Tag: Bryan Stephens

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Artists Worth Checking Out Hollywood Fringe Festival Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 27

It’s our final Monday Mashup of the month, and we have some great new music to share with you.  Check out the latest news as well.

LA MUSIC CRITIC TO DEBUT SHOW AT HFF19

Our very own LA Music Critic, Bob Leggett, will be debuting a solo show at next year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival.  Inspired by the amazing productions put on by the Soaring Solo Community, he has hired Jessica Lynn Johnson to help him develop his show, Livin’ the Dream, which will debut at HFF19 next year.  The show is the story of his life and career, focusing on not just dreaming about great things, but accomplishing them as well.  Watch for the Indiegogo campaign being launched in August, and support him on his latest adventure.  We are very proud to be a part of what should be a great show.

VK LYNNE RELEASES AUDIO BOOK OF POETRY

VK Lynne, the lead single of multi-LA Music Critic Award winning band The Spider Accomplice is releasing an audio book containing 35 of her poems, read by a plethora of her friends.  Entitled The Release and Reclamation of Victoria Kerygma, the audiobook is available on Bandcamp.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, members of the Mountain Home Music family of artists.  They have created a beautiful song that is being released to support the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Trust Fund which, like the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, provides support for struggling artists.  We think you will love this beautiful arrangement and we hope you will likewise support these organizations that help indie musicians.

Our next single is an upbeat pop tune from Mike Edel.  He was featured in our March Ten Great Singles article, and this time around, he promises he will “Go With You.”  We think this one could be a huge hit, and look forward to what’s still to come from this amazing artist.

Our third single is being released by Elkka through Femme Culture, and is an upbeat dance tune called “Stay (warm edit).”  We think this one goes hand in hand with our previous single, and should help get your Monday off to a great start.

Our fourth single continues the positive spin as CJ Hooper releases his first track from his forthcoming album.  “When we Rise” is the perfect remedy for the Monday blahs.

Our final single this week comes from Caibedo Island.  They encourage us to be “Stronger,” and we love the sentiment.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video comes from an artist we reviewed last week, Roger Len Smith, who was introduced to us by a long-time friend Bobbo Byrnes, lead vocalist of The Fallen Stars.  Here is “Raining on a Sunny Day.”

Next up is the latest video from Grammy-nominated artist Janiva Magness for the title track from her latest album on Blue Élan Records, Love is an Army, featuring LA Music Critic Award winning artist Bryan Stephens.  We hope you enjoy this one as much as we do.

Our third video this week is a political statement about gentrification of our great cities.  Nick Ferrio releases “I Don’t Know How Long” and we totally understand his concerns.

Our fourth video has the rhythm of the islands as Constanza Herrero talks about “Packing Up.”  This video should get your juices flowing and get you on the dance floor.

Our final video this week is the R&B and soul sound of Roxanne Tataei.  Here’s “Crimson Eyes.”  We hope this firmly places your Monday in a good place.  Have a great week and we’ll be back soon with our articles on the Ten Amazing Videos and Ten Great Singles released in July.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2017 Women in Entertainment

Best indie albums of 2017

Here’s our list of the best indie albums of 2017.  Some of them were nominated and/or won LA Music Critic Awards during the first half of 2017, and most of the rest will be included when the nominations for the second half of 2017 are announced on January 17.  Consider this your “sneak peak” of those nominations.  Every album on this list has been reviewed in the “Get it or Forget it” column of our Blog.  How many of them do you have?

Honorable Mention:  Even though we have selected 25 albums for our list, there were a few that didn’t make the list, but deserve mention, including Ride by Marc Berger, Find the Silver Lining by Kelly Fitzgerald, Little Folks Like You and Me by Mike Younger, Small World by Monica Chapman and Honestly by Jay Asher.  Definitely check out these albums.

25.  The East Pointers, What we Leave Behind – This award-winning Canadian band has what they need to break into the American music scene.

24.  Becca Richardson, We are Gathered Here – Check her out at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on January 20.

23.  Harper Grae, Break Your Crowns – Definitely check out this rising star from Nashville.

22.  Rusty Young, Waitin’ for the Sun – Young was the former lead singer for Poco, and the band has reunited to support his solo artist.  This is his first solo effort for Blue Élan Records.

21.  The Show Ponies, How it all Goes Down – The band recently announced they would be disbanding and this album was their final one.  They were an LA Music Critic Award winner during the first half of 2017.

20.  Elizabeth and the Catapult, Keepsake – Check her out when she performs at Sundance this year.

19.  Great Willow, Find Yourself in Los Angeles – This band is becoming a player on the Americana circuit.  Check them out live if you live near there.

18.  Bryan Stephens, Village of Dreams – Another great Blue Élan Records artist.

17.  Jeffrey Halford & the Healers, Lo-Fi Dreams – Another LA Music Critic Award multiple nominee from the first half of 2017.

16.  Ray Goren, Me – This past LA Music Critic Award winner has a great future ahead.

15.  Marina V, Born to the Stars – This Russian-born singer-songwriter is one of a kind.  Welcome back to the charts.  More than 65,000 worldwide fans can’t be wrong.

14.  Chris Daniels and the Kings, Blues with Horns – This indie artist has had a storied career and his latest is one of his best.

13.  Chelsea Williams, Boomerang – Another premier act from Blue Élan Records, she will also be performing at Sundance.

12.  Jangling Sparrows, 140 Nickels – Watch for these guys near the top of the Americana music scene.

11.  Andrea Harsell and Luna Roya, Something for the Pain – This band is a Missoula, Montana staple that is definitely going places.

