed at the creative lengths indie artists are going to to get their messages out, from online chats and concerts to more interactive means like Facebook and Periscope.  Our hats are off to you as you find ways to keep in contact with your fans and get your message out into the universe.  We here at Indie Voice Blog will do whatever we can to help.  Just keep us informed and we will pass on the information.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single comes from the Czech band Corpulent Provocateur.  It is a full out indie rock fest with great melody and well thought out lyrics.  Check out “Brown” – we think you’ll be hooked as well.

Next up is the British trio Arliston with their melancholy single “South.”  We love the sound of this band and the lyrics give you a lot to think about, especially during this current health crisis.  Let us know what you think.

Our third single is primed and ready for radio.  It is the latest from Jackie Castro and we simply can’t get enough of this song.  “Gravity” is truly worthy of Top 40 consideration.  Welcome to the voice of a superstar.

Next up is an equally impressive song from an artist who reminds us of a cross between Andy Grammer and Adam Levine/Maroon 5.  “Charlie” introduces us to Caravãna Sun, and we think we’ll be hearing a lot more from this amazing band.

We close out this week’s new singles with the latest from Canadian band I, the Mountain.  They hit the ground running with the title track from their forthcoming album, “Little Wild,” which releases on March 31.  Give these lads a listen and welcome back to the insane indie folk sound of the 60s.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up is the amazing sound of Toronto’s Kendal Thompson on the hilarious spoof video “NOT UR GIRL.”  Laugh with her at the video, but listen to the lyrics.  Enjoy this simply incredible artist.

Our next video is for all you hard rock fans.  It’s the latest from the incomparable Cold Kingdom, which we introduced you to last May.  The video is chock-full of live footage.  We think you will all have a “Desire” to follow and love this band.

Continuing in that power female fronted rock vein, we bring you Ace of Wands, which we last heard from in January 2019.  Their latest is further proof of their “Feminine Values.”  We think they are simply amazing.

Our next artist is an outspoken mental health activist as well as an incredible songwriter and visual artist.  Check out Sarah P.’s latest, “Athena” for some ethereal breath of fresh air.

In our final video this week, Jack Broadbent gives us an Americana treat as he travels along Route 66.  The cinematography is worthy of the outstanding lyrical content, and we will be watching “If” on repeat.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Ten Amazing Videos Women in Entertainment

Ten amazing videos released in January 2019

Now that we have featured our 30 favorite singles for the month of January, let’s turn our attention to our 30 favorite videos.  We have already shared 20 of them via our weekly Monday Mashup column, and now present our final selections here in this Ten Amazing Videos article.

We’ll get started with an interesting rock video from the band Nixon’s Ghost.  This one has a very retro feel, and some pretty good animation.  Check out “Once you Leave.”

Our next video is from Hawksley Workman, a truly gifted musician who we think is destined for greater things.  Here is his moving video for “Lazy.”  We think you’ll really like this one.

Our third video is a stirring live performance by Emily King of her new single, “Can’t Hold Me.”  We absolutely love her vocals and everything about this song.  What do you think?

Video number four comes from Budapest, with the rocking sound of Ivan and the Parazol.  Here is their intriguing video for “Changin’.”

For our fifth video, we bring back one of our favorite indie artists, Tiffany Young.  She has a new look but the same great sound.  Here’s her latest, “Born Again.”

Next up is a stunning video shot along the Italian coast for Czech artist Thom Artway‘s latest single, “Can’t Wait.”  We can’t wait to check this one out.

Video number seven is a deeply disturbing yet moving video that visualizes the final track to the new album by Dollshot which we recently reviewed.  “Nacht und Träume” was written by Schubert and the lyrics are based on a poem by  Matthäus von Collin.

The latest from For Esme, a truly introspective tune called “To Love,” is our eighth video for this edition of Ten Amazing Videos.  We love the segue mid-song to an almost disco-esq dance beat.  Enjoy this one.

Our next to last video this month is from the one and only Jess Ribeiro, one of the premier indie artists from down under.  Although we don’t understand what’s happening in the video (and maybe that is on purpose), we still love the sound of “Stranger.”

