Tag: Emily Zuzik

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews

Get it or forget it – 2020 vol 1

It’s been a while since our last edition of Get it or Forget it, and we wanted to ease back in with a few of our favorite artists who have all been busy during this pandemic.  We hope you like what you read, and will check out these amazing artists.  We hope to make this a regular weekly feature, but that will depend on when our work schedule becomes more solid.  At any rate, here we go.

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Artist Name:  Emily Zuzik

Album Name:  Torch & Trouble

Label:  Head Bitch Music and Maenades Music

Genre:  Americana

Release Date:  August 28, 2020

Track Listing:  1.  Stay Wild, 2.  Get it Right, 3.  Chinese Food and Donuts, 4.  Trouble, 5.  Magic, 6.  Shadows, 7.  All That Love, 8.  Wild Mustangs Across the Great Plains, 9.  Embers, 10.  The Band Played On

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Emily Zuzik has been one of the leading voices in the resurgence of the Los Angeles Americana music scene with her unmistakable voice and incredibly well-written songs.  Her latest, Torch & Trouble, sets the bar high and is truly her best effort to date.  The album is skillfully produced by Ted Russell Kamp, the amazing country bass player who is a huge part of the success of every artist he works with, including Shooter Jennings, Manda Mosher, Tanya Tucker and Zuzik.   Among the amazing supporting musicians on the project are Christopher Allis on drums, Brian Whelan on Hammond organ and guitar, Kamp on bass, and John Schreffler on guitar.

Zuzik wrote or co-wrote nine of the ten songs on the album, hits the ground running with the first track, “Stay Wild,” and never slows down as she delivers memorable song after memorable song.  Although there are no weak songs on the entire album, our favorites include “Stay Wild,” “Get it Right,” the rocking “Trouble,” the Chris Isaak-like “Shadows,” (a Yo La Tengo cover), the romantic waltz “All That Love,” the epic story of “Wild Mustangs Across the Great Plains,” and “Embers,” which features the vocals of Kamp and Zuzik in a stirring duet.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and get this one like your life depends on it.

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Artist Name:  Tawny Ellis

Album Name:  Love Life

Label:  Music Building Records

Genre:  Americana

Release Date:  July 24, 2020

Track Listing:  1.  Love Life, 2.  Moon Shine, 3.  Pretend Love, 4.  No More, 5.  Deep end of Love, 6.  Spirit of Love, 7.  I Believe, 8.  Powers That Be, 9.  Daddy, 10.  Dirty Work

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Tawny Ellis is proof of the benefit of being in the right place at the right time, and her relentless pursuit of perfection is evident in every song on this true masterpiece, which took three years to complete.  The artists who worked with her on this project sound like a “Who’s Who” of some of the finest musicians in the industry, including Jesse Siebenberg (Lukas Nelson, Lissie), Ted Russell Kamp (Shooter Jennings, Tanya Tucker), Gio Loria (Jack Johnson) and Kaitlin Wolfberg (H.E.R.).  Their contributions give Ellis’ sound an eclectic vibe that makes the music accessible to fans of all genres.  Among the best cuts are “Love Life,” “Pretend Love,” the rocking “No More,” the mournful “Deep End of Love,” the stirring “I Believe,” and the haunting and iconic “Powers That Be.”

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – your music library NEEDS it and so do you.

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Artist Name:  Ted Russell Kamp

Album Name:  Down in the Den

Label:  PoMo Records

Genre:  Roots/Rock/Americana

Release Date:  July 24, 2020

Track Listing:  1.  Home Sweet Hollywood (ft Shooter Jennings), 2.  Have Some Faith, 3.  Waste a Little Time With Me, 4.  Stick With Me, 5.  Hold On (ft Gordy Quist), 6.  Hobo Nickel, 7.  Rainy Day Valentine, 8.  The Good Part, 9.  Word for Word (ft Sarahh Gayle Meech), 10. My Turn to Cry, 11.  Only Son (ft Shane Alexander), 12.  Every Little Thing you Need, 13. Saint Severin, 14.  Take my Song With You (ft Kirsten Proffit)

