Tag: Kramies

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

Get it or forget it – Kirk Fletcher, Rachel Eckroth, Rich Hope, Kramies, Lauren Henderson

Happy Friday – we made it through another week, and my Brewers need to make it through two more wins to get to face the Red Sox in the World Series.  We’ve got some smoking hot music for your Friday, with five new albums being released today.  Enjoy your weekend.

Artist Name:  Kirk Fletcher

Album Name:  Hold On

Label:  Elaysia Music

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Two Steps Forward; 2.  You Need Me; 3.  Sad Sad Day; 4.  The Answer; 5.  Time’s Ticking; 6.  Dupree; 7.  Gotta Right; 8.  Hold On

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Kirk Fletcher is the consummate guitarist, and has worked on several Grammy-nominated albums for the likes of Joe Bonamassa and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.  This album is the perfect “treat” for anyone who loves great guitar work, the blues, gospel or just damn good music.  It is Fletcher’s fifth solo effort, and his finest to date.  Starting with the soulful “Two Steps Forward” on which he shows his expertise as a guitarist while trading vocals with the amazing Mahalia Barnes, this album is a collection of some of the hottest blues we have ever reviewed.  He shows his softer side on the smooth R&B-styled “You Need Me” before giving us a New Orleans-inspired “second line” tune called “Sad Sad Day.”  Every track is inspired, especially the gospel-tinged title track which features Jade McCrea as a guest vocalist.  You can’t go wrong with this one – it will truly make your day.

Recommendation:  Don’t delay – Get this one TODAY!

Artist Name:  Rachel Eckroth

Album Name:  When it Falls

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Walls; 2.  Love is Lost; 3.  Dark Waters; 4.  It Never Was; 5.  Strangest Dream; 6.  The Wasted Years; 7.  Collecting Bruises; 8.  Call my Name; 9.  We’d be on Fire; 10.  To a Ghost; 11.  When it Falls

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Although probably best known as a jazz keyboardist, Rachel Eckroth is a superior singer-songwriter who has assembled an all-star cast for her latest solo effort, including having Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie, Tedeschi Trucks Band) produce the album with guitar work by Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II and drums by Matt Chamberlain.  The result is a lush soundscape of incredibleness from start to finish, including an amazing cover of David Bowie‘s “Love is Lost” which we have previously featured in our Ten Amazing Videos released in September article.   With this much talent, we expect Eckroth to rise to the top and soon become a household name.   Her writing abilities are surpassed only by her amazing voice, and we are going to enjoy listening to the fruits of her labor over and over again.

Recommendation:  Are you kidding me?  This one is a no-brainer – GET it now!

Artist Name:  Rich Hope

Album Name:  I’m All Yours

Label:  Planned Obsolescence Recording & Novelty Inc.

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  It Come Alive; 2.  Golden Clouds; 3.  Creepstone; 4.  La Iguana; 5.  Blow Away; 6.  5 Cents a Dance; 7.  Some Kind of Love; 8.  Paranoia Blues; 9.  Runnin’ Shoes; 10.  Heartbreaker

Publicist:  Howlin’ Wuelf Media

Review:  Canadian Rich Hope delivers a stellar indie rock album with his full length album since 2009.  His sound is very classic rock, with impressive guitar and organ in the instrumental mix, supporting his soaring vocals and well-crafted lyrics.  From the first notes of “It Come Alive,” it becomes quickly crystal clear that the listener is in for a treat, and Hope delivers on that premise.  These tunes will have you playing air guitar and dancing in the streets with their raw energy and power.  Every song is worthy of repeated plays, and this one will soon become one of your favorite albums.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Kramies

Album Name:  Of all the Places Been & Everything the End

Label:  Hidden Shoal Records

Genre:  Indie Folk/Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  The Woods the Storm the Tale; 2.  Of all the Places Been; 3.  Ireland; 4.  The Writings; 5.  Everything the End; 6.  The Hill Dwellers

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Kramies is the first male singer I have ever compared to Enya, but his dreamy folk/pop sound instantly brings Enya’s similar style to mind.  The soundscape created on this album is refreshing and relaxing, resulting in an EP that will provide hours of relaxation and relief from a crazy hectic schedule.  While it is named for two of the songs on the EP, the central tune is “Ireland,” which showcases all the reasons we think this folk troubadour is going places in the indie music scene.  While the entire EP is only 23 minutes long, it will be the best 23 minutes you have ever spent listening to music, and you will find yourself listening to it again and again.  Enjoy this masterpiece and share it with someone you love.

Recommendation:  You simply must Get this one!

Artist Name:  Lauren Henderson

Album Name:  Riptides

Label:  Brontosaurus Records

Genre:  Latin Jazz/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Amame; 2.  Riptide; 3.  Separate; 4.  Bajito; 5.  Ennui; 6.  Show Control

Publicist:  EMPKT PR

Review:  Combining soul with Latin jazz is the trademark of Lauren Henderson, and she delivers a gem in her latest EP.  It has everything you love about jazz, combined with the Latin and soul influences that Henderson grew up with, resulting in an uplifting album that will soon have you soaring on top of the world.  She features Steinway Artist and Grammy-nominated pianist Chris Pattishall, guitarist Nick Tannura, bassist Eric England, and Steven Colbert’s incredible drummer/percussionist Joe Saylor.  Our favorite cuts include the title track, the pure jazz sound of “Separate,” “Bajito,” “Ennui,” and “Slow Control,” basically the entire EP!

Recommendation:  If you love jazz, you will adore this EP.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 35

Looking forward to heading down to Denver on Wednesday for this year’s Durango Songwriters Expo.  We’re having a meet and greet at The Walnut Room on Wednesday night before the Expo kicks off with their showcase on Thursday night and closes Saturday night with a concert.  Should be an interesting weekend, and it will be warmer there than here in Montana.  In the meantime, here are the latest happenings in indie music, as well as five new singles and five new videos for you to check out.

