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

Get it or forget it – Trans FX, The 131ers, Ed Prz, Demi Mitchell, Dorian Frankel

This is going to be a very busy week.  We will be spending 16 hours on Monday working the Pearl Jam concert at Washington Grizzly Stadium.  Then on Tuesday, we return to the Big Sky Brewing Company for the Halestorm concert.  In the meantime, here’s our first Get it of Forget it article of the week, and we have a lot of debuts to review this time around.  Enjoy.

Artist Name:  Trans FX

Album Name:  The Showroom Dummies

Label:  Reversed Tornado

Genre:  Electronic

Track Listing:  1.  The Way it Sounds (ft. Lillian Maring); 2.  The Common Good / Is it Ever Enough; 3.  Sunday Morning (Reed/Cale) (ft. Abby Dahlquist); 4.  Something Better; 5.  Modern Working Woman (ft. Lillian Maring); 6.  People Like You; 7.  I’m a Dreamer (Denny) (ft. Valerie Warren); 8.  Vertigo (ft. Valerie Warren)

Publicist:  Mystic Sons

Review:  This is a very strange album.  It is obvious that some thought went into these songs, but it seems almost like they are totally unmastered.  The vocals sound like they were added to the music separately and never blended in, which makes for a very disjointed sound.  Of the three vocalists Trans FX uses for this project, none of them seem to grasp the complexity of the music, and their voices don’t do anything for the songs.

Recommendation:  Just Forget it.

Artist Name:  The 131ers

Album Name:  Nothing’s as it Should Be

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Crazy; 2.  Don’t Wanna Go; 3.  Ballerina; 4.  Face On; 5.  Get Rich; 6.  OG Food; 7.  Close my Eyes; 8.  I Lost; 9.  Rome; 10.  Leave This Man Behind; 11.  Nothings’ as it Should Be

Publicist:  Independent Music Media

Review:  Torrance, California is the home of The 131ers, and they should count themselves very lucky indeed.  The band is an indie rock quartet that mixes indie rock with funk, edge and soul, creating rock and roll that makes you want to dance.  Their sophomore album could be the soundtrack for all of your summer activities.  It kicks off with the fun and imaginative “Crazy” and never misses a beat.  We recommend that you just put this one on repeat, because one listen just ain’t enough.  We think “Get Rich” could be their break-out radio hit, so station managers, check out this band and add “Get Rich” to  your rotation.

Recommendation:  Get this one before you start your summer activities.  You’ll be glad you did.

Artist Name:  Ed Prz

Album Name:  For You

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-songwriter

Track Listing:  1.  Intro; 2.  For You; 3.  Better Days; 4.  Where all Dreams Dwell; 5.  Everything Turns to Gold; 6.  One with the Stars

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  The songs on Ed Prz’s debut EP are raw, as he recorded them in his bedroom. They feel very intimate, as if you are sitting in the room with him, and for that reason alone, they have serious potential.  We would love for him to get a good producer that would bring out all of his hidden talent and make these songs pop.  We salute Prz for his valiant effort, and would love to listen again when his songs are more polished.

Recommendation:  Put this one on simmer.   We’re sure it will be ready later.

Artist Name:  Demi Mitchell

Album Name:  The Overflow

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt Rock/Acid Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Get it Together; 2.  Out of Here; 3.  Dancing in the Sand; 4.  Dark Sea; 5.  The Overflow; 6.  Fiction From Fact; 7.  Medicine Woman; 8.  Man of my Mind; 9.  Coming Down

Publicist:  Collected PR

Review:  Demi Mitchell is further proof that some of the best indie music is coming from down under.  Mitchell hails from Newcastle, Australia, and brings her amazing mix of alt rock, folk and Americana to the Americas just in time to ride the current wave of Americana love that is permeating our music scene.  We think she should do quite well on American radio, and look forward to catching her on tour, preferably opening for someone like Mumford & Sons, The Infamous Stringdusters or Chris Stapleton.  She reminds us a bit of Lydia Loveless, and we think they would make a smashing collaboration.  We love this album, and every song is great.  Put it on repeat, grab a glass of wine, and chill.

Recommendation:  Rush out and Get this one.

Artist Name:  Dorian Frankel

Album Name:  One More Song

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Country/Folk/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Handful of Sunshine; 2.  Be my You; 3.  The Pull; 4.  Vampire; 5.  Will you be Okay; 6.  Made of Music; 7.  Cross a Line; 8.  Naked; 9.  Another Close Call; 10.  Lydia; 11.  Broken; 12.  Hollyweed; 13.  Everybody Can Sing; 14.  The ballad; 15.  I Can’t Lie; 16.  Be Nice; 17.  If it Were Easy; 18.  These Important Days; 19.  Just Go; 20.  A Good Goodbye; 21.  Wordless; 22.  Second Wind; 23.  Strugglers/Stragglers; 24.  One More Song

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  By day Dorian Frankel is a casting director, but when that aspect of her life closes for the day, the inner artist emerges and boy, can she sing.  You can hear the southern country in her voice and inflections, and her music is a combination of country, folk and pop, capturing the best of each genre and adding Frankel’s sweet voice as the cherry on top.  We could see Frankel also sitting in at her favorite piano bar, like maybe Tramp Stamp Grannys, and singing her favorite show tunes along with the pianist and the other celebrity patrons that frequent the club.  Frankel packs 24 songs into this incredible album, so there’s something for everyone here.

