Tag: Rachel Sage

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2018 Women in Entertainment

Forty best albums of 2018

What a year for indie music.  We received a boatload of review requests from around the world, and published reviews of nearly 1,000 CDs and EPs.  We culled through those we reviewed first to pick our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards, and now to compile our list of the 40 Best CDs of 2018.

Due to the sheer volume, we only considered full-length projects for this list, but that doesn’t mean that quite a few of the EPs we reviewed weren’t also worthy of distinction.  We may yet put together another list of just EPs.

In the meantime, while we wait for the winners of the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards to be announced tomorrow, here are our favorite CDs of 2018.  You can find their individual reviews by searching for them on our blog.

40.  Kate Reid – The Heart Already Knows

39.  Deb Ryder – Enjoy the Ride

38.  Jeffrey Foucault – War on the Radio

37.  Katie Herzig – Moment of Bliss

36.  Eric Tingstad – Electric Spirit

35.  Fanny Walked the Earth – self-titled

34.  Wily Bo Walker – Almost Transparent Blues

33.  Buddy Guy – The Blues is Alive and Well

32.  Walt Weiskopf – European Quartet

31.  Mindi Abair & the Boneshakers – All I Got for Christmas is the Blues

30.  YYNOT – self-titled

29.  Peter V Blues Band – Shaken but not Deterred

28.  Delta Moon – Babylon is Falling

27.  The Textones – Old Stone Gang

26.  Ronny Morris – Sweet Silence

25.  Sydney Wright – Seiche

24.  Gleeson – The Years Have It

23.  Colin Devlin – High Point

22.  Everlast – Don’t Complain

21.  Zsuzsika – Start Again

20.  Michael Peterson – From Here to Eternity

19.  K. Michelle Dubois – Autumn

18.    Broken Bellows – I, Kaleidoscope

17.  Rachel Sage – Myopia

16.  Janiva Magness – Love is an Army

15.  John Flanagan Trio – Honest Man

14.  Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm – Shoot me Down

13.  Floods – Bad Times

12.  Frank Hannon (From One Place . . . to Another, vols 1 and 2)

11.  Keith Harkin – In the Round

10.  Southern Halo – Just Like in the Movies

9.  Cindy Alexander – Nowhere to Hide

8.  Kari Kimmel – Gold & Glitter

7.  Hymn for Her – Pop-n-Downers

6.  Jordan Siwek – Sun Inside You

5.  Slim Gambill – Fake Jazz

4.  Gina Sicilia – Heard the Lie

3.  Birds and Arrows – Arbitrary Magic

2.  Brigitte Rios Purdy – Still I Rise

and the Best Album of 2018 goes to

Norway Reloaded – My Longest Mile

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 29

Happy Pearl Jam day!  Will be working the concert at the University of Montana Washington Grizzly Stadium all day, so should be interesting.  We have news today, along with five new singles and music videos, so let’s get going.

FLATHEAD LAKE BLUES FESTIVAL RETURNS TO POLSON

Last year we attended the Flathead Lake Blues Festival and presented the LA Music Critic Award for Best Blues Band to Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method.  This year we’re unable to attend, but didn’t want you to miss out on all the fun.

Here are the details:  The campground next to the venue at the Regatta Shoreline Amphitheater opens Wednesday night, August 15, and is FREE for the entire weekend.   The venue gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 17, and the music begins at 6 p.m.  The venue gates reopen for Saturday’s performance at 2 p.m. with music beginning at 4 p.m.  The host for the weekend is Steve Pickel from Anderson Radio Broadcasting.   Friday’s show is the Montana Musician Review, featuring one of last year’s performers, Jameson and the Sordid Seed, as well as John Kelly and the Atomic Blues Band, Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats, Big Daddy and the Blue Notes, with the Flathead All Star Band, and the CD Woodbury Trio.  The night ends with a Grand Jam involving all of the day’s artists.  Saturday is the Pacific Northwest All Stars and will feature 19 of the finest blues musicians from five states, including seven competitors of the International Blues Challenge.

