Tag: Halo Circus

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 32

Are you ready for a new week?  We are constantly amazed at the quality of music being made by indie musicians each and every day.  We were stunned at the singles and videos we chose over the weekend for our Ten Amazing Videos and Ten Great Singles articles, and can’t wait to hear and see what comes next.  We have some news for you today, as well as five new singles and music videos to share, so let’s get going.

MINT FILM FESTIVAL RUNS SEPTEMBER 14-16

The First Annual Montana International Film Festival today announced its main slate of over 55 films, panels and events from September 14 – 16 in Billings, Montana.

The inaugural festival will see six narrative and eight documentary features competing for $15,000 in cash and in-kind prizes, including the first-ever MINT Spirit Award, as well as six juried awards:  Best Female Director, Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short Film, Best Documentary Feature Film, Best Documentary Short Film and the Made In Montana award.

The historic Babcock Theater in Billings will host many of the MINT screenings and other programming and is re-emerging as a robust cinema, an effort kindled in part by MINT.  Murnion says, “The time seemed right for creating space for the unlikely moments that occur when people get together in the same room—well, rooms—at the same time to witness and engage in great storytelling.”  Other theaters include the Art House Cinema, a non-profit, independent cinema and pub in the heart of downtown Billings and the 2905 Montana, a pop-up space transformed for MINT on Montana Avenue in the Historic District of Billings.

Passes and individual tickets for MINT are on sale now. Please visit https://mintfilmfestival.org/ for tickets, passes and all other film festival information.

PASADENA TO HOST TASTES AND SOUNDS OF SOUTH LAKE

Date:  Saturday September 29th, 12 pm – 5 pm
Location Live Cooking Demos:  The Commons, 140 S. Lake Avenue
Location Music Stage:  The Shops on Lake, 345 S. Lake Avenue
Admission:  FREE

SPECIAL LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY:
o    Arms Akimbo – Named by Billboard as a band to watch, Arms Akimbo create infectious feel-good indie rock.
o    The Sound of Ghosts – The LA based, Americana roots musical collective delivers an engaging, explosive yet intimate live performance.
o    The Regrettes – The LA based four-piece create infectious, punk driven tracks with a pop aesthetic reminiscent of 50’s and 60’s acts a la the Temptations or Buddy Holly.
o    VÉRITÉ – Indie pop artist praised by TIME for her ‘rich and ethereal vocals’
o    Larkin Poe – Acclaimed roots rock n’ roll sister duo praised by Rolling Stone among other high profile outlets.
o    *DJ William Reed spinning between sets
SPECIAL LIVE COOKING DEMOS BY:
o     12:00 pm: Luisa Fabbri – Owner of Contessa Foods.  Join Luisa for an olive oil tasting the way professionals do it!
o      1:00 pm:  Jose Acevedo – Mercado Pasadena’s Executive Chef/Partner. Classic and contemporary cuisine inspired by fresh, local ingredients and Chef Jose’s Mexican roots.
o    2:00 pm: Ronald Russell – Renowned vegan and raw food chef, co-owner of celeb hangout Sun Café in Studio City.
o    3:00 pm: RG Enriquez – Host of Astig Vegan Cooking Show, making healthy Filipino cuisine.For more information, please visit www.southlakeavenue.org or call (626) 792-1259.
NEW SINGLES

Our first single comes from former Mouseketeer and The Voice contestant Tony Lucca.  Here’s his latest tune, “Nashville,” which was released on August 31.

Next up is SNEAK PREVIEW of a new band to us, represented by our friend Gayle Davidson of AGD Entertainment, who brought us Wendy Sweetlove, among others.  Here is “In the Woods,” the first single off the forthcoming EP Folklore by Haunted Like Human.  Check out their website and pre-order the new album if you like the single.

https://soundcloud.com/user-343830607/in-the-woods/s-eiLWY

Our third single this week is from Kinney, an artist that reminds us of Ingrid Michaelson.  Her voice is so sweet and the music is so much fun that you just want to stop the world and bask in the beauty of the song.  Please let us know what  you think about “Petah Bread Rocketship.”

Our fourth single is from another client of Davidson named Drunken Logic.  Here is their latest single, “Alone in America.”  We love their indie folk/alternative rock sound and those horns are amazing.

