Tag: LA Music Critic Awards

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

Get it or forget it – The Empty Pockets, The Well Pennies, Sarra, Mozes and the Firstborn, The Fisherman and The Sea

Welcome to New Music Friday.  As promised, we have five artists that are all dropping new projects today, and four of them should be very familiar to readers of this column.  Enjoy these new tunes.

Artist Name:  The Empty Pockets

Album Name:  Tanglewoods

Label:  MT Pockets Music

Genre:  Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  The Grind; 2.  Deerfield; 3.  Asleep on the Subway; 4.  Wolfpack; 5.  Brand new Eyes; 6.  Fill it Up; 7.  Island Queen; 8.  Papergirl; 9.  Tanglewoods; 10.  Over

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We introduced this band to you back in September 2017, and knew then that they were special.  That first album we reviewed earned them an LA Music Critic Award nomination, and now The Empty Pockets are back with another album, their best to date.  It flows easily within the Americana, folk and country music genres, with spotless musicianship and incredible harmonies.  The songs are well crafted and the lyrics are amazing.  They are indie music’s answer to Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town, with a more folky sound.  There is not a weak track on this album, and we plan to listen to it again and again.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and go Get this one today!

Artist Name:  The Well Pennies

Album Name:  Murmurations

Label:  Golden Bear Records

Genre:  Folk/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Ooh La La; 2.  On my Blue Sky; 3.  My Morning Star; 4.  The Wonderkind; 5.  If Anyone Breaks my Heart; 6.  Nobody Loves me Like You; 7.  Calliope; 8.  When I was the Ocean and you Were the Moon; 9.  December; 10.  The River; 11.  Wedding Song; 12.  If you Were Mine; 13.  The Starling

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We first met the dynamic duo of Bryan and Sarah Vanderpool a few years back shortly after they arrived in Los Angeles from Boston.  They were one of the amazing artists that performed monthly as part of the Blue ‘n Green showcases created by Mikal Blue and Angelique Sheppard and David Garner of Green Roots Productions.  We have been friends ever since and we are so happy to review their latest offering.  This one hits the ground running with a breezy folk/pop sound that is truly radio friendly and deserves maximum rotations on everything from AAA and Americana to Top 40 and College radio stations.  It is also perfect for placement opportunities in television and film.  You will be singing along to these songs in no time at all, especially the first track, “Ooh La La,” among others.  The album closes with the sweeping instrumental “The Starling,” which gives the album its name.  It would be perfect for placement in wildlife documentaries.

Recommendation:  Don’t think about it, just Get it today!

Artist Name:  Sarra

Album Name:  Sarra

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Invitation; 2.  Bloom; 3.  Your Name; 4.  The Saint; 5.  The First Time; 6.  Invisible; 7.  Beautiful Disaster; 8.  The Fall; 9.  Going Crazy; 10.  Kerosene; 11.  Confession; 12.  Natural; 13.  Reprise

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We first introduced you to Sarra last August when we featured her single “Kerosene” in our Ten Great Singles article in September.  We also featured her single “Your Name” in our Monday Mashup column in November, which garnered her an LA Music Critic Award nomination for “Rising Star.”  We are so proud to be able to review her debut album, which has exceeded even our highest expectations, from the dreamy “Invitation” to the jazzy smoothness of “Secrets” and “The Saint.”   You can’t go wrong with this one, and will find yourself listening from start to finish, again and again.  These songs are radio friendly and perfect for placement in film and television.  We guarantee this young lady will soon become a household name.

Recommendation:   This one is going to become one of your favorites, so run out and Get it right now!

Artist Name:  Mozes and the Firstborn

Album Name:  Dadcore

Label:  Burger Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  d; 2.  Dadcore (ft together PANGEA); 3.  a; 4.  If I; 5.  Baldy; 6.  d; 7.  Sad Supermarket Song; 8.  Fly Out I; 9.  Blow Up; 10.  c; 11.  Hello; 12.  o; 13.  Scotch Tape/Stick With you (ft Kelsey Reckling); 14.  We’re all Saints; 15.  r; 16.  Amen; 17.  c; 18.  Fly Out II

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  This is the only artist on today’s Get it or Forget it that we are unfamiliar with, that is before listening to this intriguing mix of grunge, shoegaze, power pop and indie rock.  This marks their third full-length album since signing with California based Burger Records.  They are currently on tour in the US in support of this album, and so far have released a pair of singles, “If I” and “Sad Supermarket Song.”  This band would be popular on college campuses world-wide, and could easily become a staple on college radio.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  The Fisherman & The Sea

Album Name:  The Hurt & The Humour

Label:  Neck of the Woods Records

Genre:  Indie Folk Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Hurry; 2.  Stuck With a Rhyme; 3.  The Fairytale Waltz; 4.  Beggar Princess; 5.  The Undertaker; 6.  A Song for the Hills; 7.  Skinny Dip; 8.  Ugly; 9.  The Bear; 10.  Homesick; 11.  Life in the Service of Others

Publicist:  Neck of the Woods Records

Review:  This band is no stranger to our blog, as we have reviewed all three of their previous EPs:  Beggar Princess in November 2017, Stuck With a Rhyme in January 2018 and I Can’t Alone in August 2018.  They have also accumulated two nominations and one win in the LA Music Critic Awards, and took #5 on our list of Best International EPs of 2017 for Beggar Princess.  Needless to say, our expectations for their debut full-length album were pretty high, and they blew them out of the water.  This is not just a collection of previously released material, as only four of these songs were included on the three previous EPs.  This is a fresh look at those great songs and seven new ones, and we are as happy as a clam, especially with the first single, “The Fairytale Waltz.”  We are definitely going to put this one on repeat, because every track is worthy of multiple listens and likes.  Take our advice, this is one of the best international bands we have ever heard.