RACHEL SAGE WANTS YOU FOR HER NEXT MUSIC VIDEO

Last week we were privileged to review the latest album from indie artist Rachel Sage.  Here’s her personal request to be a part of the music video for her new single, “Spark.”

I’m so excited to share my upcoming project with you, & I’d be honored to have as many of you involved as possible. I want YOU to be in my next music video for my song “Spark”!

“Spark” is about passion in all its many forms — love, creativity, friendship etc. so I’d be thrilled to include footage of you doing something you’re passionate about or even a video of you with the people you love! Example ideas could include: dancing, singing, rollerskating, painting, taking a walk by beautiful scenery, or just jamming out. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Grab your phone (PLEASE SHOOT HORIZONTALLY), DSLR camera, or GoPro
  • Shoot a 30-60 second clip
  • Submit your clip using THIS FORM

You can stream (or if you’d rather, download) the track, & read the lyrics below to get inspired.

ALL ENTRIES will receive a special prize package for participating, and those whose videos are selected will be credited at the end of the video & featured on my socials (so be sure to include your social links when submitting).

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

Clip Length: 30-60 seconds
Max File Size: 300 MB
File Format: .mov, .avi, or .mp4
please shoot in HD if possible

DEADLINE: 11:59 PM EDT AUGUST 27, 2018

So go ahead and show me your “Spark”! I hope you will join me for this project, & I can’t wait to see what y’all come up with xoxo!!

Ready to send us your footage?
Fill out this release form to give us your info & upload your file.
We prefer to receive your file via Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box.

Questions? Problems uploading? Contact us!

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week, “Where You Are,” is a sweet upbeat song from Christine Parker, which should get your new week off to a great start.  We simply love her sweet voice and the sentiments of the song.  Enjoy!

Next up is an artist who has graced our blog on numerous occasions.  Here is the latest single from Kanisha K, who reminds us that “Talk is Cheap.”  We love the banjo and the country pop feel of this song.

Our third single comes from Texas-born and current Los Angeles based artist Kim Kline.  We are so glad to see her back in action, and truly dig her song, “Stand Tall.”  We think she’ll make a believer of you as well.

Our fourth single this week is from County Line Runner, and we think you’ll love it if you’re a Tom Petty fan.  Check out “Hard to Find,” and let us know what  you think.

Our final single this week has a retro sound that we like.  Here’s “Daddy’s Girl (PR)” from Catey Shaw.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video this week is from an artist we introduced last week.  We think Honey River has all the makings of a major star, and their debut single, “Peace, Love,” could be the breakout they are looking for.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Next up is PSA from No Small Children, who let us know about the problems in our schools with their song, “I’m So Concerned.”  Each of the members of the band is a school teacher, and this song is very personal to them.  We love the message and support the band in their efforts to improve our educational system.

Last week we reviewed their album, and now we get to share their first music video for “Tools of War.”  Here is Fellow Robot, with a warning of their own.

Our fourth video this week comes from Night on the first anniversary of the disaster in Charlottesville.  It is a powerful protest song, and so timely.  Please let us know what you think.

Our final video this week is from Project BWQ.  It is a stirring video for their single “Phosphene,” and we think it will help set the tone for your week.  Enjoy and we’ll see you soon with another edition of Get it or Forget it.

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

Get it or forget it – Rachael Sage, Reloaded Norway, Jamie Shew, Tammie Shannon, Shaunt Avakian

It’s Wednesday again, and our first day off since last Tuesday.  We are also excited because Stacy Jones, the LA Music Critic Award nominee for Best Blues Artist last year, is playing a show in our very own Caras Park today.  To celebrate, we have five more amazing artists for you to check out.  Let’s get going.

