You may not have heard her name, but we guarantee you will in the not too distant future. Casey Ahern is a 20-year old singer-songwriter who is a multi-talented professional that is a potential game-changer on the country/Americana scene.
The southern California based Ahern, who has been performing consistently with her band since she was 16, defines herself as a contemporary country artist. Truthfully, her music has a strong resemblance to what came out of Laurel Canyon in the 70s – with obvious influences of artists like Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and the Eagles.
Photo by Haley Ahern.
Ahern recently released a four-song EP called He was Summer (which we will be reviewing shortly), produced by David Brown, who has worked with Fleetwood Mac (including solo works by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks), Alice Cooper, Willie Nelson and Frank Zappa.
“David brought out elements of that classic Fleetwood Mac sound that I love so much,” explained Ahern. “Thanks to my parents, I grew up listening to country, all decades of country music, from Glen Campbell to Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and so it’s got a unique mix of influences. As my first EP, the songs represent the different aspects of who I am as a person and artist, and the people, places and values that are important to me.”
Considering the fact that Ahern was just getting over pneumonia, her vocal quality was pretty good, but nothing compared to the smooth sound of her EP. What truly sets Ahern apart from her peers is her amazing songwriting, which tells elaborate stories that her listeners can truly connect with and relate to.
Photo by Haley Ahern
She performed two of the songs on the EP – the title track “He Was Summer” and “Indio,” as well as four more great songs that included “Bradley” (a song about a town in northern California, “Never Finish Anything,” “Just a Dance,” and “Seeing Eye Dog” (our personal favorite, with our favorite line “Love is blind, but I’ve got a seeing eye dog”). She was joined onstage by Alex Kawasaki on upright bass and Aaron Rudin on cajon (who had an amazing solo on the closing track, “Indio.”
Photo by Haley Ahern
Ahern is heading to Nashville next month to work on her follow-up EP. We can hardly wait to hear the result.
When we last visited with Kansas-born Kaylee Keller, she had just won the LA Music Critic Award for best lyric video for her collaboration with the Vinyljackers of her hit “Diamond.”
More recently, Keller released a duet with country singer Rusty Rierson of the Alabama classic hit, “Christmas in Your Arms.” Check out the stream below.
Today we’re sitting down with Keller for another interview on what’s new in her career. Grab a cup of coffee and learn new things about this amazing indie artist who, surprisingly, just turned 19 years old.
IVB: What have you been doing since we last talked after your win for LA Music Critic best lyric video?
KK: First, after I won, I was waiting to receive my Grammy. But seriously, I have been in Nashville for the past three months working on my new EP. I worked with some of the best songwriters in Nashville who have helped me craft my new six song EP, which I plan to release as a group of singles throughout 2017, and then release the collection near the end of 2017. I loved working with my producer Nathan Meckel. I’ve been thinking of calling the EP Ruby, as a spin-off to my first EP Diamond, so then you could look me up as the Gem Collection. We want to test the waters with each single so that they will stay fresh. I like to be a trendsetter and do my own thing as an independent artist.
IVB: Tell us about your latest project “Christmas in your Arms.”
KK: This one was a fun project. Garden City, Kansas is my hometown and they approached me to see if I wanted to be part of their annual holiday compilation album, called Kozy Kansas Christmas. It’s their fourth year of doing this CD and I was honored that they wanted me to do a song for the album.
The proceeds from the sale of the album go to fund local charities in Garden City. They only print a limited amount of CDs, which makes them more valuable.
I’ve known Rusty Rierson for about three years after we met at a Joe Diffie concert. I was doing the National Anthem, and Rusty was the opening act. After I was approached by Garden City, I asked Rusty what song we should do. He suggested that we do an Alabama song called “Christmas in Your Arms.” My mom suggested we make it a duet. Both of them proved to be great suggestions. We had a blast turning the song into a duet.
The album is available on Garden City’s Facebook page and can be purchased there. My single on the album is also available on iTunes.
The project is getting a lot of media attention, including The Ellen Show, as they begin planning for next year’s double CD.
IVB: What’s next for Kaylee Keller?