Recommendation:  If you only buy one international album in 2019, this one should be it.  Go Get it.  Now!

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Orkesta Mendoza, Regular of the Obscene, Beauty in Chaos, Bahuki, After-Death Plan

Happy Thursday.  It’s the first day of the 2019 Winter NAMM Show, and we wish the best to all of our friends and colleagues who are enjoying the show in beautiful Anaheim, California.  Back here in Montana, we’re heading off for our first volunteer shift for this year’s Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, which opens February 15.  Tomorrow we will be reviewing five albums that drop for New Music Friday, including four of our favorite artists – International phenoms The Fisherman & The Sea, as well as American favorites The Well Pennies and LA Music Critic Award nominees The Empty Pockets and Sarra.  In the meantime, here are five more reviews to check out.

Artist Name:  Orkesta Mendoza

Album Name:  La Caminadora

Label:  Cosmica

Genre:  Latin

Track Listing:  1.  La Banda (Llego la Banda) (ft Raul Marqués); 2.  La Caminadora (ft Quetzal Guerrero); 3.  Luna de Miel; 4.  Cuando yo la Conoci (Noche de Luna) (ft Brian López); 5.  Sombras; 6.  Tanger; 7.  Tusk

Publicist:  Cosmica Artists & Records

Review:  Orkesta Mendoza offers us a rare glimpse of true Latin music.  The album was recorded mostly live in studio giving us a raw look at the true nature of the band.  It incorporates their take on a variety of Latin songs, as well as a brilliant cover of Fleetwood Mac‘s “Tusk.”  They have also brought in some of the most famous Latin singers, including American Quetzal Guerrero, original band member Brian López and Portuguese Fado artist Raul Marqués.  The result is an album that delivers and reminds us why we love Latin music.

Recommendation:  If you love Latin, you should definitely Get this one.  For the rest of the world, we highly recommend you check them out – you just might like them.

Artist Name:  Regular of the Obscene

Album Name:  Tempora

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Ska Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Tempora; 2.  Light; 3.  This Ain’t a Test; 4.  Population Control; 5.  Are you Listening?; 6.  Makes no Sense; 7.  Young Rebels

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Ska/punk music is making a comeback on the indie music scene, led by bands like Reel Big Fish.  Add the intriguing sound of Regular of the Obscene to that list of amazing bands.  Their latest is a fun, horn-filled sound that is fun and full of energy.  After attending an amazing show last Sunday Night with Bikini Trill, MEST and Reel Big Fish, we had forgotten just how much energy this type of music creates, and Regular of the Obscene is just as much fun.  This one deserves to be put on repeat.  We guarantee it will have you up and jumping around to the beat.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Beauty in Chaos

Album Name:  Finding Beauty in Chaos

Label:  33.3 Music Collective

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Road to Rosario (ft Michael Aston); 2.  Storm (ft Ashton Nyte); 3.  Man of Faith (ft Wayne Hussey & Simon Gallup); 4.  20th Century Boy (ft Al Jourgensen); 5.  Drifting Away (ft Robin Zander); 6.  Memory of Love (ft Johnny Indovina); 7.  Look Up (ft Tish Ciravolo); 8.  Un-Natural Disaster (ft dUg Pinnick & Ice T); 9.  The Long Goodbye (ft Wayne Hussey); 10.  Beauty Lies Within (ft Johnny Indovina); 11.  Bloodless and Fragile (ft Ashton Nyte); 12.  I Will Follow You (ft Evi Vine); 13.  Heliotrope (ft Betsy Martin); 14.  Finding Beauty in Chaos (ft Ashton Nye)

Publicist:  Shameless Promotion

Review:  Beauty in Chaos is a collaborative effort led by world-famous guitarist and President of Schecter Guitar Research Michael Ciravolo, with a host of featured artists, including Ciravolo’s wife Tish (Stun Gun), founder of Daisy Rock Guitars, Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Simon Gallup (The Cure), Ashton Nyte (The Awakening, MGT), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Pete Parada (The Offspring), dUg Pinnick (Kings X), ICE-T (Body Count), Michael Aston (Gene Loves Jezebel), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Dirk Doucette (Gene Loves Jezebel), Pando (A Flock of Seagulls), Evi Vine (Evi Vine), Betsy Martin (Caterwaul / Purr Machine), Marc Danzeisen (The Riverdogs), Kevin Kipnis (Purr Machine / Kommunity FK), Rudy Matchinga (Red Scare), and Johnny Indovina (Human Drama).  This is indie rock at its finest, with hints of the best classic rock has to offer.  There is something for everyone here, and we bet you’ll be putting this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one.  If you’re lucky enough to be at NAMM, stop by the Schecter Guitar booth and tell Michael how much you love this album.