Our final single this week is from Colin Devlin, former member of The Devlins and currently both a producer and an artist for Blue Élan Records.  His new album, High Point, will be out soon, but he has just released his first single, “Just a Fire.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is the long awaited follow-up to the smash “Narcissist” by Alison Iraheta and Matthew Hager, aka Halo Circus.  The new video is for their song “Oh, Money,” and is just as powerful as the previous one.  Let’s rock out!

Next is “Play me Birdie” from Sexy Dex and the Fresh.  It is upbeat and fun, with lots of funky guitar.  We think you’ll like it.

Our next video features some interesting images to the theme “Decline in U.S. Civics” and is an instrumental number from He Arrived by Helicopter.  This one definitely deserves your attention.

Video number four is a definite hit for Saint Slumber and their song “Infinite.”  This one is simply amazing and belongs on the radio.  Let us know what you think.

Our final video this hit comes from Royal Canoe, which recently signed with Paper Bag Records.  Their first single is “Rayz,” and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album which will be released next January.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Halo Circus, Champyons, Curvs, The County Well, Clare Hennessy

We’re halfway through March, and tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day.  We are so happy this day has arrived because we get to share some amazing music with you today, including the long awaited new release from Halo Circus.  Grab your coffee and let’s get started!

Artist Name:  Halo Circus

Album Name:  Robots and Wranglers

Label:  Halo Circus Propaganda

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Oh Money; 2.  Contact; 3.  Narcissist; 4.  Got it Made; 5.  Commander; 6.  Y Para Que; 7.  Pledge of Allegiance; 8.  Off the World

Publicist:  Far Digital PR

Review:  We have loved Allison Iraheta ever since her appearance on American Idol, and the emergence of Halo Circus.  Their debut album Bunny was a huge success, and they subsequently became the first major indie to allow their fans to determine their tour through a crowdfunding platform.  Their sophomore release, East Lansing Sessions EP, was also a critical success.  Now, with the release of Robots and Wranglers today, they have scaled back their band to a duo featuring Iraheta and her husband, Matthew Hager, all without missing a beat.   Their first single, “Narcissist,” has become a smash hit, and their video for it has been blowing up YouTube since its release three weeks ago,  accumulating more than 43,000 views.   Words cannot adequately express the greatness of this album.  It hits the ground running with the rocking, radio-friendly hit song “Oh Money,” and takes off from there, gaining altitude with every song.  It is no hype that the future of the industry begins with Halo Circus.  Robots and Wranglers is the perfect blueprint for commercial success for any indie artist wanting to be the best.  Besides “Narcissist” and “Oh Money,” other potential hit songs include “Got it Made” and “Commander.”

Recommendation:  Don’t even think about it, just Get it.  You owe it to yourself!

Artist Name:  Champyons

Album Name:  Cha Cha Cha

Label:  Embassy of Music

Genre:  Synth Pop/Dance

Track Listing:  1.  Dusty; 2.  No Applause; 3.  Geld; 4.  Cold Wars; 5.  Interlude; 6.  Maria Luiza; 7.  Living in the Movies; 8.  I’m Organic; 9.  Interlude II; 10.  Oceans; 11.  R.F.G.; 12.  Roaming in Paris; 13.  To the Bottom

Publicist:  Guerilla Music Promotion

Review:  You have probably never come across a band like Champyons.  Already a large part of the pulsating music scene in Berlin, they are poised to take on the world with their own brand of synthesized music, perfect for listening and dancing.  This album has one potential hit after another, and is so much fun to listen to.  Our favorites include “Dusty,” “Cold Wars,” “Living in the Movies,” “Oceans,” and “Roaming in Paris.”

Recommendation:  This one is worth a try.  Check it out and you’ll see why.