We close out the month with the latest video from Toronto’s treasure Ace of Wands, the video for the title track of their forthcoming album, “Lioness.”  This one will move you to the core, especially the battle with self-destruction.  Long live the Ace of Wands!

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Tired All the Time, Solomon Grey, Koenix, Ace of Wands, Doran Danoff

We’re back to hump day again, and the week is looking good.  We hope you enjoyed the reviews we shared yesterday, because we’ve got five more to share with you today.  Let’s get started.

Artist Name:  Tired All the Time

Album Name:  Be Well

Label:  Flag Day Recordings

Genre:  Doom Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Bone Dry; 2.  Little Pieces; 3.  The Only Exception; 4.  Dogface; 5.  Black Jello; 6.  Flower

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  With a post punk vibe, Tired All the Time hits the ground running on their latest release with “Bone Dry.”  The album only gets better from that point as the band delivers some rocking doom pop that energizes the listener with the steady drum beat and stirring guitars.  “Little Pieces” borrows heavily from 80s new wave, giving the band a sound like Depeche Mode.  These songs are radio friendly, and deserve significant airplay.  Every song is worthy of repeated listens.

Recommendation:  We think you need this one in  your collection.  Go out and Get it.

Artist Name:  Solomon Grey

Album Name:  Human Remix

Label:  Mercury KX

Genre:  EDM/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  The Game (Little Dragons remix); 2.  Elements (Alex Somers remix); 3.  Wonderful World (Nightmare on Wax remix); 4.  Home (secret bonus track)

Publicist:  Mystic Sons

Review:  With a voice that reminds us of the late great David Bowie, Solomon Grey and his friends provide EDM and pop remixes of songs from his latest album, Human Music.   Electro-pop band Little Dragons takes “The  Game” to a new level with their dance floor remix, while Alex Somers brings a ethereal and majestic sound to “Elements.”  The Nightmare on Wax remix of “Wonderful World” strips away most of the vocals in favor of an extended dance track, which definitely should get you up and dancing.  The EP closes with the truly amazing sound of secret bonus track, “Home,” that shows the awesomeness of the songwriting abilities of Grey.  It closes the album with a crescendo that should take the listener to a beautiful place while we wait for whatever is next to come.

Recommendation:  This one is a keeper.  Get it.

Artist Name:  Koenix

Album Name:  Dekade 1

Label:  Hicktown Records

Genre:  Folk Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Òtre Sur Soleare; 2.  Bi De Fahrende; 3.  Hingerem Mond; 4.  Märliland; 5.  Wildwassertanz; 6.  Schnee; 7.  Dürs Füür; 8.  Tyras Song; 9.  Perelin; 10.  Winter Wie Ist; 11.  Dr. Zwirbelzwärghärgurärchuägstäg; 12.  Stärnemeer; 13.  Hinter Dem Mond; 14.  Behind the Moon

Publicist:  Hicktown Records

Review:  This is a true multi-cultural experience, hearing a Swiss band on a German label channeling Irish/Celtic and Middle Eastern folk tunes that will get you on your feet and dancing.  You don’t need to understand the lyrics to enjoy the feel of this music, and it quickly becomes obvious why this band has become popular enough to warrant this ‘Best of’ album celebrating their first 10  years as a band.  All your favorite Celtic and Middlel Eastern instruments are included, including djembe drums, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, bagpipes, penny whistle and the big bass drum.  Enjoy this delicious desert!

Recommendation:  You simply must Get this one!

Artist Name:  Ace of Wands

Album Name:  10,000 Feet

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt/Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  10,000 Feet; 2.  Float the Flood; 3.  Hearts Disease

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We introduced this Canadian band to you in May with the review of their album Grown From Good, and their back again with a three-song EP that picks up where the last one left off.  This band continues to impress with impressive guitars, amazing songwriting and soaring vocals and harmonies that simply must be experienced.  These songs are radio friendly and would do well on American radio.  We would also love to see them performing here as well.  You can’t miss with these three beautiful songs, and we only wish there were more.  The title track will have you singing along with its inspirational theme.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and Get this one now!