10.  Halladay Quist, self-titled – Another Montana artist with a family legacy of musical excellence.

9.  Gina Sicilia, Tug of War – Another Blue Élan Records artist who is at the top of her game.  Multiple LA Music Critic Award winner.  Watch for her 8th album coming soon.

8.  Amilia K. Spicer, Wow and Flutter – Another past LA Music Critic winner, this is one of the best Americana albums released in quite a while.

7.  Seasonal Beast – Muscle Memory – One of our best “finds” this year, watch for great things from this New York duo.

6.  Breaking Grass, Warning Signs – Another multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, this band is redefining bluegrass music.

5.  Wendy Sweetlove, Dirty Sunday – She was nominated for several LA Music Critic awards right out of the gate,  She is definitely an artist worth checking out.

4.  Janey Street, In my Own Skin – Reigning LA Music Critic Icon Award winner, she is another of the special breed of artists signed to Blue Élan Records.

3.  Rod Melancon, Southern Gothic – Multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, he is the last of these artists signed to Blue Élan Records.  He is currently touring Sweden.

2.  Katie Costello, Twice the Love – This artist has consistently produced award winning albums.  She also had one of the Best EPs of 2017.

1.  FreeWorld, What it is – The pride of Memphis, this band is redefining American Blues.  Check them out the next time you’re in Memphis.

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

Get it or forget it – Bryan Stephens, Katie Costello, Gerry Spehar, Flood Coats

Happy Friday – looking forward to some rodeo action today as we head to the Western Montana Fair.  Yesterday’s trip was cancelled as we spent the afternoon in the ER.  Nothing to worry about.  Here are the last of the July releases.  Enjoy our reviews.

Artist Name:  Bryan Stephens

Album Name:  Village of Dreams

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  River Flows; 2.  In June; 3.  Turnabout; 4.  Revolution; 5.  Deprivation; 6.  Out of her Mind; 7.  No Time; 8.  Generations; 9.  Taking Time; 10.  Attrition; 11.  Wars Again; 12.  Dreams

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  OMG – smooth vocals, amazing musical tracks and noteworthy lyrics – this new CD by Bryan Stephens has it all.  The songs are perfect for radio and placement, and brighten up the listener’s day.  From the first note, Village of Dreams provides adequate proof that Stephens is the real thing.  Dave Darling has done it again with his production, creating a musical masterpiece that needs to be put on repeat.  There is not a weak track on this album.  Rumor has it that Stephens is already at work on his next project, an album of covers – we cannot wait to hear his interpretations.  Check out his cover of the classic song “No Time” for an example.  Look out music industry – we have a new superstar.

Recommendation:  A true no-brainer, you simply must Get this album.  What a perfect album to celebrate Friday!

Artist Name:  Katie Costello

Album Name:  New World

Label:  REBEL POP Records

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  New World; 2.  A Beautiful Mystery; 3.  Hearts on Fire

Publicist:  FAR Digital PR

Review:  What can we say that hasn’t already been said about the powerful pop princess named Katie Costello?  She has been the topic of quite a few articles on this blog, and the recepient of several LA Music Critic Awards.  She also performed at the recent Winners Showcase back in June, and brought the house down.  Costello has previously released “New World” and “A Beautiful Mystery” as singles.  Her new addition on this EP is “Hearts on Fire,” and it is just as powerful as her previous releases.  Costello is our choice to be the next Meghan Trainor – her music is ready for worldwide distribution and deserves to be on the radio and receive a Grammy.  Keep up the awesome work – we need more artists like Katie Costello!

Recommendation:  Get it NOW!

Artist Name:  Gerry Spehar

Album Name:  I Hold Gravity

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Country

Track Listing: 1. Dirt; 2.  Muleshoe Mules; 3.  I Hold Gravity; 4.  Be Nemanic; 5.  Holy Moses Doughboy; 6.  Here in the Pass; 7.  Mr. & Mrs. Jones; 8.  How to get to Heaven From LA; 9.  God Lubbock; 10.  Into the Mystic

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Gerry Spehar brings a classic country vibe to his songs, which are well crafted lyrically and musically.  His tunes have a familiarity that makes them seem like you’ve heard them a million times.  They are truly radio ready and provide a sound that is missing on today’s pop country stations.  Listening to the first track, “Dirt,” feels like getting together with an old friend, and the album just gets better from there.  The entire album feels like it was heavily influenced by such country greats as Chris LeDoux and Garth Brooks, with Spehar’s own creative genius added in.  It is a loving tribute to his late wife, Susan.  While the entire album is great, we really love “Dirt,” “Muleshoe Mules,” “Here in the Pass,” “How to Get to Heaven From LA,” and “God Lubbock.”

Recommendation:  If  you love classic country music, you owe it to yourself to Get this album.

Artist Name:  Flood Coats

Album Name:  Vaquita

Label:  Hey Amigo Recording Co.

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Billowing Open; 2.  Hurricanes; 3.  Don’t Hold the Door; 4.  Ultraviolet; 5.  P-22; 6.  Window Seat; 7.  Magic Ones; 8.  Still Life; 9.  Vaquita

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Flood Coats is a collaborative effort from two of LA’s best indie musicians, Joel P. West and Darla Hawn.  While we are not familiar with West, we have known Hawn for quite a few years from her time playing drums for Curtis Peoples.  Needless to say, the collective sound of Flood Coats is rich and vibrant, with perfectly written pop melodies supporting strong lyrical content, topped off with the amazing harmonies of West and Hawn.  The entire album has that 80’s pop feel that uplifts and empowers the listener, and is just plain fun.  We especially love “Billowing Open,” “Don’t Hold the Door,” “P-22,” “Window Seat,” and “Magic Ones.”

Recommendation:  This album belongs to all true music lovers and will surely be the first of many that you add to your collection.  We strongly suggest you Get it ASAP!