Artist Name:  Curvs

Album Name:  Hauntropics

Label:  Fysisk Format

Genre:  Synth Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Airwolf Ghandi; 2.  Atlantic Cologne; 3.  Avian; 4.  Bamboo Town; 5.  Blowpipe; 6.  Boeing 909; 7.  Delusive; 8.  Don Johnson; 9.  Khyber Pass Pt. 1; 10.  Khyber Pass Pt. 2

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  Norwegian synth rockers Curvs have arrived on the scene with an intriguing form of music that is high energy, upbeat and danceable.  Their music can best be described as drug-induced fantasies with a driving dance beat.  The album would make a great soundtrack for your next costume party, and is guaranteed to keep the interest of your attendees.  DJ’s far and wide need to look to this band for material for their next mix-tape.

Recommendation:  Give them a chance, especially if you like cutting edge dance and house music.

Artist Name:  The County Well

Album Name:  Future Country

Label:  Floating Records

Genre:  Roots/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Alabama; 2.  Baby; 3.  Empty Hall; 4.  Extra Heavy; 5.  Hollywood; 6.  Light; 7.  Mezzanine; 8.  Mrs. Soul; 9.  Ship you Can’t Steer; 10.  Subtle and Serene; 11.  Whiskey Before Noon

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  The County Well is an artist collective based in Marin County, California.  Future Country is a collaborative effort between those local artists and touring musicians, overseen by Floating Records.    Graham Guest gets the party going with “Alabama,” complete with pedal steel, harmonica, drums and bass in a Paul Simon-like country island jam that features the amazing backing vocals of Sophie Meier.  Guest returns on “Baby,” with amazing harmonies from Amy Nordstrom and some intriguing slide guitar and dobro as well.  On “Empty Hall,” Guest switches gears to a more blues sound, with an intricate layer of harmonica and those amazing vocal harmonies.  Don Zimmer comes along on “Extra Heavy,” with his Grateful Dead influence as well as lap steel and piano, before becoming more of a troubadour with his tribute-filled “Hollywood.”  “Light” is a beautiful acoustic track that clears your palate before Guest and Zimmer combine on the roots-heavy tune “Mezzanine,” complete with out of this world trombone.  Zimmer adds in some flute to his guitar to “Mrs. Soul” before doing it Jethro-Tull style on “Ship you Can’t Steer.”  The album closes with the instrumental tune “Subtle and Serene” before delivering what is sure to become a St. Patrick’s Day standard, “Whiskey Before Noon.”

Recommendation:  This one puts an American roots spin on the traditional celtic traditions of St. Patrick’s Day.  Enjoy it with your green beer and Jamison’s.

Artist Name:  Clare Hennessy

Album Name:  April

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Cherry Red; 2.  Bittersweetest; 3.  Famine or Feast; 4.  April

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  Clare Hennessy has to have one of the sweetest, airiest voices we have heard in recent memory, and her rich folky tunes are perfectly set to her voice and her choice of instrumental backing.  Its sound is perfectly relaxing and soothing, taking away all of the listener’s cares with each note.  The only thing wrong with this EP is that is just too short at only four songs, and definitely leaves us wanting another dose soon.  We can hardly wait to hear what’s next from Hennessy.  She is a true treasure.

Recommendation:  Don’t waste any time.  Get this one soon.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Hollywood Fringe Festival LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 7

Mother Nature has made it clear these past few days that she’s not ready for spring yet here in Montana, as we have been bombarded with snow, high winds and sub-zero temperatures.  Regardless of the weather, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival kicked off last Friday night with a sold-out screening of the film Dark Money, attended by our very own Governor.  Attendance at other screenings on Saturday, Sunday and today have been high, including quite a few sell-outs, including Forever B, the one I attended tonight about kidnap victim Jan Broberg, a child kidnap victim and author of Loss of Innocence.

We have a bit of news for you today, as well as four new singles and three new music videos, so let’s get to it.

DIANA REIN LAUNCHES CROWD-FUNDING CAMPAIGN

Referred to as the “The Six-String Siren,” LA Music Critic Award winner Diana Rein has announced the launch of a crowd-funding campaign for her upcoming album, Queen Of My Castle. The follow-up to her critically-lauded 2016 release Long Road, Queen Of My Castle is being co-produced by Michael Leasure (drummer extraordinaire with the Walter Trout Band).

