Month: September 2018

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

Get it or forget it – Norphlet, Marty Elkins, Bruce Katz Band, Changelings, Leeroy

It’s already Wednesday again, and I’m getting ready for my first session with Jessica Lynn Johnson, the director of my solo show, Livin’ the Dream.  We are working hard to give you a treat next June at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and I can’t wait to see your reaction to our show.  In the meantime, here are five artists to consider as we head over the hump to the weekend.

Artist Name:  Norphlet

Album Name:  Norphlet

Label:  849854 Records DK

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Brand New; 2.  Heirlooming; 3.  The Recess (Interlude); 4.  Omador; 5.  Cardinals

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Norphlet is an up and coming duo featuring a Californian and a Texan, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.  These songs belong on the radio, and we truly love the first two singles, “Brand New” and “Heirlooming.”  The songs are truly well written, with intelligent lyrics, an amazing lead guitar and a powerful drum foundation.  The instrumental interludes are straight alt rock, and would make the perfect soundtrack for commercials, while the tracks themselves should be considered for placement in television and film.  We also love the lo-fi production, which brings out the strong vibe of this band, especially on the acoustic ballad “Cardinals.”  We have no doubt that this band has what it takes to make it in the industry, and we look forward to seeing what they have in store for us.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get it!

Artist Name:  Marty Elkins

Album Name:  Fat Daddy

Label:  Nagel Heyer Records

Genre:  Jazz/Blues

Track Listing:  1.  You Turned the Tables on Me; 2.  On Revival Day; 3.  How can you Face Me; 4.  That’s all There is to That; 5.  It’s too hot for Words; 6.  Cow Cow Boogie; 7.  I Cover the Waterfront; 8.  It’s a Pity to say Goodnight; 9.  My old Flame; 10.  Fat Daddy; 11.  I Can’t Face the Music; 12.  Sugar; 13.  These Foolish Things; 14.  Travelin’ all Alone

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  These jazz standards may have been previously recorded by such jazz legends as Alice Faye, Ella Fitzgerald and Ethel Waters, but Marty Elkins breathes new life into them, infusing them for a new generation.  Her voice is impeccable, and the arrangements will have every traditional jazz lover jumping for joy.  We love her scatting on “You Turned the Tables on Me,” as well as the organ and trumpet.  This is a great album for chilling after work, and relaxing with a glass of your favorite wine.  Elkins seamlessly blends jazz and blues, and even adds a gospel touch to “On Revival Day.”  We simply love every song, and think you will too.

Recommendation:  If you love traditional jazz and the blues, then this one is a must-have.  Get it!

Artist Name:  Bruce Katz Band

Album Name:  Get Your Groove

Label:  American Showplace Music

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Hesitation Blues; 2.  Freight Train; 3.  Beef Jerky; 4.  Shine Together (Tribe of Lights); 5.  River Blues; 6.  Make Things Right; 7.  Get Your Groove!; 8.  Zone 3; 9.  Rush Hour; 10.  Wasn’t my Time; 11.  The Bun

Publicist:  Rick Lusher

Review:  Traditional blues always sound better with a funky organ and a wailing guitar, and this album has that in spades.  Add to that the soulful voice of Bruce Katz and you have the perfect recipe for a rocking blues sound that will get you on your feet and grooving to the music.  The instrumentals “Freight Train,” “Beef Jerky” and “River Blues” would work great as commercial placements, while the remainder of the songs are radio friendly and also good material for music supervisors.  You can’t go wrong with the amazing sound of this band, and we would love to see them perform live, as we are sure that all of the amazing energy would translate well in a concert setting.  “Shine Together (Tribe of Lights)” and “Make Things Right” would make great theme songs for a worthy charity.  They are very inspirational and the cherry on top of this perfect album.

Recommendation:  Don’t “hesitate,” Get this one today.

Artist Name:  Changelings

Album Name:  From my Raygun With Love

Label:  Marshmallow Pavement Records

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Love Like Diamonds; 2.  Fridge Buzz; 3.  Baby We’re Falling Upwards; 4.  Moondance Venus; 5.  Escapist; 6.  Withdrawal; 7.  Andrea; 8.  They Don’t Hold a Candle

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  We have heard so much great music lately from down under, and Changelings has to be near the top of the heap.  Their music is very chill and dreamy, with a vibe that totally relaxes the listener.  The songs are truly radio friendly, and perfect for numerous placements in film and television.  These songs are like diamonds, perfectly reflecting the light.  Lead single “Moondance Venus” is the obvious choice for a break-out song, and we think it highlights the best parts of this album.

