Tag: The Zephyr Bones

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 9

March has arrived so spring shouldn’t be too far behind!  What did you think about the Oscars last night?  Besides the fact that it was long, we were delighted to see the focus shift onto the hard-working ladies and minorities who have contributed so much and received so little recognition.  With that in mind, let’s look at what’s happening in the indie world.

UM CIRCUS CLUB TO HOST FIRST EVER RENAISSANCE FAIRE

The University of Montana Circus Club is hosting their spring fundraiser, and it’s a mini-Renaissance Faire!  The event will occur on Sunday, March 11 from 2-5:30 p.m. in Schreiber Gym on the campus of the University of Montana.  It is right next to the Library on the southeastern corner of campus.

There is a $5/person suggested donation, or $15 per family (bring all the kids!)  Please pay at the door with cash!

The faire will include food and beverage (of course), a costume and “Best Knees-in-a-Kilt” contests with prizes, live weapons and combat demonstrations, archery and axe-throwing activities, circus performances, face painting, crafting workshops, and a photo booth with costumes and props.  Costumes will also be available for rent.

THE AUDIENCE AWARDS ANNOUNCE BIG SKY WINNERS

The recently concluded Big Sky Documentary Film Festival included a Native American Doc Challenge this year, which was run by the Audience Awards.  Here were their winners:

The First Place Jury Winner was Derrick Lamere, with his film United by Water, while the Jury Honorable Mention went to Anthony Florez for Generations.

Check out the top eight films which are competing for the $5,500 prize by clicking here.  Voting runs April 4-10.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from a band we have previously reviewed who has recently signed with Blue Élan Records.  Please check out “Tip of my Tongue” by Mint Trip.

Next up is a young artist named Ashley Delima, who has a lot to say with her single, “Stay in America.”  She is a living example of a Dreamer, and wants to tell everyone why she wants to stay here.   She is an American born child who was raised in Brazil but has now settled in New Jersey.  The song is a shout-out to those struggling to stay in the U.S. at a time when DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) is being threatened.  The song was produced by two-time Grammy winning producer Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Hillary Duff) and mixed by Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, Fleetwood Mac).  Please share her story.

Our final single today comes to us from Amsterdam and features Belle and the Beats with their single, “Soldier of the Night.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Last week we had the pleasure of reviewing Floods.  They have now released a music video for their first single, “Heavy Hearts.”  We hope you dig it as much as we do.

Our second new video features acclaimed actor Danny Trejo in the latest video from The Zephyr Bones.  Check out “The Arrow of our Youth.”

Our third video is from Blue Élan Records’ latest revival artist, Fanny Walked the Earth.  We simply love this video for the amazing single, “Lured Away.”  Don’t forget to check out their review as well.

Our final video this week is from Little Stranger for their single, “Sing it High.”  this should get your week off to a great start.

Belle

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Peter Simpson, Downfall 2012; Peter Oren, The Zephyr Bones, Sierra Blanca

So the heavy snow never materialized but we still got lots of freezing rain.  Luckily, today was a better day, and our Lady Griz won again to go 2-0 in the conference.  In celebration, here are five more reviews for your New Year’s Eve Eve.  Enjoy them.

Artist Name:  Peter Simpson

Album Name:  Return of the Dilettante

Label:  Verified Records

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  All my Tomorrows; 2.  She’s Gone; 3.  Stain in the Sand; 4.  Stare at the Sun; 5.  Every Time we say Goodbye

Publicist:  None

Review:  After being a part of the Australian music scene for 20 years, beginning in the 80’s, Peter Simpson has returned as a solo artist, recording the songs he has been writing during his 20 years of absence from music.  These five songs bode well for his potential, and reaffirm his role as a musical pioneer.  All of the songs are great, and deserve industry attention as a voice of the future.  They have a strong guitar soundtrack, well-written lyrics, and capable and strong vocals.  We especially love “She’s Gone” and “Stare at the Sun.”

Recommendation:  Definitely give this one a listen.  We encourage you to Get it and see what we mean.

Artist Name:  Downfall 2012

Album Name:  We Welcome the Pain

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Metal

Track Listing:  1.  Take Control; 2.  Find Your Enemy; 3.  Attack Point; 4.  We Welcome the Pain; 5.  Fooled Once; 6.  Save the Queen; 7.  Don’t Give In (Nine More Lives); 8.  The Mission; 9.  Forward Movement; 10.  Make us One; 11.  End Credits

Publicist:  Yvonne Laughlin

Review:  With strong drums and guitar riffs, vocals that are sung and screamed and a strong message, Downfall 2012 is not your typical metal band.  As such, they will find an audience beyond the normal metal crowd, as their music is good enough to deserve industry attention.  The first track, “Take Control,” would work on radio, and be perfect for placement in television and film.  It firmly establishes this band as a voice for their generation.  It is hard to believe that this incredible music comes from a trio of musicians.  Besides “Take Control,” we also love “Find Your Enemy,” “Don’t Give In (Nine More Lives),” “The Mission,” “Forward Movement,” and “Make us One.”

Recommendation:  If you are a die-hard metal fan, then you must add this one to your collection.  For any true music lover, we recommend you also consider it.  If you don’t like rock music, then you’d best forget it.