“The new album is a collection of 15 songs, with one of those songs being a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan,” says Rein, just back from representing Guitar Girl Magazine at the 2018 NAMM Conference.  Rein is the featured artist for the month of April in their 2018 Calendar.  “There’s a lot of traditional blues, as well as high energy, upbeat, and blues-rock songs that I know you guys will love. This album will be lucky #3 for me and my first full-band album.  I loved making my last record on my own, but I am really looking forward to challenging myself this time around and collaborating with the pros.”

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL NEWS

The Hollywood Fringe Festival is getting ready for their ninth run June 7-24, and is looking for interns and volunteers, specifically in the areas of Fringe Central Set Design, Events, Volunteer Coordinator and Cabaret.  Interning with the Fringe is the best way to get hands on experience behind the scenes of the largest performing arts festival in the west.  Interns work directly with Fringe staff to help run various aspects of the festival.  Click the link for position details.  If you are interested, please submit a cover letter and resume to internships@hollywoodfringe.org.  Please specify which position you are interested in.  The deadline to apply is April 1.

NEW SINGLES

Here’s the first single from the forthcoming album People Person by Everett Bird.  The single is entitled “Bucket of Dark Meat,” and we think you’ll like it.  It is different from many of the songs featured here, so get ready to try something new.

https://soundcloud.com/royalmountain/03-bucket-of-dark-meat/s-5vsqk?in=royalmountain/sets/everett-bird-people-person/s-TOwD8

Next up is “The Monster” from LA based garage rock band Bird Concerns.  This one truly rocks.

Our third single today is from folk singer songwriter Brown Kid.  It is definitely a step down energy wise from the previous song, but it is different enough to pass on to you.  The song is entiled “Sunrise” and we want to hear your feedback.

https://soundcloud.com/brown_kid_music/sunrise-single

Our final single today is from another LA Music Critic Award winner, Sleep Machine.  They are releasing their newest album one song at a time.  Here is “Mother.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our favorite Italian rock band is back with another hot video.  Check out “Never Obey” from Black Mamba.  We guarantee this one will rock your sock.

Our next video is the latest from Allison Iraheta and Mathew Hager, aka Halo Circus.  It is a video for their single “Narcissist,” which we debuted two weeks ago.  Please let us know what you think.

Blue Élan Records continues to bring back classic bands, and the latest to return is Fanny Walked the Earth.  Here is the video for “Lured Away,” their first single in 34 years.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Hollywood Fringe Festival LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 5

Well, the winners have now been announced for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2017, and the process starts all over for the first half of 2018.  Any indie artist is eligible to participate as long as they have a single, music video, CD or EP released between December 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018.  We’ll continue our reviews tomorrow with five more artists, but today, we share news from the indie music world, as well as debut new singles and music videos.  Here we go.

EXIT {LIVE} LAUNCHES NEW GLOBAL MUSIC PLATFORM

A few years back we experienced this company when we attended a Peter Frampton concert at the Greek in Los Angeles.  It allows fans to buy a copy of the concert they have just experienced so they can relive that experience.

Exit [Live] has now announced they are making the technology available to all artists, major and indie, to sell their concerts and vintage recordings directly to their fans.  This is a major win for indie artists everywhere who are trying to gain a more global following.  For artists, it is also profitable, with 80% of sales going back to the artist.

The platform will launch in early 2018, but you can check out their Facebook page now.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL PREPARES FOR NINTH YEAR

Founded in 2010, the Hollywood Fringe Festival is preparing for their ninth annual festivities.  Registration for participants opened on February 1 and runs through April 1.  Tickets will go on sale on May 1.

In order to foster artist and audience diversity, the Fringe initiated a scholarship program in 2016 to allow more participation by artists facing challenges that might prevent them from being a part of the Festival.  Each scholarship takes care of the registration costs, provides a $550 stipend towards their production and venue costs, and gives them a Fringe mentor, as well as marketing and networking opportunities as a member of the Fringe community.  The winners of the 2018 Fringe Scholarships are: 

