Tag: The Cravens

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Great Singles Women in Entertainment

Ten great singles released in August 2018

We just returned from the Griz-Drake game where our hometown Griz whooped up on the visiting team by a score of 48-16.   It was a much closer game in the first half, but the second half was all Griz.  To celebrate, here are 10 great singles which were released in August that didn’t make it into our Monday Mashup series.  Enjoy these songs.

Our first single is from Montreal’s Edwin Raphael and featuring Claire Ridgely.  It is a beautiful song called “Tangerine Skies,” and we think you’ll love it.

https://soundcloud.com/antifragile_music/tangerine-skies-feat-claire-ridgely-edwin-raphael/

Next is a remix by South Florida DJ LaLa of a wonderful song from one of our favorite indie bands The Cravens.  Here is the dance track “Fool/Road to Reason.”  We think it will definitely get you up and dancing.

We are really digging on our third single, “Second Chance” by the amazing KRSTN.  Her voice is truly incredible, and the song has Top 40 hit written all over it.  Let us know what you think.

Our fourth single “Kerosene” by SARRA is another amazing dance track that makes it impossible to sit still when you hear it.  Get up and dance and enjoy this track.

Single number five is from the upcoming new album by Kiyomi Hawley, and the ladies continue to bring it in August with the first single, “Miss You Love You.”  We can’t wait to review this album when it is released.

Our second five starts off with the indie rock/ska sound of Hey Harriet on their single, “Too Fast Too Soon.”  This one has a definite resemblance to No Doubt, and we love them.

Single number seven is “Down and Lost” from another band we truly love, Belle and the Beats.  This one is smooth, sexy and just plain good R&B/soul.  We think you’ll love it.

Our next single also comes from Amsterdam, and are labelmates of Belle and the Beats.  Check out “Pick me Up” from Sweetwood, and get on the dance floor.

Our ninth single is “Touch the Sky” from The Offshore.  We think  you will love their retro sound.

Our final single this month is from Becoming Bristol, who we have featured several times in the past.  We really love their latest, “Brighter Days,” and think it deserves your attention.  It brings attention to the epidemic of suicide that is plaguing us with a refreshing take on how you can help save a life.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Hollywood Fringe Festival LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2018: vol. 22

It’s another week, and it will be a busy one.  We will be leaving on Sunday to head down to Los Angeles for the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  We have 51 shows on our schedule to review, including about 15 that have submitted for consideration of our Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence.  We will also be  having our second annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 19 at The Mint, where we will have some amazing winners perform in support of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Tickets are available online for $10, and will be available at the door for $13.  We hope to see you there.

UNSIGNED ONLY COMPETITION ENDS JUNE 6

The final week of the Unsigned Only “Grand Slam” special promotion has kicked off, running until midnight on June 6 (CST).  All entries will also be included into the 2018 Unsigned Only Music Competition.  This is your very last time to enter, so if you want to enter more songs (or enter for the first time this year), you still have a chance to participate in this year’s competition, but you need to hurry.

Winners for the previous three weeks of the promotion, as well as the current week, will be announced along with all of the other category winners in September 2018.   Just for entering, all entrants will receive 100 free spins to Radio Airplay (regardless of whether you are an existing Radio Airplay member or a new member).  Additionally, every entrant will also be entered into the overall 2018 Unsigned Only competition and have the chance for their music to be heard by a high-profile panel of judges, as well as be eligible to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes.

HOME RUN | May 30 – June 6 | GET PAID FOR THE WIN – Click Here For Info
Click Here To Enter Your Songs
NEW SINGLES
First up today is a long-time favorite of this blog, and one of the amazing artists signed to Blue Élan Records.  Recent winner of the LA Music Critic Award for Rising Star, here is “Honey, Honey” from the unforgettable Chelsea Williams.

Next up is “Sort Myself Out” from Becoming Bristol, fka The Exchange.  We like the sound of this band and look forward to hearing much more from them.

Single number three today is from a voice familiar to lovers of the TV shows Suits, Lucifer, Bones, Nashville and One Tree Hill.  Gareth Dunlop has a new single that we think you’ll love.  Here is “Blind to the Pain” from his forthcoming EP Many Moons Ago.

https://soundcloud.com/gareth-dunlop-official/blind-to-the-pain

Our fourth single today is from The Cravens, who we have previously reviewed and featured on this blog.  They have a “Message” for you, and we think you’ll be glad to get it.

Our final single today is “Don’t Blink” from John Santiago, frontman for Johnny & the Bootlegs, which we recently reviewed in Get it or Forget it.  Let us know what you think.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is from Lauren Balthrop‘s upcoming September album, This Time Around.  Here is the lyric video for “Down.”

Next is the very retro feel of Peter Cat with his new single “Hand Through Hair.”  Groovy, Baby.

Our third video this week is from one of the newest artists on Blue Élan Records, Red Wanting Blue.  Here is the video for their new single, “High and Dry.”

And now, for something completely different, here is a sneak preview of the new video from Runaway Symphony which will be released on June 12.  Check out this live performance of “The Fall of Man.”

Our final video this week is “All the Way” from Cherry Pools.  We think it’s the perfect segue to summer and a wonderful week.  See you soon.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – diVA, Amyjo Doh and the Spangles, The Cravens, Camp Hope, The Cabin Fever

Well, we’re getting closer to the weekend, and we’re almost caught up with reviews.  We’ve already done 57 reviews this year and should be caught up by next Friday.  That will give us 87 reviews in 2018.  Wow – so much great music.  Here are today’s five artists for your consideration.

