Tag: K-Pop

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Great Singles Women in Entertainment

Ten great singles released in November 2018

Well, it’s been a busy week preparing the list of nominations for the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards, which will be announced tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.  While you wait, here are ten great singles that were not chosen for Monday Mashup features, but which we thought deserved recognition.

First up is the second single from Noctorum, featuring Marty Wilson-Piper, the former lead singer of The Church.  The single is a soft rocker that is the perfect sound for your early morning music fix and is called “Piccadilly Circus in the Rain.”  Let us know what you think.

Next up is “Infinite Swim,” which has a decidedly 80’s retro sound, with big beats and cool vocals, and comes to us courtesy of the Irish band All Tvvins.  We can’t wait to hear and review the rest of the album when it is released next year.

For our next single, we travel to Amsterdam for the latest from the Moon Tapes.  If there was an award for the strangest song title, they would win it hands down.  Check out the noir-pop sound of “Tonight I’ll Write the Saddest Lines.”

From noir-pop we return to rock-n-roll, with the latest offering from Jon Tessier, “Freak I Need.”  This one will put some 70’s rock flavor into your day.

At single number five is K-Pop phenom Monsta X, who has released their first all-English song, “Shoot Out.”  We reviewed their album last week, and were impressed by the multiple genres these lads have mastered, and look forward to what comes next.  Get down to this one.

We kick off the second five singles with this refreshing country song from form The Voice contestant, Lauren Duski.  This one is a future hit, and it definitely makes our “Heart Hurt Good.”

Single number seven is from an iconic reggae singer who has returned with a fun, upbeat tune that will get you ready for summer in the middle of winter.  Check out “Use Me” from Shaggy.

For our next single, we go from reggae to the R&B/Pop sound of Australian YouTube sensation Arlene Zelina.  We love the smooth sound of “Dream of Me” and think you will too.

Single number nine features another amazing female voice with the sultry sound of Ariel Gold.  This one has the perfect driving drum beat, truly amazing vocals and an upbeat song the belies its title, “Blue.”  Let us know what you think.

https://soundcloud.com/bigmanagement/ariel-gold-blue/s-CTDv7

We close out this edition of Ten Great Singles with a beautiful collaborative effort, courtesy of our friends at the Durango Songwriters Expo.  The song was written by Scott Krippayne and Jeff Peabody for the late Neal E. Boyd, winner of America’s Got Talent in 2008.  The orchestration was recorded and the song was mixed and mastered by Brandon K. Guttenfelder.  We think it is the perfect holiday song.  Enjoy “Not so Silent Night.”

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Monsta X, Calvin Arsenia, Lost in Japan, Dustin Tebbutt, Dave Tamkin

The indie music scene never sleeps, and we have five more great releases to share with you that demonstrate this obsession.  Let’s keep the train going.

Artist Name:  Monsta X

Album Name:  Are you There?

Label:  Starship Entertainment

Genre:  K-Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Intro:  Are you There?; 2.  Underwater; 3.  Shoot Out; 4.  Heart Attack; 5.  I Do Love U; 6.  Mohae; 7.  Oh My; 8.  Myself; 9.  By my Side; 10.  Spotlight (Korean version)

Publicist:  Gramophone Media

Review:  Boy bands never went away, they just moved to Asia and became K-Pop.  On the other hand, although technically a “boy band”, Monsta X is so much more, combining elements of EDM, PBR&B, Latin rhythm, trap, rock, along with their signature English and Korean sound to keep the listener on their toes.  Not only is their second album a stand-out, but the band is making history by becoming the first K-Pop band to ever play the main stage at the annual KIIS FM Jingle Ball concert, performing on November 30.  We only wish we could be there to watch them shine.  If you are in LA, their performance alone would be worth the price of admission.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one and put it on repeat.

Artist Name:  Calvin Arsenia

Album Name:  Cantaloupe

Label:  Big City Records/Bulleseye Records

Genre:  Jazz/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Headlights; 2.  Tip Toe; 3.  Equally; 4.  Back to You; 5.  Toxic; 6.  Doomed; 7.  The Game; 8.  Palaces; 9.  Poseidon; 10.  Cantaloupe

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Calvin Arsenia is a harpist, singer and multi-instrumentalist from Kansas City who is not satisfied to just play music.  His goal is to transform the listener, while educating them on how to find themselves in the midst of people that want to run their life.  He does this by merging jazz, soul, folk, classical and pop music, creating a sound that Atwood Magazine calls “vibrant, soul-tinged alternative folk,” doing for the harp what Lindsay Sterling has done for the violin.  His voice is smooth, much like John Legend, and this sound will electrify your senses, whether he’s doing one of his originals like his first single, “Headlights” or totally re-creating an amazing cover like Brittney Spears‘ “Toxic.”  This one is going on repeat, especially that amazing title track that closes this masterpiece collection.