  • Baba, Jee (Father, Yes): Maria, the daughter of a Pakistani father and an American mother, lives in New York City with her boyfriend Dave. On the eve of Hurricane Sandy, her father (Baba) comes to visit from Pakistan for the first time in years. Trapped inside while the storm rages on, Maria, Dave, and Baba must all confront their differing views on culture, love, and expectations.
  • Unapologetically Black: Unapologetically Black is a true story about Misty Monroe trying to fit in as a black woman (with a white name) who grew up in both South Central Los Angeles (predominately black) and the naval bases of Northern California (predominately “other”). The desire to “fit in” is universal and Unapologetically Black takes you on the journey of a black woman who gains the courage to stand out, unapologetically.
  • Trafficked 2.0: Trafficked 2.0 tells a story that occurs much too often and told not nearly enough. On her 13th birthday, a young girl is kidnapped and sold into the horrors of sex trafficking. The show uses the expressive movements of the body to represent a story that forces audiences to acknowledge the awful operations that are going on right under their noses, in their countries, in their neighborhoods, by people that they know.
  • Paisajes Marinos Con Tiburones y bailarines: “Seascape with Sharks and Dancer” is a 1974 play by Don Nigro. The story focuses on a young man, Ben, who saves a young woman named Tracy from the ocean outside his beach house. The production will be in Spanish, focused on attracting the latin community to the theater.
  • Love, Locs & Liberation: Blending poetry, song and humor, Ella unlocks the history of locs experienced by Black women, revealing many mishaps and triumphs. Through the eyes of 21 different characters, a 5th grade bully to Madam CJ Walker, she exposes the hair connection – to politics, identity and culture, illustrating why hair is an intimate and essential part of Black life.
  • I Came To Make Noise: I Came To Make Noise breaks the stereotype that women are expected to be quiet and agreeable. This groundbreaking work of theatre engages audiences with its use of dance, spoken word, and beatbox. This piece explores the inner most thoughts of a woman. The issues of race, politics, and sexual assault are presented through the lens of self-awareness.
  • Liao Zhai: Tale of Extraordinary: China is a two-syllable word with extreme complexity. History, philosophy, ideology, politics — we would be stuck having these intense and serious conversation for years. Even though we are Chinese, believe me, we don’t like that either. As an young ensemble theater company mostly consists of Native Chinese, we would like to share with you some mythical and fantastical stories that have been with us for centuries.
  • A Mile in My Shoes: “A Mile in My Shoes” is a solo show written and performed by veteran actor Kathryn Taylor Smith. In this 90 minute Poetic Dramedy (clever mix of poetry, drama & comedy) Kathryn depicts 12 characters based on research and personal interviews with past and present members of the homeless community (real & created) as well as those who advocate for them.
  • Gay Men Like Young Boys: Part adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” part social satire. The dark side of desire, gender roles, and the youth obsessed image-based gay community clash in this dark tale of love and revenge.
  • The Goddesses Guide: Adura for the Women of African Diaspora: Follow the revealing journey of three Yoruba goddesses as they grapple with the responsibility of creating a guide for black women trying to survive in a world that doesn’t always allow them to thrive.
  • Land of No Shadows: Combining the Japanese dance art of Butoh with experimental animation and puppetry, “Land of No Shadows” uses stark, striking visuals to portray a fluid relationship between puppet and puppeteer, reflecting our unstable, fluctuating social and emotional status as humans.

NEW SINGLES

Our first new single this week comes from a band we have loved from the beginning.  Founded by former American Idol contestant Allison Iraheta and her husband, Matthew Hager, Halo Circus has reinvented itself as an electronic duo and has released “Narcissist,” the first single from their upcoming project.  Check out the new sound of the band, and let us know what you think.

Next up is Aja Warren, a new artist from the same management company that gave us Wendy Sweetlove.  Here’s her new single, “Show me the Magic.”  We think you’ll love it as much as we do.

Kim DiVine is a past LA Music Critic Award winner who has consistently delivered outstanding music.  Klvr Grl has done a remix of one of her songs, and we wanted to share it with you.  Please check out “Broken Bird (Klvr Grl remix).”

Our final single today comes from Gundelach for their breakout single, “Duck Hunting.”  Please let us know what you think.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video today comes from Kris Angelis, another past LA Music Critic Award winner.  Here’s her video for “Please Come Back Home,” filmed on a family trip to Carmel, California.

Next up is a video from one of the most recent LA Music Critic Award winners, Jason Hawk Harris, formerly of The Stone Ponies.  This is an acoustic video for his single, “Phantom Limb.”

