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indie music Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 12

Welcome to our final Monday Mashup of the month.  As we leave behind the winter and enter into spring, we are being bombarded with review requests by both publicists and indie artists alike, so we ask for your patience as we process these requests.  We currently have a backlog of 126 requests, and we will get through them by the end of May, the current deadline for the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2019.  Here is some indie music news as well as our selections for new singles and music videos for the week.

UNSIGNED ONLY VIDEO COMPETITION

Unsigned Only Music Competition is taking entries for its “Video Only” special promotion, running March 20-29.  This is your opportunity to enter a music video into Unsigned Only for the first time this year!  Original music and cover songs are eligible.  Two winners will be selected, and all entries will be entered into the overall 2019 competition.  Enter your music video today at https://bit.ly/2U3u9SZ 

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is from former Poco front-man and winner of last  year’s LA Music Critic Award’s Icon Award Rusty Young.  The song is already garnering critical acclaim and we think you should just heed his advice and “Listen to Your Heart.”

Next up is an artist we have featured on quite a few occasions, as they consistently deliver great music.  Here is the latest single, “Gonna Leave It,” from Teddy and the Love Gang.  We think you’ll dig their groove.

We introduced you to our third artist, Karina, when we published our list of Ten Great Singles released in February 2019.  They’re back with a soulful ballad called “No Puedo.”  Let your Latin roots explode.

Our fourth single comes from Julia Zahra, and we really love the sound of her vibe, her voice and her music.  We think this is the perfect song to kick off the new week, so enjoy “Do You.”

Our final single this week is from SJae and features Sam Sparro.  We love the retro R&B feel of this track and think you will too.  Check out “The Avenue” and get down to this sick beat.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video this week comes from one of the premiere Americana voices of 2019, Rebelle Roadshow artist Alice Wallace.  We simply love this stunning video of the title track of her latest release, “The Blue.”   Soar on the voice of beauty.

Next up is another amazing country voice, this time from newcomer Paige Peel.  Here is the lyric video for her song, “The Crown,” and we officially crown her the next queen.

Our third video is from one of our all-time favorite female artists, Kris Angelis, who has won multiple LA Music Critic Awards.  We love the beauty of the cinematography on her new video for “Reappear.”  Get lost in this one.

Corinne Cook provides a light-hearted look at break-ups with the humorous video for her song, “One Box of Tissues.”  We think she offers sound advice.

Our final video is a retro-laden song that will give you the chills, and comes to us from Canadian band Maybelleen.  Check out their tribute to “Emily.”

 

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

Get it or forget it – Izzy Miller, A Swarm of the Sun, Hedvig Mollestad Trio, The Vegabonds, Alice Wallace

Happy Friday.  This weekend we will learn who will compete in the Super Bowl.  Will it be New Orleans or LA for the NFC or New England of Kansas City for the AFC?  While we wait, let’s check out these great new releases, including new ones from the legendary band The Vegabonds and four-time LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace.  Let’s get going.

Artist NameIzzy Miller

Album NamePrecipice

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Burnin’ Bright; 2.  So it Goes; 3.  The Cure; 4.  Another Drink or Two

Publicist:  Self-promoted

ReviewPrecipice is the follow-up to Izzy Miller’s first EP, American Times, which was released in 2017, and spawned a stay at the #1 position on iTunes and Amazon.  This new four-track EP is equally amazing, with a down-home country feel to the Americana vibe.  The fourth track was chosen as the first single, but honestly, it could have been any of them.  “Another Drink or Two” is the most country track, and would make sense to release it to country radio.  All four tracks are great and we think any of them would be appropriate for radio airplay.

Recommendation:  Give this one a spin!

Artist NameA Swarm of the Sun

Album NameThe Woods

Label:  Version Studio Records

Genre:  Post-rock

Track Listing:  1.  Blackout; 2.  The Woods; 3.  An Heir to the Throne

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  A Swarm of the Sun are further proof that some of the best music in today’s indie world is coming out of Sweden.  This is their first new music in four years since the release of the critically-acclaimed The Rifts.  This time around their sound is majestic, grand and sweeping, creating mental images in the incessant drum beat and the haunting soundscape.  Each track is 13 minutes long, and combined they create an auditory stream that will hold the listener from start to finish.  The first track is instrumental, while the other two tracks are haunting and spooky, with the perfect vocals to enhance that feeling of despair and darkness.  This is music that could easily be placed in television, movies and commercials.  If this is what we get from waiting four years, then it was certainly worth it.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one!

