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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 16)

Welcome to our final Monday Mashup from Oklahoma because . . . (drumroll please!) . . . we’re moving to North Carolina!  My wife and I have purchased a beautiful home built in 1900 in the sleepy little town of Scotland Neck, North Carolina and are in the process of moving there.  We hope to be back up and running by the first of June.  In the meantime, enjoy these great new singles and music videos.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the latest from a group we discovered at a show in Spokane a few years ago.  Hailing from Portland, the BGP are fun pop that is uplifting and will definitely put a smile on your face.  Check out “20 Ways.”

20 Ways · The Bgp (spotify.com)

The pandemic has brought out some of t he best from indie artists and this next single is living proof.  Check out this collaboration from Lucy Schwartz, MILCK and KPH & the Canary Collective.  They want us to know that despite the restrictions placed on us because of COVID, we are “Not Alone.”

Not Alone (Tiny Paper Clips) [feat. MILCK, KPH & The Canary Collective] · Lucy Schwartz, MILCK, KPH & The Canary Collective (spotify.com)

Our third single is from the effervescent Sonia Rao, who has not graced our pages in far too long  We have always loved her music, and this song was recently selected by the City of Los Angeles as one of the best.  We wholeheartedly agree.  Check out “Louder.”

Louder · Sonia Rao (spotify.com)

Powerful women have always had a place in country music, and a new voice has appeared on the horizon.  We are proud to present the debut single from Allison Cipris, and we could not agree more – “She’s a Queen.”

She’s a Queen · Allison Cipris (spotify.com)

We close out our new singles with this hyper-pop offering from Binny which is perfect for your work-out soundtrack.  Please send us “Feedback” on this great new tune.

Feedback · BINNY (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Cindy Alexander is back with another stellar video for the never ending amazing collection of songs on her latest, While the Angels Sigh.  We are humbled that this truly gifted talent continues to provide some of the best music and videos in the indie world today.  Here’s “Walking Constellation.”

Another Blue Élan Records artist is also back with a new video and it is beautiful in its simplicity.  We love the toy piano and the sentiments expressed by Chelsea Williams with her song “High Speed Chase.”

Switching gears to the high energy rock of the band ROCKET, we are proud to present their latest offering.  Filmed during a sold-out show at LA’s El Rey theater, this band shows not signs of “Fading Out.”

Our fourth video comes from one of LA’s resident guitar bad asses, none other than Ali Handal.  Her latest visual and sonic treat is a lyric video for her song, “Pour me Another.”  All we can say is “Yes, please.”

We close out our videos with another lyric video, his time from our Nashville friends, Crimson Calamity.  Let their vocal harmonies roll over you as they bring us this ode to “My Best Friends.”

 

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indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 5)

Welcome to a new month and the first Monday Mashup of February!  Indie artists are continuing to be creative during these difficult times, and we think we have another great set of singles and music videos to start your week.  Check these out.

NEW SINGLES

Leave it to the iconic BINX to kick off things right for our new President with her stirring and upbeat new single, “Mr. President.”  This one will definitely get you on the dance floor.  Thanks Binx!

Mr. President · BINX (spotify.com)

Next we turn up the volume with one of LA’s premier new rock bands, Rocket, who reminds us that “Fading Out” is not an option.  Turn this one up and rock out!

Fading Out · ROCKET (spotify.com)

Our third track comes to us from Scandinavia with the psych-pop sound of Hilma Nikolaisen.  She reminds us that we need to be “All In” if we want to see change in our world.  We like her thinking.

All In (into the outset) · Hilma Nikolaisen (spotify.com)

Next up is the folky pop stylings of Emma Webb.  We love her quirky sweet and upbeat sound and think that her new single, “90’s Playlist,” is perfect for NPR and repeated listens.

90s Playlist · Emma Webb (spotify.com)

We close out this week’s new singles with this amazing Latin duet from Sammi Rae & Los Vegas.  This is one of the best songs we have heard in quite a while and we think it will make your body move onto the dance floor.  Turn this one up and celebrate with some “Champagne.”