Artist Name:  Bahuki

Album Name:  Tell it to the Worms

Label:  MeMi Music

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Potion; 2.  Claret; 3.  Right Now; 4.  Lay me Down; 5.  Over You; 6.  Sun; 7.  About Her; 8.  Musikmakers; 9.  Shore; 10.  Shotgun; 11.  City Scape; 12.  Tell it to the Worms

Publicist:  MeMi Music

Review:  Bahuki is a breath of fresh air in the sometimes crowded indie pop scene.  Their songs are extremely radio friendly and deserve to be heard on your radio dial.  They are reminiscent of such groups as Maroon 5 and The Killers and could easily make a mark in both Top 40 and college radio.  These songs would also work well as placements in film and television.  The album hits the ground running with “Potion” and never lets up.  The work of award-winning producer and engineer Manfred Faust (The Killers) is quite evident and further pushes the band into the limelight.

Recommendation:  Run and Get this one.  Now!

Artist Name:  After-Death Plan

Album Name:  Psycho Social Sexual

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Psycho Social Sexual; 2.  Walking; 3.  You Play Adult; 4.  Killed in Days; 5.  Neil Harvey; 6.  Starlight; 7.  Digging in the Fire; 8.  Mixing Chemicals; 9.  Sinner; 10.  Emma Nation; 11.  In the Garden

Publicist:  Zero Promotion

Review:  Lizard McGee and his amazing band Earwig have brought us some great music over the years, and McGee has recently launched his own PR company on top of that.  He has introduced us to his client, and we are in love at first listen.  With lead vocals that remind us of Gwen Stefani, and an overall sound that is more akin to Earwig, After-Death Plan is primed for an all-out assault on the indie music scene.   This is music that keeps you interested with the awesome guitar, the driving drums and those amazing vocals, and capped off with extremely well-written and intelligent lyrics that keep you thinking as you listen.   They also incorporate a lot of variations into their rock sound, which has also been referred to as “Gothic Rock.”  We just call it good.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one if you like your rock music to have some meat.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Klara Zubonja, We Three, Sarah P, Mike Dillon, Little Silver Hearts

Happy Hump Day!  Working our way to another New Music Friday with five more reviews for you today.  Enjoy these intriguing and eclectic artists.

Artist Name:  Klara Zubonja

Album Name:  Eye to Eye

Label:  Marshmallow Pavement Records

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Nothing Like Ever Before; 2.  The Winds of Life; 3.  Float Away; 4.  Did I say we Were Something; 5.  Have you Felt Like This Before; 6.  One for you and I

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  Using a sweet jazzy musical background, the voice of Klara Zubonja soars to the stratosphere on her latest offering, Eye to Eye.  We introduced you to this amazing artist last month in our Ten Amazing Videos article, which featured her video for “The Winds of Life.”  Every track on this six-song EP is breathtaking, and we love her creative genius as demonstrated in every aspect of her music, including the stunning cinematography in her music video.  This artist is primed to invade The States, and we can’t wait until she does.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  We Three

Album Name:  We Three

Label:  Palawan Productions

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1,  Lifeline; 2.  Timeless; 3.  Hold On; 4.  Heaven’s Not Too Far; 5.  So They Say; 6.  Makeup; 7.  Fall for You; 8.  Running; 9.  Sweater Weather; 10.  Testify; 11.  Paradise; 12.  Fairytale; 13.  Heaven’s Not Too Far (radio edit)

Publicist:  Effectively Immediately PR

Review:  We Three came to national attention when they competed on America’s Got Talent and made it to the semi-final round.  They performed four of the songs on their debut release during the competition, and released “Heaven’s Not Too Far” as their first single and “Lifeline” as their second.  As always, harmonies are king for these siblings from Oregon, and they sound heavenly.  Their sound is pure radio-friendly bliss, and we would not be surprised to see them as permanent additions to Top 40 radio.  Their music would also be great for Radio Disney, and for placement opportunities in television and film.  They have it all, and like their song says, their music will remain “Timeless.”  There is not a weak track on this album, and we can’t wait to hear it again and again.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and Get this one today!

Artist Name:  Sarah P.

Album Name:  Maenads

Label:  EraseRestart

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Sappho’s Leap; 2.  Mneme; 3.  Lotus Eaters; 4.  Cybele’s Dream; 5.  Maenads

Publicist:  Hellbig Music

Review:  Sarah P. is a singer-songwriter/activist based in Berlin who believes in feminine power, and it shows in this masterful five-song EP.  In addition to her amazing songwriting and vocals, she is also very hands-on in crafting the videos for her songs.  She has just completed the video for “Lotus Eaters,” which follows her video for “Mneme.”  The power of her songs truly comes through in those videos, and we strongly encourage you to check her out on YouTube.  In the meantime, enjoy the power of the feminine mystique through her songs.

Recommendation:  We highly recommend you Get this one.

Artist Name:  Mike Dillon & The MalletMen

Album Name:  Bonobo Bonobo

Label:  Royal Potato Family

Genre:  Acid Jazz/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Bonobo; 2.  Shit Talker; 3.  Guns God & Pussy; 4.  Air B n B in Arabi; 5.  Big Ass Fish; 6.  Strung out Again; 7.  Don’t Want to Know Your Name; 8.  Old School Jam 23; 9.  Mr. Gatekeeper; 10.  Old Men on Cocaine; 11.  I Don’t Like Selfies; 12.  Orange Julius Caesar; 13.  Omar

Publicist:  Royal Potato Family

Review:  Mike Dillon does to jazz music what Henry Rollins did to rock and Lenny Bruce did to stand up comedy.  His music is well done indeed, but his rants are extremely explicit and not appropriate for many.  In many ways, this is a white man’s attempt to do rap music over intriguing beats, but his rants don’t have the poetic appeal of most rap artists.  Despite the beautiful musical background, we think we’ll pass on the rants.

