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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 12)

Got my Pfizer #2 last Thursday, so I’m only 10 days away from being fully vaccinated.  So glad that I can soon be out mingling again and dispensing hugs to worthy friends and family.  While we all wait for things to return to normal, here are some new singles and music videos to start your week out triumphantly.

NEW SINGLES

First up is an artist we discovered a few years back when she performed at the Zootown Fringe Festival in Missoula, Montana.  Sharon Knight is a true minstrel who combines her witty lyrical content along with ancient Celtic tunes to create a relaxing atmosphere.  Check out her latest, “Fireflies.”

Spotify – Fireflies

Continuing in that Celtic frame of mind with a touch of Americana, here is “Sunken Ships” from UK-based The Jode Gannon Band.  We hear a taste of Mumford and Sons in their sound, and are definitely adding them to our international group of amazing indie artists.

Sunken Ships · The Jode Gannon Band (spotify.com)

We never get enough of the 80s, so we were thrilled to learn about a Swedish artist that goes by the moniker The 80s Kid.  His latest, “Roots,” is a fun  throwback to those days and we are proud to share him with you.

Roots · The 80s Kid (spotify.com)

Our fourth single brings back memories of great country music from the late 90s and early 00s,, and we can’t believe we have never heard these guys before.  We think you’ll love this timely tune from Rene Russell and the Bottom End.  Here’s “Unheard of,” and we think you should pay attention to the words of this tune.

Unheard Of · Rene Russell and The Bottom End (spotify.com)

Our final single this week continues in that country vein with a throwback to the Outlaw Country of artists like Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart.  Welcome to Tucker Wetmore and his debut single, “Kiss my A$$.”

Kiss My A$$ · Tucker Wetmore (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Last Friday marked the release of their debut self-titled album, but The Imaginaries are far from novices on the music scene.  They have previously released several amazing videos from the album, and their latest is another work of art, filmed entirely in their native state of Oklahoma.  Check out “Blue Sky.”

Our next video is based on the premise of what if that voice in your head was an actual person.  We love the creativeness of Michael Shynes‘ new video for “Still Take You.”  Check it out and listen carefully to the words.

Our third video is from an artist that is no stranger to this Blog, and the hits just keep coming.  We love this lady and this song in particular, as it brings back the gritty sass of some of her earlier work.  Check out Cindy Alexander‘s latest video for “Room at the Bottom.”

Our fourth video comes from a German band we introduced to you earlier this year.  The Flavians are back with an interesting visual concept that we love for their song “Blinded by the Scenery.”  This one is worthy  of repeated viewings.

We close out this week with this stunning video from Anna of the North, who we haven’t heard from since 2019.  We are overjoyed to have her back in our blog, and we think this song deserves some serious attention.  Check out “Here’s to Another.”

 

Categories
indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 1)

It’s a new year – welcome 2021.  Here’s hoping that we will see a return to live music and much success for indie artists worldwide.

Speaking of live music, we just learned of the passing of long-time indie music supporter Lina La Rosa to ALS.  We are dedicating this week’s column to her memory.  RIP, Lina.

After waking up to a blanket of white on New Year’s Day, we wanted to kick off the new year right with some great new singles and music videos.  Here’s what we found this week:

NEW SINGLES

Our first single is from an artist whom we’ve known since the 90’s.  She is a survivor of COVID, and probably our favorite redhead on the planet.  We’re talking about none other than Nina Storey, and her first song of 2021 will definitely get you on the dance floor.  Check out her latest groove and get ready to “Fly.”

Fly · Nina Storey (spotify.com)

Next up is a beautiful holiday song from another friend from our time living in San Diego.  She has since moved to Nashville where she has become a popular host of a music show, an actress and a force of nature.  Check out “Somethin’ ‘Bout the Snow” from the original lady of blue, Alyssa Jacey.

Somethin’ Bout the Snow · Alyssa Jacey (spotify.com)

Our third song pretty much sums up the feelings of quite a few people concerning 2020.  Meiko is another long-time friend who says what many of us feel, “This Year can Kiss my Ass.”