Artist Name:  diVA

Album Name:  Sol

Label:  Division Records

Genre:  Trip-hop

Track Listing:  1.  Mercure; 2.  Venue; 3.  Terre, 4.  Lune; 5.  Mars

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  Swiss trip-hop trio diVA, composed of guitarist Pierre-Emmanuel Collin, vocalist Lisa-Marie Boux and Marc Sturniolo, have released Sol, the first half of a two part project dedicated to the planets.  What is most unique about this album is that absent the eerie and discordant trip-hop soundtrack, there lies underneath a beautiful song featuring the voice of Boux, with lyrics specifically written about the planet in the title of the song.  The lyrics are full of beautiful metaphors, sometimes dark but always rich, that make the songs interesting.  This is not music for casual listening or to provide background.  This music requires active listening to grasp what the creators have envisioned in their project.  Make sure you listen to this one when you can dedicate your ears and mind to the content.

Recommendation:  Strange but inviting, give this one a chance.

Artist Name:  Amyjo Doh and the Spangles

Album Name:  Calle de the Spangles

Label:  Sweepland Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:   1.  Paranoid Sun; 2.  You Wouldn’t; 3.  Two Night Stand; 4.  Gin de Semana; 5.  Pirates; 6.  I Love You; 7.  Shake It!; 8.  Who, What, When, Where, Why; 9.  Sorry; 10.  Rainbow Chord; 11.  Coracao

Publicist:  Sweepland Records

Review:  This Madrid-based band could give lessons to some American bands on how to be a genre-bending band that impresses in every one.  The album starts off like a good old fashioned rock album, morphs into Americana/Rockabilly on the third track, and then back to rock and roll on the fourth track.  On “Pirates,” they again change gears to Celtic punk with a song that could as easily have come from the likes of Flogging Molly.  “I Love You” is a sweet folky love song.  “Shake It” is a rocking tune in the style of the B-52’s, while “Who, What, When, Where, Why” is like a throwback to the 60’s beach tune melodies like Dick Dale and would have fit perfectly in the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction.   They continue in that vein on “Sorry.”  They slow things down to an indie rock rhythm on “Rainbow Chord” before closing out with the rocky punk Spanglish sound of “Coracao.”

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.  It’s an amazing debut.

Artist Name:  The Cravens

Album Name:  On the Line

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Highway; 2.  Road to Reason; 3.  Stay Standing; 4.  Endless Heart; 5.  Hard Times; 6.  Blood Flows; 7.  Message; 8.  What Would you Say?

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  The Cravens are our new favorite Indie Rock band.  They have a radio ready sound that deserves airplay, as well as serious consideration by Music Supervisors everywhere for placement in television and film.  “Highway” gets the party started with awesome guitar riffs and a smart sound with intelligent lyrics.  That incredible groove continues with “Road to Reason,” before shifting to a slower ballad style on “Endless Heart.”  “Hard Times” has a distinct southern rock edge and is definitely one of our favorite tracks.  “Blood Flows” is an old fashioned blues rocker, while “Message” is an acoustic gem that brings back memories of the Allman Brothers Band.  They close out the album with another ballad that leaves the listener with a powerful question – “What Would You Say?”

Recommendation:  This one definitely deserves a place in your musical library.  Get it and you’ll see.

Artist Name:  Camp Hope

Album Name:  Michael

Label:  InVogue Records

Genre:   Hip-hop

Track Listing:  1.  Exist (Freestyle); 2.  Ready to Fall; 3.  Home to Myself; 4.  Your Love is Musical; 5.  Forever Stay; 6.  Lover’s Death; 7.  Ordinary Home; 8.  Feed my Soul; 9.  Take you There; 10.  Outrage Freestyle; 11.  Te Casarias Conmigo; 12.  Don’t Crash Yet

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  The album starts off with a freestyle rap about existing in the world today, very reminiscent of Toby Mac.  In fact, DC Talk is listed as one of the songwriter’s influences, and the influence is strong in this album.  These are songs with a purpose, and this band has something to say, so listen up, yo.  Cam Smith of Hotel Books, Jonathan Sherer and Nick Ingram combine to create not just a wonderful musical album, but also a social statement that needs to be heard.  These songs belong on the radio, not just because they are great music but because the world needs to hear these words.  Every song is powerful – put this one on repeat because you’re going to want to hear this positive message over and over.

Recommendation:  Don’t waste another moment – Get this one today!

Artist Name:  The Cabin Fever

Album Name:  Exercise the Demon

Label:  self-released

Genre:  Alternative

Track Listing:  1.  B-L-S-H; 2.  Simon Says; 3.  Trucrime; 4.  His People; 5.  Exercise the Demon; 6.  Tony’s Song (bonus track)

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  This one was a surprise.  Considering this band dresses in animal heads for their live performances, we were unprepared for the incredible indie rock sound of their music.  They have been compared to groups like Jesus and Mary Chain and Sonic Youth, and we think those comparisons are spot on.  These songs would sound great on alternative radio, and would make good placement choices for television and film.  We especially love the strings on “B-L-S-H.” which by the way is the shortcut for “Buy Low, Sell High.”  Every song delivers, and we think this band has a strong and successful future ahead.

Recommendation:  Don’t judge a book by its cover.  Get this one now.