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

Get it or forget it – Steven Graves, Southerland Ayers, Free Love, Ziggy Alberts, Planetoid

Can you believe it?  Christmas is just a week away, and since we have already been truly blessed with so much great indie music, we wanted to share some of it with you, including a very special review this Friday of the new album from Reel Big Fish.  In the meantime, check out these five dynamic releases.

Artist NameSteven Graves

Album NameHow Long

Label:  One Essense Music

Genre:  Americana/Roots

Track Listing:  1.  How Long; 2.  Good Day; 3.  Forces of Love; 4.  Let it Reign; 5.  People Rise Up; 6.  Captain Soul; 7.  Fool for You; 8.  Weary Men; 9.  Sugaree; 10.  Set me Free; 11.  Stand for the People; 12.  Fly to the Stars

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  On his 10th album, Steven Graves solidifies his status as one of our premier Americana/roots rock artists.  He sets the tone on the first song, which happens to be the title track, and proceeds from there to give us tasty treats for the remainder of the album.  You can rejoice with “Good Day,” groove to the funkiness of “Forces of Love,” “Sugaree,” and the first single, “Let it Reign,” the reggae greatness of “People Rise Up,” or the radio friendly “Captain Soul.”  This one has something for everybody, and all of it is good.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist NameSoutherland Ayers

Album NameGhost in This House

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt-folk

Track Listing:  1.  The Great Flight Home; 2.  Ribbon in Your Hair; 3.  Will  you Remember Me; 4.  A Life Sublime; 5.  Ghost in This House; 6.  Sorry

Publicist:  Effectively Immediately PR

Review:  The debut release from this Texas alt-folk duo had a soft release a couple of weeks ago, with the official release coming in early 2019.  Their harmonies are exquisite and we love their sweet sound with just the perfect musical accompaniment.  This band deserves serious industry consideration.  They truly have a chance to be a successful touring band, and should be considered for opening slots with other alt-folk/Americana bands.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist NameFree Love

Album NameLuxury Hits

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Dance Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Et Avant; 2.  Tomorrow Could be Heaven; 3.  Synchronicity; 4.  How do you Feel; 5.  Depeche Toi; 6.  Playing as Punks; 7.  Pushing too Hard; 8.  Et Encore

Publicist:  Worldwide Friendly Society

Review:  We have featured the singles and videos of this band quite a few times this year, and are overjoyed at the prospect of reviewing their debut EP.  If their overall sound doesn’t get you up dancing, then the dreamy vocals will grab hold of your ears and never let go.  This one should grab the attention of DJs worldwide, as these tracks would be great additions to their dance mix, especially “How do you Feel.”  Whether you love to dance or not, these songs will warm your heart and get you moving.

Recommendation:  Get this one before it’s gone.

Artist NameZiggy Alberts

Album NameLaps Around the Sun

Label:  Commonfolk Records

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Indie

Track Listing:  1.  Love me Now; 2.  On Hold; 3.  Laps Around the Sun; 4.  Best Friend; 5.  3 Degrees South; 6.  Bright Lights; 7.  Stronger; 8.  Worn Out; 9.  Heaven; 10.  Yu (a Song for Koda)

Publicist:  Right Angle PR

Review:  The first thing that strikes you is the strong masculine voice that resonates with your senses while the words strike deep, tugging at your heartstrings as this brilliant Aussie singer-songwriter sings directly to his listeners.  These are songs that are worthy of multiple listens, and worthy of serious attention from American radio.  Beginning with the mega-popular “Love me Now” (which reached #10 on the iTunes digital charts), Ziggy Alberts wows you with his guitar, his well-constructed songs and his dreamy voice.  His video for “Stronger” was nominated for Best International Video by the LA Music Critic Awards.  Alberts’ music has become so popular that this album debuted on Billboard, giving American audiences the chance to discover what Australia already knows – Alberts is a star on the rise.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one today!

Artist NamePlanetoid

Album NameMultiverse

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Ambient Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Eternity; 2.  Adepte de L’univers; 3.  Le Chemin; 4.  Quantum Mind (Beta)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Unlike anything we have reviewed this year, Planetoid has a very eerie and haunting sound that will be remembered long after the final note.  Her French lyrics and ambient music would be the  perfect soundtrack for Fashion Week or other commercial use.  Although not radio friendly, the music is soothing and could be likewise a wonderful addition to your meditation time.

