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

Katie Knipp shows her depth of talent with the release of The Well

In recent years, there has been an increase in the visibility of indie music.  Indie artists are being nominated for and winning major awards like the Grammys, as well as being exposed in television, movies and radio.  Today we explore one of those artists, Katie Knipp, and her latest EP masterpiece, The Well.

Knipp wrote these songs during the turbulent times of 2020, and captured the feelings and frustrations of that period.  She accomplished this feat by working with such talented musicians as Zack Proteau on electric bass and rhythm guitar, Neil Campisano on drums and percussion, Chris Martinez on electric guitar and Otis Mourning on saxophone and clarinet.  She also convinced Mick Martin (harmonica), Justin Au (trumpet), Brandon Au (trombone) and Keith Cotton (Hammond organ) to provide guest instrumentation.  Knipp supplied the vocals, piano, Rhodes, Hammond and dobro guitar to the mix.

We previously featured her first single, “Chamomile and Cocaine,” last July.

The Well debuted last week on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart at #4, one of the highest debuts ever by an indie artist.  It’s easy to see why.

Artist Name: Katie Knipp

Album Name:   The Well

Label:  Self-released

Genre:   Blues

Track Listing:   1.  Sad Eyed Lover; 2.  The Gospel of Good Intentions; 3.  Better Me; 4.  Chamomile and Cocaine; 5.  Bullet Train.

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review:   What can we say.  Her voice is delightful, and perfectly suited to the blues.  Her songwriting chops are some of the finest currently on display anywhere and the chemistry she has with her band members is to die for.   They may call it the blues, but there’s nothing depressing about the quality of sound and music that Knipp exudes.  The EP kicks off with the toe-tapping sound of “Sad Eyed Lover,” and truly takes off from there.  This one is the perfect pairing with the Chicago blues sound made famous by The Blues Brothers.  She takes it back a step with the moody and jazzy sound of “The Gospel of Good Intentions,” before roaring back with the delta blues sound of “Better Me.”  Our favorite cut is “Chamomile and Cocaine,” but truthfully, you can’t go wrong with any of these musical gems.  “Bullet Train” just puts an exclamation point on this work of art.

Recommendation:   This is a no-brainer.  You simply MUST add this one to your music collection.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see this one up for Grammy consideration.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Interviews

Catching up with country artist Michael Peterson

Michael Peterson performs live in Branson, Missouri.

Twenty years ago you couldn’t turn on country radio without hearing the strong voice of Michael Peterson.  Like many of his peers, he was a victim of the major labels’ quest for more profits.  Fortunately for music lovers, he has just released his first indie album, and is giving this new music generation a taste of his greatness.  Before we review his album tomorrow, we wanted to spend some time and catch up with him.  Here’s our interview.

IVB:  What is your background?

MP:  I was born in Tucson, Arizona and raised in Richland, Washington, where I was an athlete and a singer in high school.  I was offered scholarships for both music and football at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and I chose football.  Our team became the 1980 NAIA Division II National Champions. Ironically, that decision opened the door to my career in the music business when a team mate married pop star Deniece Williams (“Let’s Hear It For The Boy”), who signed me to my first publishing/management and record deal.

I started going to Nashville in 1988, and moved there in 1996.   I got a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music in late 1996 and my record deal with Warner/Reprise in 1997.  The first three singles off that album went #1 on CMT, as well as made it to the Tot Ten on Billboard.  I was the top new airplay artist of 1997 and the top selling new male artist of 1997-1998.

I was a finalist for both the 1998 CMA “Horizon Award” and the ACM top new male artist of 1998.  I was the recipient of the TNN/Music City News (now the CMT Awards) “Star Of Tomorrow” award and Country Weekly Magazine’s “Golden Pick” award for the best new male artist of 1998.

Currently, that first album I released on Reprise is only 18,000 units or so away from 1 million in sales.  The 18 albums I have released so far in my career have sold about 1.3 million copies.

IVB:  What was the music scene like back in the early 2000’s as opposed to today?

MP:  When I started in the music business in 1985, cassettes were the new technology. Hahaha.

Back then, the dream was to get signed by a major label and build a career with their help.   Nowadays, the dream and effort of young artists is to get 5 million streams on YouTube for a video you shot on your iPhone.  Major labels are still important to artists’ careers, but Indie artists have so many more opportunities to find an audience than ever before.  It is exciting!

IVB:  Remembering when we first met back at Fan Fair, how has that event changed?

MP:  FAN FAIR – What a fun time.  So glad I got to experience that.  It was at the Fair Grounds (in Nashville) and it felt like a fair.  It was all in one place and that made the event feel more like a reunion of sorts.  I loved it.  Nowadays, the CMA Music Fest feels like a “BIG TIME” event.  So fun to see country music become so popular that it grew to such an enormous platform.  I have loved experiencing both.

IVB:  Why did you decide to make your comeback as an indie artist instead of going back to a major label?

MP:  It is a great time to be an “Indie Artist.”  The previous stigma many indie artists felt is eroding because they are succeeding in greater numbers than ever before.

IVB:  How did you connect with Steven McClintock?  Was his pop music background a challenge or a help?