For all you Tesla fans out there, here is the latest video from guitarist Frank Hannon from his solo acoustic project.  This is a cover of the Allman Brothers Band classic song, “Blue Sky.”  We dig it.

Last but not least, here’s the latest provacotive video from The Scared Crows about the Harvey Weinstein controversy.  Check out “Harvey Talk.”

We’ll be back tomorrow with our next round of reviews in Get it or Forget it.  See you then.

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

Get it or forget it – Halo Circus, Brody Buster’s One Man Band, Laura Tate

We are firmly ensconced in May, and the amazing indie music just keeps coming.  This year’s LA Music Critic Awards are gonna be tough because there is so much talent out there.  We are happy to present another three album reviews for you as we help you sort through the myriad of offerings available in indie music land.

Artist Name:  Halo Circus

Album Name:  The East Lansing Sessions

Label:  Halo Circus Propaganda

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Nothing at All; 2.  All I Have; 3.  Band-Aid; 4.  Stand Up; 5.  The Needle and the Damage Done 

Publicist:  Platform Media Group

Review:  Allison Iraheta burst onto the music scene as a teenager when she appeared on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009.  She has since married and started a band with Matthew Hager and is on course to totally redefine indie rock and how indie music is made in today’s music business.  The band launched the first fully crowd funded headlining tour last year, which proved to be a very successful venture.  While on the tour, Halo Circus recorded this EP, which will be released on May 5.  It is an amazing work of art.  All five songs are incredible and worthy of radio air play, but we are especially impressed by the amazing “Band-Aid,” which features music by Halo Circus and lyrics by the one and only Paul Williams.  We shared their music video of this song earlier this week in our Monday Mashup article, and are proud of the work the band has done on this EP, which has definitely whetted our appetite for more.  We also love the simple undertones of the final track, “The Needle and the Damage Done,” which shows how diverse this band’s music can be.  We can’t wait for more.

Recommendation:  There is no doubt about this one – The East Lansing Sessions is a definite Get It and easily one of the best EPs of 2017.  We strongly recommend you visit their website and pre-order the EP, which comes in a myriad of packages including t-shirts, autographs and all manner of other swag.  This is how the music business should be done.

Artist Name:  Brody Buster’s One Man Band

Album Name:  Self-titled

Label:  Little Class Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Get out of my Life; 2.  New Speedway Boogie; 3.  I’m on Fire; 4.  2029; 5.  Into the Wind; 6.  Get Back; 7.  Nothing Compares 2 U 

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  Brody Buster’s music is nostalgic, transporting the listener back to a simpler time when Vaudeville ruled the entertainment land.  His “One Man Band” gives us a taste of his awesomeness, displaying his multi-instrumentality and his diverse talents.  He has that scruffy voice you expect in blues music, and that driving blues riff on his guitar.  But what truly sets Buster apart is his harmonica, which rises above everything else and gives his music a lift.  Blues music is traditionally dark and brooding, but the harmonica makes the statement that ‘this darkness has got to give.”  With a combination of original tunes and some amazing covers, including The Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie,” Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” the Beatles’ “Get Back,” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Brody redefines blues music and shows us the true essence of indie music – no boundaries.  Of his originals, we really love “2029,” with its driving beat and prophetic words of impending doom on September 23, 2029.

Recommendation:  Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this amazing album.  Even if you don’t like the blues, you will love Brody Buster’s One Man Band.  We are proud to recommend this album and encourage you to Get it.

Artist Name:  Laura Tate

Album Name:  Let’s Just be Real

Label:  811 Gold Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Nobody Gets Hurt; 2.  If That Ain’t Love; 3.  Hitting on Nothing; 4.  Can’t say No; 5.  Boys are Back in Town; 6.  Still got the Blues; 7.  I’ll Find Someone who Will; 8.  Let’s Just be Real; 9.  I Know you Lie; 10.  I Need a Man; 11.  Big top Hat; 12.  Wildest Dreams 

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  While the blues are usually a dark form of music, Laura Tate’s music is anything but.  While the undertone is definitely the blues, it is married with an upbeat jazz tone and soaring vocals, accompanied by brilliantly hopeful lyrics about love, and guitar riffs that chase away the shadows, ushering in a new day.   The horns also complement that process, creating a new form of the blues that encourage hope and lift the listener’s spirits.  Every song has that special dynamic, making this an album that you will want to listen to from start to finish, over and over again.  Favorite cuts include “If That Ain’t Love,” “Can’t say No,” “Still got the Blues,” “I’ll Find Someone who Will,” “I Know you Lied,” and the nostalgic “Big top Hat.”  We also love her truly original cover of Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back in Town.”  The final track, “Wildest Dreams,” provides the perfect cherry on top of a treat of an album.