Recommendation:  Definitely add this one to your easy listening collection.  Get it today.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out

My Brothers and I bring their music south

Portland, Oregon based pop quintet My Brothers and I are headed south for their first-ever acoustic trio performances.   Composed of brothers David Wurgler on lead vocals, Erik Wurgler on bass and Scott Wurgler on drums, along with childhood friends Jordan Roach on guitar and Johnny Iliyn on keys, they have been burning up the country on their recent tour, in preparation for the release of their new album, Live at Mississippi Studios.

The trio will be performing at Sofar Sounds in Venice Beach on Thursday, August 25 and The Hotel Café in Hollywood on August 26 before heading off to Phoenix (August 27) and Tucson (August 28) for two more Sofar Sounds showcases.

Their debut full-length album, Don’t Dream Alone showed their wide range of influences, with a sound that is melodic, soulful, and danceable.   “We’re influenced by pop, hip-hop, the blues, Motown, funk, and soul,” says bassist Erik.  “This album has soul.  We’re influenced by modern artists and the classics.  Our songs fit into the current musical landscape but with throwback vibes.”

The band, which is signed to Expunged Records, has already garnered placement in TV shows like ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars, received airplay on numerous radio stations, and launched a successful national tour in support of the album, which was recorded at Miracle Lake Studios with Skyler Norwood at the helm (who’s produced Blind Pilot, Priory, and Horsefeathers) and brings the energy that floods their live performance.
 
“I think the best part of being a band is that you collaborate.  Don’t Dream Alone is a combination of how these songs sounded in all of our heads, so naturally some ideas stayed while others had to be left behind. But we are all absolutely amazed by the final product; it’s something we’re all very proud of,” says Scott, the band’s drummer and eldest brother.
 
Don’t Dream Alone represents the idea of dreaming unselfishly.  “People dream for themselves everyday,” comments lead singer David, “but when you dream with or for other people amazing things can happen.”  
 
“With Don’t Dream Alone, the challenge was to bring and capture the same energy from our live shows, in to the studio; capture what fans love about our performances and put it on record.  Skyler did an amazing job of that,” adds Erik.  “The vocals and harmonies are the highlights of this record,” continues Erik.  “Unleashing David in the vocal booth was special.  This was David’s first time ever recording in a studio.  Multiple times he would do something with his voice and we’d look at each other in awe.”  
Los Angeles radio station KCRW even went so far as to say “lead singer David Wurgler’s rich voice will remind you of John Legend.”
 
With the success of Don’t Dream Alone, their label is planning to release a remix EP featuring several tracks off of the album, commemorating the one year anniversary of the release of Don’t Dream Alone on September 23.  
 
 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out

Big Sky Brewing Company show is a special homecoming for Fitz and the Tantrums’ drummer John Wicks

The upcoming Fitz and the Tantrums show at the Big Sky Brewing Company in Missoula, Montana is a special homecoming for their drummer, John Wicks.  Wicks calls Missoula his home, and recently opened Drum Coffee in March 2016.   What sets this coffee shop apart from all the others in town is the fact that Drum gives back to the community through its Donation Station, where patrons can vote on their favorite of three designated charities.  Drum then sets aside two percent of its profits which it donates to those charities according to their popular vote, with all three receiving something.  The charities are changed quarterly.   Currently those charities are the Watson Children’s Center, the Humane Society and Garden City Harvest.

Founded in 2008, Fitz and the Tantrums is composed of co-vocalists Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs, James King on saxophone and flute, Jeremy Ruzumna on keyboards, Joseph Karnes on bass, and Wicks on drums and percussion.

The band released their latest album on June 10, and several songs are already climbing the charts, including the seriously infectious “Handclap.”

Fitz and the Tantrums will storm Wicks’ hometown on Sunday, August 28, 2016.  Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Big Sky Brewing Company and Rockin’ Rudy’s Records, by calling 866/468-7624 or online at www.ticketweb.com and www.knittingfactory.com.  Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the show.

You can keep up with the band by checking out their website or Facebook pages, by following them on Twitter and Instagram, or by subscribing to their YouTube Channel.  Click on the link about to connect with Drum Coffee’s of Wicks’ official Facebook pages.