Tag: Lydia Loveless

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

Get it or forget it – Curtis Peoples, Lydia Loveless, Standing Before Kings, The Oxford Coma

Time is quickly running out and there is still so much to do.  Spent all morning going through my emails and found a ton of review requests.  Unfortunately, they will have to wait until I return from tour with Jerad Finck.  We should have time for one or two more articles before then, so here we go with four more reviews.

Artist Name:  Curtis Peoples

Album Name:  Five-Nine

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  All Hands; 2.  Love on Fire; 3.  Last Night my Favorite Band Broke Up; 4.  Damage Control

Publicist:  None

Review:  Curtis Peoples has been a favorite of this reviewer since he first saw him perform at the Roxy on Sunset when he was signed to Maverick Records.  Peoples has been spending most of his time recently penning hit songs for others (including Pierce the Veil), and it is with much joy that we have received this latest offering, even if it is only four songs.  Lucky for us all four are amazing and ready for radio.  Peoples has a strong smoky baritone that lifts his carefully crafted lyrics to new heights.  His musical accompaniment is first rate and shows further signs of the growth of this artist.

Recommendation:  If you love great music, then you must Get this EP.  Hopefully we’ll have a full-length CD soon :).

Artist Name:  Lydia Loveless

Album Name:  Boy Crazy and Single(s)

Label:  Bloodshot Records

Genre:  Indie Rock/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  All I Know; 2.  All the Time; 3.  Lover’s Spat; 4.  Boy Crazy; 5.  The Water; 6.  Mile High; 7.  Blind; 8.  Come Over; 9.  Falling out of Love; 10.  I Would die 4 U; 11.  Alison

Publicist:  Bloodshot Records

Review:  Lydia Loveless has been making a name for herself, both as an individual artist and a collaborator on such project’s as Earwig’s award winning hit, “Wasted on You.”  Her latest project combines new songs with re-releases of previous material, and is a wonderful addition to this year’s indie offerings.  She has a country-tinged voice that reminds us of Martina McBride, mixed with a rock and roll flavor that is perfectly suited to her music.  From the first notes of “All I Know,” it become quickly obvious that we are in the presence of greatness, witnessing the rise of indie music’s next big star.  On top of her originals, she delivers a stunning cover of Prince’s hit, “I Would Die 4 U.”  While we love every track, we were especially drawn to “All I Know,” “Lover’s Spat,” the title track, “The Water,” and “Falling Out of Love.”

Recommendation:  This one is a requirement for all serious music lovers – Get. It. Now.

Artist Name:  Standing Before Kings (SBK)

Album Name: Standing Before Kings

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Euro Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Intro (Explosions); 2.  Explosions; 3.  In Your Eyes; 4.  Your World

Publicist:  None

Review:  Standing Before Kings, formerly known as SIKA, is an alternative rock band begun in Russia and perfected in North Hollywood, California.   They have a heavy but pure rock sound that resonates with the conviction of their faith-based lyrics, similar to the sound of Christian rock bands Skillet and P.O.D.  We can feel the anguish in their song “In Your Eyes” as well as the power in their other tracks.  We would definitely love to hear more from this band and look forward to the release of a full-length album.

Recommendation:  If you love rock, and positive lyrics, then definitely check them out.

Artist Name:  The Oxford Coma

Album Name:  Everything Out of Tune

Label:  Siggy Records

Genre:  Psychedelic Grunge

Track Listing:  1.  Trauma (Maybe I’m Forgetting Something); 2.  Inflatable Patriots (Touching People in their Sleep); Patterns of Though; 4.  Cartoons; 5.  Junkies & God; 6.  Everything is out of Tune My Only Victories are Other; 7.  Reciprocal Damage; 8.  Smack & Temporary Enlightenment; 9.  Good Job Boys

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  The Oxford Coma is frustrated with the current state of our country, and that frustration and angst comes through loud and clear on every dysfunctional track of their new album.  They wanted to create an album that would be the auditory soundtrack for a psychedelic hallucination, and they have achieved that goal.  They are also planning to release a feature film that will provide the visionary aspect of those hallucinations.  We think they definitely have the talent to pull off this multi-media project.

Recommendation:  If grunge and psychedelic music is your thing, then definitely check them out.  For the rest of us, just Forget it.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Get it or forget it: Ray & Remora, Riddle & the Stars, Earwig

Happy Monday – it was a very busy weekend between my full-time job, ushering at the Griz game (which we won), and auditions for A Christmas Story, the Musical at MCT.  But we’re back with another edition of Get it or Forget it, and we think you will love these artists as much as we do.  Grab your coffee and let’s dig in.

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Artist Name:  Ray & Remora

Album Name:  Startle it Up

Label:  Aeronaut Records

Genre:  Indie Pop, Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  The Happening; 2.  Hearts do Change; 3.  It’s Just; 4.  Startle it Up; 5.  Soft Brown Heart; 6.  Don’t Shoot me Down; 7.  Histories; 8.  Honey Beware; 9.  Creep Up; 10.  Skinned Knees; 11.  Baby Please 

Publicist:  Redeye Worldwide

Review:  It is a rare feat for a band to have a killer debut album, but Ray & Remora have achieved that difficult task.  Composed of Dan Crane (Ray) and Amanda Walker (Remora), along with new additions Jeff Liffmann and Damon Kellard, Ray & Remora have created a sound that is the perfect soundtrack for your day.   Remora’s vocals are the treat of this duo, spread across the delightful package of the band’s extreme musicianship.  This CD will have you doing the happy dance, as every song is wonderfully produced by Jon Joseph (BØrns) and mixed by Bryan Cook.  Best tracks include “The Happening,” the title track, “Don’t Shoot me Down,” “Histories,” and “Honey Beware.”

