Month: April 2019

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

Get it or forget it – Short Shadows, Zephyranthes, Signals, Assassins, Susan Santos

We’re glad you all seemed to enjoy our Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos lists we published yesterday.  Thanks for your visits to our blog and keep sharing.  We’re back today with another round of Get it or Forget it reviews, and hope you enjoy these diverse artists.

Artist Name:  Short Shadows

Album Name:  War Anecdotes from the Northern Suburbs

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  City Loop; 2.  Nothing Good Comes out of Preston; 3.  A Thornbury Story; 4.  That’s no Moon; 5.  Pentridge Blvd; 6.  Jackknife Casino; 7.  Autumn Haze; 8.  It’s Raining in the City; 9.  The Battle for Northcote; 10.  Don’t Stay Away too Long; 11.  Customer Service; 12.  Heartbreak Hockey Jerseys; 13.  Southside Girl; 14.  Sometime I Forget; 15.  The Novelty Wears Off

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  We introduced you to the incredible sound of Aussie Short Shadows when we featured his song “Nothing Good Comes out of Preston.”  The full album, which was recently released, continues the greatness of that song, adding more treasure to the trove, revealing this easily relatable artist is an excellent vocalist and songwriter.  Honestly, you can listen from start to finish and not get bored.  The stories keep you interested, and the horns truly raise the songs to a new level.  Please come and tour the U.S.

Recommendation:  Go Get this one!

Artist Name:  Zephyranthes

Album Name:  iii

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Psychedelic/Progressive Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Foam Sacrament; 2.  Fortune Teller; 3.  Alone in Stead; 4.  Telecommoner; 5.  Atomic en Masse

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This truly unique band comes out of Raleigh, NC, and uses the sounds of psychedelica and progressive rock to create its own brand of music that is totally different from its peers.  There are moments of greatness in their songs, but they do not have the continuity and impact of other indie rock bands.  While we cannot give them an unsensored thumbs up, we do think they are worthy of checking out and keeping track of.  They just might surprise us.

Recommendation:  Potential but not there yet.

Artist Name:  Signals

Album Name:  Signals

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  In the Middle of the Night; 2.  Move It; 3.  Take Care; 4.  Say You’ll be with me Tonight

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Signals could easily become a guilty pleasure.  Their music is fun and retro and full of blistering synth pop vibes, great vocals and a beat that compels you to dance.  The first single, “In the Middle of the Night,” deserves more radio airplay, and “Move It,” “Take Care” and “Say You’ll be with me Tonight” are equally enjoyable and worthy of industry attention.  This is a band on the cusp of greatness and we would love to see them go mainstream.  You can’t go wrong with this tasty appetizer.  We can hardly wait for a full-length to arrive.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Assassins

Album Name:  Confidence

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Time Away; 2.  Shout About It; 3.  Over my Head; 4.  Heartbeat

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:   Assassins was previously active from 1981-89 in the Melbourne pub scene before going dark.  The members hooked up again in 2015 and released their debut album in 2017.  They are back with their sophomore album, and the title tells it all.  This band oozes confidence, both in their incredible musicianship and their fresh take on the punk vibe.  These songs will hit home with their listeners as the band continues to find its way in the indie music scene.  We think they have the potential to make it, and look forward to hearing what comes next.

Recommendation:  Go get this one, especially if you love great rock.

Artist Name:  Susan Santos

Album Name:  No U Turn

Label:  TWH

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Blind Woman; 2.  Slow Down; 3.  Fool Me; 4.  Shakin’ all Over; 5.  Freedom; 6.  Heaven or Hell; 7.  Dry River; 8.  Feeling Good; 9.  Green; 10.  In Trouble

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review: Susan Santos (not to be confused with Suzanne Santos of HoneyHoney) is an electrifying blues guitarist with an incredible and crystal clear voice that brings new life to blues rock.  Her music will thrill you like no other, and we can only imagine how magnificent she must be in concert – good enough that it earned her a European Blues Award for Best Musical Performance in 2018.  Every element of her sound is at the top of the food chain, and she deserves serious industry attention.  Her songs are perfect for multiple genres of radio airplay, and would make great placements in television and film.  Santos has a voice you won’t soon forget, and we bet you will be putting this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  Drop what you’re doing, run out to your favorite record store, and Get this one Today!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Ten Amazing Videos Women in Entertainment

Ten amazing videos released in March 2019

March continued to show an influx in the release of music videos, and we received more than 200 requests. After posting 20 of them in our four Monday Mashup articles, we have combed through the rest of the submissions to pick the best 10, and present them to you now to close the book on March.

