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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Ryal’s new EP brings back the beat

New York City has always been on the cutting edge of musical direction, but the release today of Ryal‘s self-titled EP raises that bar to a new level.  Although critics of her earlier releases have likened Ryal to the style of Bjork and Portishead, her latest contribution is more akin to an electronica version of ABBA, combined with a little Lady Gaga.  Like “Dancing Queen” and “Bad Romance,” the songs on this EP will keep your toes tapping and compel you to the dance floor.

Along with the release of the EP, Ryal has also released a music video for “Lonely Love,” which is one of the best this reviewer has seen in a while.

“My wish is that people will listen to this and want to dance as much as I have while I have made this record,” says Ryal.

All six songs on the EP are amazing, but two songs especially stand out.  The first is the opening track, “City Lives,”  which opens with a steady beat and the words “Who you gonna be?  Who you gonna love?”  This song truly rocks and makes it is difficult to sit still while listening.

The other outstanding song is “Lonely Love.”  I dare you to try to sit still for this one as well.  Check out the video above.

Ryal added these words:  “It’s easier to write a depressing song, but more of a challenge to be optimistic, and attempt writing timeless numbers that also give the listener positive feelings. I don’t want to make pop songs full of fluff, but  rather make songs full of content that resonates with my age group.”

Ryal has also received a lot of attention from two other songs on the EP, “Wish” and “Jill.”  Speaking of “Jill,” you can hear the song when you visit your local Starbucks nationally.

You can check out the entire EP, which is currently streaming on Sundcloud.  If ever there was a “must-have” album for 2016, Ryal’s new EP is the one.

For more info on Ryal, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter, and subscribe to her YouTube and Soundcloud channels.

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out

My Brothers and I to tour in support of debut album Don’t Dream Alone

My Brothers and I, an alt-pop band from Portland, Oregon, are going on tour to support their debut album on Expunged Records, Don’t Dream Alone.  The band recently debuted their new video “Scars” on entertainment website PopWrapped.
“We’re excited to keep sharing our music with new people and reconnect with the fans we already have,” says My Brother And I’s front man, David Wurgler, regarding the band’s upcoming tour.
Amazon’s “The Next Program” recently selected the band as “The Next Big Thing,” and the release of Don’t Dream Alone has helped to establish the band as one of the Northwest’s premiere alt-pop bands.  The band is composed of the three Wurgler brothers, David on lead vocals, Erik on bass and vocals, and Scott on drums, who are joined by childhood friends Jordan Roach on guitar and Johnny Iliyn on keys and vocals.  This diversity brings a wide range of influences to their music and creates a melodic, soulful, and danceable sound throughout the 11-track debut release, including warm vocal harmonies, luscious grooves, and undeniable hooks.

The tour kicked off on January 27 with a performance at Menlo College in San Francisco, California, followed by a performance the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California the next night.  The tour continues through the month of March with the following  schedule:
2/5/16 – Sunset Tavern (w/Kris Orlowski), Ballard, WA
2/12/16 – KLCC Microbrew Fest – Eugene, OR
3/3/16 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
3/4/16 – Hotel Utah – San Francisco, CA
3/5/16 – Hotel Cafe – Los Angeles, CA
3/6/16 – Cal State Fullerton – Fullerton, CA
3/8/16 – Lion’s Lair – Denver, CO
3/9/16 – The Demo – St. Louis, MO
3/12/16 – Val’s List (Private show) – Chicago, IL
3/24/16 – Sam Bond’s Garage – Eugene, OR
3/25/16 – Hard Rock Cafe – Seattle, WA
3/26/16 – The Big Dipper – Spokane, WA
“You can always expect our songs to sound like they do on the album,” adds Erik when describing the band’s live show.  “We take pride in our live performance.  If you’ve fallen in love with our album, you won’t be disappointed when you hear the songs live.  You’ll just get to experience them in a new way.  We’ll spice something up here or there but David’s voice really is that good, no studio tricks made that voice!”
Included in the tour set list will be cuts from Don’t Dream Alone, a few choice covers, as well as a new song entitled “Tell Me.” “It’s got an interesting story behind it,” comments Erik.  “It’s one of the first songs we ever wrote, but it’s gone through three total face lifts with the style in which we play it.  So, even if you think you’ve heard it before, you haven’t heard it like this.”
For more info on this funky new band, check out their website and Facebook pages and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.