Recommendation:  If you can enjoy the music while ignoring the rants, then you might like this one.  Otherwise, just forget it.

Artist Name:  Little Silver Hearts

Album Name:  California

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Alt Country

Track Listing:  1.  Buena; 2.  Pain and Misery; 3.  California; 4.  Can’t Take no More; 5.  Sin City

Publicist:  Ed Donnelly

Review:  Los Angeles has given birth to quite a few great Americana bands, and Little Silver Hearts are definitely in that bunch.  They were nominated for LA Music Critic Awards for Best CD (Group) and Best Americana/Country Artist/Band back in 2016, and have been busy playing out since then.  We welcome their return to recorded music with the release of the five-song California EP, and will continue to enjoy their alt country rocking Americana sound.  Grab a beer and a shot and put this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  This one is great for enjoying a round.  Check it out.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 3

Happy Martin Luther King Day!  We had a blast last night at The Wilma in Missoula, where we were introduced to an LA band called Bikini Trill who was opening for Reel Big Fish and Tony Lovato and MEST.  We recently reviewed Reel Big Fish’s new album, and had previously reviewed MEST back in December 2017.   MEST also won the LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Band for that album for the second half of 2017.  We will have the full review of last night’s concert soon.  In the meantime, here are five new singles and music videos from the indie world.

JACK TEMPCHIN ELECTED TO SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

Blue Élan Records artist Jack Tempchin is part of the Class of 2019 and will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 13 in New York City.  He wrote a plethora of songs that we’ve all danced and sung along to, including the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Tequila Sunrise,” and “Already Gone,” Glenn Frey’s “The One You Love,” “Smuggler’s Blues,” “You Belong To The City” and “Sexy Girl,” and Johnny Rivers‘ “Slow Dancing.”

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from an amazing 15-year old future superstar named Bella Rios.  She received a nomination in the recent LA Music Critic Awards for Rising Star, and we guarantee this artist is on her way to the top of the charts.  Check out her latest single, “Under the Waves.”

Our second single is from another LA Music Critic Awards winner, Rod Melancon, who is a member of the Blue Élan Records family.  His latest song, “Goin’ Out West,” is a harder rocking Americana song that he usually does, and we totally dig it.

Our next single is likewise from a multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, who we hope will perform in our next Winners Showcase.  We have followed the career of Curtis Peoples for many years, and his latest single, “Tidal Wave,” is one of his best, and features the beautiful vocals of Holy Wars.  Let us know what you think.

Our fourth single is from another member of the Blue Élan Records family, who has recently rebranded herself and now goes by the name of Car Astor.  This one will get you up and dancing into the new week.  Check out “Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak.”

Our final single today is from another multiple LA Music Critic Award winning duo, Lovers & Poets.  We are also providing the bitmoji video they did for their latest offering, “Here and Now.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is a beautifully made lyric video for “Do What you Want,” the latest from the phenomenally talented Jess McAvoy.  Check this one out.

We don’t often post cover videos, but this one is so good that we had to share and features Fuel on Fire, one of the rising young pop bands from Nashville.  Check out their cover of U2‘s monster hit, “With or Without You, featuring the amazing children’s choir at Homer Pittard Campus School.  We’ll have a review of their cover album shortly.

Our third video is from steampunk-influenced singer-songwriter Elyssa Vulpes for her single “Front Line.”  We think this one could become an anthem for so many causes.

Our next video is from the collaborative efforts of the Americana Kitchen Band.  Check out this video for their single “All Dressed Up (and Nowhere to Go).”  This one will give you the strength to make it through the new week.

We close out this week with the latest video from Blues/Rock superstar guitarist Eric McFadden, “While You Was Gone.”  This one will surely give you a head start on the next great weekend.  Have a great week and we’ll see soon.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Izzy Miller, A Swarm of the Sun, Hedvig Mollestad Trio, The Vegabonds, Alice Wallace

Happy Friday.  This weekend we will learn who will compete in the Super Bowl.  Will it be New Orleans or LA for the NFC or New England of Kansas City for the AFC?  While we wait, let’s check out these great new releases, including new ones from the legendary band The Vegabonds and four-time LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace.  Let’s get going.

Artist Name:  Izzy Miller

Album Name:  Precipice

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Burnin’ Bright; 2.  So it Goes; 3.  The Cure; 4.  Another Drink or Two

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Precipice is the follow-up to Izzy Miller’s first EP, American Times, which was released in 2017, and spawned a stay at the #1 position on iTunes and Amazon.  This new four-track EP is equally amazing, with a down-home country feel to the Americana vibe.  The fourth track was chosen as the first single, but honestly, it could have been any of them.  “Another Drink or Two” is the most country track, and would make sense to release it to country radio.  All four tracks are great and we think any of them would be appropriate for radio airplay.

Recommendation:  Give this one a spin!