Recommendation:  Let’s Just be Real is scheduled for release on May 16, and we strongly encourage you to Get it.  It believe it will be one of the best releases of this year, and a worthy addition to your musical collection.

 

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

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 17

Happy May Day!  We’ve got a lot of news and new music videos to share with you today.  Let’s get to it.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL NEWS

The Eighth Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival will be held in Los Angeles from June 8 to 25, with previews starting on June 1.  Tickets go on sale today and the Festival looks to be bigger and better than previous years.  Fringe Central, the social “watering hole” for participants at the Festival, will be one of the first events at the venue that used to be Dragonfly on Santa Monica Boulevard.  We are looking forward to covering the Fringe again this year and will be attending from June 15-25.  We will publish reviews on every show we see.  Keep checking in with us for the latest in HFF17 news.

ALI HANDAL SIGNS RECORDING DEAL

Los Angeles indie musician and icon Ali Handal recently signed a recording deal with Red Parlor Records.  The label will release her next album “That’s What she Said,” in the near future.  We will let you know as soon as we get additional information.

OLIVIA MILLERSCHIN WINS SONGWRITING CONTEST

Michigan indie artist Olivia Millerschin recently won the Great American Song Contest in the singer-songwriter category with her song “We Know Not.”   Millerschin has always been one of our favorite teen musicians, and we love that she is finally being recognized for her talent.  She is currently on a west coast tour.  Catch her live if you live in or near Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Thousand Oaks, Phoenix or Las Cruces.

NEW MUSiC VIDEOS

We are proud to share several  new music videos – let us know what you think about them.

First up is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winner Alison Iraheta’s band Halo Circus, who are hard at work on a tour to support their latest EP The East Lansing Sessions.  Check out the video for “Band-Aid,” which we think is amazing.

Next up is another LA Music Critic Awards winner, Curtis Peoples, who has released a new video for “Damage Control,” featuring his wife, comedian and actress Tara Perry Peoples.  We think you’ll enjoy the chemistry between them, and the song kicks ass too.

Our final new video this week is from an artist we recently reviewed on Get it or Forget it – Single by Sunday.  We were very impressed with this band and think you will be too.  Check out their video for their first single, “Nevereverever.”

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Interviews LA Music Critic Awards Women in Entertainment

Getting to know the 2016 LA Music Critic Award winners – Allison Iraheta

Courtesy of Matthew Hager (Halo Circus), photo by Michael Becker

Over the past few years, we have had the chance to see quite a few of our indie music friends take the national stage on American Idol and The Voice, including Brooke White, Tony Lucca, Katrina Parker, and Justin Hopkins, to name a few.  However, this is the first time that we have become friends with an artist who has gone indie after appearing on one of those shows.  Thanks to Patrick O’Heffernan for introducing us.

We had a delightful time interviewing Allison Iraheta, who appeared on season 8 of American Idol and was originally signed to Jive Records.  Many of her greatest achievements, though, have been accomplished after she became an indie artist.  Iraheta was the winner of the Best Pop/Rock Female Artist for the first half of 2016, primarily on the strength of her band’s single, “Desire (Lo Que Vale La Pena).”  Iraheta and Halo Circus also finished second in the Fan Favorite category.

IVB:  How long have you been performing?

AI:  Since I was six years old when I got my first gig at an opening for a department store.  I sang a ranchera song.  I was also a big fan of Selena, but unlike her, I grew up in South Central Los Angeles, and primarily spoke Spanish, being the child of Salvadorian parents.  We were surrounded by a true cultural mix of music.  I loved the emotion behind rancheras music, which in turn became the inspiration for our current music.  I recently turned 24.