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  This article would not be complete without a review of the common denominator between Emily Zuzik and Tawny Ellis, the legendary musician himself, Ted Russell Kamp.  The album was recorded in Kamp’s home studio, affectionately called “The Den,” and features several of the amazing artists that Kamp has worked with, including Shooter Jennings, Gordy Quist, Sarah Gayle Meech, Shane Alexander and Kirsten Proffit.  We have already featured the first two songs on the album in our Monday Mashup series, and they are just the tip of the iceberg of the treasures contained in this 14-song collection.  We really love the swinging feel of “Waste a Little Time With Me,” the classic country sound of “Stick With Me,” the New Orleans Jazz-infused “Hobo Nickel,”  the two-stepping sound of “The Good Part,” the Dwight Yoakum-inspired strains of “My Turn to Cry,” the righteous country ballad “Saint Severin,” and the sweet duet “Take my Song With You.”

Recommendation:  No music library is complete without this one, so go out and get it ASAP.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Live Concerts Reviews Women in Entertainment

The Americana scene is kicking at Highland Park Bowl

For quite a few years, the Americana scene has thrived in the area around The Grand Ole Echo near Dodger Stadium.  While that area still exists, Americana has found an additional home at the Highland Park Bowl, thanks to Prickly Pear Presents.  The event occurs every Wednesday night through at least the end of July.  We were fortunate enough to attend on May 15, which featured Nikki O’Neill, Manda Mosher and Emily Zuzik.

Zuzik and Mosher are both winners of the LA Music Critic Awards and will be featured at the next Winners Showcase on June 18 at The Mint LA.  This year’s Showcase will honor Women in Entertainment and features 10 female performers.  The event benefits Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Tickets are available on the Mint’s website or through PayPal using “lamusiccritic@yahoo.com” as the payee.  Tickets are available in advance for $10, and if available, at the door for $15.

The event was held in Mr. T’s Lounge at this vintage bowling alley.  First up was the R&B infused Americana sound of O’Neill.  She was the only act we had not heard previously, and her set was an unexpected pleasure.  Her sound was diverse, with elements of Alabama and traditional R&B, skillfully delivered by her four-piece  band, which included Joshua Pessar on guitar and backing vocals, Rob Fresco on bass and backing vocals, and Rich Lackowski  on drums and percussion.  Her last album, Love Will Lead You Home, was released in 2017, and their new album will be released shortly.   O’Neill has also been a contributing writer for Guitar Player magazine and is the author of the e-book Women’s Road to Rock Guitar, published by Alfred Music.   Although Pessar turned in some impressive guitar licks and Lackowski and Fresco kept a steady rhythm,  the set suffered from a lack of interesting stage banter.  The music itself was impressive, especially their closing song “That’s how you Lose Her,” which featured the Janis Joplin-like vocals of Halina Janusz from the Grateful Dead tribute band Jerry’s Middle Finger. 

Next up was Mosher, formerly from CALICO the band.  She and her husband Eric Craig, along with Dan Wistrom on pedal steel, guitar and backing vocals, Aaron Stern on bass and Jesper Kristensen on drums, put on a clinic of how to mix rock and Americana, are truly a sterling example of the influence of Tom Petty on the entire Americana scene.  Mosher’s voice is so smoky and strong that is perfectly suited to Petty’s musical style, while her stage presence reminds us of a younger Emmylou Harris.  The overall sound of the band is head and shoulders over their peers.  Unfortunately, like O’Neill, the set suffered from the lack of banter between the songs, , leaving way too much “dead air” between songs.   Once they tighten up the set with appropriate banter, we think they will be unstoppable as a premier concert destination. 

Wrapping up the evening was the sterling sound of Zuzik and her amazing band, which included Wistrom, Topher Allis on drums and the incomparable Ted Russell Kamp on bass, who was taking a break from his recent touring with both Shooter Jennings and Duff McKagan.  Kamp will also be producing Zuzik’s forthcoming album.  Zuzik is even rockier than Mosher, but neither of them has forgotten their roots.  Zuzik reminds us of a combination between Chrissie Hynde and Sheryl Crow.  The band also turned in an impressive cover of The Faces’ mega hit “Stay with Me,” delivered in a style that was part James Brown and part Mick Jagger.  All in all it was an impressive end to this incredible night of Americana music.  Can’t wait until June 18 to see them again.

