Tag: See

Categories
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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

Get it or forget it: See, Emily Zuzik, Mark McKinney

After a long hiatus, we’re back.  Indie artists have been blowing up our email with news about their new releases, so it’s time to start returning the favor with the continuation of our review series, “Get it or Forget It.”  This edition will cover three amazing artists, with lots more to follow.  Grab your coffee and check them out.

Artist Name:  See

Album Name:  Ties

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  Green Line Killer; 2  Closed Eyes Open; 3.  Blue Await; 4.  Potions; 5.  See Cries 

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  Teenage sensation See is the youngest artist on Blue Élan Records impressive list of artists, but her potential for stardom cannot be denied.  Although her EP Ties was released last year, she is just beginning to create a buzz on the music scene, thanks in no small part to her YouTube channel, where she has been releasing acoustic versions of her songs, as well as her two official music videos.  Her first single, “Potions,” has received more than four million views, while her latest single, “Green Line Killer,” has already gotten more than 50,000 views in less than a week.

Needless to say, it really is all about the music, and all five tracks deliver, both musically and lyrically.  Although listed as “electronica,” her music has elements of rock and pop that underscore the extremely mature lyrical content.  Hard to believe See is only 19 years old.  We believe this artist will have a long career ahead, making her a worthy addition to the Blue Élan roster of Grammy winners and nominees.  We especially like the final track “She Cries,” which deserves radio airplay now.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  Definitely Get It and be the cool kid on the block as you share in her current and future success.

Artist Name:  Emily Zuzik

Album Name:  Angelenos

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Electronic pop-rock

Track Listing:  1.  Gravity; 2.  Alone; 3.  Spiritual Heart; 4.  Warrior; 5.  Oh Yeah (feat. Knower); 6.  Modern Lovers (Louis Cole remix) 

Publicist:  None

Review:   The music immediately grabs your attention and then that voice comes in, lifting your spirits as the lyrics open your mind to the amazing artist who has composed and performed these songs, which are nothing short of masterful.   This is one of those albums that you can just put on repeat and revel in the magic.  These songs are perfect for chilling, and should also find a home in the soundtrack of your favorite movie or television show.  The first notes of “Gravity” awaken your senses and makes you want to listen to the track all day.  That trend continues with “Alone,” for which we shared the music video back in January, and stand by our assessment that this artist is destined for greatness.  We especially like the instrumentals in “Spiritual Heart.”  The music takes a different turn on the final three tracks, with “Modern Lovers” being the best of the three.

Recommendation:  If you don’t rush out and get your copy of Angelenos, then you should seriously consider therapy.  This is one of the best releases of 2017, and we strongly recommend you Get it.

Artist Name:  Mark McKinney

Album Name:  World in Between

Label:  Texas Evolution

Genre:  Country

Track Listing:  1.  90 Miles; 2.  Bridge; 3.  Bacon & Eggs; 4.  Rainy Day Money; 5.  Sunshine; 6.  Alright; 7.  Yours; 8.  Stories; 9.  Close; 10.  Monday; 11.  Revolution 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Like Chris LeDoux and Pat Green before him, Mark McKinney has made a decent living playing his music in the great state of Texas.  However, with the release of his fifth studio album, World in Between, Texas can no longer contain his greatness, which is destined to spread throughout the US and the world.  If the songs on this new album are any indication, McKinney should become a household name and a regular on country radio, as well as a popular performer at the ACM and CMA.  His songs have a great musical feel that is conducive to a good two step, and his instrumentation will appease even the most sophisticated country music lover.  He immediately grabs our attention with “90 Miles” and “Bridge” before stealing our hearts with the dynamic “Bacon & Eggs,” and its amazing backing vocals by his wife Cassie.  On and on the hits keep coming.  This one is our early favorite for best  Country album of 2017.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk and Get It.  If you love country music that easily provides the soundtrack for life, then this is definitely the album for you.

 

 

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

Monday mashup 2017: Vol 13

Welcome to April.  We had three snow events yesterday to remind us that Mother Nature is still in charge.  Looking forward to warmer weather and our annual trip down to Los Angeles.  Hope to catch some great indie music while we’re in town June 14-27, as well as the eighth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  In the meantime, let’s check out some of the latest news and releases by and from indie artists.

ALICE WALLACE MAKES SEMI-FINAL ROUND

LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace has achieved the semi-final round in the annual Songwriter Serenade competition in Moravia, Texas.  She is one of 15 who will compete on May 6 for a chance at $7,000 in prize money.  The contestants will each play two songs at the morning showcase.  Seven of those contestants will then play one additional song after lunch before the afternoon awards show.  The winner will then open a concert featuring Susan Gibson, Carrie Rodriguez and Walt Wilkins that night at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas.  We will keep you updated on Wallace as she attempts to win the competition.  Tickets for the competition are available online, and for the Bugle Boy concert here.