Artist Name:  A Swarm of the Sun

Album Name:  The Woods

Label:  Version Studio Records

Genre:  Post-rock

Track Listing:  1.  Blackout; 2.  The Woods; 3.  An Heir to the Throne

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  A Swarm of the Sun are further proof that some of the best music in today’s indie world is coming out of Sweden.  This is their first new music in four years since the release of the critically-acclaimed The Rifts.  This time around their sound is majestic, grand and sweeping, creating mental images in the incessant drum beat and the haunting soundscape.  Each track is 13 minutes long, and combined they create an auditory stream that will hold the listener from start to finish.  The first track is instrumental, while the other two tracks are haunting and spooky, with the perfect vocals to enhance that feeling of despair and darkness.  This is music that could easily be placed in television, movies and commercials.  If this is what we get from waiting four years, then it was certainly worth it.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one!

Artist Name:  Hedvig Mollestad Trio

Album Name:  Smells Funny

Label:  Rune Grammafon

Genre:  Rock Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Beastie, Beastie; 2.  First Thing to Pop is the Eye; 3.  Jurasek; 4.  Sugar Rush Mountain; 5.  Bewitched, Dwarfed and Defeathered; 6.  Lucidness

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We introduced you to this amazing band from Norway in our first Monday Mashup of 2019, and have been waiting to review their new EP ever since, which dropped today.  They caught our attention with that first single (“Bewitched, Dwarfed and Defeathered”), and we are here to say that the rest of the EP is just as great.  As we said when we introduced them, “This one has everything lovers of rock and metal desire, and will also appeal to acid jazz lovers as well.”

Recommendation:  If you love great rock instrumentals,  then definitely go Get this one.

Artist Name:  The Vegabonds

Album Name:  V

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Southern Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Partyin’ with Strangers; 2.  Generation of Happiness; 3.  I Ain’t Having it; 4.  When the Smoke Clears Up; 5.  Everything I Need; 6.  Best I Can; 7.  Traveling Man; 8.  Help is on the Way

Publicist:  MSO PR

Review:  We gave you a preview last Monday when we debuted their latest single, “Best I Can” in our Monday Mashup.  We also shared their music video for “Everything I Need” last month, as well as their first single, “I Ain’t Having It,” last October.  Needless to say, we are extremely happy to be able to review the entire album, which dropped today.  They have been one of the premier southern rock bands since their debut in 2009, and time has only improved their skills and expertise.  Their sound is extremely radio friendly, with every track single worthy.  In fact they have already released four singles, and we think they should release every single track.  Can’t wait to have the chance to see them perform live.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and go Get this one TODAY!

Artist Name:  Alice Wallace

Album Name:  Into the Blue

Label:  Rebelle Road Records

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  The Lonely Talking; 2.  Santa Ana Winds; 3.  Elephants; 4.  The Blue; 5.  Desert Rose; 6.  When She Cries; 7.  Echo Canyon; 8.  The Same Old Song; 9.  Motorcycle Ride; 10.  Top of the World; 11.  For Califia

Publicist:  Devious Planet

Review:  Alice Wallace is a champion and it shows in everything she does.  We have loved her music since the first time we heard it, and have interviewed her twice in this Blog, including a recent feature this past Monday.  Her new album, the first release on fledgling label Rebelle Road Records, is her best yet, and is perfect from start to finish.  She shows her growth from a simple country sound to a more sophisticated Americana one on every track.  Her songs are radio friendly and we truly expect them to be huge hits on Americana and country stations, with cross-over potential to college radio.  With the release of Into the Blue, we can guarantee that Wallace’s career with continue to blossom, and we expect her to win a lot more LA Music Critic Awards, among others.

Recommendation:  Run and Get this one – she’s going places!

 

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Women in Entertainment

Women in Entertainment: Alice Wallace, evolving California country sound

Hard to believe that our last Women in Entertainment feature was published in November 2016.  So much has happened since then, and we have some great upcoming features for you on some of today’s best female entertainers.  We start today with the continuing saga of four-time LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace, who also won the Female Vocalist of the Year award at the 2017 California Country Awards.

We last interviewed Wallace in August 2016 as part of our Getting to Know the Winners of the 2016 LA Music Critic Awards series.  At the time, she was an up and coming country artist who had recently signed with California Country Records, the label created by Manda Mosher and KP Hawthorn, formerly of CALICO the band.  Mosher has now gone solo and Hawthorn has created a new label, Rebelle Road Records, along with bassist Adrienne Isom and industry executive Karen Rappaport McHugh, an integral part of the successful Stagecoach Festival.  Wallace is the first artist signed to the new label and her album, Into the Blue, drops on Friday, January 18.

Rebelle Road is a newly founded entertainment company dedicated to strengthening the California country music community and expanding the role for women in the Americana/roots genre. Launched in March 2018, the trio have combined their longtime experience in music marketing, festival production, visual presentation and life as touring artists and record label owners. They’ve already produced showcases at SXSW and AMERICANAFEST, industry panels and two one-day festivals.

This past October, the trio produced a benefit concert at the legendary Palomino Club, which hadn’t been open for 23 years.  “We realized that we needed to create what doesn’t exist right now in the music industry — both for women and for artists living outside of Nashville.  There is a strong history and legacy here in California; the Palomino spirit lives on and we’re going to bring it back,” says Hawthorn.  Wallace was a featured artist that night, and Pollstar called her stellar moment on the famed stage (which has been described as the Grand Ole Opry West) as “shot through with Crystal Gayle’s ache and Linda Ronstadt’s country essence.”