Artist NameHedvig Mollestad Trio

Album NameSmells Funny

Label:  Rune Grammafon

Genre:  Rock Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Beastie, Beastie; 2.  First Thing to Pop is the Eye; 3.  Jurasek; 4.  Sugar Rush Mountain; 5.  Bewitched, Dwarfed and Defeathered; 6.  Lucidness

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We introduced you to this amazing band from Norway in our first Monday Mashup of 2019, and have been waiting to review their new EP ever since, which dropped today.  They caught our attention with that first single (“Bewitched, Dwarfed and Defeathered”), and we are here to say that the rest of the EP is just as great.  As we said when we introduced them, “This one has everything lovers of rock and metal desire, and will also appeal to acid jazz lovers as well.”

Recommendation:  If you love great rock instrumentals,  then definitely go Get this one.

Artist NameThe Vegabonds

Album Name V

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Southern Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Partyin’ with Strangers; 2.  Generation of Happiness; 3.  I Ain’t Having it; 4.  When the Smoke Clears Up; 5.  Everything I Need; 6.  Best I Can; 7.  Traveling Man; 8.  Help is on the Way

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review:  We gave you a preview last Monday when we debuted their latest single, “Best I Can” in our Monday Mashup.  We also shared their music video for “Everything I Need” last month, as well as their first single, “I Ain’t Having It,” last October.  Needless to say, we are extremely happy to be able to review the entire album, which dropped today.  They have been one of the premier southern rock bands since their debut in 2009, and time has only improved their skills and expertise.  Their sound is extremely radio friendly, with every track single worthy.  In fact they have already released four singles, and we think they should release every single track.  Can’t wait to have the chance to see them perform live.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and go Get this one TODAY!

Artist NameAlice Wallace

Album NameInto the Blue

Label:  Rebelle Road Records

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  The Lonely Talking; 2.  Santa Ana Winds; 3.  Elephants; 4.  The Blue; 5.  Desert Rose; 6.  When She Cries; 7.  Echo Canyon; 8.  The Same Old Song; 9.  Motorcycle Ride; 10.  Top of the World; 11.  For Califia

Publicist:  Devious Planet

Review:  Alice Wallace is a champion and it shows in everything she does.  We have loved her music since the first time we heard it, and have interviewed her twice in this Blog, including a recent feature this past Monday.  Her new album, the first release on fledgling label Rebelle Road Records, is her best yet, and is perfect from start to finish.  She shows her growth from a simple country sound to a more sophisticated Americana one on every track.  Her songs are radio friendly and we truly expect them to be huge hits on Americana and country stations, with cross-over potential to college radio.  With the release of Into the Blue, we can guarantee that Wallace’s career with continue to blossom, and we expect her to win a lot more LA Music Critic Awards, among others.

Recommendation:  Run and Get this one – she’s going places!

 

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Women in Entertainment

Women in Entertainment: Alice Wallace, evolving California country sound

Hard to believe that our last Women in Entertainment feature was published in November 2016.  So much has happened since then, and we have some great upcoming features for you on some of today’s best female entertainers.  We start today with the continuing saga of four-time LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace, who also won the Female Vocalist of the Year award at the 2017 California Country Awards.

We last interviewed Wallace in August 2016 as part of our Getting to Know the Winners of the 2016 LA Music Critic Awards series.  At the time, she was an up and coming country artist who had recently signed with California Country Records, the label created by Manda Mosher and KP Hawthorn, formerly of CALICO the band.  Mosher has now gone solo and Hawthorn has created a new label, Rebelle Road Records, along with bassist Adrienne Isom and industry executive Karen Rappaport McHugh, an integral part of the successful Stagecoach Festival.  Wallace is the first artist signed to the new label and her album, Into the Blue, drops on Friday, January 18.

Rebelle Road is a newly founded entertainment company dedicated to strengthening the California country music community and expanding the role for women in the Americana/roots genre. Launched in March 2018, the trio have combined their longtime experience in music marketing, festival production, visual presentation and life as touring artists and record label owners. They’ve already produced showcases at SXSW and AMERICANAFEST, industry panels and two one-day festivals.

