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

Get it or forget it – Scottie Miller, StoryWrens, Libbie Schrader, Niteshifters

Hope you all survived the eclipse yesterday.  That was pretty majestic, wasn’t it?  It’s time to get back to sharing reviews of the latest from indie music land.  Our list today is quite eclectic, so grab a cup of coffee and let’s get going.

Artist Name:  Scottie Miller

Album Name:  Stay Above Water

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues/Rock/Funk

Track Listing:  1.  Burned all my Bridges; 2.  Keep This Good Thing Going; 3.  Stay Above Water; 4.  Falter; 5.  Same Page; 6.  It Better Groove; 7.  Guardian Angel; 8.  Circles; 9.  It’s What You Do; 10.  Rippin’ & Runnin’; 11.  Come Along; 12.  Goodbye

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  With his raspy voice and his tradition, down home blues licks, this album is perfect for fans of the dirty blues.  Even a casual listen to his latest album allows the listener to understand why he is a recent inductee into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame.  His songs are well crafted, with perfectly matched horns, piano, organ and guitar licks laying the foundation for his thoughtful lyrics.  This is the album listeners who love the storytelling of a great singer-songwriter, combined with the awesome licks of a true blues genius.  Although there is truly no weak song on the album, we especially like “Keep This Good Thing Going,” the title track, “Same Page,” “It Better Groove,” “Circles,” and “Rippin’ & Runnin’.”

Recommendation:  Stay Above Water is a must-have for all serious blues lovers.  We highly recommend you Get it.

Artist Name:  StoryWrens

Album Name:  The Sailor and the Mermaid

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Folk

Track Listing:  1.  The Sailor and the Mermaid; 2.  Saucy Sailor; 3.  John Riley; 4.  Bedlam Boys; 5.  Maid on the Shore; 6.  Three Lads from Rosendaal; 7.  Love’s Emblems; 8.  Yonder Comes a Courteous Knight; 9.  Though Philomela Lost her Love; 10.  Sir Eglamore; 11.  Health to the Company; 12.  The Streets of Derry

Publicist:  None

Review:  StoryWrens is the successor to Wren of Iniquity. the award-winning (2012 LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Album) folk group created by long-time Renaissance Faire musicians Mark and Shawna Sellin, and currently also featuring Vickie Bottelson and Sam Danielson.  Lead vocals are shared by Bottelson and M. Sellin, with amazing harmonies provided by the others, as well as several special guests, including former member Laura Gregory.  The melodies are lush and soothing, perfect for chilling with a large glass of ale or mead, and paint such vivid pictures that the listener can almost imagine being there.  Once again, the Wrens have crafted an impressive album that brings home the Renaissance era.  Every song on the album is beautiful, deserving of unlimited repeat listens, especially “Health to the Company.”  If you are lucky enough to live in Southern California, it would behoove you to catch their performances at the Southern California Renaissance Faire in Irwindale, the Nottingham Festival in Simi Valley, and wherever else you may find them.

Recommendation:  A definite necessity for your musical library.  Get it and enjoy life.

Artist Name:  Libbie Schrader

Album Name:  Red Thread

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Shudder and Split; 2.  Nobody can see the Seams; 3.  Fascination; 4.  The Softest Place; 5.  The Power and the Love; 6.  If you Want the Lovin’; 7.  Anthem

Publicist:  None

Review:  Singer-songwriter turned Biblical scholar Libbie Schrader is back with another outstanding effort.  This incredible seven-song EP once again shows why Schrader is among the most sought after singer-songwriters in the indie music community.  Her piano based compositions soar while her well-crafted lyrics give the listener much to think about as they enjoy the total package.  Schrader’s voice is the perfect vehicle to convey these songs, as it soars and lifts the spirits of everyone who listens.  Enjoy some of the finest songs ever written as you bask in the greatness that is Schrader.  We especially like “The Power and the Love,” and think it would do well on the radio.  We wish her well in her pursuit of her Ph.D.  We will still be here waiting for her return.  At least we have Red Thread to keep us company.

Recommendation:  This one is a definite no-brainer.  You simply MUST Get this EP now!

Artist Name:  Niteshifters

Album Name:  Huge Disco

Label:  Delimusic

Genre:  Disco

Track Listing:  1.  Any way you Want It; 2.  Move Those Dancing Feet; 3.  Show me What You’ve Got; 4.  Boogie Storm; 5.  Any way you Want it (instrumental); 6.  Show me What You’ve Got (instrumental); 7.  Say Yes; 8.  You are my Sky; 9.  Give me Five; 10.  She’s the Girl; 11.  Say Yes (instrumental); 12.  You are my Sky (instrumental); 13.  Huge Disco LP Sampler

Publicist:  Neon Tetra

Review:   Just when you thought disco was dead, the Niteshifters International Disco Consortium, with voices from Rio, Stockholm and London and players from France, Italy, Austria and the UK, resurrects it with a sound like the marriage of Tavares and Tower of Power.  Not only have they brought back the disco sound, they have reinvented it with a modern flair for today’s party crowd.  Most impressive is the voice of young 19-year old singer and rising star Khadija Jajue.  She makes disco music that isn’t just fun to dance to, but fun to listen to as well. Our favorite tunes are “Show me What You’ve Got,” “Boogie Storm,” “Say Yes,” “You are my Sky,” and “She’s the Girl.”

Recommendation:  For all you closet disco lovers, come out and Get this one.  It will make your weekend (and every other night) better.