Wallace has a truly distinctive style, which she explains evolved from growing up surrounded by the music of artists like Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.  “I really taught myself to sing by mimicking their styles,” she says.  “The powerful belt that Linda has, the emotive lilt to Emmylou’s voice.  Trying to navigate those different elements helped me find my own voice nestled in between all that.”

These days, Wallace performs as many as 200 dates a year, both solo and with a band.  “In some ways, I wish I had done it sooner,” she says of her decision to pursue her passion for playing music.  “But I’m also glad I have the life experience to help fuel my songwriting and survive life on the road.”

When asked the question, “What inspires you?” she responded:  “In writing this new album, I took so much inspiration from California and the southwest.  I have spent the last three years touring across this region, soaking in the atmosphere of the ocean and the desert and the mountains and the canyons.  And I think you can hear that in these new songs.”

When asked if she considered herself a country or Americana artist, she told us that she thinks she is more Americana these days.  Although she still sings with a twang, she only used pedal steel on two of the songs on the new album, which has a grittier edge than her previous country release.  Check out our review of the new album in Friday’s Get it or Forget it series.

We also asked her about her future plans.  She told us: “Once the album is out, it will be back on the road to play these songs as much as possible.  We are talking about another European tour, plus dates all across the country.  I am so looking forward to sharing these new songs with audiences.”

She also plans to attend SxSW in March, where her label is sponsoring the California Country Social, a concert featuring about 30 bands.  She said she will likely return to AMERICANAFEST in September as well.

You can keep up with Wallace by visiting her Facebook page, following her on Twitter and Instagram, subscribing to her YouTube and Spotify pages, or just clicking on her website.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 2 (updated)

That was an exciting weekend of football, and the top four teams all made it through without an upset.  We are comfortable with either Kansas City, Los Angeles or New Orleans in the Superbowl, as long as New England stays home.  Who do you want to see in the Superbowl?

THE NAMM SHOW COMES TO ANAHEIM

The annual winter NAMM show will return to Southern California next week, January 24-27.  This is the big trade show for musicians and others involved in the music business.  Many local indie musicians will be performing on one of the main stages, in individual vendor booths or at the evening concerts at the Hilton, Marriott and Sheraton Hotels.  Music begins on Wednesday evening and runs through the late Sunday afternoon.  Among the artists scheduled to perform in the evening concerts are several we have featured here, including Gigi Rich, Satellite Citi, Static and Surrender, Warren Sellers, Love and a .38, Chi McLean, and three offerings of the Tim Moyer Songwriters Round, each with different songwriters.  Wish we could be there.  You can find the performance schedules by clicking here.

ALICE WALLACE CD RELEASE SHOW

Alice Wallace will be celebrating the upcoming release of her new CD Into the Blue on January 18 with a CD Release Show at the No Name Bar (432 N. Fairfax Avenue) in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 17 at 9 p.m.  The concert is FREE.  Find out more about Ms. Wallace in her Women in Entertainment interview to be published later today.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from The Spider Accomplice, winners of multiple LA Music Critic Awards.  It is a cover of the 30 Seconds to Mars hit “Hurricane,” and has already been added to the A Star is Born Soundtrack (Target Deluxe) playlist on Spotify.  We think this one is another winner for the Arachnids.

Next is an artist we met at last year’s LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase.  She goes by the name of BINX and her music is pure dance magic.  Check out her latest single, “Space DJ.”

Our third single comes from UK artist Charlie Hole, who we introduced back in October in our Ten Great Singles monthly list.  We love his voice and the easy jazzy-pop feel of his single “Ordinary Man.”  We think you will too.

Single number four comes from the Arizona-based band Chateau Chateau, and is a rocking tune called “Evidence.”  We think the title is perfect, because the song proves that this band has arrived.

Our final single for this week comes from Blue Élan Records artist The Vegabonds, whose new album will be released and reviewed on Friday.  Check out the sweet southern rock sounds of “Best I Can.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Up first this week is a lyric video from Whisperado for their song “Bang One Out.”  it has some serious political images, but a great beat supports the tune, and makes us want to hear more from them.  Let us know what you think.

Our next video was shot in barren Siberia and features the rap rhymes of Alex Dutty for his song “Imagine.”  Please note this one is explicit.

Video number three is a new wave synth song from The New Division entitled “Jealous.”  We introduced them to you last March in our Ten Great Singles column, and think they have a great future.  We also think it’s a great way to start the week.

Our next video is taken from the Sound Gallery Sessions.  Episode 5 features an amazing instrumental tune from Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something for their song “Cherry Dream.”  Sit back and enjoy this one.

We close out the week with “Los Angeles,” a stunning video with the smooth sound of Luke Sital-Singh.  He recently left the UK for the golden shores of California, and all we can say is “Welcome home.”  Grab your coffee and enjoy this one, which should ease your transition to a new week.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 1

Welcome to our first Monday Mashup of the new year.  We thank you so much for your response to our year-end articles last week, including the announcement of the LA Music Critic Award winners for the second half of 2018.  Your responses pushed us over the 95,000 view mark, and set a new single-day record of 1,972 views on Friday.  We love sharing these amazing indie artists with you.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS SHOWCASE

Our third annual LA Music Critic Award Winners showcase is set for Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at The Mint in Los Angeles, and it’s shaping up to be another great one.  The showcase helps raise awareness and funds for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, and this year will feature our first international winner!  More details to come soon, but Save the Date!