We kick it off with the rocking sound of Echo 2 Locate and their single “High.”  This one has everything you love in good rock videos – lights, action and an amazing female lead.  Enjoy.

Next up is Dutch band Eckhardt and the House, who invite extraterrestrials to visit in their song, “Humans,” a catchy pop song derived from an old Peruvian folk tune.

Our third video is an amazing cover of the classic Amy Winehouse tune, “Back to Black.”  The Electric Radio Kings have totally made it their own with their signature rock vibe, and we think this version is even better than the original.  What do you think?

With a mixture of jazz, trip-hop and neo-soul, Sariyah Idan creates music that chills and entertains.  She has just released a lyric video for her song, “You Got to Go,” and we love it, especially the amazing cinematography, which was mostly shot in Berlin as she was writing the song.  Enjoy this sweet treat.

Video number five is from Long Beach, California rock collective WARGIRL, and we love the retro feel of the song and the psychedelic vibe.  Check out “Mess Around.”

Country legend John Berry has just released a lyric video for “The Richest Man,” which he dedicates to his father.  It is so nice to have the honey-voiced Berry back, as his songs were at the top of the charts in the late 90s/early 00s.  We think this one will make you think of those you love who have passed away, and we likewise dedicate it to the memory of our Dad, who passed away in November 2017.

Our seventh video is hauntingly sweet and visually stunning, with amazing cinematography and the voice that reminds us of Marilyn Monroe.  Check out Luvia and her song, “Hunted.”  We previously shared the single version with you.

Next up is the absolutely beautiful voice of the amazing indie artist known as Callaghan Belle.  Check out the awesomeness of her song, “Dear Detroit.”  We think it will give a lift to your week.

We love our ninth video, which was shot on location at Sun Studios and other iconic locations in Memphis.  We love the growth in the band since we last reviewed them last September, and think you will love the sound of Lucky 757, featuring Matt Jordan on the piano.  Check out “Memphis Sun,” the video for the first single from their forthcoming album.

We close out the month with the video for “Umbrella Lovers,” which we featured as a single in mid-March.  Marty Brown is another country legend, and we are pleased to be able to support his music.  This is how country music is made.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Ten Great Singles Women in Entertainment

Ten great singles released in March 2019

March continued to show an influx in the release of singles, and we received more than 300 requests.  After posting 20 of them in our four Monday Mashup articles, we have combed through the rest of the submissions to pick the best 10, and present them to you now to close the book on March.

Our first single is the latest from Americana stalwarts Jangling Sparrows.  This Asheville, NC based band has consistently given us great music, and their latest single, “Estuaries,” is one of their best, with its strong roots rock feel.  Let us know what you think.

Next up is a young singer-songwriter from NYC with a golden voice and the amazing ability to melt your heart with his lyrics.  Check out Dante Palminteri and his latest single, “Miles Away.”

For single number three we travel to New Orleans for the Euro-based synthpop sound of Berlin Taxi.  This one will bring back a ton of memories because it sounds so familiar yet fresh.  Check out “Everybody Changes.”

Our fourth single is sweetness in song from the one and only Kensington Moore.  She melts our heart with her story of love lost, a topic we can all relate to, and does it with some of the hottest pop beats we have heard.  Don’t worry Kensington – you’ll never hear us say “I Don’t Like you Anymore.”

Next up is an up and coming songwriter from Hong Kong who has a distinctive rock and R&B sound and a keen approach to songwriting.  We love the chill feel of her single “The Ride,” and think that DBE definitely has a future in this business.

We kick off the second five with a dreamy pop song from London’s DAYLA.  We love the way this one makes us feel, and think you will love it as well.  Here’s “Closer,” her debut single.

Next up is an iconic duo from Torrance, California who possess that rare gift – familial harmonies.  Sisters Aly and AJ Michalka will steal your heart and take you to “Church” on their latest.  Don’t miss the chance to catch them on tour this summer.

Single number eight is a folk-pop song that belongs on the radio.  The vocals drip honey and the musical accompaniment will have you relaxed in no time at all.  Here’s Aussie Josh Alexander and his latest single, “Closing.”

Is it the 80s again?  No, but that decade definitely influenced the sound of Sweden’s Cat Princess, and you can hear it on their latest single, “Silver Socks.”

We close out this edition with the rocking roots sound of Conor Donohue and his single, “Getting Better,” off his forthcoming album Let Love Contaminate, which we will be reviewing later this month.

We’ll be back shortly with our Ten Amazing Videos list.