This past October, the trio produced a benefit concert at the legendary Palomino Club, which hadn’t been open for 23 years.  “We realized that we needed to create what doesn’t exist right now in the music industry — both for women and for artists living outside of Nashville.  There is a strong history and legacy here in California; the Palomino spirit lives on and we’re going to bring it back,” says Hawthorn.  Wallace was a featured artist that night, and Pollstar called her stellar moment on the famed stage (which has been described as the Grand Ole Opry West) as “shot through with Crystal Gayle’s ache and Linda Ronstadt’s country essence.”

Wallace has a truly distinctive style, which she explains evolved from growing up surrounded by the music of artists like Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.  “I really taught myself to sing by mimicking their styles,” she says.  “The powerful belt that Linda has, the emotive lilt to Emmylou’s voice.  Trying to navigate those different elements helped me find my own voice nestled in between all that.”

These days, Wallace performs as many as 200 dates a year, both solo and with a band.  “In some ways, I wish I had done it sooner,” she says of her decision to pursue her passion for playing music.  “But I’m also glad I have the life experience to help fuel my songwriting and survive life on the road.”

When asked the question, “What inspires you?” she responded:  “In writing this new album, I took so much inspiration from California and the southwest.  I have spent the last three years touring across this region, soaking in the atmosphere of the ocean and the desert and the mountains and the canyons.  And I think you can hear that in these new songs.”

When asked if she considered herself a country or Americana artist, she told us that she thinks she is more Americana these days.  Although she still sings with a twang, she only used pedal steel on two of the songs on the new album, which has a grittier edge than her previous country release.  Check out our review of the new album in Friday’s Get it or Forget it series.

We also asked her about her future plans.  She told us: “Once the album is out, it will be back on the road to play these songs as much as possible.  We are talking about another European tour, plus dates all across the country.  I am so looking forward to sharing these new songs with audiences.”

She also plans to attend SxSW in March, where her label is sponsoring the California Country Social, a concert featuring about 30 bands.  She said she will likely return to AMERICANAFEST in September as well.

You can keep up with Wallace by visiting her Facebook page, following her on Twitter and Instagram, subscribing to her YouTube and Spotify pages, or just clicking on her website.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 2 (updated)

That was an exciting weekend of football, and the top four teams all made it through without an upset.  We are comfortable with either Kansas City, Los Angeles or New Orleans in the Superbowl, as long as New England stays home.  Who do you want to see in the Superbowl?

THE NAMM SHOW COMES TO ANAHEIM

The annual winter NAMM show will return to Southern California next week, January 24-27.  This is the big trade show for musicians and others involved in the music business.  Many local indie musicians will be performing on one of the main stages, in individual vendor booths or at the evening concerts at the Hilton, Marriott and Sheraton Hotels.  Music begins on Wednesday evening and runs through the late Sunday afternoon.  Among the artists scheduled to perform in the evening concerts are several we have featured here, including Gigi Rich, Satellite Citi, Static and Surrender, Warren Sellers, Love and a .38, Chi McLean, and three offerings of the Tim Moyer Songwriters Round, each with different songwriters.  Wish we could be there.  You can find the performance schedules by clicking here.

ALICE WALLACE CD RELEASE SHOW

Alice Wallace will be celebrating the upcoming release of her new CD Into the Blue on January 18 with a CD Release Show at the No Name Bar (432 N. Fairfax Avenue) in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 17 at 9 p.m.  The concert is FREE.  Find out more about Ms. Wallace in her Women in Entertainment interview to be published later today.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from The Spider Accomplice, winners of multiple LA Music Critic Awards.  It is a cover of the 30 Seconds to Mars hit “Hurricane,” and has already been added to the A Star is Born Soundtrack (Target Deluxe) playlist on Spotify.  We think this one is another winner for the Arachnids.

Next is an artist we met at last year’s LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase.  She goes by the name of BINX and her music is pure dance magic.  Check out her latest single, “Space DJ.”

Our third single comes from UK artist Charlie Hole, who we introduced back in October in our Ten Great Singles monthly list.  We love his voice and the easy jazzy-pop feel of his single “Ordinary Man.”  We think you will too.

Single number four comes from the Arizona-based band Chateau Chateau, and is a rocking tune called “Evidence.”  We think the title is perfect, because the song proves that this band has arrived.