Recommendation:  Worth checking out.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Sharif, Steven Graves, The King Brothers

We’re back with another edition of Get it or Forget it, focusing on Americana and blues today.  Check out these three amazing artists and keep the indie music spirit alive.

sharif

Artist NameSharif

Album NameTangled Dreams and Empty Bottles

Label:  None

Genre:  Americana/Medicana

Track Listing:  1.  Hold On; 2.  When She’s Drunk; 3.  Last Night’s Lanterns; 4.  Burn in the Breeze; 5.  One Fine Day; 6.  Fatal Love; 7.  Waiting on a Whisper; 8.  Lay Your Arms Down; 9.  When He’s Drunk 

Publicist:  Judi Kerr

Review:  Sharif has been creating amazing music for several years.  He recently completed his Masters at Berklee in Spain, focusing on melding the sounds of Middle Eastern music with Americana, creating a new genre which he calls Medicana.  He has incorporated several uniquely Middle Eastern instruments, including bouzouki, sitar, oud and glissentar into the soundtrack of this album.  He also has added the sounds of several gifted musicians to the mix, including Daniel Clark (Ryan Adams), Josh Grange (Sheryl Crow, Dwight Yoakum) and John O’Reilly Jr. (Beck), which further elevates this CD among most other indie music.

From the first notes of “Hold On,” it becomes quickly obvious that this new music will be quite special.  Add to that the smoky smooth vocals and the listener soon learns how great indie music can be.  Best tracks include “Hold On,” “When She’s Drunk”, “Fatal Love” “Lay Your Arms Down,” and his amazing cover of Carole King’s “One Fine Day,”  although every song is worthy of attention.

Recommendation:  We have reviewed quite a few albums from Sharif, and this one just happens to be his best.  We highly recommend you immediately Get It and add it to your collection.  We think you’ll listen to it over and over again.

steven-graves

Artist NameSteven Graves

Album NameCaptain Soul

Label:  None

Genre:  Americana/Roots

Track Listing:  1.  Light Turns to Day; 2.  Man From a Different Planet; 3.  Walk With Me; 4.  Somewhere, Somehow; 5.  Take you for a Ride; 6.  Fly Like the Dove; 7.  Forever Wild; 8.  Called her an Angel; 9.  No one Left to Blame; 10.  Heaven in Your Hands; 11.  Another Day 

Publicist:  KB Music Press

Review:  Steven Graves has been recording music for quite some time, and Captain Soul is his seventh studio album.  Raised on country music, Graves naturally gravitates to that genre, with a healthy helping of Americana, roots, gospel and classic rock thrown in for good measure.   This message-infused music provides an ample supply of food for thought, making Graves the Arlo Guthrie of his time.  Best tracks include “Somewhere, Somehow,” “Take you for a Ride,” “Fly Like the Dove,” “Forever Wild,” and “Another Day.”

Recommendation:  Steven Graves is truly a voice for his generation.  His meaty tunes combined with an excellent soundtrack make Captain Soul a definite Get It.

king-brothers

Artist NameThe King Brothers

Album NameGet up and Shake It

Label:  Club Savoy Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Rock me Baby; 2.  Just Driving Around; 3.  Hound Dog; 4.  Hootchie Cootchie Man; 5.  Just the way I Like It; 6.  Blind Snake; 7.  Close to You; 8.  Get up and Shake It; 9.  Bigg Legged Woman; 10.  Tore Down 

Publicist:  Club Savoy Entertainment Group

Review:  Talk about blues history.  The King Brothers, second cousins to the legendary Freddie King, have also shared the stage with the king of blues himself, BB King and their adopted “uncle,” Albert King.  They have been playing together for more than 60 years, and every song on their latest Get up and Shake It is proof of their amazing talent.  With a combination of original instrumentals and outstanding covers of such classic blues songs as “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Tore Down,” and “Blind Snake,” the King Brothers will have you singing the blues in no time at all.  This disk is delightful from start to finish, and hard to believe it’s only their third album.  Definitely check out their tribute to Freddie King on the Leon Russell penned tune, “Big Legged Woman.”

Recommendation:  If you are moved by the blues, then this is a must have for your collection.  By all means, get out and Get It.