ALICE WALLACE SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

Four-time LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace will release her new album on January 18, her first on Rebelle Road Records.  We will be featuring her in our Get it or Forget it reviews on that date.  In addition, we are bringing back our Women in Entertainment series, and she will be the next artist to be featured.  Don’t miss this one.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this year comes from LA Music Critic Award winner for best EDM/Dance Artist/Band TNEO.  It is the third single from their album, Robotish, and the best one so far (IOHO).  Check out “Cold Grey Day.”  We guarantee this one will have you dancing into the new week.

Next is the latest from mother-daughter duo Cliffs and Caves.  They have a sweet indie folk/country sound with a full orchestra sound.  We really love the sound of “Goodbye for Good” and think you will too.

Our third single is a rock instrumental track from the forthcoming album by the Hedvig Mollestad Trio.  This one has everything lovers of rock and metal desire, and will also appeal to acid jazz lovers as well.  Check out “Bewitched, Drawfed and Defeathered.”

Our fourth single goes to the opposite end of the spectrum, with the haunting voice and lyrics of Rié Fu on her song “Mirror.”  She grew up in Tokyo, signed with a major label, but decided to forego that path, relocated to the UK and decided to go indie.  We think she made the right choice.

https://soundcloud.com/rie-music/06-mirror

Our final single this week is the latest from Teachers with Guns, who we introduced you to back in November.  This one is called “E.T.H.” and we like it a lot.  It has an amazing instrumental track to kick it off, followed by reflective lyrics sung by a voice that means business.  Check it out.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video this year is from LA Music Critic Award nominees The Daybreaks.  It was recorded live at Pentavarit, and gives us another reason to love this Nashville-based band.  Check out “Flesh it Out.”

It’s been a while since we featured anything from the amazing young artist Olivia Millerschin.  Here is her cover video of Taylor Swift’s song “New Year’s Day,” which was recorded live in studio.  We think we’ll be hearing lots more great music from  her soon.

Although it technically came out on Christmas day, we love the latest from LA Music Critic Award winning rock band The Guess Who.  Here is their latest, “In America.”  We love that they are still rocking after 40 years!

Our fourth single is an amazing cover of the 1926 blues classic “John the Revelator” from LA Music Critic Award nominee Jason Robert, from his forthcoming album Death of Stone Stanley.  This one will appeal to lovers of classic blues rock.

We close out this edition of Monday Mashup with the brand new video from up and coming country star Kamber Cain.  We love her song “Love Story That I’ve Already Read.”  We think this one is going to be a hit!

 

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

Announcement of LA Music Critic Award winners for second half of 2018

What a year this has been.  We have been overwhelmed with the quality of music created by indie artists in 2018, and by the public support of their craft.  This cycle of nominations has generated 745 comments and 5,366 views from 63 countries, 23 of which generated at least 10 views each.  In addition, our blog has been viewed a total of 8,826 times since the nominations were announced on December 7.  We are so proud of each and every artist and their fans and thank you sincerely for this accomplishment.

The winner of the Icon Award will be announced at the Winners Showcase on June 18, 2019 at The Mint in Los Angeles.  Please save the date and come out to see the winners perform.

Without further delay, here are the winners for the second half of 2018:

BEST EP (Male) – Zach Callison (A Picture Perfect Hollywood Heartbreak)

BEST EP (Female) – Lauren Jaimes (Here to Stay)

BEST EP (Group) – Shelby Texas (We are Shelby, Texas)

BEST EP (International Artist) – Paolo Preite (An Eye on the World)

BEST EP (International Group) – The Fisherman & The Sea (I Can’t Alone)

BEST CD (Male) – Hadden Sayers (Dopamine Machine)

BEST CD (Female) – Brigitte Rios Purdy (Still I Rise)

BEST CD (Group) – Birds and Arrows (Arbitrary Magic)

BEST CD (International Artist) – Kate Reid (The Heart Already Knows)

BEST CD (International Group) – Crack of Dawn (self-titled)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Male) – Everlast (“Don’t Complain”)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Female) – Dree Mon (“Dance Like I Want To”)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Group) – Fanny Walked the Earth (“When we Need Her”)

BEST VIDEO (FOR A CAUSE) – Kim Kline (“Stand Tall”)

BEST VIDEO (LYRIC) – The Spider Accomplice (“Epilogue”)

BEST VIDEO (COVER) – CALICO the Band (“California Dreaming”)

BEST VIDEO (COLLABORATION) – Seawaves & Jerad Finck (New Kids)

BEST VIDEO (INTERNATIONAL) – Ziggy Alberts (“Stronger”)

BEST SINGLE (Male) – Curtis Peoples (“Castaways”)

BEST SINGLE (Female) – Kris Angeles (“Stained Glass”)

BEST SINGLE (Group) – Honey River (“Peace, Love”)

BEST SINGLE (INTERNATIONAL) – Vanessa Zamora (“Malas Amistades”)

BEST SINGLE (HOLIDAY) – Mustangs of the West (“Everybody Wants Peace on Earth”)

BEST BLUES ARTIST – Brigitte Rios Purdy

BEST BLUES BAND – Michelle D’Amour and the Love Dealers

BEST BLUES (TRADITIONAL) ARTIST – Lawrence Lebo

BEST BLUES (TRADITIONAL) BAND – Julianne Q and the Howl

BEST BLUEGRASS ARTIST/BAND – Tellico

BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM – Ruth and Emilia (The Spaceship That Fell in my Backyard)