Our final single for this week comes from Blue Élan Records artist The Vegabonds, whose new album will be released and reviewed on Friday.  Check out the sweet southern rock sounds of “Best I Can.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Up first this week is a lyric video from Whisperado for their song “Bang One Out.”  it has some serious political images, but a great beat supports the tune, and makes us want to hear more from them.  Let us know what you think.

Our next video was shot in barren Siberia and features the rap rhymes of Alex Dutty for his song “Imagine.”  Please note this one is explicit.

Video number three is a new wave synth song from The New Division entitled “Jealous.”  We introduced them to you last March in our Ten Great Singles column, and think they have a great future.  We also think it’s a great way to start the week.

Our next video is taken from the Sound Gallery Sessions.  Episode 5 features an amazing instrumental tune from Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something for their song “Cherry Dream.”  Sit back and enjoy this one.

We close out the week with “Los Angeles,” a stunning video with the smooth sound of Luke Sital-Singh.  He recently left the UK for the golden shores of California, and all we can say is “Welcome home.”  Grab your coffee and enjoy this one, which should ease your transition to a new week.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 1

Welcome to our first Monday Mashup of the new year.  We thank you so much for your response to our year-end articles last week, including the announcement of the LA Music Critic Award winners for the second half of 2018.  Your responses pushed us over the 95,000 view mark, and set a new single-day record of 1,972 views on Friday.  We love sharing these amazing indie artists with you.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS SHOWCASE

Our third annual LA Music Critic Award Winners showcase is set for Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at The Mint in Los Angeles, and it’s shaping up to be another great one.  The showcase helps raise awareness and funds for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, and this year will feature our first international winner!  More details to come soon, but Save the Date!

ALICE WALLACE SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

Four-time LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace will release her new album on January 18, her first on Rebelle Road Records.  We will be featuring her in our Get it or Forget it reviews on that date.  In addition, we are bringing back our Women in Entertainment series, and she will be the next artist to be featured.  Don’t miss this one.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this year comes from LA Music Critic Award winner for best EDM/Dance Artist/Band TNEO.  It is the third single from their album, Robotish, and the best one so far (IOHO).  Check out “Cold Grey Day.”  We guarantee this one will have you dancing into the new week.

Next is the latest from mother-daughter duo Cliffs and Caves.  They have a sweet indie folk/country sound with a full orchestra sound.  We really love the sound of “Goodbye for Good” and think you will too.

Our third single is a rock instrumental track from the forthcoming album by the Hedvig Mollestad Trio.  This one has everything lovers of rock and metal desire, and will also appeal to acid jazz lovers as well.  Check out “Bewitched, Drawfed and Defeathered.”

Our fourth single goes to the opposite end of the spectrum, with the haunting voice and lyrics of Rié Fu on her song “Mirror.”  She grew up in Tokyo, signed with a major label, but decided to forego that path, relocated to the UK and decided to go indie.  We think she made the right choice.

https://soundcloud.com/rie-music/06-mirror

Our final single this week is the latest from Teachers with Guns, who we introduced you to back in November.  This one is called “E.T.H.” and we like it a lot.  It has an amazing instrumental track to kick it off, followed by reflective lyrics sung by a voice that means business.  Check it out.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video this year is from LA Music Critic Award nominees The Daybreaks.  It was recorded live at Pentavarit, and gives us another reason to love this Nashville-based band.  Check out “Flesh it Out.”

It’s been a while since we featured anything from the amazing young artist Olivia Millerschin.  Here is her cover video of Taylor Swift’s song “New Year’s Day,” which was recorded live in studio.  We think we’ll be hearing lots more great music from  her soon.

Although it technically came out on Christmas day, we love the latest from LA Music Critic Award winning rock band The Guess Who.  Here is their latest, “In America.”  We love that they are still rocking after 40 years!

Our fourth single is an amazing cover of the 1926 blues classic “John the Revelator” from LA Music Critic Award nominee Jason Robert, from his forthcoming album Death of Stone Stanley.  This one will appeal to lovers of classic blues rock.

We close out this edition of Monday Mashup with the brand new video from up and coming country star Kamber Cain.  We love her song “Love Story That I’ve Already Read.”  We think this one is going to be a hit!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 48

Happy New Year’s Eve.  We close out the year at Indie Voice Blog with our final Monday Mashup of 2018, along with the knowledge that we had a banner year.  We started out 2018 with just over 41,000 views and are closing it knocking on the door of 91,000, an increase of almost 50,000 views.  In other words, we had more views in 2018 than in the entire life  of our blog up to that point.  Thank you one and all for your support and your faithful readership.  We have some big changes coming in 2019, so please subscribe to our blog and let’s keep sharing the indie music love.