IVB:   Who are your influences?

AI:  My first big influence was Linda Ronstadt, especially her album “Canciones de mi Padre.”  My dad also turned me on to Paul Williams.  Other artists that inspired me included Amy Winehouse, Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee, PJ Harvey, and Radiohead  This definitely led to our music being very diverse.  We didn’t have to be stuck with one sound but were able to show a myriad of colors.

IVB:   What made you decide to DIY?

AI:  I didn’t really have much of a choice.  As you know, I was signed to Jive Records just as the old music business began to fall apart.  There were lots of job upheavals and a change in the rules, affecting the whole industry.  I was actually dropped by Jive in the middle of my tour and found out about it via Twitter.  I was only 18, but decided to finish out the tour.  It was in shock, having gone from nothing to successful and then back again.  Once I got back from tour, I didn’t know where I was musically, and felt lost, not sure what to do anymore.  I did a few demos to make money and was very close to giving up on the industry.  I felt betrayed and injured and was not yet aware of the DIY side of the industry.  However, I don’t hold any resentments and am still friends with some of those same industry people.

I met Matthew (Hager) when I was doing a demo for a song he was pitching to Carrie Underwood.  We started writing together and I returned to my roots to find inspiration.  Everything we were doing sounded like it needed to be done by a band, which led to the formation of Halo Circus in 2013.  The support we have received is what has propelled us to where we are now, and new opportunities are happening all the time.  Everyone in the band is a veteran musician.  Matthew was a No. 1 Billboard multi-platinum producer who crossed multiple genres working with the likes of Duran Duran, Scott Weiland, Mindi Abair, and Mandy Moore.  Brian Stead was and is a relentless guitar aficionado who evokes energy and charisma.  In addition to being an accomplished Cantonese and orchestral drummer, Veronica Bellino worked with Jeff Beck and DMC of Run DMC before leaving Halo Circus.  She was replaced by Stead’s friend, Matteo Eyia.  

Magic happens in this band.  It happened when we were writing, when we were recording, and when we were failing.  The only thing that mattered was keeping it honest and getting it right, whatever that meant. We may be inconvenient, but we continue to attract believers.

IVB:  Do you want to go back to being a mainstream artist?

AI:  There is a balance to moving on from the previous level of exposure to the creative freedom we have now.  We believe we can return to that level, but on our own terms.  We are doing it through the back channel and believe that is a better way for us to return.  We love what is happening in the indie scene.

Last February, we shocked the music industry when we announced in Billboard Magazine that we would be embarking on the first fully crowd-sourced American tour ever to be attempted on such a large scale.  With the help of our fans and Road Nation, the program that allowed this format, we reached full funding just nine weeks later, and confirmed a tour of 30 cities.

IVB:  What are your future plans? 

AI:  We are definitely going back on tour in the not too distant future.  We would love to revisit some of the places where we played on our last tour.  We have some new stuff on the horizon and are so proud of those who have supported us from the beginning.  There will be surprises and thank you’s and fun stuff for everyone.

IVB:   Any good stories from touring/recording/performing?

AI.  During the tour we were scheduled to play a show in Orlando during Hurricane Matthew.  We played the show despite the weather.  When we got to the venue under very gray clouds, there were about 30 of our fans waiting for us with signs proclaiming “End of the World” show.  We lost our AirBnB reservation for the night due to the storm, and had no place to stay after the show.  Consequently, we started heading out of Orlando, but couldn’t find anyplace open that had gas or water.  We did finally find some gas, and just kept driving until we found a hotel where we could stay.  It was a scary time and we saw cars driving on the wrong side of the road, trying to get away from the storm.

IVB:  What is the significance of the rabbit?

AI:  It represented humans for me during the writing of our first album Bunny.  I seemed to notice them everywhere.  The totem for bunny meant prey, with their fluffy tails for hawks to see, but they are also very cute, adorable and fast.  I came to the conclusion that the prettier you are, the more different you are, the more likely you are to become prey.

IVB:  What social media do you use?

AI:  I have a Facebook page with a link to the band’s website.  I also use Twitter and Instagram, and of course we have a channel on YouTube, all of which our fans can subscribe to or follow.