Recommendation:  We highly recommend you Get this one.

Artist Name:  Leeroy

Album Name:  Burn to Ashes

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Rock/R&B/Reggae

Track Listing:   1.  Burn to Ashes; 2.  Freedom’s Prisoners; 3.  Mr. Steal Your Girl; 4.  Roamer

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  We were hooked from the first notes, but the amazing vocals truly put this one over the top.  We just wish there were more than four tracks, because our appetite is ravenous for more.  We love the fact that his music combines elements of rock, R&B and reggae, and especially love “Mr. Steal Your Girl.”  Leeroy is an amazing guitarist and vocalist, and we expect great things from him in the not too distant future.

Recommendation:  Drop what you’re doing and Get this one.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Nicholas Merz, Tulipomania, Lower Automation, Lucky 757, Robert Cellucci

What an amazing time we had in North Carolina at the Richardson Family Reunion in Fayetteville.  There were two aunts, one sibling, five first cousins, and a slew of second and third cousins.  It was a day of great BBQ (thanks Damon!), food, sweets and the best conversation, as memories flowed like wine.  It made me remember what I loved most about being around family.  We also got to see an afternoon performance by our friend Jason Adamo, who recently scored his first platinum album as he co-wrote the recent #1 song by Brett Young, “Beautiful Believer.”  Can’t wait to go back again, but in the meantime, here are five more artists for you to check out.

Artist Name:  Nicholas Merz

Album Name:  The Limits of Men

Label:  Aagoo Records

Genre:  Folk Rock

Track Listing:    1.  Generation; 2.  Fashion; 3.  Man Without Woman; 4.  Bulled Rose; 5.  The Empress Of The Garden; 6.  Neon Figures; 7.  Domestic Dispute; 8.  Down Range; 9.  The Great American Tail

Publicist:  Shameless Promotion PR

Review:  The first thing you notice is the deep voice of Nicholas Merz and the soothing folk rock soundtrack that supports these songs.  This is his debut solo album after recording six albums with the Seattle indie rock band Darto.  The songs have an almost Americana feel, especially “Man Without Woman,” and a serious singer-songwriter vibe.  Among the best tracks are “Fashion,” the first single “Bulled Rose,” “Domestic Dispute,” and “Down Range.”

Recommendation:  This one is definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  Tulipomania

Album Name:  Off the Map

Label:  Sursumcorda Recordings

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Off the Map; 2.  On the Outside (Spinello remix); 3.  On the Outside (Spinello remix instrumental)

Publicist:  Shameless Promotion PR

Review:  This EP contains two songs (and an instrumental version of the second song), showing two entirely different sounds, albeit both are in the alt rock family.  “Off the Map” is very dark, moody and melancholic, while “On the Outside” is more upbeat but with the same dark and melancholic vibe.  The band also simultaneously released music videos for each song, which have received critical acclaim and resulted in the video for “Off the Map” being selected for the Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York, UK.

Recommendation:  This band is definitely not for everybody.  If you like your music different, and you are adventurous, then give this one a spin.

Artist Name:  Lower Automation

Album Name:  Shoebox Companion

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Mathcore/Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Coax; 2.  Cattle Prod Hypochondriac; 3.  Tethererd; 4.  30 Second Song; 5.  Phil and Phyllis Philler; 6.  Swing Flesh

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  We can safely say we have never heard anything like Lower Automation.  It has the high intensity of punk with the chaos of psychedelica, and a healthy does of hard core rock.  The lyrics are difficult to understand both sonically and literally.  This is not music for the masses, and we hope they can find an audience for this entirely different type of music.

Recommendation:  This one is only for the truly adventurous.  For the rest of us, forget it.