Enjoy your celebration tonight but be safe.  Many communities are having First Night celebrations, including one here in Missoula, Montana.  It’s going to be a cold one, with temperatures in the single digits, so bundle up and enjoy all the indie music available.

We thought it only fitting to kick off this final 2018 edition with a wonderful video by Colin Devlin that reflects our thoughts.  Here’s “On New Year’s Day.”

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from 2016 LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace, who drops her new album, her first on Rebelle Road Records, on January 19.  We can’t wait to review it.  Here’s a taste of what’s to come with “Santa Ana Wind,” her take on the recent California wildfires.

Next up is a Christmas single from multiple-LA Music Critic Award nominee The Fisherman & The Sea.  Check out “Christmas on a Mountain.”

They also have a new album coming out in January and we can’t wait.  Speaking of their new album, we also give you a sneak peak of the first single, “The Fairytale Waltz.”

Our third single is perfect for tonight, as Karmic gives us their interpretation of the classic song, “Auld Lang Syne.”

Single number four comes from the amazingly gifted guitarist, Ali Handal, and features the equally amazing vocals of Debby Holiday.  We strongly agree with her sentiments in “Love More.”

Our final single this week is the first one from the forthcoming new album by The Lighthouse.  Enjoy the pop stylings of “Catch Fire.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week comes from the new solo project of the lead singer of a band we introduced to you earlier this month.  The band is called Cheat Codes and the lead singer is Dahl.  Here’s the video for his first single, “Think About Us.”

Next up is the video of Brian Mackey‘s latest single, “Don’t Own Much.”  It features some of the finest cinematography we have seen this year and was shot during his tour of Europe.  Enjoy this one.

Our third video has the hard edge of rockers Crashing Atlas, and is very timely.  Watch how they deal with their own obsessions in “Monster.”

Our next video slows it down with a live performance of up and coming Swedish artist Marlene Oak‘s single, “In the Evening.”  We introduced her to you three weeks ago, and we still can’t get enough of this song.

We close out 2018 with the latest video from LA Music Critic Award nominee Band of Silver.  Check out “El Magnifico.”

Take care tonight.  We’ll be back next year with more great coverage of indie music and theater, and the return of our popular series, Women in Entertainment.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 44

Happy December!  It was a good weekend for our favorite teams, as Miami knocked off their divisional rivals the Bills, and our Lady Griz won the annual Lady Griz Classic with a come-from-behind victory over UC Davis.  This is going to be a busy week with 10 albums to review, Ten Amazing Videos and Ten Great Singles for November and the announcement of the nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2018.  Let’s get started.

BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS SUPPORTS ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Once again Blue Élan Records is supporting the Alliance for Children’s Rights with the release of their annual Christmas collection.  This year’s offering includes last year’s LA Music Critic Award winning song, “Shine Down on Us,” as well as the latest from The Mustangs of the West, “Everybody Wants Peace on Earth.”  Please support this worthy cause by  streaming it on Spotify or purchase it online

REBELLE ROAD RECORDS TO RELEASE NEW ALICE WALLACE ALBUM

With the demise of California Country Records, a new player has stepped in to continue their legacy.  Rebelle Road Records will release the new Alice Wallace album, Into the Blue, in early January 2019.  Pre-sale has begun, and you can get a sneak peak of the title track, courtesy of The Bluegrass Situation.  This one is gonna be amazing.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is an amazing collaboration between Cheat Codes and Kim Petras.  We love the smooth sound of this truly radio friendly track, “Feeling of Falling,” and think you will love it too.  Enjoy this great start to your week.

Our second single is a special Christmas tune from the amazing Tiffany Young.  We love the smooth soul/R&B sound and think you will love “Peppermint” as much as we do.

Single number three proves disco is not dead, at least not in Amsterdam.  Here’s the latest from Sweetwood, the latest project from collective Voice Calling Radio.  Here’s “One of These Days.”

Next up is the second single from the forthcoming album by TNEO (The New Electronic Orchestra).  Here’s “Look Into the Light.”  We think this one will get you on your feet.  It has a great acoustic guitar, amazing vocals and a steady beat perfect for dancing.