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 20

It’s been a crazy week.  We saw Dons of Disco again on Monday night, and it was even better than it was when we saw it in February at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.  Tuesday and Wednesday we spent as a PA on set with Nina Storey on a video shoot for a proposed pilot, before heading out to Highland Park Bowl for Americana Nights with Nicki O’Neil, Manda Mosher and Emily Zuzik.  Thursday was rehearsal for my Fringe solo show, and a chance to review the Fringe show Human Fountains.  Friday we reviewed up and coming artist Casey Ahern at the Mint before spending the weekend in San Diego with family.  Watch for reviews of the music events this week.

NEW SINGLES

We kick things off this week with some EDM that will make you want to get up and dance the night away.  Clinton Tarantino has given us a glorious dance beat and we are sure you’ll be screaming, “Don’t Stop”all night long.

Next up is the powerful sound of Titus Calderbank, who reminds us of a cross between Adam Levine and Ryan Tedder.  We love this powerful song and think it could be a huge radio hit.  Check out “Mistakes.”

https://soundcloud.com/titus-calderbank/mistakes

Our third single is a slow R&B jam that will heat up your senses with the sweet vocals and bad-ass rhythm of Chanel Lóran on her single “Pretend.”  This one is smoking hot.

Our next single is the latest from punk-infused rock act The Band Gooch.  This one has great potential for a radio hit and we love the rocking sound of “Stuck with You.”

Our final single this week comes from rock goddess Hanna Barakat ahead of her upcoming album being produced by Disturbed’s John Moyer.  it is an intense journey that describes love as “Damage Done.”  Please let us know what you think about this one.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week comes from LA Music Critic Award winner Diana Rein, and she shows why she is the “Queen of My Castle.”  Her version of the blues will lift your spirits and we simply love every note.  Can’t wait for her completed album.  We really love her new look.

Next up is the latest from folk/Americana singer-songwriter Franc Cinelli.  The cinematography is amazing, as are the words and vocals of “Horses.”  This one has great potential.

Our third video has all the charm of Jimmy Buffet with a little taste of Bob Marley and is beautifully shot at the beach.  Check  out “Lawnchair” by Shawn Perry.  Let’s party.

Our fourth video is much more serious and talks about the status of our world today.  We love the simplicity of the video, which allows the words and vocal delivery to drive their message home.  Check out “Dangerous People” from Pete Gardiner.

Our final video this week is from hard-rock band Take the Day, who is looking for someone to “Save me Now.”  This one will get you week off to a rocking start.

 

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

Get it or forget it – DieAlps!, Emily Zuzik, Andrea Stray, Johnny Paglino

Well, the weekend is here and so are more album reviews here on Indie Voice Blog.  We hope you will check out these artists, and continue your support of indie music.

Artist Name:  DieAlps!

Album Name:  Our City

Label:  New Granada Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing: 1.  Running into Walls; 2.  Invincible; 3.  Mayfly; 4.  Trust Me; 5.  Our City; 6.  Dwight; 7.  Get Yours; 8.  In the Country; 9.  I Can See it Now; 10.  Battles; 11.  Hands Up; 12.  We Fought the Sea

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  DieAlps! is a spirited foursome from Florida led by Austrian-born Connie  Calcaterra and her husband Frank.  The band’s name, which translates to The Alps, is an homage to their native Austria.  Their music has a true 90’s vibe, and is perfect for lovers of such groups as Pavement and Radiohead.  Connie and Frank split the lead vocal duties, while the rest of the band provides the perfect musical soundtrack for their thought-provoking lyrics.  They have brought their best on this debut album, and clearly show why they are such a crowd-pleasing hit in central Florida.  The entire album is noteworthy, but we think the best tracks are “Invincible,” “Mayfly,” “Trust Me,” the title track (with its surf rock vibe), “Dwight,” and “Get Yours.”

Recommendation:  We love this CD and think you will too.  Don’t waste any time – go Get it!