Recommendation:  By any means necessary, you must obtain this CD for your collection.  Indie Voice Blog is proud to give Ray & Remora’s debut album a very strong Get It rating.

rs3

Artist Name:  Riddle & the Stars

Album Name:  New Coastline

Label:  Songs & Whispers

Genre:  Alt-Country Rock Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Running Back to You; 2.  I may Never Know; 3.  Long way Down; 4.  Apples & Knives; 5.  New Coastline; 6.  Mexican Home; 7.  Valentines Day; 8.  Tracks; 9.  When we Ride; 10.  When the Weight is Gone 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Orange County, California based duo The Fallen Stars met Australian singer-songwriter Ben Riddle last year when they were both touring in Europe, and the result was the creation of a new and dynamic band which is currently touring Germany.  Their latest release New Coastline has been garnering critical praise, and this reviewer agrees with the hype – Riddle & The Stars is an amazing band.   Riddle’s smooth voice is the perfect addition to the rocking musicianship of Bobbo and Tracy Byrnes, and creates music that spans the genres of alt country, indie rock, country rock and Americana.   All three share the lead vocal duties, resulting in an album that never gets boring.  Best tracks include “Running Back to You,” “I May Never Know,” “Apples & Knives,” the title track, and “Valentine’s Day.”

Recommendation:   German label Songs & Whispers recognized the greatness of this band, and signed them to their label.  America needs to wake up to this international American-Australian treasure, and cherish their music as well.  We are proud to give this album a rating of “Get your ass out and get it now.”

earwig

Artist Name:  Earwig

Album Name:  Pause for the Jets

Label:  Anyway Records/LFM Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Wisdom Teeth; 2.  Lover’s Chords; 3.  I Don’t Want to Go; 4.  Bring Yrself 2 Me; 5.  Silverheels; 6.  Medusa Head; 7.  High Wasps; 8.  Holy Ghost Letter; 9.  Wasted on you (ft. Lydia Loveless); 10.  All my Sins are Blotted Out; 11.  Shine; 12.  Badr Moon 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  This latest album from Columbus, Ohio based indie rock band Earwig won’t be released until October 14, although you can get a sample of what’s in store with their latest music video for “Wasted on You.”  The band has joined with Americana darling Lydia Loveless (currently on tour with Drive By Truckers) to create a fun and exciting single that gives just a taste of the awesomeness contained in the full album.

Led by the amazing guitar and vocals of Lizard McGee, Earwig is one of the best indie rock bands you need to know and follow.  Add to that the incredible bass lines from Constantine Hondroulis and the percussive base of drummer Nick Nocera, and you have a sound that is truly worthy of major attention.  Best tracks include “Lover’s Chords,” “I Don’t Want to Go,” “Wasted on You,” “Shine” and “Badr Moon.”

Recommendation:  What starts out as a solid indie rock album morphs into something strangely different in the middle before returning to its indie rock roots at the end.  Despite this shortcoming, there is enough juicy material to make it worthwhile, and to earn Pause for the Jets a rating of Get it.

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Big Sky Documentary Film Festival another success

The 13th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (“BSDFF”) concluded on February 28 after a successful 10-day run at multiple venues in Missoula, including their flagship at the newly remodeled Wilma, the Crystal, the Roxy, the Top Hat and Shakespeare & Company.

Besides screening more than 100 films, this year’s BSDFF included two different five day series of lectures and workshops, including Schoolhouse Docs for kids, held at first-time venue the Roxy, and DocShop, which featured lectures and a pitch session for filmmakers to present their ideas for future projects.

The Festival included a live concert by Lydia Loveless, an up and coming alt-country performer and the subject of the documentary Who is Lydia Loveless?, also shown during the Festival, as well as numerous Q&A sessions with filmmakers, cast and crew following screenings of their respective films.

BSDFF relies heavily on the use of volunteers, who staff many of the events and provide numerous services during the Festival.  This writer was once again fortunate enough to be one of those volunteers, staffing the Wilma for three shifts as well as a shift at the DocShop session on Tuesday.

The Festival opened on February 19 with a screening of Mavis!, sponsored by HBO Now.  In addition, Sundance Now debuted their new Doc Club, a Netflix-like service for documentary film lovers.

One of the highlights of the Festival was the screening of the top 12 finalists in the Fusion Doc Challenge, which give filmmakers a subject, a genre, and five days to completely write, film and edit a short (4-7 minute) documentary.  One of the films, Don’t Call me Cute, caught the attention of this reviewer, as it was about sexism in the music business.  Watch for a follow-up article on this one.

Another featured film was the world premier of Tear the Roof Off:  The Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic.  This provocative film by Bobby J. Brown featured the back story of the creation of P-Funk, as well as allegations of former members regarding their treatment by George Clinton.  The Q&A afterwards featured Brown as well as original bassist Billy “Bass” Nelson, “Tear the Roof Off” co-songwriter Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey, and former Bride of Funkenstein member Satori Shakoor.  The Q&A was so successful that it delayed the next screening by 30 minutes.

courtesy of Bobby J. Brown
courtesy of Bobby J. Brown

If Only I was That Warrior was a documentary regarding the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, and the controversy over a monument to Fascist General Rodolfo Graziani, a war criminal during the reign of Mussolini.  The documentary was well done and the follow-up Q&A with director Valerio Ciriaci was very informative.

Hats off to Festival director Gita Saedi Kiely and her amazing staff who once again pulled off a phenomenal festival.  For more info, check out their website and Facebook pages.