Artist Name:  Doran Danoff

Album Name:  King of Crown City

Label:  Urbivor Records

Genre:  Soul/Blues

Track Listing:  1.  So Bad; 2.  Amazed; 3.  Young Love; 4.  Winning; 5.  Lady be Good; 6.  Dr. Solution; 7.  Gertrude’s Blues; 8.  Queen of Hearts; 9.  Over the Roll

Publicist:  Urbivor Records

Review:  Combine the sound of James Brown with the funkiness of the Blues Brothers and you have an inkling of the greatness that is contained on this sophomore album from Los Angeles based musician Doran Danoff.  This album delivers a classic sound that is instantly accessible to music lovers of every genre.  This one will have you up and moving to the groove while it tickles your ears with some of the best indie music to come out of Los Angeles this year.

Recommendation:  Rush out and Get this one.  You won’t regret it.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Amazing Videos Women in Entertainment

Ten amazing videos released in July 2018 (Amended)

*OOPS – Looks like we jumped the gun on one of our videos, as “Dancer Girl” by Tangie Town has not yet been released, and they have asked us to take down the video.  In its place, we are substituting the latest, “Synesthesia,” from Polychrome.  It is a beautiful video by this dream-gaze duo, and we think you will love it.

It’s been a great month for videos, and we featured 20 already in our Monday Mashup.  Here are another 10 amazing ones that were released in the month of July.

Our first video has received praise from NPR.  Here’s Jessica Risker with her intriguing video for her song “Zero Summer Mind.”

Our second video tell us “It’s Alright to Be Me.”  Thank you S U M for this empowering video.

Our third video comes from the brother duo Tangie Town.  It is a chill pop upbeat song that will get you moving on this beautiful Saturday.  Enjoy “Dancer Girl.”

VIDEO REMOVED AT ARTISTS’ REQUEST

Our next video is from the transgender group DreamStates, who ask us what’s “Normal” any way?

Halfway through our video selections, here’s multiple LA Music Critic Award nominee Ben Anderson with the third and final video of you YouTopia series.  Check out “Goodbye Serenity.”

Next up is the latest from a band we recently reviewed.  They’re telling us “The Party’s Over,” but don’t believe it – we still have a few more videos to share.  Here’s The Mountain Carol.

Video number seven is from the Toronto-based trio Ace of Wands.  The cinematography is beautiful and the harmonies are incredible.  Enjoy “10,000 Feet.”

Our next video is from Brother Savannah.  It is called “Time Lapse” and it uses a “family video” type of photography which brings back some great memories and fits perfectly with the theme of the song.  We think you’ll love this one.

Our ninth video this month is an ode to Europe’s famous dance club, the “A1 Club.”  We love the retro-electro sound of the song and the video is killer as well.  Here’s Half Human.

Last but not least is the latest video from McMains.  They wanted to write a “hit song,” and this is what they came up with.  We think they nailed it, and this song should definitely be on the radio.  What do you think? Check out “Don’t Say Goodnight Tonight.”

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Ace of Wands, The Swinging Laurels, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Chloride Soul, Mojave Nomads

We made it to hump day again, with the weekend just ahead.  Let’s get you ready with five more reviews today.  Here we go.

Artist Name:  Ace of Wands

Album Name:  Grown From Good

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alternative/Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Grown From Good; 2.  Jolt the Amplifier; 3.  Tarot Cards

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  Ace of Wands is a trio from Toronto who bring heavenly harmonies with supernatural themes in a style they call “doom lounge.”  We call it brilliant, and think it would be the perfect addition to the musical soundtrack of your favorite television show or film.  The title track grabs your attention immediately and keeps you entranced.  “Jolt the Amplifier,” the first single, is brighter and no less brilliant.  Once again, those incredible harmonies rise like cream, topping off an amazing song that begs for radio airplay.  The all-too-short 3-song EP ends with a song called “Tarot Cards,” which you would expect from a band called Ace of Wands.  It is the dark cherry on the top of this musical treat, and leaves us wanting more, much more.

