Tag: live show review

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

The Imaginaries slay with their streaming CD release concert

Oklahoma-based power couple Shane Henry and Maggie McClure aka The Imaginaries kicked off the release of their long-awaited debut album with a live streaming acoustic performance sponsored by American Songwriter Magazine.  The concert included the back stories for each song on the album, and lasted for more than 90 minutes, all of it pure joy.

One of my favorite moments was when McClure and Henry were explaining their individual career progression and McClure noted that she had begun with performances at Borders Books and Music.  You see, I was the booker for those stores back in the late 90’s/early 00’s, and it finally answered the question of where I had first heard her music.

Since the concert was essentially a listening party for their CD, we are including our Get it or Forget it review format.

Artist Name:   The Imaginaries

Album Name:  The Imaginaries

Label:   Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Folk

Track Listing:   1.  Revival; 2.  Walking on a Wire; 3.  Thinking ‘Bout You 4.  Trust Falling With You; 5.  There Will Come a Day 6.  Geronimo 7.  One Life; 8.  Enough of You; 9.  Blue Sky; 10.  You Remind Me

Publicist:   37 Media (Julie Lichtenstein)

Review:   The CD kicks off with two of their strongest songs, and never stops delivering powerful messages with memorable musical accompaniment.  In addition to their incredible creativeness in writing these masterpieces, The Imaginaries are also adept at conceptualizing the visualization of those songs, as evidenced by the numerous film festival nominations and wins that their videos have garnered.  We will be featuring their latest video for “Blue Sky” in our Monday Mashup column next week.

The album is produced by the duo and was recorded in the same studio in Muscle Shoals where the pair began their musical journey.  The album features bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (John Paul White, The Secret Sisters), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard), drummer Rob Humphreys (Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz), keyboardists Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) and Dan Walker (Heart).

Recommendation:   Drop whatever you’re doing today and get this album.  It will be the crowning jewel in your musical collection.

Thank you to The Imaginaries for an amazing showcase of your talent.  It was so refreshing to hear a band that sounds as good acoustically as they do when they have their entire band playing live.  They are further proof that indie music is the best music.  Can’t wait to see them live in person in the not too distant future.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Reviews Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol 12

Welcome to the final week of March.  Had so much fun reviewing the live show of Chris Shiflett and Brian Whelan last night in Missoula.  Watch for the review coming soon.

Been another busy week in the world of indie music.  We posted our review of the new single from BritRoyal earlier this morning.  Definitely check out this group if you love songs with great lyrics and meaning, and music that comes from the heart.  Thanks Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions for turning us on to this amazing band.

FUEL ON FIRE RELEASES NEW VIDEO

Fuel on Fire, the “other” great redheaded sibling band, has released a new single and music video for the song “Never Said Goodbye.”  Besides the amazing song itself, the video features an appearance by Meghan Walker from Redhead Express.  Check it out and let us know what you think.  Speaking of Redhead Express, major announcement coming soon.

ONEFiFTEEN RELEASES FIRST ORIGINAL SONG

Hot new band OneFifteen has released their first original song, “Break the Wheel,” on Soundcloud.  It is amazing, featuring the smoking hot vocals of Chelsee Foster, which remind us of Evanescence’s Amy Lee.  Let us know what you think about it.

https://soundcloud.com/chelsee-foster/one-fifteen-break-the-wheel?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook

FOOFIGHTER GUITARIST CHRIS SHIFLETT SET TO RELEASE NEW SOLO PROJECT

Chris Shiflett, guitarist for the legendary FooFighters, is currently on tour with Dwight Yoakum’s former guitarist, Brian Whelan, in support of Shiflett’s new album West Coast Town, which is set for release on April 14 on Side One Dummy Records.  Check out the official video for the title cut, and watch for our review of both his CD and live show, coming soon.

NEW NAME, SAME GREAT MUSIC

San Diego based indie band and multiple LA Music Critic Award winner Daddy Issues has changed its name to Kick the Princess.  The band has also parted ways with bassist Jules Whelpton.  Watch for additional news on this amazing band, led by Angela Alvarez.  We expect more great things from them.

See ya soon.  Have a great week.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

My Brothers and I wrap tour in Spokane, Washington

Back on February 1, we told you about an amazing alt-pop band out of Portland, Oregon named My Brothers and I who were heading out for their first headlining tour.  This past Saturday, March 26, that tour concluded with a show at The Big Dipper in Spokane, Washington.

The venue was amazing.  Long a Spokane icon, the Big Dipper has been renovated and turned into a state of the art music venue with incredible sound and an even more incredible sound man named Jeff.  He made the night that much more memorable with his mastery of the board.

Thanks to the band’s publicist, Alex Steininger of In Music we Trust PR, an interview with the band was set up before the show.  I arrived at the venue early and helped the band load in and get set up for sound check.  The interview was conducted throughout that process, and will be published at a later date.

While all that was going on, the opening band, The BGP, arrived for their sound check.  Imagine my surprise to learn that the band’s founder and lead singer, Brandon Ghorley, was friends with, and had performed with, several of my LA musical peeps, including Keaton Simons, Tony Lucca, Aijia and Andy Grammer, and Clara C.

By the time the doors opened, there was a line around the building of fans anxious for the show.  Both bands took the time to talk to the fans and welcome them to the show.

The BGP took the stage first.  Upon encouragement from Ghorley, everyone left their comfortable seats and made their way to the floor in front of the stage, where they stood mesmerized during the entire performance.

Featuring music from their latest EP, Fort Knox, as well as covers of “Bennie and the Jets” and “What a Fool Believes,” the BGP rocked the joint like a lesser-known version of Maroon 5.  Ghorley’s stage presence was breathtaking to behold, as he seamlessly interacted with the audience while also entertaining them with his keyboard and vocal abilities.  His bandmates, Phil Hopper on guitar and keys and Josh Demorow on drums truly complemented his sound while making memorable moments of their own.

These guys are the real deal.  If you have a chance to catch their live show, don’t miss it.  Check out their website, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

After a short break, My Brothers and I took the stage, while the audience joined them in front of the stage.  David, the youngest of the three Wurgler boys that make up 60% of the band, is the lead singer, while his older siblings Erik is on bass and Scott is on drums.  Childhood friends Jordan Roach on guitar and Johnny Iliyn on keys make up the rest of the band.

The band has begun to receive attention from their recently released CD Don’t Dream Alone, including a placement in last week’s Pretty Little Liars episode.  Over the course of an hour, the band brought to life every cut from that CD, as well as tease us with an upcoming song, “Tell Me,” which has its own interesting tale to tell.

David’s sultry vocals, coupled with the driving bass of Erik and the perfect beat of Scott made each song come alive.  Jordan’s guitar and John’s keys filled in the melody, creating the perfect blend of musical genius culminating in songs that had meaningful lyrics and a beat that made you want to stand up and dance.  Hearing the audience sing along was the icing on the cake of one of the best live performances I have ever experienced.

My Brothers and I are definitely for real.  I strongly recommend them, as well as the BGP, as bands to take notice of now before they skyrocket to the top of the charts.