MP:  Steven McClintock and I have known each other for nearly 20 years.  When it came time to make this new record, he and I had already been speaking about working together.  I’m so blessed to be working with him.  His depth and breadth in many genres of music gives him a real advantage when it comes to marketing the album, which we produced together with Billy Yates.  Steve is an amazing guy with a great track record of success as both a writer and publisher, and I see us doing a lot together in the years to come.

IVB:  What are your current plans to promote your new album?

MP:  Our first single on the HOT DISC Chart in Europe was my remake of the classic Johnny Lee hit, “Lookin For Love,” which spent 10 weeks in the Top Ten before peaking at #2, where it stayed for two weeks.  My second single is my former #1 hit, “Drink Swear Steal & Lie,” which debuted at #24 before jumping to #4 the second week.  We just found out that it went to #1 today (April 24)!

We are planning to release several more singles off the album for the European market as we head towards a month long tour of Europe in August.  We are currently scheduled to perform in Poland, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.

Here in the States, we just shipped “Lookin For Love” on CDX, and already have 36 stations playing it after just two weeks, a great start.   We have a lot of great songs on this album and we look forward to playing a LOT of shows in the next two years to share this music with the fans of classic country music.

The album is now available on nearly every major platform.  You can purchase physical copies, download it or stream it on Apple Music, Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, Spotify, and my label’s website.  It’s pretty exciting!

IVB:  What are the best ways for your fans to connect with you?

MP;  I LOVE connecting with the people who are enjoying the music. These days the best ways to connect with me are through my Facebook page, as well as on Instagram.

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Women in Entertainment

Indie artist/activist K-Syran seeks to conquer US

Born in Norway and currently based in Switzerland, K-Syran is an indie artist on a mission.   She released her latest album Smoke in my Veins on August 6 on Intimacy Records.  The record contains 12 tracks including “Intimacy,” which was selected as the anthem for the 2016 United Nation’s International Women’s Day, and “Hello,” which is currently riding the Billboard Dance Charts.

The album was recorded at Metropolis Studios and produced by Tom Nichols (Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue) and Charlie Thomas (One Direction, Nick Mason), who are credited as The Secret Agents.  But what sets the album apart from others is the fact that it combines seductive dance tunes with a thought-provoking message in a style that has become the trademark of K-Syran.

“The power and joy of song has the ability to comfort and inspire each individual.  Music can offer hope when people need it most – that’s what I want to give,” says K-Syran.  “I wrote some of the material on Smoke In My Veins with women in mind, but the ideas and emotions behind my songs strive to be universal.  I think it’s a mistake to think that lyrics in dance music cannot deal with anything of substance.  Dance was a form of spiritual activity for human beings throughout the history of our kind, a powerful form of emotional and physical expression.  That’s why I want my music to give audiences music that would move their bodies while engaging their minds. ”

In an effort to learn more about this intriguing artist, Indie Voice Blog interviewed her.  Check out the results of that interview below:

IVB:  How long have you been performing?

K-S:  When I was five, I told my parents that I would become an actress.  I have been performing ever since and never looked back!  Performing is my life, and without it, I believe I would die.   I have experienced short periods of not performing in my life, and I felt as though my soul was dying

IVB:  Who do you consider to be your influences?

K-S:  As a female artist it must be the one and only Madonna!  What a woman she is!  I believe she will go down in history as a revolutionary, a strong female artist who conquered the entire world with her charisma and determination!  She is a true artist and business woman, and a legend who still has children singing her songs!

IVB:  What makes your new release special?

K-S:  Smoke in my Veins is full of excitement and pleasure because it contains rhythmic chanting with depth!   I believe that losing yourself in rhythmic movements that get your pulse racing can induce a mood of frenzied exhilaration.  In addition I hope that my vulnerable lyrics will reach you deep inside.

IVB:  What are your future plans?

K-S:  I’m working on a new album which I’m super excited about.  Because of the success of my  single “Hello,” which reached #38 on the Top 40 Billboard Charts, and my album in the United States and the UK, I am planning a mini-tour.  In addition to my music, I’m still working as an actress.  I am filming a psycho thriller at the moment, and my part is exciting and challenging.

I am also producing my play, Breaking the Silence, in Geneva next January.  I wrote the play for an amazing cause that we should all be more aware of called Human Rights Watch.

In Africa, young girls are getting married between the ages of 13 to 14, and are starting families.  Medically speaking, they are far too young to give birth,  and often end up with vaginal fistulas, resulting in their rejection by their husbands and the community.   This condition can be corrected with a tiny, inexpensive operation that can save these girls.

IVB:  Do you have any stories you want to share about your band – touring, recording, or fan interaction.

K-S:  While touring with Blue on their UK tour, my dancing DJ’s system completely broke down on set, forcing me to sing a cappella in front of an audience of 4000!  I loved every second.  It was such a treat being on this one month tour with Blue’s four guys, Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe and Antony Costa.

IVB:  What types of social media do you use?

K-S:  I love Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, as well as YouTube.  In fact, the music video for my song “Hello” was recorded using some of the tech from Snapchat.