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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2019: vol. 17

Spent Saturday driving – took me 13 hours to get from Missoula to North Las Vegas, where I crashed for the night courtesy of Airbnb.  Got up early on Sunday morning and drove straight to Irwindale for the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire and a day of checking out all the wonderful music and reconnecting with old friends.  It’s been six years since my last Faire, and a lot had changed.  Check out my article later this week for the rundown.

ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO

This weekend, May 2-4, is the annual convention for the amazing folks at ASCAP.  We will be representing the Blog at the event, and hope to have lots of great information to pass on.  If you are an ASCAP member, or thinking about joining, check out the link for registration information.

NEW SINGLES

First up this week is a song that will remind you of early No Doubt with a country/Americana twist.  Here is The OCN with their song, “Baby Blue,” and we simply love it.

Next up is an English alt-pop band called Peakes that we have featured previously on Indie Voice Blog.  We think that “Til we get Enough” is one of their best, and are very happy to share it with you.

Our next group combines the best of Sydney with Cologne and gives us a sound very similar to Maroon 5.  We are proud to bring you “Lovers” from KEØMA.

We switch things up a bit with our next single, which will compel you to get out on the dance floor.  The sound is electro-pop with a healthy dose of 90s new wave and comes to us from Amsterdam’s Sheila and the Kit.  Check out their dance track “Ruffhouse.”

We close out this week’s singles with a soulful and enticing R&B song from Annelise.  She tells us the story of her “Lonely Lover,” and we want to comfort her during her time of grief.  Let us know what you think of this amazing track.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video may have been released in early March, but we just discovered it.  It comes from an amazing vocalist who practices entertainment law by day and performs with her band, Riddle the Sphinx, by night, when she’s not being a mother to her three kids (including husband Sean).   Her name is Christiane Kinney, and the song is “Lullaby.”  This one will haunt you.

Back in 1992, Leonard Cohen released a masterpiece called “Democracy.”  Now indie artist Jake Clemons has released a stunning lyric video for his cover of this classic song.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

Video number three is an animated one that lovingly recreates the latest from multi-LA Music Critic Award winner Jerad Finck.  This one is for his latest single “Home,” and we think it is one of his most powerful songs yet.

Next up is an amazing indie rock tune that is all too timely.  The song talks about addition and rehab and is called “Recover // Relapse.” It comes to us from the band Falling Through April.  They just might become one of our favorites.

Our final video comes from She Made Me Do It, alt-rockers that we have featured before.  We love their latest, “Broken Morning,” and will be rocking out to this one for a while.  Enjoy it with our compliments.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 44

Happy December!  It was a good weekend for our favorite teams, as Miami knocked off their divisional rivals the Bills, and our Lady Griz won the annual Lady Griz Classic with a come-from-behind victory over UC Davis.  This is going to be a busy week with 10 albums to review, Ten Amazing Videos and Ten Great Singles for November and the announcement of the nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2018.  Let’s get started.

BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS SUPPORTS ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Once again Blue Élan Records is supporting the Alliance for Children’s Rights with the release of their annual Christmas collection.  This year’s offering includes last year’s LA Music Critic Award winning song, “Shine Down on Us,” as well as the latest from The Mustangs of the West, “Everybody Wants Peace on Earth.”  Please support this worthy cause by  streaming it on Spotify or purchase it online

REBELLE ROAD RECORDS TO RELEASE NEW ALICE WALLACE ALBUM

With the demise of California Country Records, a new player has stepped in to continue their legacy.  Rebelle Road Records will release the new Alice Wallace album, Into the Blue, in early January 2019.  Pre-sale has begun, and you can get a sneak peak of the title track, courtesy of The Bluegrass Situation.  This one is gonna be amazing.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is an amazing collaboration between Cheat Codes and Kim Petras.  We love the smooth sound of this truly radio friendly track, “Feeling of Falling,” and think you will love it too.  Enjoy this great start to your week.

Our second single is a special Christmas tune from the amazing Tiffany Young.  We love the smooth soul/R&B sound and think you will love “Peppermint” as much as we do.

Single number three proves disco is not dead, at least not in Amsterdam.  Here’s the latest from Sweetwood, the latest project from collective Voice Calling Radio.  Here’s “One of These Days.”

Next up is the second single from the forthcoming album by TNEO (The New Electronic Orchestra).  Here’s “Look Into the Light.”  We think this one will get you on your feet.  It has a great acoustic guitar, amazing vocals and a steady beat perfect for dancing.

Our final single today is one of the songs from A Blue Élan Christmas, written by multiple Grammy winning artist Jack Tempchin, and featuring Rusty Young of Poco and Jesse Dayton, two of his Blue Élan labelmates.  Check out “Jesus and Mohammed.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Keeping the Christmas spirit going is the video for the amazing tune, “Everybody Wants Peace on Earth” from the newly resurrected Mustangs of the West.  We think you will love the down-home feel of this video, written by lead singer Suzanna Spring.  Happy holidays!