KK: I wanted my current EP, Diamond, to be country, but it turned out to be more of a pop project. I’m using my new Christmas single to introduce me to the country pop community. I’ve been called a mixture of Colbie Caillat meets country pop by local media. The new project is much more country based albeit country pop, which is where my heart truly lies. We are looking forward to bringing this side of me to my fans and to hopefully find new ones in the country pop genre.
Welcome back to our continuing series on the winners of the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2016. Today we are featuring an interview with an artist who is rapidly rising to the top of her genre and was also a previous winner in 2015, Alice Wallace. Wallace won the award for Best Video (Official) Female for “I Just Don’t Care Anymore” as well as for Best Country/Americana Artist, which she also won in 2015.
I first met Wallace when she attended a show I had booked at The Derby in Los Feliz a few years back. It was nice to reconnect and talk with her about her career and future plans during our interview. Sit back, enjoy and learn things about one of the top rising stars in Americana music.
IVB: How long have you been performing?
AW: My family was very much musically inclined. When I was five, our family got a video camera, so I started learning songs so I could perform on camera. It’s always been easy for me to pick up songs and share them with other people. It wasn’t until I was 16 that I picked up the guitar and started writing songs. Within six months, I was signing up for talent shows and have been performing ever since. I remember playing a Borders Book show when I was still in high school. I didn’t do musical theater, but I was in the band, and learned music theory there. I wasn’t really confident in my vocal abilities, and never took any voice lessons. I’ve learned mostly by observing others perform, which helped me to develop my own style.
IVB: Who are your influences?
AW: I’ve always said that I grew up with Gram Parsons and Emilylou Harris, since my parents always listened to them and we sang along. Through the years I was also influenced heavily by 1990’s singer-songwriters like Jewel and Alanis Morrisette, as well as country, blues and Americana artists like Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Patsy Cline, all of which were really strong female voices. I’ve always been drawn to the voices. Oh, and Patti Griffin – I love her style. I try to learn as much as I can about these types of women.
IVB: What made you decide to DIY?
AW: In my early days, I released a couple of albums, but it was difficult to do it on my own. Then I got lucky and was signed to California Country Records about a year ago. California Country is an artist owned label, founded by Calico the Band members Manda Mosher and Kirsten Proffit. I had previously opened for them. While attending the California Roots Festival, I was approached by Kirsten, who told me that they liked my stuff and wanted to sign me to their new label. I was so happy because a label run by artists brings a lot to the table. They had great connections already, and they provided great help in all facets of the process. I am very proud of the finished product, which we released last October. They connected me to their publicist, Melissa Dragich-Cordero of MadInk PR, as well as to a radio promoter who got my music out on the airwaves. We even hit #83 on the charts.
I love being an indie artist, and with California Country, I got the best of both worlds – indie and mainstream. I got to stay indie while having a group of fellow musicians on a label that gave me the support and connections I needed to take my music to the masses. California Country is really more of a partnership than an artist/label relationship. I have always been scared of a label taking and owning my music. Now I have a label that lets me do what I love to do and supports me in the process.
IVB: Well that pretty much answers our next question. Are you seeking to be a mainstream artist?
AW: Not really – I would love the recognition that comes from being mainstream, but strongly want to do what I do without losing my identity. I think the Americana genre itself is becoming mainstream in its own way and indie artists are at the front of the pack. As long as I can make the kind of music I want, pay my bills and get to perform, I’m happy.
IVB: What are your future plans?
AW: I want to keep touring and making music. Don’t really have any long term plans at the moment. I’m spending my time booking tours and performing. I think the best way to be successful is to keep putting my music in front of people. I’m writing new songs for my next project, whenever that may happen.
I’ve now been a full-time musician for three years, and it’s getting better all the time. Doors are continually opening and it’s getting easier every day. I am always making connections and going forward, allowing each day to present new opportunities. I think I’ll just gonna ride this wave and see where it goes.
Next week I’m playing some local shows with my friend Brian Ashley Jones from Nashville. He hosted me when I was there, and I’m returning the favor. He got me a chance to perform at the world famous Bluebird Café.
In September, I am heading to Nashville for the Americana festival, followed by a trip to Austin for the Southwest Folk Alliance Conference the next week.
IVB: Any good stories from touring/recording/performing?