Champagne – Sammi Rae & Los Vegas by Sammi Rae (soundcloud.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Kicking off the music videos this week is long-time LA/Nashville indie rock band Gooding with the release of the lyric video for their single, “California Gold.”  This one has a true retro feel that will bring back the best memories of classic rock with the promise of the future.  We simply love it.

For the second week in a row we have a new video from Nova Miller.  She’s quickly becoming a favorite here and we think her latest has perfect “Timing.”  She deserves serious radio airplay for this one.

I’ve always loved watching a solo artist using looping technology to make me think that an entire choir is on stage.  In her latest video, Blue Élan artist Chelsea Williams shows us the process in this beautiful performance video of her song, “Dust.”  Enjoy this one with your favorite adult beverage and chill.

Our fourth video is one of the most creative lyric videos we have every seen, using an iPhone screen to project the words to “together, alone” before turning into a streaming concert video.  Kudos to Elizabeth and the Catapult for their innovative approach.

We close out this week with a patriotic video with a serious message from former Special Forces veteran and Nashville artist, Brandon Mills.  Check out “Don’t Mistake” and give ear to his advice:  “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.”

 

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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 indie music Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 16)

We hope you enjoyed our review of The Imaginaries‘ live concert and are ready for some more great new singles and videos.  Here are this week’s selections.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the latest from one of our absolute favorite indie musicians, Nina Storey.  She’s been busy during the pandemic and recently released her third single.  Once again, her heavenly voice and brilliant songwriting have delivered an instant masterpiece.  Check out “The Bones.”

Continuing the theme of arising out of the ashes of this pandemic is the latest from Michael McFarland, an upbeat inspirational pop tune called “The New Contagion.”  We love the energy and the hopeful lyrics.  Let us know what you think.

As we recently celebrated World Mental Health Day, our next song is truly relevant.  Toronto artist X. Ari presents her latest single, “Lifting Up,” from her new EP which is all about mental health issues.  Listen to the words as the energizing beat gets your spirit up.

Our fourth single comes from the smooth blues/jazz/rock sound of Goldflēce, who is planning to “Tie One On.”  This one is perfect for chilling down after a long day of work.  David Goldflies is one half of The Allman Goldflies Band, and we cannot get enough of this solo effort.

We close out our singles this week with the latest sweet treat from LA’s iconic BINX.  This time around, she tells us “I’m in Love With a Rapper,” and is joined by Mata Atoms.  We are in love with her and her amazing body of work.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up this week is the latest from the reigning queen of the LGBTQ musical movement in Los Angeles, the incomparable Abby Posner.  Check out the debut of Frupert, the amazing bass-playing character in Posner’s video “Where I Wanna Be.”

This next video was released a couple of months ago, but we felt it was perfect for today.  We love the sweet harmonies of sister act Southern Halo, and we stand by the sentiments expressed in this lyric video for their masterpiece, “Don’t Let Another Day Go By.”

Our third video is a rocking lyric video from LA’s infamous rocksters Rocket.  They’re “Losing Breath” over the state of our nation, and encourage you to vote.

Next up is an Americana tune that is sure to propel LA’s sweet Kris Angelis into the national limelight.  It is a timely song called “Ghost (I’m Alive and Breathing),” and makes us giddy with the possibilities.  Angelis has paid her dues and her music is ripe for worldwide acceptance.  We truly dig this tune.

We close out this week with a sweet song about that annual event in the life of each person, their “Birthday.”  We can never get enough of the music of Kensington Moore, and we can relate to the sentiments of this song.  Until the next one, “raise a glass.”

 

Categories
indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 12)

Welcome to another week.  Had a medical procedure this morning, but ready to share these great new singles and music videos with you.  Hope you enjoy them.  Please let us know.

NEW SINGLES

First up this week is the modern rock sound of Janelle Baretto and her band ROCKET.  This one is a timely song about the present situation and is damn good.  Listen to the lyrics and rock on to “Losing Breath.”

We move from rock to country for our second single, which is being released to radio shortly.  We fell in love with Casey Ahern the first time we saw her perform at The Mint, and she’s only gotten better.  Check out “Didn’t Even get a Goodbye.”  We think this one should launch her into the stratosphere.