SEE DEBUTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO

Blue Élan Records artist See has released a music video for her song “Green Line Killer,” from her upcoming debut EP Ties.  Check out this multi-talented young artist and pre-order your copy today.

THE SHOW PONIES DEBUT NEW VIDEO ON FEATURING EVERYBODY

Rising Americana band The Show Ponies have released the second video from their critically acclaimed album How it all Goes Down through Featuring Everybody.   Check out the video and see why critics and fans alike are clamoring for more from these future Grammy winners.

KING WASHINGTON RELEASES MUSIC VIDEOS

LA-based band King Washington recently signed with The End Records and will be releasing their album Potential on May 19.  In the meantime, they have released a music video for their song “My Reflection” as well as their new single “Superman.”  Check them out below and let us know what you think about the future of one of LA’s premier bands.

JERAD FINCK RELEASES LYRIC VIDEO FOR ‘TAKE ME WITH YOU’

Jerad Finck continues his torrid climb to the top of the pop charts with the release of his latest lyric video.  We think you’ll agree that this indie artist is definitely on his way and will soon become a household name.

That’s it for this week.  Catch you next week, same bat time, same bat channel.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Reviews Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 8

Happy Presidents Day.  Hope you’re all having a great day as we launch into our eighth edition of the Monday Mashup for 2017.

Indie artists have been hard at work, acting as the voice of our generation.  In particular, artists are speaking out about the current political tensions, as well as standing with causes that have become near and dear to many hearts.  Let’s see what’s happening this week.

Trapdoor Social stands with Standing Rock

Local Los Angeles group Trapdoor Social has released an official music video for their song “Never Stop Listening” that supports the ongoing struggle between the United States and DAPL and the Native American Standing Rock tribe.  The cinematography is breathless and the message is the heart of the video.  Check it out and let us know where you stand on this issue.

Here’s what Trapdoor Social and songwriter Skylar Funk had to say about the video:

“Last fall I helped organize a donation drive and trip up to North Dakota from LA to support the water protectors in the Oceti Sakowin camp, at the center of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. We spent a week there working in construction, in the kitchens, chopping wood and shoveling snow, and felt incredibly welcomed and honored for the chance to participate in something so powerful and historic.


One thing they asked of us in orientation was to “Bring It Home” – to share what we learned at camp and to make sure folks back in the communities we’d return to were aware that the struggle to protect that land and water continues. Of course with the recent executive order, the challenge is even more urgent… So we created a video about the people we met at camp paired up with a song I wrote and released with Trapdoor Social last year to share what we saw and hopefully inspire more action.” – Skylar Funk

The video was shot by acclaimed director Alexandra Velasco.

Blue Élan Records artists release new music videos

Two of the artists signed to Blue Élan Records have new music videos.

The first, See, released a live acoustic version of her song “Closed Eyes Open” last Monday.  Her smoky and heavenly voice brings back memories of a cross between Stevie Nicks and Adele, and will serve this up and coming artist well.  Her debut EP, Ties, was released last July, and the debut single, “Potions” has received more than three million hits.  This is definitely an artist to put on your radar, because we firmly believe she will soon be a household name as she skyrockets to the top of the charts.  Let us know what you think.

The second is Cindy Alexander, one of the strongest advocates for indie music in Los Angeles.  This official music video, which is debuting today on YouTube, is for her song “Deep Waters,” the title track of her latest album.  The song was co-written and produced by long-time legendary musician Colin Devlin, and is a powerful vision.  We love the cinematography and more importantly, the message, which is a beacon of hope for our troubled times.  Let us know what you think of this gem.

 

Alexander is also preparing to hit the road this summer, using the Road Nation program to plan her tour.  This amazing program allows fans to choose the itinerary, and allows Alexander to support cancer research, a cause near to her heart since she is a cancer survivor.  Check out her campaign and bring her to your town this summer.

The Thrillseekers and Shannon Hurley release new video

Last but certainly not least this week is the latest video from the ongoing collaboration between The Thrillseekers and indie guru Shannon Hurley (one-half of the award-winning band Lovers & Poets).  We think you’ll love the upbeat message and sound of “Stay Here with Me.”  Let us know what you think.

That’s it for this week.  Gonna be a busy one with volunteering for the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival here in Missoula.  If you have the time, definitely check it out.  Keep those emails and music referrals coming.