Artist Name:  Rachael Sage

Album Name:  Myopia

Label:  MPress Records

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Alive; 2.  Spark; 3.  No One is to Blame; 4.  Olivia; 5.  Myopia; 6.  Sympathy Seed; 7.  Daylight; 8.  Maybe She’ll Have Cats; 9.  Haunted by Objects; 10.  This Darkness; 11.  Umru Mayne; 12.  Snowed In; 13.  Tomorrow; 14.  Sistersong 2018

Publicist:  MPress Records

Review:  Rachel Sage has been a force in the indie music community for the past 20 years, creating her own record label and taking her music to the masses.  She recently completed a tour with 80s icon Howard Jones, whose song “No One is to Blame” she covers on this album, giving it her signature warmth and style.  We have followed her music for many years, and believe that Myopia contains the best music she has ever released.  From the opening notes of “Alive,” she sets the tone for the album, which is the true empowerment of women.  Although primarily known as a keyboardist, she relies more on guitar based melodies this time around, and proves she is just as adept at that instrument as she is her keys.  These songs are light and airy (for the most part) and perfect for summer, and deserve heavy rotation on radio and further placement opportunities in television and film.  We love the entire album, but our favorites are “Alive,” “Spark,” “Olivia,” “Myopia,” “Daylight,” the totally different “Haunted by Objects” and “This Darkness,” the rocking “Umru Mayne,” and the incredible “Tomorrow,” which gives us promise that this amazing artist will be back with more great music in the future. She closes the album with a new version of her 20 year old feminist anthem “Sistersong.”  Now that’s talent and endurance!

Recommendation:  You simply MUST Get this one!

Artist Name:  Reloaded Norway

Album Name:  My Longest Mile

Label:  Bluestown Records

Genre:  Blues/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Bigger Balls; 2.  Saturday Night Diva; 3.  My Longest Mile; 4.  Devil’s Kiss; 5.  Up Yours; 6.  Majority’s Mask; 7.  Listen Now; 8.  Definitely Maybe Baby; 9.  Born Without Rhythm; 10.  I Pray for You

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review:  Just one listen to this band and you will be hooked.  Norway has given us a rocking blues sound which features the amazing vocals and songwriting of Heidi Kvalholm Blåsmo, with Øyvind Vassli Hansen on guitar, Tony Caddle on bass, Jarle Børresen on keys/Hammond and Lars Ove Fjelldahl on drums/percussion.  Their blues vibe is universal, and should propel them onto the worldwide stage, as their music is desperately needed here in America.  This is a band you would love to spend the night listening to, as their rocking blues sound envelopes you and gets you in the mood for just about anything.  The vocals are second to none and reminiscent of the powerful chops of artists like Beth Hart and Tina Turner.  You can’t go wrong with this one, as every song is powerful and worthy of multiple listens.

Recommendation:  Go out today and Get this one!

Artist Name:  Jamie Shew

Album Name:  Eyes Wide Open

Label:  Blujazz

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  Get out of my Head; 2.  Easy to Love; 3.  The Flat Foot Floogie; 4.  The Answers are You; 5.  Detour Ahead; 6.  Thou Swell; 7.  Mountain Greenery; 8.  Easy Living; 9.  You Don’t Know What Love Is; 10. First Song (for Ruth); 11.  O Cantador; 12.  Reflections; 13.  Eyes Wide Open

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  There is nothing like being at a live jazz show because the musicians are famous for ad libbing their songs with incredible instrumentals.  Eyes Wide Open captures that experience with an amazing collection of songs that every true jazz lover craves.  Interestingly, the songs are not just well written and perfectly performed, but also tell the story of Jamie Shew’s 20 year relationship with her late husband.  She finds the joy in those memories, and translates them into what could very well become jazz standards for a future generation.

Recommendation:  If you love traditional jazz, complete with amazing vocals and incredible musicianship, then you simply must add this one to your collection.