Recommendation:  Run don’t walk and Get this one!

Artist Name:  Lost in Japan

Album Name:  Lost in Japan

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Lighthouse; 2.  Fake Answers; 3.  Message in the Stars; 4.  For Your Heart; 5.  Good for Now; 6.  Orpheus; 7.  Never was You; 8.  Chasing Time; 9.  Waves; 10.  Don’t Want to let Go; 11.  Passing Through; 12.  Lighthouse pt II

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  This Canadian band has everything they need to make it on the American music scene – amazing vocals, well written songs, perfect musical accompaniment, great guitars, and a chemistry that is palpable.  If you like the music of Maroon 5, then you will love these guys.  From the first notes of “Lighthouse,” you can feel the greatness bubbling up, and it continues to build until the last note of the album.  Although the entire album is amazing, we really loved the sound of “Fake Answers,” “Message in the Stars,” “Good for Now,” “Orpheus,” “Chasing Time,” “Waves,” and “Passing Through.”

Recommendation:  Jump on this train while you still can – they are definitely going places.

Artist Name:  Dustin Tebbutt

Album Name:  Chasing Gold

Label:  Narvik Records

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Satellite; 2.  Chasing Gold; 3.  Satellite II; 4.  Love is Blind; 5.  All Your Love; 6.  Innerbloom (ft Lisa Mitchell); 7.  Atlas in Your Eyes (for Jasper Jones)

Publicist:  AntiFragile Music

Review:  Dustin Tebbutt is Australia’s version of the UK’s Ed Sheeran,   He has that same haunting vibe to his voice, with well-crafted lyrical content and perfect and simple accompaniment that highlights the vocals.  The title cut is Top 40 worthy, and his library should be a staple on American radio stations.  These songs would also work well for placement in film and television, as they have a sweeping cinematic sound, especially the second half of the title track.  Other amazing tracks include “Love is Blind,” “All Your Love,” the amazing duet with Lisa Mitchell on “Innerbloom,” and “Atlas in Your Eyes.”

Recommendation:  Make this one a priority and Get it soon.

Artist Name:  Dave Tamkin

Album Name:  Live at eTown

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Bleeding Orange; 2.  Demons are You; 3.  Fly Me; 4.  Drift; 5.  Mary; 6.  Tuesday; 7.  Thoughts up Here

Publicist:  Pressed Fresh PR

Review:  With a sound somewhere between Cat Stevens and Jim Croce, Boulder’s own Dave Tamkin delivers a sweet package of musical delights.  His first track “Bleeding Orange” is about butterflies.  The remainder of the tracks are equally amazing, and there are no weak tracks on the album.  We think this one deserves to be on repeat, and we can’t stop listening over and over again, especially “Bleeding Orange,” “Fly Me,” “Drift,” “Mary,” and “Thoughts up Here.”

Recommendation:  Don’t be a fool – Get this one too!

 

 

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LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2018 – vol. 2

It’s Martin Luther King, Jr. day – hope you remembered and thought about the amazing legacy he left behind and the example he was for all humanity, especially in this day and time.  We have a lot of news for you today, as well as three new singles and music videos.  Don’t forget that the nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards will be announced on Wednesday, January 17, with the winners announced on Friday, February 2.  We can’t wait to share them with you.

INDIE MUSIC AT WINTER NAMM

The NAMM Show for musicians is the equivalent of Saint Patrick’s Day for the Irish.  It is an annual event held in January every year at the Anaheim Convention Center which brings together all types of music manufacturers, buyers and musicians to show off the latest innovations and to share music.  It is not open to the public, although some special events are, like the nightly musical showcases in the hotel lobbies of the Marriott and the Hilton, as well as on the outdoor stages outside the Convention Center.  Kudos to Tim Moyer, who coordinates these artists every year.  Here is a list of indie musicians who will be performing on the Marriott’s two stages during this year’s Winter NAMM, which will be during Grammy weekend, January 25-28, 2018:

Wednesday, January 24
5-5:40 – Paula Boggs Band
6-6:40 – Will Champlin
7-7:40 – Nu-Blu
8-8:40 – Stephanie Brown and the Surrealistics
9-9:40 – Minor Strut
10-10:40 – Static and Surrender
11-11:40 – Lunar Hand

Thursday, January 25
11-11:40 – Jamie Stillway
12-12:40 – Aidan James
1-1:40 – Dauzat St. Marie
2-2:40 – Ben Allen
3-3:40 – MASUMI Trio
4-5:40 – Tim Moyer Songwriters Round (Steven McClintock, Tessa Delee)
6-6:40 – The Get Down Boys
7-7:40 – Incendio
8-8:40 – Wish and the Well
9-9:40 – Parlor Social
10-10:40 – Paul Childers
11-11:40 – Shaye & Black Hat
12-12:40 – Gene Evaro, Jr.

Friday, January 26
11-11:40 – Heather Nation
12-12:40 – Trevor Gordon Hall
1-1:40 – Tiffany Christopher
2-2:40 – Grayson Erhard
3-3:40 – Lloyd Spiegel
4-5:40 – Tim Moyer Songwriters Round (Kiki Ebsen, Makayla Phillips, Randi Driscoll)
6-6:40 – Stephanie Johnson Band
7-7:40 – Wimberly Bluegrass Band
8-8:40 – Printz
9-9:40 – NAMM VIP SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
10-10:40 – Bernie Williams and Gil Paris
11-11:40 – Chase Walker
12-12:40 – The Fenians

Saturday, January 27
11-11:40 – Emily Faith
12-12:40 – Jon Mullane
1-1:40 – Jessica Malone
2-2:40 – Chi McLean
3-3:40 – Wilifax
4:5:40 – Tim Moyer Songwriters Round (Sister Speak, Josh Logan, Olivia Henken)
6-6:40 – Venice
7-7:40 – Aaron Rizzo
8-8:40 – Larry Mitchell
9-9:40 – Sara Rogo
10-10:40 – The Crooked Stones
11-11:40 – Komox
12-12:40 – Elvis Monroe

SENNHEISER ANNOUNCES NAMM PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Kudos also to Jay Tinsky, who has booked a great line-up of performers on the Sennheiser Microphone stage (Booth 6577) inside the Convention Center.  Unfortunately, these performances are open to badgeholders only.

Thursday, January 25
11:30 – Randell Kirsch and Luann Olson
12:30 – Ronee Martin
1:30 – Michael Mell
2:30 – Talbot Brothers
3:30 – Rie Sinclair

Friday, January 26
11:30 – Jaq MacKenzie
12:30 – Astral Queen (ft. Nina Storey and Mark McKee)
1:30 – Ari and the Alibis
2:30 – Marcus Eaton
3:30 – Julia Othmer
4:30 – Nu Blue

Saturday, January 27
11:30 – Dixie Jade
12:30 – Luci
1:30 – Lola Lennox
2:30 – Debby Holiday
3:30 – Charlie Bereal
4:30 – J. Malik

Sunday, January 28
11:30 – em rossi
12:30 – The Talbots
1:30 – George Krikes ft. Pretty Polly
2:30 – Ari and the Alibis
3:30 – Marina V

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today, “Interfear,” comes to us from Australian band Foemen.  This one should get your senses pumping and your heart racing.  Let us know what you think.

https://soundcloud.com/the-a-3/foemen-interfear

Next up is the “Times Flying,” from Elin K, a majestic ballad that will take your ears and mind on an excellent auditory journey.  Check it out.

https://soundcloud.com/elin_k/times-flying/s-ACaTJ

Our final single today, “Winter” by Luke Buck, is another ballad that will take you on a journey that will appeal to all of your senses.  We think this one has legs.

https://soundcloud.com/lukebuckmusic/winter

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Check out this amazing lyric video from Foreign Figures for their single, Heart of Gold.  We think this one is a sure-fire hit.

Next up is “When we Were Young,” an amazing video from The Rigs and featuring DeAnte Tyree Duckett.  This might become our new favorite song, and it’s perfect for this particular holiday.  Enjoy!

Our final video today is some K-Pop from Down Under,  Stalking Like Candy‘s “Can You See the Light.”  We are overjoyed and amazed at the visual stimulation and the fun, upbeat vibe of this band and their song.  Let us know how they affect you.