AW: One of my best stories is contained in my song “Luck, Texas.” I’ll always remember the time we were playing a show in Oklahoma, and it sounded like bombs were going off over our heads. I was amazed that the audience seemed unconcerned. I asked them what was going on, and they told me it was just a hail storm. Oh, and by the way there’s a tornado about a mile away. Another time I was touring through Texas and my car air conditioner broke and I had to endure that Texas heat.
IVB: How can your fans keep up with you?
AW: Of course I have a website and Facebook. I have a Twitter account, but I really use Instagram more. And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Four-time Grammy winner Joe Nichols brought his “Undone” tour to the Wilma in Missoula on Friday night, July 29, and reminded the packed house why he is just as popular today as he was back in 2002 when he released his first single “The Impossible.”
The night opened with Salt Lake City’s own Royal Bliss, who brought their rousing country rock music to Missoula for the seventh time. With a keen mixture of originals and covers, including a stunning rendition of Tom Petty’s “American Girl,” the Bliss got everyone into party mode, providing the perfect atmosphere for Nichols to take the stage.
Bliss was on fire as they turned in one of the best opening sets this reviewer has been fortunate to see, culminating in the deliverance of their big hit, “I was Drunk.” Lead vocalist Neal Middleton turned in a memorable performance, with incredible backing from Taylor Richards and Memphis Hennesy on guitar, Jake Smith on drums and Dwayne Crawford on bass. Check them out on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
After a short 30 minute intermission, it was time for the headliner, who kicked things into high gear with his song “Freaks Like Me,” from his upcoming as yet untitled ninth studio album. Since he burst on the scene in 1996, Nichols has had 18 Top 40 hits and five of them have made it to No. 1, including two from his most recent album, Crickets.
Nichols’ set included 18 songs, culminating with a two-song encore of “Tequilla Makes her Clothes Fall Off” and “Sunny and 75.” Nichols also paid homage to Merle Haggard with a cover of the Hag’s “Big City,” which brought the house down.
The packed house sang almost every note of every song, including his latest single, “Undone.” They swayed to the songs, raising their phones and brews while keeping the rhythm of the music. Considering that most of the crowd were just teenagers when Nichols’ first song hit the airwaves, it was a most impressive sight.
One of the highlights of the show occurred during the first song of Nichols’ encore, when he left the stage and headed down into the audience to give them some personal attention. The crowd swarmed around him, singing along at the top of their voices. It proved once again that country artists understand their fans, and consistently deliver some of the best value for the entertainment dollar.
Keep your eyes and ears out for the release of Nichols’ new album towards the end of 2016. In the meantime, check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
Thanks once again to Chelle Stipe of Chelle-S Imaging for the photos, and thanks to Dan Torti of the Wilma for his professionalism and support.
Several years ago, this reviewer took his then-girlfriend (and now wife) Chelle to see Alan Jackson at the Pacific Amphitheatre. The opening act that night was a new band called the Zac Brown Band. The excitement he felt that night is akin to what he’s feeling after his first listen to the new CD …And Friends by the Jason Adamo Band.
Adamo has crafted a masterpiece that should launch him and his band into the stratosphere of mainstream music. He wrote or co-wrote all but one of the seven tracks and has put together a team of musicians that are highly skilled in their craft, including Mark McKee, who mixed, mastered, produced and engineered this masterpiece.
From start to finish, this is a CD you can put on repeat and listen to over and over. Although every song is amazing, this reviewer’s favorite track is “Let Go,” with its incredible musicianship and a Keith Urban influenced sound. This song could launch the band and belongs on country radio now.
“Game of Love” has a Lumineers feel to it, and is probably the second best song on the CD, followed closely by the first track, “Beautiful Believer.” “Believer” was a co-write with Brett Young, and Adamo’s performance brings out all the beauty of the tune.
Another worthy cut is “Oliver,” which Adamo wrote about his sister’s adopted son. The truth is that there are no bad cuts on this CD, and it should appeal to all true music lovers.
We are proud to highly recommend this CD and encourage all music lovers to call their local stations and demand they play the Jason Adamo Band.
For more info, check out their website and Facebook pages, follow them on Twitter and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