Our final single today is one of the songs from A Blue Élan Christmas, written by multiple Grammy winning artist Jack Tempchin, and featuring Rusty Young of Poco and Jesse Dayton, two of his Blue Élan labelmates.  Check out “Jesus and Mohammed.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Keeping the Christmas spirit going is the video for the amazing tune, “Everybody Wants Peace on Earth” from the newly resurrected Mustangs of the West.  We think you will love the down-home feel of this video, written by lead singer Suzanna Spring.  Happy holidays!

Our next video is a beautiful collection of scenes from Nashville, along with an amazing instrumental cover of the traditional Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World.”  Let the beauty of this song warm your house during your holiday parties.  Thanks Eric Tingstad for this amazing rendition.

Here’s a rare treat, a video of the first live performance of the song “Breaking Down” by Hamish Anderson.  It was filmed at The Belly Up, an indie music venue located in Solana Beach, California.  It should give you a rocking start to this Monday.

Next is a fun video of a great dance tune “Kickdrum Heartbeat” by Van Bobbi.  This one combines elements of R&B, pop, funk and Afro-beat, and “checks all the boxes” for a great song.  Please let us know what you think.

Our final video this week is from Peakes, who we have previously featured in this column.  We love the majestic sound and breathtaking and visually stimulating presentation of their song “Still Life.”

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Reviews Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 16

April is winding down and summer will be here soon (we hope!).   Here is the latest indie news, as well as some new singles and music videos which have been recently released. Have a great week and come back tomorrow for our interview with acclaimed country artist Michael Peterson.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL

The 9th annual Hollywood Fringe Festival runs June 7-24, with previews running the week before.  Check their Facebook page for pre-festival events, and mark you calendar for May 1, when tickets go on sale for this year’s event.  We will be there from June 12 to the 25, and can hardly wait.  Hope to see you all around LA.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS SHOWCASE

Plans are complete for this year’s showcase, which will be held on June 19 at the Mint on Pico Boulevard.  Tickets go on sale on May 1, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Come out and support indie music and support our most worthy charity.  We have some great plans for the evening, including the bestowing of the 2018 Icon Award, so don’t miss out.

NEW SINGLES

Up first this week is the latest from the soulful Sam Hammerman, with this masterful song “Miss the Days.”  It is a sweet and smooth way to start your week, so check him out.

Next up is an indie rock tune from South Village, an Australian band from Melbourne.   We think you will like these guys, who are reminiscent of the Gin Blossoms.  Here’s “Say it Now.”

Originally signed to Elton John’s Rocket Records, UK standout Johnny Stimson reveals his first single with “End of Time.”  It is a dreamy pop song that will give you chills.  Please let us know what you think.

https://soundcloud.com/antifragile_music/end-of-time-johnny-stimson/s-wLpLJ

Our fourth single today is a special preview and comes from Canadian troubadour Craig Cardiff, who brings us a double dose of his song “Okay Cupid.”    We love the instrumentation, and the smooth voice, which reminds us of Cat Stevens.  Watch for its release next Friday, April 27.

Our final single today comes from Lachlan Vines, an artist we featured last year.  Here is his current single, “Take it Back.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first one today comes from Grammy-nominated blues artist Janiva Magness, and is a lyric video for her protest song, “Home.”  We think this one will give you the strength and resolve to stand up for your beliefs.

Next we travel to Amsterdam for Not.Your.Regular.Boy‘s latest video for “Crazyland.”  This one has enough energy to get your going strong this week.

Our third video today is one of the most creative we have viewed since Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way you Are.”  Check out the amazing artist Andy Sydow and his hand-drawn animation for “Reasons for Departure.”

Fourth on our list today is from the groovalicous sounds of ellee ven.  The cinematography on this one is delicious, and the story is well told.  Check out “For Your Love.”

Last but not least this week is the latest powerful video from multi-award winning Americana artist Alice Wallace.  Check out her moving female empowerment video for “Elephants.”

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 46

It’s our final Monday Mashup of 2017, since next Monday is Christmas day.  We wanted to thank you for checking us out this year, and are looking forward to sharing much more indie music news in 2018.  Make sure you drop us a line and let us know when you win an award, have a CD release show or other important event, so that we can share it with the world.

BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS MAKES CHRISTMAS MUSIC VIDEO

As we posted on December 5, Blue Élan Records released an album of Christmas songs by its artists, and donated the proceeds to the Alliance for Children’s Rights.  On December 11, those artists gathered in the studio to make a music video of a song written by Gina Sicilia.  We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and applaud Blue Élan Records and its artists for giving us this special treat.

FIRST CALIFORNIA COUNTRY AWARDS A SUCCESS

The first annual California Country Awards were handed out on December 16, and many of this blog’s favorites took home trophies.  LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace took the award for Female Vocalist of the Year, and LA Music Critic Award winner Honey County took home awards for Band of the Year, Song of the Year for “Love Someone” and Video of the Year for “Love Someone,” while their producer John Spiker also took home Producer of the Year.  Other winners included Gethen Jenkins for Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Where the Honkytonk Belongs,  Joe Devenney for Musician of the Year, Scotty Mac for Entertainer of the Year, Cowboy Country for Venue of the Year, and Brad Johnson for CCM ExcellenceShawn Parr, former KZLA and Go Country 105 DJ and creator of “Nash Nights Live” was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

NEW SINGLES

Mikey Wax has been a huge supporter of indie music in Los Angeles.  He is also quite the creative powerhouse.  Check out his latest single, “Spaceman” with Stash Konig.  We think you’ll love it as much as we do.

Here’s “Your Love,” the latest from Hannah Lucia.  Loving the groove of the tune and her vocals.  This one is a keeper.

Our final single this week is from Featurette, and it lives up to its name.  “Upside Down” will turn your musical tastes around as this electronica duo show us how it’s done.  Let us know what you think.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up today is the annual Christmas video from Redhead Express.  It is a cover of the Sara Bareilles song, “Love is Christmas.”  Enjoy our little gift to you.

Next is the music video for a song we introduced you to back on November 13, co-written by David Garfield and Smokey Robinson and featuring J. Paris.  We love this beautiful interpretation of the song, and are thrilled to feature “I Lied.”

LA Music Awards Icon winner Janey Street has created an amazing DIY music video for her song “Undone,” from her latest album “In my own Skin.”  Check out this amazing song.

Last but not least, here’s the latest from Dree Mon, with a truly stimulating video for her hit song, “Rebel Soul.”  If this one doesn’t get you pumped up, nothing will.  Thanks Dree!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol 13

Welcome to April.  We had three snow events yesterday to remind us that Mother Nature is still in charge.  Looking forward to warmer weather and our annual trip down to Los Angeles.  Hope to catch some great indie music while we’re in town June 14-27, as well as the eighth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  In the meantime, let’s check out some of the latest news and releases by and from indie artists.

ALICE WALLACE MAKES SEMI-FINAL ROUND

LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace has achieved the semi-final round in the annual Songwriter Serenade competition in Moravia, Texas.  She is one of 15 who will compete on May 6 for a chance at $7,000 in prize money.  The contestants will each play two songs at the morning showcase.  Seven of those contestants will then play one additional song after lunch before the afternoon awards show.  The winner will then open a concert featuring Susan Gibson, Carrie Rodriguez and Walt Wilkins that night at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas.  We will keep you updated on Wallace as she attempts to win the competition.  Tickets for the competition are available online, and for the Bugle Boy concert here.

SEE DEBUTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Blue Élan Records artist See has released a music video for her song “Green Line Killer,” from her upcoming debut EP Ties.  Check out this multi-talented young artist and pre-order your copy today.

THE SHOW PONIES DEBUT NEW VIDEO ON FEATURING EVERYBODY

Rising Americana band The Show Ponies have released the second video from their critically acclaimed album How it all Goes Down through Featuring Everybody.   Check out the video and see why critics and fans alike are clamoring for more from these future Grammy winners.

KING WASHINGTON RELEASES MUSIC VIDEOS

LA-based band King Washington recently signed with The End Records and will be releasing their album Potential on May 19.  In the meantime, they have released a music video for their song “My Reflection” as well as their new single “Superman.”  Check them out below and let us know what you think about the future of one of LA’s premier bands.

JERAD FINCK RELEASES LYRIC VIDEO FOR ‘TAKE ME WITH YOU’

Jerad Finck continues his torrid climb to the top of the pop charts with the release of his latest lyric video.  We think you’ll agree that this indie artist is definitely on his way and will soon become a household name.

That’s it for this week.  Catch you next week, same bat time, same bat channel.