This Year Can Kiss My Ass · Meiko (spotify.com)

Gabe Dixon is a past winner of the LA Music Critic Awards, and has become the natural follow-up to such amazing “piano men” as Billy Joel, Elton John and Phil Vassar.  We simply love his holiday song and echo its sentiments, so let’s bring in the “New Year Just With You.”

Spotify – New Year Just with You

We close out this week’s singles with the latest from the multi-talented actress, songwriter, crafter and co-creator of the “Don’t Call us Tori” showcase and podcast, LA’s own Shannon Hurley.  In answer to her question, “Am I in This Love Alone,” we respond with a resounding, “Hell No!”

Am I in This Love Alone · Shannon Hurley (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We kick things off with a video from the amazing duo Dauzat St. Marie.  We think this powerful ballad sets the perfect message for 2021 – “In it Together.”

ROCKET is another group with powerful female vocals.  They have just released a lyric video for their empowering song, “Giants,” and we think you should take their lyrics to heart.

Our third video is from a new artist we have recently discovered courtesy of Tarsier Records.  Enjoy this beautiful and soulful visual for “Best Wishes” by Markus.

Christmas may be over, but the spirit of the season lives on in this stirring video cover of one of our all-time favorite classics, “What Child is This.”  Check out Dan Hegarty and metal maven VK Lynne in this stunning visual shot by Sean McHugh.

We close out the first week of the year with this remarkable lyric video that brings back so many memories.  Lend your ear to the amazing songwriting of Michael Shynes and meet us at “Sundown.”

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Michael Shynes is having one of those kind of days

Michael Shynes is a gifted singer/songwriter who is only recently beginning to come into his own.  He lost his Father to an auto immune disease at the age of 25.  To honor his Dad’s legacy, he decided to chase those dreams he had put off for so long.   At that time he was working at a residential treatment center for teens and playing the occasional show on the weekend.

Shynes eplained, “It was important work, and shaped who I am today in a lot of ways.  But after three years, I just got tired of getting beat up, spit on, and called everything you can imagine.  I loved those kids though, and wouldn’t trade my time there for anything.”

Shynes moved back home to keep costs down while trying to become a full time musician.  “It worked out well because I didn’t want to think of my Mom being alone in the house after my Dad’s passing.  But by the same token, it felt like a lateral move being back in my childhood home.  I had many an existential crisis during that time.”

Shynes began playing every show that he possibly could, and as time went on, he was able to pay all his bills (and student loans) with an acoustic guitar.  “Paying rent every month by writing and performing songs was pretty surreal, and the harder I worked, the better the gigs got.”

Shynes was often considered to be a strong local candidate to open up for national acts as they came through town, and even ended up on a tour with platinum recording artist Howie Day.  “That really taught me a lot because I was playing for theaters full of people who were not there to see me.  But I was telling the stories and playing my songs, and everyone was listening.  That was a landmark experience.”

Since that time, Shynes has worked to become one of the most sought after acoustic performers and songwriters in the Midwest. He has an ability to blend shades of multiple genres over an acoustic landscape, and his songs are ripe with lyrical depth rarely paired with mainstream appeal.  “The thing that seems to separate Shynes is unquestionably his voice and phrasing.  With a range and falsetto that is nothing short of captivating, his acoustic finger picking style acts as the perfect bed of warmth on which his soulful lyrics can rest.” (Up Next, a local Minnesota publication)

Shynes has recently completed a new album that will be released on November 18, 2017.   In the meantime, he is already getting favorable press, including The Huffington Post, as to his first single and the title track, “Cold Day in Hell,” which was released on October 13.

This song is the perfect track for sharing his talents.  It combines comedic lyrics with a truly relatable story that most of us have endured at some point in our life.  He has followed up the single release with a hilarious lyric video that further drives home his story.

We love the new single and the lyric video.  We also encourage you to check out the live videos he has recently posted on his YouTube page.