Our next video is a beautiful collection of scenes from Nashville, along with an amazing instrumental cover of the traditional Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World.”  Let the beauty of this song warm your house during your holiday parties.  Thanks Eric Tingstad for this amazing rendition.

Here’s a rare treat, a video of the first live performance of the song “Breaking Down” by Hamish Anderson.  It was filmed at The Belly Up, an indie music venue located in Solana Beach, California.  It should give you a rocking start to this Monday.

Next is a fun video of a great dance tune “Kickdrum Heartbeat” by Van Bobbi.  This one combines elements of R&B, pop, funk and Afro-beat, and “checks all the boxes” for a great song.  Please let us know what you think.

Our final video this week is from Peakes, who we have previously featured in this column.  We love the majestic sound and breathtaking and visually stimulating presentation of their song “Still Life.”

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 36

Wow, what a wonderful weekend at the Durango Songwriters Expo.  We’ll have a complete breakdown for you later this week, but suffice it to say that it was life-changing.  Thanks again to Jim Attebery, Jack Hayford and the entire staff for delivering a truly inspiring program and to all the old and new songwriters and industry professionals we encountered.

BROADWAY WORLD AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Nominations are NOW OPEN for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards Worldwide!

Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018.  Our local editors have set the categories and now YOU get to nominate and vote for your favorites!  Nominations are reader-submitted and will be open through October 31.

After the nomination period ends, BroadwayWorld‘s local editors will proof the list for eligibility and errors, then voting will begin in early November and run through December 31.  Winners will be announced in January!

Check out the website for more info.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single comes from an old friend who has a new project.  We have always been a huge fan of Megan Burtt, and have reviewed her a few times.  She has a new band named Gingerbomb, and they have released their first single, “Wildfire.”  Check out those harmonies.

Our second single is from another amazing Blue Élan Records artist, Car Astor, formerly known as SEE.  Check out the amazing rhythms of “Girlfriend.”

Our third single comes from a band with the most original name we have discovered to date – Approachable Members of Your Local Community.  Check out their new single, “Only Friend,” featuring the vocals of Tamara Dream.

Our next single takes it up a few notches on the rocking scale, and we really love the sound of Laurina Sue‘s “Dark Side.”  Check it out and see if you’re ready to cross over.

Our final single comes from the UK with the premiere of Peakes‘ latest, “Still Life.”  We introduced you to them last year and we think this one will be perfect for your Monday.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Last week we reviewed the latest album from Saint Slumber, and today we want to share their new music video.  Check out “Stay Away.”

Vanessa Zamora is becoming one of our favorite Latin artists, and we are proud to feature her newest video, “Solegrande,” today.  This one should get your charged up for the new week.

We switch it up with our third video from the rock band, Superbean.  We love the energy of “Marisol,” and think you will too.

Last week we reviewed the new album from Everlast, and are happy to share the video for his video, “Don’t Complaint.”  Welcome back!

Our final video this week is from another artist who is becoming one of our favorites.  Last week we shared her cover of David Bowie’s “Lost in Love.”  This week she brings us the video for her song, “Strangest Dream.”  Check out Rachel Eckroth and let us know what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Reviews Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 25

Are you ready for another week to celebrate the awesomeness that is indie music?  The nominations for the first half of 2017 for the LA Music Critic Awards will be announced on Tuesday, and we can hardly wait to share them with you.  It’s been a super busy time for indie artists, and we combed through a lot of submissions, even writing reviews on every one of them.  Do a google search for “Get it or Forget it” and check out our reviews.

In the meantime, let’s check out some great tunes and music videos that have recently been released.  Have a great week!

NEW MUSIC

Here’s a couple of new artists we recently discovered courtesy of the A&R Department, and we really like their first singles:  Oddie Room Project‘s “Do You Know” and Tom Walters’ “Marlborough.” Check them out and let us know what you think.

Like many of you, we are also big fans of British bands, and we have recently discovered a new amazing band out of Leeds.  Give a listen to “Saint,” the first single by Peakes, and let us know what you think.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Groovetonics music is music that makes you move, and Ellee Ven is the mistress and creator of this genre.  Check out her latest video “Sun Up,” featuring rapper Prodéje.  This should help you get over the Monday blues.

Here’s another discovery that comes courtesy of multiple LA Music Critic award winners Lovers & Poets.  Birds and Arrows are friends of theirs who have recently moved to the west coast, and we are sure glad they did.  Get your Monday rocking with this groove.

Speaking of Lovers & Poets, we’ll close out this edition with the latest from lead singer Shannon Hurley, off her recently released album New Day.  Check out her video for “Number One” – if this one doesn’t put you in a good mood, nothing will.