Moving on to Americana, we present Oklahoma duo The Imaginaries.  They have some great stuff coming on Friday, but in the meantime, here’s their latest single, “Revival.”

Our fourth single has a distinctive 80s vibe to this brilliant offering from London’s Sleepwoka.  Check out the Depeche Mode dream quality of “How I was Wrong.”

Our final single this week is reminiscent of Meghan Trainor and introduces us to the amazing sound of Aubrey Toone.  Where has this lady been hiding?  We simply love her and can’t believe she’s been around LA and we never heard her before.  Enjoy her latest single, “Outrun.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is the welcome return of Dauzat St. Marie with an amazing song that has been picked up for the 75th edition of NOW That’s Music.  We think you will love their interpretation of their new single, “Common Ground.”  We definitely do!

Last week we shared the new single from Cara Frew, “Waiting for Love.”  This week we get to share the music video, which is super hot.  Enjoy this South African princess and don’t make her wait any longer.

Our friends Single by Sunday are back with another amazing tune that deserves serious airplay.  Check out the video for “Secret.”

We have always loved the music of Paul Edelman and Jangling Sparrows, and their latest, “Joshua Chamberlain,” is no different.  This one will rock your Americana, and we couldn’t be more proud of it.  We think you’ll love it too.

We close out this week’s music videos with an artist that brings back the joy and danceability of disco with her latest song “Beat of Life.”  We can’t believe we missed this artist before, but really love her sound.  Check out Aline Mayne.

 

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

Get it or forget it – The Skullers, ROCKET, An American Forrest, LadyChild, Super Hi-Fi

Happy Friday!  We’ve been working hard reviewing this year’s releases, and will be caught up as of this edition of Get it or Forget It.  That’s 140 albums/EPs we have reviewed so far this year, including this edition.  Next week we will bring you our Monday Mashup, a deluxe set of new singles and music videos and hopefully a live performance review, in addition to next Friday’s Get it or Forget it reviews.  With that in mind, here are another five artists to check out.

Artist NameThe Skullers

Album NameMeet the Skullers

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Meet me in Memphis; 2.  Pressure Face; 3.  Eyes Open; 4.  Peace With You; 5.  One Foot in the Grave

Publicist:  Moot Management

Review:  A few years back, we reviewed Jack Skuller, the frontman and guitarist for The Skullers.  At the time Skuller was only 18.  Now, four years later, he has created a band that is taking New Jersey and the east coast by storm.  This debut five-song EP is a treasure, and exhibits so much potential for this band.  All five of these songs are great, with just the right amount of attitude, guitar, drums, and the amazing rock and roll voice of Skuller.  We wonder what the next four years will bring.  We can’t wait to see what’s next for the Skullers.  It is an honor to meet them.

Recommendation:  Don’t waste time – Get this one today.

Artist NameROCKET

Album NameGet Huge

Label:  Exploited Music

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Giants; 2.  Hey Baby; 3.  Fading Out; 4.  Remain; 5.  Fever

Publicist:  Powder Finger Promotions

Review:  Lead singer Janelle Barreto has been a staple of the LA rock scene for many years, fronting such bands as Exploiting Eve and serving on the other side of the industry with Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group before joining ROCKET.  The band has received much critical acclaim, including multiple LA Music Critic Awards and made the semi-final round for the WARPED Tour Battle of the Bands.  This EP is just the first fruits of the simply amazing music that pours from the stage whenever they perform.  The band is planning a huge EP release party at the world-famous Viper Room on the Sunset Strip on April 21.  If you live in Los Angeles, we highly recommend that you make it to the show.

Recommendation:  Do we really need to  tell you to Get this one?  It’s just so painfully obvious that you need it in your musical library?