Artist Name:  Lucky 757

Album Name:  Lonesome Lagoon

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Surf Rock Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Spanish Shore; 2.  Mar Agitado; 3.  Cross Steppin’ 4.  Reflecting; 5.  Belvedere Banzai; 6.  Fernando; 7.  The Voyager; 8.  MONSTA!; 9.  Mugsy; 10.  Lonesome Lagoon

Publicist:  Working Brilliantly

Review:  If you say instrumental surf rock to most music lovers, they will immediately think of the incredible Dick Dale and his song forever associated with the movie Pulp Fiction.  Trust us when we tell you the legacy of Dale will live on in the work of Lucky 757.  They not only continue his rich tradition, they actually improve upon it.  This is an amazing set of 10 songs that every lover of surf rock will enjoy, and you will want to hear this one over and over again.

Recommendation:  By all means, rush out and Get this one.

Artist Name:  Robert Cellucci

Album Name:  The End of a Rainbow

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Country

Track Listing:  1.  The End of a Rainbow; 2.  I Love You Today; 3.  20 Years Ago; 4.  I’m so Sorry; 5.  I’m Sure About This; 6.  Me & You; 7.  Who I Want to Be; 8.  The End of a Rainbow (acoustic)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We don’t normally review albums that are more than six months old, but we were so impressed with this young man that we are making an exception in his case.  We met him last Sunday while attending the Jason Adamo show we talked about earlier.  His voice is crystal clear and perfect for country music, with a sound similar to Darius Rucker and Dustin Lynch.  The title song is clever and strong, and would be a great candidate for extended airplay on country radio, as would “I Love You Today.”    Cellucci is a natural storyteller, and we can’t understand how he hasn’t been discovered yet.  With his talents, he could easily make it in today’s country music scene.  There is not a weak song on this album.  Nashville needs to definitely take notice of this artist.

Recommendation:  This artist is heading for stardom.  Jump on this bandwagon now, and Get his debut EP today!

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Rayland Baxter, Jose Gonzalez and The Brite Lights, Shakey Graves at Big Sky Brewing Company – live performance review

Our final concert for August at the Big Sky Brewing Company occurred on August 25, and included solo performer Rayland Baxter, and bands José González & the Brite Lights and Shakey Graves.  It was a remarkably chill evening that coincided with the return of the students for the fall semester at the University of Montana and the 13th annual River City Roots Festival.  Once again, it was produced by Knitting Factory Presents, and they did another wonderful job, as did the amazing catering staff of Riversong Gourmet Catering.

Nashville native Rayland Baxter kicked off the evening with a short 20-minute solo set, playing songs from his recently released album Wide Awake.  He also made a tongue-in-cheek attempt at shredding, much to the delight of the crowd.  After his set, we got to spend some time together, as he hung out with me at the pass gate, watching portions of the rest of the artists performing.  He was an extremely nice guy who had a few friends and fans in the audience, and took the time to talk to each and every one of them.

Next on the stage was Swedish artist José González, who brought his band, The Brite Lights, with him.  The harmonies were exquisite, as was the amazing sound of their music.  The audience got into them rather quickly, and were soon in sync with the performance.  The band also had the amazing sound of The Gipsy Kings, and the audience roared with approval at not just the vocal harmonies but the musical harmonies and percussion as well.  Check out their most recent Spotify upload for a taste of the magic.

Finally, it was time for the headliner, and the crowd was restless with anticipation.  This was the third recent performance by Shakey Graves in Missoula.  The last time he was here, he was the opening act for The Decemberists’ Traveler’s Rest Festival last year.  He and his other guitarist snuck into the crowd and began their set from just in front of the sound booth while his drummer and bass player joined in from the stage.  The crowd went crazy, and it became quickly clear that we were in for a wonderful show.  Graves played with his band for approximately 30 minutes before sending them off on a break while he performed alone as a one-man band, reminiscent of the great Rocco DeLuca.  As this was his first local performance with a full band, the audience was most familiar with his solo material.  This portion also lasted about 30 minutes before he was joined on stage for a stirring duet with Baxter.  After the song, Graves invited Baxter to join in with the band, and he continued on acoustic guitar, providing a welcome addition to the overall amazing sound of Graves’ band.  He sent the band away again and performed his final songs by himself, honestly telling the crowd that it was his true “last song”, as he wasn’t going to do a fake encore.  The concert ended before curfew, and the crowd quickly departed the venue.  Afterwards, I had the opportunity to take a co-worker and his date backstage.  She was a huge Shakey Graves fan, and was dying to meet him.  I had already cleared it with management, and Graves was the perfect gentleman as he took the time to talk with them and take pictures.  It was the perfect ending to a wonderful night of music.