BEST COMEBACK ARTIST – The Textones

BEST COMEDY ALBUM – Brad Wenzel (Sweet Nothings)

BEST COMPILATION ALBUM – A Blue Élan Christmas (various Blue Élan Records artists)

BEST COUNTRY ARTIST – Hilary Scott

BEST COUNTRY BAND – Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis

BEST EDM/DANCE ARTIST/BAND – TNEO

BEST FOLK ARTIST – Lauren Balthrop

BEST FOLK BAND –   The Skiffle Players

BEST HARD ROCK/METAL ARTIST/BAND – Rebel Rampage

BEST HIP-HOP/RAP ARTIST/BAND – Everlast

BEST HOLIDAY ALBUM – Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers (All I Got for Christmas is the Blues)

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST – Abby Zotz

BEST INTERNATIONAL BAND – Norway Reloaded

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARTIST/BAND – Andrew Abaria

BEST JAZZ ARTIST – Slim Gambill

BEST JAZZ BAND – CeCe Teneal and Soul Kamotion

BEST LATIN ARTIST/BAND – Constanza Herrero

BEST LIVE ALBUM – Shari Puorto (Live at Bogie’s)

BEST POP ARTIST – Jordan Siwek

BEST POP BAND – My Brothers and I

BEST POP/ROCK ARTIST/BAND – KT Tunstall

BEST PUNK ARTIST/BAND – Taco Mouth

BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST – Candace Devine

BEST R&B/SOUL BAND – Diane Durrett & Soul Suga

BEST ALT ROCK ARTIST – Trevor James

BEST ALT ROCK BAND – The Upstart Crows

BEST ROCK ARTIST – K. Michelle DuBois

BEST ROCK BAND – The Guess Who

BEST REGGAE ARTIST/BAND – Sean Paul

BEST ROOTS/AMERICANA ARTIST – Jeffrey Foucault

BEST ROOTS/AMERICANA BAND – No Dry County

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER – Gaelynn Lea

BEST SOUTHERN ROCK ARTIST/BAND – Moonshine Saints

MOST UNIQUE ARTIST/BAND – Grave Danger

RISING STAR – Sofia Evangelina

FAN FAVORITE – Once again, the fans have spoken, and 25 artists were nominated for this award.  YYNOT was the early favorite, with Reloaded Norway, Paper Gliders, Jordan Siwek and Mindi Abair close behind.  All of a sudden a dark horse appeared in the final week that changed everything.  When the dust had settled, LAUREN JAIMES overtook YYNOT by a score of 184 votes to 170 votes.  Jordan Siwek took third place with 140 votes.  Reloaded Norway (64 votes) and Mindi Abair ( 42 votes) rounded out the top five.  Congratulations to you all.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2018 Women in Entertainment

Forty best albums of 2018

What a year for indie music.  We received a boatload of review requests from around the world, and published reviews of nearly 1,000 CDs and EPs.  We culled through those we reviewed first to pick our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards, and now to compile our list of the 40 Best CDs of 2018.

Due to the sheer volume, we only considered full-length projects for this list, but that doesn’t mean that quite a few of the EPs we reviewed weren’t also worthy of distinction.  We may yet put together another list of just EPs.

In the meantime, while we wait for the winners of the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards to be announced tomorrow, here are our favorite CDs of 2018.  You can find their individual reviews by searching for them on our blog.

40.  Kate Reid – The Heart Already Knows

39.  Deb Ryder – Enjoy the Ride

38.  Jeffrey Foucault – War on the Radio

37.  Katie Herzig – Moment of Bliss

36.  Eric Tingstad – Electric Spirit

35.  Fanny Walked the Earth – self-titled

34.  Wily Bo Walker – Almost Transparent Blues

33.  Buddy Guy – The Blues is Alive and Well

32.  Walt Weiskopf – European Quartet

31.  Mindi Abair & the Boneshakers – All I Got for Christmas is the Blues

30.  YYNOT – self-titled

29.  Peter V Blues Band – Shaken but not Deterred

28.  Delta Moon – Babylon is Falling

27.  The Textones – Old Stone Gang

26.  Ronny Morris – Sweet Silence

25.  Sydney Wright – Seiche

24.  Gleeson – The Years Have It

23.  Colin Devlin – High Point

22.  Everlast – Don’t Complain

21.  Zsuzsika – Start Again

20.  Michael Peterson – From Here to Eternity

19.  K. Michelle Dubois – Autumn

18.    Broken Bellows – I, Kaleidoscope

17.  Rachel Sage – Myopia

16.  Janiva Magness – Love is an Army

15.  John Flanagan Trio – Honest Man

14.  Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm – Shoot me Down

13.  Floods – Bad Times

12.  Frank Hannon (From One Place . . . to Another, vols 1 and 2)

11.  Keith Harkin – In the Round

10.  Southern Halo – Just Like in the Movies

9.  Cindy Alexander – Nowhere to Hide

8.  Kari Kimmel – Gold & Glitter

7.  Hymn for Her – Pop-n-Downers

6.  Jordan Siwek – Sun Inside You

5.  Slim Gambill – Fake Jazz

4.  Gina Sicilia – Heard the Lie

3.  Birds and Arrows – Arbitrary Magic

2.  Brigitte Rios Purdy – Still I Rise

and the Best Album of 2018 goes to

Norway Reloaded – My Longest Mile