Artist NameAn American Forrest

Album Name Ol’ Yonder

Label:  Eat Local Records

Genre:  Folk/Cowboy Blues

Track Listing:    1.  Alberta IV; 2.  More Than Enough; 3.  Bed & Board; 4.  Pastures of Plenty; 5.  Darlin’ you Weren’t One (Rawhide); 6.  Quarter ’til Tomorrow; 7.  Diamond Joe; 8.  Yonder Mountain; 9.  Chehalis River #1; 10.  Hard Times; 11.  Lovesick (Did ya Read the Letter?); 12.  Room to Dream; 13.  Don’t Take Nothing’ (Ma and Pa); 14.  Wedding Song (Sam & Jessica, Lostine, May 20, 2017); 15.  Yonder Lies Heaven; 16.  Alberta Oregon

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  With a voice similar to Tom Waits, An American Forrest brings us the “cowboy blues.”  This collection, recorded on an old cassette recorder, includes first drafts, covers of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Gillian Welch, traditionals and instrumentals he has written between jobs while out in the great outdoors.  It is a very eclectic collection with something that should appeal to just about everyone.  This one would make a good soundtrack for a documentary, so music supervisors, check it out.  For the rest of us, just put it on and let it fill the quiet with interesting stories and music.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist NameLadyChild

Album NameLadyChild

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Out of Breath; 2.  Man Overboard; 3.  Lazy Girl; 4.  Fooled Again; 5.  Just Fine

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  LadyChild is like a cross between Janis Joplin, Grace Potter and Led Zeppelin, a fireball of a performer that is comfortable mixing genres to create her own very unique style.  Her vocals soar to the stratosphere while a perfect guitar and drum musical base provides the perfect landing zone.  “Out of Breath” is pure rock before she shifts gears to a more electric and soulful jazz sound on “Man Overboard.”  “Lazy Girl” is straight ahead progressive jazz that morphs into rock before returning to jazz and would be perfect for airplay on numerous smooth jazz radio stations, as well as be perfect for the next James Bond movie.  Likewise, “Fooled Again” is a lively jazz tune that would likewise appeal to the smooth jazz crowd.  She closes out the EP with “Just Fine,” a more traditional jazz song that soars and soothes, and is the perfect ending to this dynamic collection.

Recommendation:  If you are a serious progressive jazz lover, then you owe it to yourself to Get this one to complete your collection.

Artist Name:   Super Hi-Fi

Album Name:   Blue and White

Label: Self-released

Genre:   Reggae/Rock/Dub

Track Listing:   1,  Gone; 2.  Keep it Dirty; 3.  Dub to the Bone; 4.  Fergie; 5.  Revenge of the Whales; 6.  Blue and White; 7.  Little Black Book; 8.  Space Needle; 9.  Gale Caution; 10.  Hole in my Life; 11.  Biking to Bushwick; 12.  Son of Revenge of the Whales

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:   The horns and discordant chords that are heard on the first track, “Gone,” are very reminiscent of 80’s ska bands like No Doubt and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, while the reggae beat that permeates the songs give it that true island feel.  Throw in some rock guitar and a driving beat and you have the makings of their second track, “Keep it Dirty.”  Super Hi-Fi continues like this throughout the album, mixing genres in the process of establishing themselves as experts at a myriad of musical tastes and styles.  It is impossible to be bored with this release, as your ears are constantly adjusting to the creative waves of sound from reggae, rock, world music and jazz influences.  We can only imagine how much fun they would be to see perform live.  “Fergie” almost sounds like something Jimmy Buffet might do, while “Revenge of the Whales” has that ELO/prog rock feel.  We really love the title track, as well as “Little Black Book” and “Gale Caution.”

Recommendation:   You simply must have this eclectic album in your collection, for those times when you can’t decide exactly what you want to hear.  Definitely Get it.

 

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Women in Entertainment

Women in entertainment: Janelle Barreto, rocking the indie world

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and had the chance to spend time with family and friends.  Indie Voice Blog is so thankful to be able to continue its series on Women in Entertainment, and shine a spotlight on one of LA’s hardest rocking indie voices, Janelle Barreto, current lead singer of the indie-pop-punk-rock band ROCKET.

Barreto grew up in Southern California where she first began performing on stage in musicals, winning local talent competitions and landing a Press Telegram Award in Performing Arts.  Immediately after high school, she was discovered by and signed to her first development/production deal with Howling Dog Productions.  Shortly thereafter she recorded several 12” singles and began showcasing at local dance clubs and venues, which led to her being signed to Solar/Sony Records as part of an all female pop group.