Recommendation:  You simply MUST Get this one for your library.  This band is going places!

Artist Name:  The Swinging Laurels

Album Name:  Greatest Bits Volume 1

Label:  Happy Records

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Lonely Boy (extended mix); 2.  Building Bridges; 3.  Closer; 4.  Peace of Mind; 5.  Stranger than Fiction; 6.  Will the Wind Blow; 7.  Falling; 8.  Breath; 9.  Epoch of Love; 10.  Stay; 11.  Hair by Mantini; 12.  Rodeo (extended mix)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  The Swinging Laurels have been one of the UK’s best-kept secrets for nearly 40 years, but all of that is about to change with the release of their first “greatest hits” album.  From their humble beginnings in 1980 to the present, they have shared the stage with some of the 80’s biggest bands.  Their new album is a compilation of both A and B sides as well as some that have never been previously released, creating an incredible historical record of the music of the 80’s.  Boy George provided the backing vocals when “Lonely Boy” was first released back in 1983, and the tune has all the markings of being influenced by Culture Club.  This truly is a greatest hits collection, because there isn’t a weak song in the bunch.  Our favorites include “Lonely Boy,” “Building Bridges,” “Closer,” Peace of Mind,” “Falling,” “Epoch of Love,” and “Rodeo.”

Recommendation:  If you love the 80’s, you simply must Get this one.  Enjoy the trip.

Artist Name:  The Brubeck Brothers Quintet

Album Name:  Timeline

Label:  Mouthpiece Music

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  Blue Rondo a la Turk; 2.  Far More Blue; 3.  Easy as you Go; 4.  Since Love had its Way; 5.  Boundward Home; 6.  Tritonus; 7.  The Golden Horn; 8.  3 Wise Men; 9.  North Coast; 10.  Prime Directive; 11.  Thank You (Dziekuye)

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  If you know anything about jazz, then the name “Brubeck” is very special to you.  Dave Brubeck was one of our first “jazz ambassadors,” and his sons Chris and Dan, along with their band, pay homage to the 60th anniversary of their father’s State Department Tour with a dynamic tribute that is worthy of any true jazz fan.  This one is a classic from start to finish.  The soul-stirring horns, the jazz drums, and the keys are among the best we’ve ever reviewed, and set this one apart from the rest.

Recommendation:  If you are a jazz fan, or just love great music, don’t even think about it.  Just Get it now!

Artist Name:  Chloride Soul

Album Name:  Spider in the Wing Mirror

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-songwriter

Track Listing:  1.  This is our Year; 2.  In a Car; 3.  She Was; 4.  She was There; 5.  Climb the Walls; 6.  The Rain; 7.  Out the Door; 8.  Out of the Blue; 9.  Change Over; 10.  Here Today; 11.  Soon be Here; 12.  Last Song

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Luke Waller aka Chloride Soul has produced a very interesting DIY project, featuring profound lyrics over a simple guitar accompaniment.  Although he doesn’t have the best voice, and the quality of the recording is not that good, his songwriting is first rate.  These songs have the potential to be so much better, with the proper engineering and mixing.  Despite the technical issues, this is an artist who has something to say, and is worth your attention.

Recommendation:  Definitely check him out.

Artist Name:  Mojave Nomads

Album Name:  Phases

Label:  Standby Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  G I R L; 2.  Creature Double Feature; 3.  Talk of the Town; 4.  Morning Glory; 5.  Strange Love; 6.  Heavy

Publicist:  Standby Records

Review:  This band hits the ground running on “G I R L,” and doesn’t let up from there.  These Utah boys with their “boy band” high pitched vocals take no prisoners on this short 6-song EP that is a great appetizer for what is surely yet to come.  The songs are radio friendly and ripe for EDM remixing.  The vibe is upbeat and high energy, and would also be appropriate for the smart music supervisor in search of that something extra for television or film.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth Getting.  Don’t delay.