Artist Name:  Emily Zuzik

Album Name:  Tender

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots/Rock/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Tender; 2.  Ernst Kirchner; 3.  Winter in California

Publicist:  None

Review:  Tender is a short and sweet three-song EP that merely whets our appetite for more of this amazing Americana artist.  We recently reviewed her last release, Angelenos, and have nothing but good things to say about her continuing growth as a musician.  This time around her music has a little bit more bluesy soul, especially the title track, which is topped off with classy horns and the sweet sound of Zuzik’s voice.  “Ernst Kirchner” has a spooky vibe, while “Winter in California” has a rockier beat and is a beautiful story song with sweet harmonies and a memorable sound, with a vibe reminiscent of the Mommas and Poppas.

Recommendation:  Zuzik truly brings it every time, and always leaves us wanting more.  Grab this tasty hors d’ouevres to tide you over until her next full length release.

Artist Name:  Andrea Stray

Album Name:  Into Blue

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Roots/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Into Blue; 2.  Don’t Cry; 3.  Little Word; 4.  Forgive and Forget; 5.  You’re the Kind

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Andrea Stray is the kind of musician that thinking people love.  She recently won the lyric writing contest for American Songwriter Magazine, and this album is further proof of her lyrical prowess.  Her well-crafted lyrics give you plenty of food for thought, and allow her to craft music around those words to bring you a story, not just a song.  This also allows her to not be confined to any particular genre, but simply write the perfect music for the story.   A prime example of this is “Into Blue,” which incorporates some amazing guitar riffs into a perfectly told story, while “Don’t Cry” brings in a rich piano sound in the style of Bruce Hornsby.   “Little Word” brings a sassy, jazzy sound to Stray’s words, while “Forgive and Forget” is pure Americana, with acoustic guitar and pedal steel.  “You’re the Kind” keeps that Americana vibe, but adds some amazing guitar riffs, which serves to bring this amazing EP full circle.

Recommendation:  Get this one like your life depends upon it.  It is one of the best we’ve reviewed this year.

Artist Name:  Johnny Paglino

Album Name:  21

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  SynthPop

Track Listing:  1.  Today is Tomorrow; 2.  Sunset Key; 3.  Anna; 4.  Kant at the Dinner Thing; 5.  When Xanax Came to Rule the World; 6.  Juan was Pistol Whipped; 7.  South Chicago; 8.  Heroin; 9.  I Will Kill Myself; 10.  I Could Forgive You; 11.  21

Publicist:  None

Review:  This album has a soothing mellow sound that belies the hard-hitting lyrical content.  If you listen carefully, however, you will hear tales of triumph over drug addition, and of living a better life, despite what’s going on around us.  This is an album that needs to be listened to repeatedly, first just to enjoy the music and then to concentrate on the stories that Paglino is telling about living in this crazy world of child trafficking, drugs and political unrest.  We think that the listener will feel empowered after hearing these songs, and encouraged to make a difference.  Best tracks include “Sunset Key,” “Juan was Pistol Whipped,” “South Chicago,” and his current single, “Heroin.”

Recommendation:  Take a chance on this new artist and Get his debut album.

 

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

Get it or forget it: See, Emily Zuzik, Mark McKinney

After a long hiatus, we’re back.  Indie artists have been blowing up our email with news about their new releases, so it’s time to start returning the favor with the continuation of our review series, “Get it or Forget It.”  This edition will cover three amazing artists, with lots more to follow.  Grab your coffee and check them out.

Artist Name:  See

Album Name:  Ties

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  Green Line Killer; 2  Closed Eyes Open; 3.  Blue Await; 4.  Potions; 5.  See Cries 

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  Teenage sensation See is the youngest artist on Blue Élan Records impressive list of artists, but her potential for stardom cannot be denied.  Although her EP Ties was released last year, she is just beginning to create a buzz on the music scene, thanks in no small part to her YouTube channel, where she has been releasing acoustic versions of her songs, as well as her two official music videos.  Her first single, “Potions,” has received more than four million views, while her latest single, “Green Line Killer,” has already gotten more than 50,000 views in less than a week.

Needless to say, it really is all about the music, and all five tracks deliver, both musically and lyrically.  Although listed as “electronica,” her music has elements of rock and pop that underscore the extremely mature lyrical content.  Hard to believe See is only 19 years old.  We believe this artist will have a long career ahead, making her a worthy addition to the Blue Élan roster of Grammy winners and nominees.  We especially like the final track “She Cries,” which deserves radio airplay now.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  Definitely Get It and be the cool kid on the block as you share in her current and future success.