Artist Name:  Peter Oren

Album Name:  Anthropocene

Label:  Western Vinyl

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Burden of Proof; 2.  Anthropocene; 3.  Falling Water; 4.  Chain of Command; 5.  Throw Down; 6.  Canary in a Coal Mine; 7.  New Gardens; 8.  Pictures from Spain; 9.  River and Stone; 10.  Welcome, Goodbye

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We can pretty much guarantee you’ve never heard a voice like Peter Oren.  It’s part Leonard Cohen, part Josh Turner, and totally unique, with its deep bass throatiness.  The lyrics are cleverly written, and the studio musicians he and his producer Ken Coomer have assembled are some of the best in Nashville, including Michael Webb (John Fogerty), Maureen Murphy (Zac Brown Band), Sam Wilson (Sons of Bill) and Laur Jaomets (Sturgill Simpson).  This is an album for reflective times when you just want to separate yourself from the world around you.  We really love the title track, “Falling Water,” “Throw Down,” “New Gardens,” “Pictures From Spain,” and “River and Stone.”

Recommendation:  Get it – you’ll thank us later.

Artist Name:  The Zephyr Bones

Album Name:  Secret Place

Label:  La Castanya

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Black Lips; 2.  Hurricanes; 3.  I’ve Lost my Dinosaur; 4.  Jugular Child on the Carousel; 5.  Las Olas; 6.  Penny’s Week; 7.  Secret Place; 8.  September; 9.  Telephone; 10.  The Arrow of our Youth

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Light, dreamy, airy and upbeat – these words describe the awesomeness of Secret Place, the debut album of The Zephyr Bones.  It is music without compartmentalization, free of genre restraint, and perfect for all types of musical tastes.  We previously shared their music video for “Telephone” in our Monday Mashup column on December 12, but that song was only the tip of the iceberg for what is included in their album.  Best tracks include “I’ve Lost my Dinosaur,” “Jugular Child on the Carousel,” “Las Olas,” “Penny’s Week,”” the title track, “September,” “Telephone.,” and “The Arrow of our Youth.”

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Sierra Blanca

Album Name:  Honorable Mention

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Folk

Track Listing:   1.  Broken Gun; 2.  Book; 3.  Paint the Road; 4.  Beds; 5.  Former Core

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Jethro Gaglione aka Sierra Blanca is a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist who began playing music while in Mexico as part of his parents’ missionary team.  Beginning with keys, he has also mastered bass, guitar and drums since moving back to the States in 2002.  He created the Sierra Blanca name when he relocated to Nashville in 2015.  With his rich vocals and well-written lyrics, he has the complete package to continue to grow as an artist, and his music should receive serious industry consideration.  All five songs on the EP are amazing, but we really love “Broken Gun,” “Book,””Paint the Road,” and “Beds.”

Recommendation:  Get it, sooner rather than later.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 45

It only took us 825 days (or from September 7, 2015) to break 40,000 views on Indie Voice Blog, which we accomplished on December 10, 2017.  That’s an average of nearly 50 views a day, with our biggest day being July 11, 2017, when we had 1,100 views.  During that time we have posted 322 articles, including 88 “Get it or Forget It” reviews covering 304 EPs and CDs, as well as numerous artist profiles, Fringe and local theatre reviews and coverage of the semi-annual LA Music Critic Awards, with special features on the 2016 winners.  Not too shabby, right?

MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO BE HANDED OUT

The 10th Annual Media Excellence Awards will be handed out in a ceremony at the Laemmle Theater (8556 Wilshire Boulevard) in Beverly Hills on January 18, 2018.  The Red Carpet will start at 7 p.m. with the ceremony to follow at 8 p.m.  For more information, please send an email to the organizers, or give them a call.

LAST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The LA Music Critic Awards have issued a final call for submissions for the second half of 2017.  If your single, video, EP or CD was released between July 1 and December 31, 2017, then it is eligible for submission.  Nominations will be announced during the second week of January, with the winners announced by the end of the month.  Several of the winners will be selected to perform at the annual LA Music Critic Award Showcase in June 2018.

NEW SINGLES

We love introducing new artists to you.  Check out the new single, “Wishing Upon a Star,” from Delsinki, which features the amazing Brooke Taylor.  We think you’ll love these vocals and Americana soundtrack.

Australian artist Zvchvrivh blasts onto the scene with a chill track for his new single, “Think of Me.”  We love the groove – let us know what you think.

Our final single today comes from one of our favorite performers, based in Nashville.  Heather Bonds is an amazing solo artist as well as the lead single for The Daybreaks.  We think her new single may be one of her best yet.  Check out “Keep it Quiet.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up today is the hot new video from Austin, Texas based  FlecHaus.  This band continues to amaze us with their harmonies and funky sound, especially on their latest tune, “Tell Me Something.”  Let us know what you think.

Check out this dreamy video from Kramies, shot in the incredible Shankill Castle in Ireland earlier this year.  The lyrics from the single, “I Wish I Missed You,” are haunting and perfectly fit the incredible cinematography of the video.  Let us know what you think.

Our final video for today is from The Zephyr Bones for their single, “Telephone.”  We think it’s the perfect way to close out this edition of Monday Mashup.  See you soon.