Artist Name:  Tammie Shannon

Album Name:  All of Me

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues/Pop/R&B

Track Listing:  1.  I Got Rhythm; 2.  Bulletproof; 3.  Breakable; 4.  Collide; 5.  Bitch; 6.  Cumin with You; 7.  No More Tears; 8.  I’m on That; 9.  Father Time; 10. Made up Mind; 11.  Fool for You; 12.  I Believe; 13.  Whatever you Want; 14.  Won’t let me Down

Publicist:  EMPKT PR

Review:  Damn!  Tammie Shannon delivers a stellar debut album that should establish her as the Gretchen Wilson of the blues world.  These songs are powerful, especially “Bulletproof,” which talks about surviving abuse.  Shannon bares her soul on this album, leaving nothing hidden, and released the album on Mother’s Day in remembrance of her late mother.  “I Got Rhythm” is a true blues rocker, while “Breakable” is a pop ballad that will bring tears to your eyes.  “Collide” is a jazzy blues tune that will have your toes tapping in no time at all.  We really love the beautiful gospel songs “Father Time” and “I Believe,”  which will uplift your spirit and give you hope.  She adds a little R&B to her blues vibe on “Made up Mind” before returning to a rocking sound on “Fool for You.”  The final two songs will make you want to start the whole album over again.

Recommendation:  This one is a keeper, and Shannon will soon be a household name.  Get it before everyone knows about her.

Artist Name:  Shaunt Avakian

Album Name:  Intensity

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-Songwriter Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Are you Here?; 2.  Hard to Focus; 3.  One in a Million; 4.  Love to Love You; 5.  The Runaway; 6.  Rats in the Attic

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  The album is aptly named, as this collection of six songs are jam-packed with intensity.  Shaunt Avakian is a gifted young singer-songwriter that has a lot to say, and a powerful way to share them.  He hits the ground running with “Are you Here?” and doesn’t let up.  His debut album shows his punk and UK rock influences, and establishes him as a force to be reckoned with.  Best tracks include the rockers “Are you Here?” and “One in a Million” and the softer “Love to Love You” and “The Runaway,” although every track is solid.

Recommendation:  This young man is definitely going places.  Be among the first to discover his immense talent, and take his amazing EP home today!

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Theatre Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 3

Happy Monday.  So good of you to join us again, just a few hours before the winners of the LA Music Critic Awards are announced.

There’s been a lot happening to indie artists lately.  Among the latest is Jerad Finck continuing to move up on the Billboard Top 40 charts with the stripped down acoustic version of his mega-hit “Criminal.”  Congrats to Finck and to his promotional team at Ue3 Promotions.  Keep up the great work.

KELLY McGRATH DEBUTS NEW VIDEO ON CMT

Back in October we told you about the new video by indie country star Kelly McGrath of her song “You and Me Today.”  Well, it finally premiered on CMT on January 10, and the fan response was intense.  In fact, it became the #1 video on their 12-pack Countdown of the week’s hottest videos.  The video airs every day at 10:38 am, 5:37 pm and 10:37 pm (all times ET).  If you like it, you can vote for it multiple times by clicking on this link.   Simply put a mark in the box by Kelly’s name, click on vote, refresh your page and do it again to your heart’s content.  Congrats Kelly!

NEW VIDEO RELEASES

Speaking of video releases, check out these new ones by indie artists:


We love this new video, especially the incredible violin work by Annette Homann.  Thanks to Rachel Sage for this great way to kick off 2017.

Although this was technically uploaded in December, we just discovered it and think you will be amazed at the amazing lyrics and the simple arrangement of this beautiful tribute to a fallen friend.  Thanks Elyse Haren for sharing from your heart and for the work you do with the West Coast Songwriters showcase in LA.

THEATRE IN MISSOULA

It’s a great week for theatre in Missoula, MT, with the opening of two new shows this week.  MCT will open their production of Urinetown:  The Musical on Thursday, January 19 (which we will review on January 20), while the Montana Rep will debut their 2017 touring show of the classic Neil Simon comedy Barefoot in the Park on January 20 (and we’ll review it on January 21).  Watch for these reviews next week on Indie Voice Blog.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

The list of winners will be published at 6 a.m. MST TOMORROW.  Don’t miss it!

See you all next week.