COLIN DEVLIN CD RELEASE SHOW AT HOTEL CAFÉ

Colin Devlin and Blue Élan Records will celebrate the release of Devlin’s new album High Point (which we will be reviewing on Friday) with a concert at the esteemed Hotel Café on Wednesday, October 3.  The opening act is Devlin’s labelmates Roan Yellowthorn, who are making their Los Angeles debut.  Roan Yellowthorn goes on at 7 p.m., followed by Devlin at 8 p.m.  If you are in or near Los Angeles, we strongly encourage you to be there.

SPOTIFY TO ALLOW INDIE ARTISTS DIRECT UPLOADS

Spotify has announced a new feature which will enable independent artists to upload tracks to the service directly – without any requirement for a third-party aggregator or record label.  The feature currently remains in invite-only beta mode – with a few hundred United States artists being ushered in – but Spotify says that, in the future, it will “bring upload to even more artists, labels, and teams.”

Artists will be able access the upload function via the Spotify For Artists platform, which counted more than 200,000 verified acts amongst its monthly user base at the end of June.

The best part is that this new upload feature is completely free, unlike the current feature provided by existing third-party digital aggregators/distributors such as CD Baby, TuneCore, Distrokid and Ditto – all of which require either a one-off upload fee or a yearly subscription payment from artists.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from long-time indie artist Amy Kuney, who advises us to just “Hold On.”  We should all listen to her advice.

Our second single comes from another great artist client of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services.  Here is “Highway Jawn” from Paul Edelman and Jangling Sparrows.  This one will get your toes a tapping while you sit back and enjoy your whiskey and beer chaser.  We can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.

Next up is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winners Lovers & Poets.  Check out their cover of the title track from the 1968 sci-fi film “Barbarella.”  We really love the 60s vibe of this song, which bring back great memories of the powerful female singers of that era.

Our fourth single comes from another amazing publicist, Jennifer Allison Publicity.  Please enjoy this premiere of the new single, “Desnudame” by Joaquin Torres.  Spanish and English never sounded better together.

Our final single this week is the first release from new Blue Élan Records artist Lisa Lambe.  We think the title of the song, “Beautiful Thing,” sums up the incredible music she has created.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video offers timely advice on what it means to be “beautiful.”  Check out this amazing video for “Costume Party” by The Voice‘s Season 12 runner-up, Lauren Duski.

Next is the video for the first single off the forthcoming album from We are the City.  For a rocking good time, check out “When I Dream, I Dream of You.”

Our third video this week is from Zoey Clarke, who we introduced to you last year when we reviewed her last album.  We really like the sound of her new material, including “Rewind,” and can’t wait to hear the rest of her new music.

If you like nostalgic videos, then our fourth video this week will likely take your breath away, especially if you love Irish Castles.  Check out the latest, “The Hill Dwellers,” from Kramies.

Our final video this week is from the incredible Korean-American artist, Tiffany Young.  She will be in Los Angeles on October 3 from 6-8 p.m. at the Sunset H&M (8580 Sunset Blvd) to celebrate the release of her new video, “Teach You,” as well as her new collaborative effort with H&M.

See you soon with our first Get it or Forget it for October.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 45

It only took us 825 days (or from September 7, 2015) to break 40,000 views on Indie Voice Blog, which we accomplished on December 10, 2017.  That’s an average of nearly 50 views a day, with our biggest day being July 11, 2017, when we had 1,100 views.  During that time we have posted 322 articles, including 88 “Get it or Forget It” reviews covering 304 EPs and CDs, as well as numerous artist profiles, Fringe and local theatre reviews and coverage of the semi-annual LA Music Critic Awards, with special features on the 2016 winners.  Not too shabby, right?

MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO BE HANDED OUT

The 10th Annual Media Excellence Awards will be handed out in a ceremony at the Laemmle Theater (8556 Wilshire Boulevard) in Beverly Hills on January 18, 2018.  The Red Carpet will start at 7 p.m. with the ceremony to follow at 8 p.m.  For more information, please send an email to the organizers, or give them a call.

LAST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The LA Music Critic Awards have issued a final call for submissions for the second half of 2017.  If your single, video, EP or CD was released between July 1 and December 31, 2017, then it is eligible for submission.  Nominations will be announced during the second week of January, with the winners announced by the end of the month.  Several of the winners will be selected to perform at the annual LA Music Critic Award Showcase in June 2018.

NEW SINGLES

We love introducing new artists to you.  Check out the new single, “Wishing Upon a Star,” from Delsinki, which features the amazing Brooke Taylor.  We think you’ll love these vocals and Americana soundtrack.

Australian artist Zvchvrivh blasts onto the scene with a chill track for his new single, “Think of Me.”  We love the groove – let us know what you think.

Our final single today comes from one of our favorite performers, based in Nashville.  Heather Bonds is an amazing solo artist as well as the lead single for The Daybreaks.  We think her new single may be one of her best yet.  Check out “Keep it Quiet.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up today is the hot new video from Austin, Texas based  FlecHaus.  This band continues to amaze us with their harmonies and funky sound, especially on their latest tune, “Tell Me Something.”  Let us know what you think.

Check out this dreamy video from Kramies, shot in the incredible Shankill Castle in Ireland earlier this year.  The lyrics from the single, “I Wish I Missed You,” are haunting and perfectly fit the incredible cinematography of the video.  Let us know what you think.

Our final video for today is from The Zephyr Bones for their single, “Telephone.”  We think it’s the perfect way to close out this edition of Monday Mashup.  See you soon.