Artist Name:  Emily Zuzik

Album Name:  Angelenos

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Electronic pop-rock

Track Listing:  1.  Gravity; 2.  Alone; 3.  Spiritual Heart; 4.  Warrior; 5.  Oh Yeah (feat. Knower); 6.  Modern Lovers (Louis Cole remix) 

Publicist:  None

Review:   The music immediately grabs your attention and then that voice comes in, lifting your spirits as the lyrics open your mind to the amazing artist who has composed and performed these songs, which are nothing short of masterful.   This is one of those albums that you can just put on repeat and revel in the magic.  These songs are perfect for chilling, and should also find a home in the soundtrack of your favorite movie or television show.  The first notes of “Gravity” awaken your senses and makes you want to listen to the track all day.  That trend continues with “Alone,” for which we shared the music video back in January, and stand by our assessment that this artist is destined for greatness.  We especially like the instrumentals in “Spiritual Heart.”  The music takes a different turn on the final three tracks, with “Modern Lovers” being the best of the three.

Recommendation:  If you don’t rush out and get your copy of Angelenos, then you should seriously consider therapy.  This is one of the best releases of 2017, and we strongly recommend you Get it.

Artist Name:  Mark McKinney

Album Name:  World in Between

Label:  Texas Evolution

Genre:  Country

Track Listing:  1.  90 Miles; 2.  Bridge; 3.  Bacon & Eggs; 4.  Rainy Day Money; 5.  Sunshine; 6.  Alright; 7.  Yours; 8.  Stories; 9.  Close; 10.  Monday; 11.  Revolution 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Like Chris LeDoux and Pat Green before him, Mark McKinney has made a decent living playing his music in the great state of Texas.  However, with the release of his fifth studio album, World in Between, Texas can no longer contain his greatness, which is destined to spread throughout the US and the world.  If the songs on this new album are any indication, McKinney should become a household name and a regular on country radio, as well as a popular performer at the ACM and CMA.  His songs have a great musical feel that is conducive to a good two step, and his instrumentation will appease even the most sophisticated country music lover.  He immediately grabs our attention with “90 Miles” and “Bridge” before stealing our hearts with the dynamic “Bacon & Eggs,” and its amazing backing vocals by his wife Cassie.  On and on the hits keep coming.  This one is our early favorite for best  Country album of 2017.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk and Get It.  If you love country music that easily provides the soundtrack for life, then this is definitely the album for you.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 5

Wow – five weeks into 2017, and indie artists are really making noise.  Milck, an artist we introduced you to back on September 21, 2015, is truly blowing up!!!  In the past seven days, her official music video for “Quiet” has gone from just over 142,000 views to more than 400,000.  She has been featured in Billboard, Allure, ET Online, Twitter and Facebook, and made several appearances on national TV, including her appearance on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.  The YouTube video of that appearance has already drawn more than 75,000 views in less than three days.  We are so proud of you Connie Lim aka Milck.  Thank you for having the courage to bring your message of hope in a time of increased insanity.  We are proud to support you!!!  We are also proud of her PR effort, spearheaded by the Big Kahuna herself – Go Laura and Red Boot PR as you champion another worthy indie cause!!!!

KEATON SIMONS JOINS WITH BACKBONE POSSE

LA Music Critic Icon Keaton Simons has been busy, but not in the typical way.  Always a firm believer in collaboration, Simons has lent his talents to the Backbone Posse on their new music video for “Supawaz Gaz,” which also features the talents of Slimkid3 and Adam Vadel.  Please be warned this video is NSFW or young kids.  Enjoy.

GRAMMY NOMINEE PERFORMS AT THE TROUBADOUR

Indie artist Janiva Magness, nominated for Best Blues Album for Love Wins Again, is having a birthday today.  She recently performed before a packed house at the world famous Troubadour in Los Angeles, and posted several videos of her live performance.  Please enjoy this one and make sure to send her best wishes.

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

We are proud to spotlight this incredible new indie video.  Watch for us to review her new release soon.  Please give it up for Emily Zuzik from Los Angeles with the amazing release of “Alone,” which has garnered more than 25,000 views in the past four days.  We think this one is a definite keeper!!!

We look forward to chatting with you again next month.  Have a great week!