Barreto soon realized that pop music was not her calling, either musically or lyrically, and began to write her own original alternative rock material.   This led to her co-founding the alternative indie rock band Exploiting Eve, which built a huge local following in Los Angeles and performed at some of best and largest of the local venues, including House of Blues (both Sunset Strip and Downtown Disney), BB King Blues Club, The El Rey Theater, Huntington Beach Pier, Santa Monica Pier, Gay Pride Fest, Key Club, Viper Room, Roxy Theater, and countless others.

We first met Barreto back around 2001.  The band was starting to take off, having just released their second CD, Getting Thru, and was getting airplay from LA legendary rock station, KLOS.  DK Films created a live music video for the band from a show held at the world famous Whisky-a-go-go in 2002.

After winning numerous awards, she decided to continue her music education by returning to school and graduating in Music Theory and Guitar from the Los Angeles Music Academy in Pasadena.

Barreto left the band around 2007 to pursue solo musical aspirations.  She spent several years performing as a singer-songwriter and as a studio vocalist, all the while perfecting her songwriting chops.  When The Pills, an LA indie rock band, lost their lead singer, Barreto answered the call, and Rocket was born.

Based out of Los Angeles with music in the vein of Paramore, Foo Fighters, Joan Jett and Stone Temple Pilots, Rocket recently released an amazing music video for their single “HEY BABY” as a follow-up to their radio single and current EP “The Singles.”

Rocket is currently enjoying success at commercial Alternative Radio, receiving national airplay on such stations as KROQ 106.7 “Rodney on the Roq” (Los Angeles); Indie 103.1 “Go Deep” (Los Angeles); East Atlanta Village Radio – Regular Rotation (Atlanta, GA); FM 90 KACV Regular Rotation including Featured Artist interview “Under the Radar” & “The Indie Show” (Amarillo, TX), KRZQ 104.1 The Real Alternative “New Music Show” (Reno, NV); WRIF2 101.1 “Undercover Sound System” (Detroit, MI); WLKK 107.7 “Underground Collective” (Buffalo, NY).  At the same time, the band has provided tour support to some of rock’s biggest and most infamous bands, including Puddle of Mudd, Missing Persons, Bow Wow Wow and Gene Loves Jezebel.

Here’s what a couple of local LA music critics had to say about Barreto and Rocket:

“We think the band is ready for larger venues and would not be surprised if we hear their music placed in TV commercials and movies very soon. . . Front-woman Janelle Barreto, always impresses with her powerhouse vocals and stage presence.  She is literally unstoppable.”  (Renee Silverman, AXS.com).

“Barreto’s diva stage presence fits well with her voice, which seems to project and reverberate throughout a crowd with the depth and power of a great rock voice.”  (Mari Fong Burr, Campus Circle Magazine)

But what inspires Barreto?  “My greatest inspiration comes from a desire to fulfill my destiny of being a messenger.  The influence, energy and power that music and lyrics have to move, change and effect people is very special.  I feel honored and grateful to be blessed with this gift, so I look to care for it, and to maximize its use.  I create songs to have people be reflective, engaged, taken on an emotional journey, and be evolved by my music and words.  I’m also inspired by everyday things like beauty, kindness, love, loyalty, friendship, achievement, and coincidence.”

The band has also received critical support, including the 2015 Best Rock Band award from the LA Music Critic and Best Music Video for “Hey Baby” at the Other Venice Film Festival.  In addition, Rocket was selected by World Arts Music and I am Musicology to perform at their Touring Kick-Off event at the historic Ivar Theater.  They also participated in the Levitt Pavilion “Emerging Artist” Summer Concert Series.

What does the future hold for Barreto and Rocket?  “On a personal perspective, as long as I can breathe and I’m here in this existence (forever how long that is), I will sing and make music. You never know when the ride is going to end, so I might as well spend as many moments doing the thing that I love the most, and feel I was put here to do. So, I will continue to write songs and make records for as long as I can. On a business aspect and more in the near future, for my band Rocket, our focus is on collaborating with a good record label to get us to higher heights, help us complete a new album and get radio play. Ultimately we aim to tour, so more music lovers can be exposed to and influenced by our art.”

Keep up with Barreto and Rocket by checking out their website and Facebook pages, following them on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribing to their YouTube channel.