 

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

Get it or forget it – Black Cat Biscuit, Isa Bell, Paria, Charlie Dennard, Sonic Rade

We’re back with our first Get it or Forget it for the month of April, and have five interesting artists for you to check out.  Later this week watch for our Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos articles, as well as our #NewMusicFriday edition of Get it or Forget it.  Let’s get going.

Artist Name:  Black Cat Biscuit

Album Name:  That’s How the Cookie Crumbles

Label:  Naked

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Train 66; 2.  Haunting Me; 3.  Sons of a Vampire; 4.  Parrot Woman; 5.  Ain’t got Nobody to Come Home; 6.  What I Really Need is You; 7.  He’s a Fool; 8.  Bad James; 9.  Hey Little Kiddy; 10.  I Don’t Know; 11.  So sad and Lonely; 12.  Goin’ Home

Publicist:  The Bluesbones

Review: This band may be from Belgium, but the have captured the American art forms of the blues to create a debut album that sets the bar high for subsequent projects.  Mixing rockabilly with the blues sound of Chicago and New Orleans, every blues lover will find a lot to love about this album.  The songs are fun and upbeat, even if they are the blues.  We think this band could easily compete in the US with their dynamic style, and hope that they will come to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.

Recommendation:  Go Get this one.

Artist Name:  Isa Bell

Album Name:  Lightin’ Up Your Day

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Reggae/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Hypnotise the Time; 2.  All United; 3.  Don’t Say It …; 4.  Let it Go; 5.  Lightin’ up Your Day

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Isa Bell is a work of art – a beautiful woman with a golden voice and the ability to merge a jazz standards style with the chill factor of reggae.  Her voice is so classy you’d expect it to be singing by a piano in a smoky bar.  Once the reggae beat kicks in, your image changes and you expect her to be singing on an island somewhere.  We really love the ska feel of “Don’t Say It.”  She is one of the best discoveries we have made this year, and we think she has the goods to conquer the world.  We can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Recommendation:  This one is a priority – go Get it!

Artist Name:  Paria

Album Name:  Popsicle

Label:  Bøl Records

Genre:  R&B./Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Disappear; 2.  Summer Blind; 3.  Tragic; 4.  Casual

Publicist:  Mystic Sons

Review:  Paria has one of those voices that few pop singers have ever possessed – one that soars and climbs ever higher – like those of Minnie Ripperton and Mariah Carey.  You can feel the soul and R&B of these tracks, and they soothe your mind as they caress your ears and quickly get you in the mood.  We introduced you to her last September when we featured “Casual” in our Monday Mashup, and are glad that she’s come back with more.  We just want a full length album.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth your time – Get this one and chill.

Artist Name:  Charlie Dennard

Album Name:  Deep Blue

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  St. Charles Strut; 2.  Mojave; 3.  Wanderlust; 4.  Deep Blue; 5.  Trois Fois; 6.  Joe’s Crusade; 7.  Father

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review: Charlie Dennard is an amazing composer and pianist who is also the music director for the Cirque du Soleil show “Totem,” currently touring the European continent.  He has adopted New Orleans as his home, and his music reflects the musical heritage of that special city.  This is jazz music for jazz nerds.  It’s non-pretentious, primarily piano and jazz snare, and thoroughly chill.  Just add a glass of wine or your favorite mixed drink, sit back and relax, and take it all in – you will instantly feel the tension leave your body.

Recommendation:  This one is a must-have for all serious jazz lovers.

Artist Name:  Sonic Rade

Album Name:  Sonic Rade

Label:  VDM Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Lost Identity; 2.  Let’s Dream Tonight; 3.  Black Cloud; 4.  Queen of Hearts; 5.  Ink in the Water; 6.  Back to the Moon; 7.  In the Deep; 8.  American Eyes; 9.  All That we Breathe; 10.  Cloverfields; 11.  Believers; 12.  Indian Calling; 13.  Hollywood

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Sonic Rade is a Swiss indie pop/rock trio.  Their previous album garnered enough critical support to receive a first-round nomination for the 2016 Grammys, and their new one is no less worthy.  Their sound will bring back memories of bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran, and the band deserves serious industry attention, especially from college radio.  The album is deep with appropriate cuts, especially their first single, “Let’s Dream Tonight.”

Recommendation:  Grab it while it’s hot.

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 13

It may be April Fool’s Day, but the quality of the music coming out of the indie community is no joke.  This month has five Mondays, so we have an extra opportunity to highlight outstanding singles and music videos.  Let’s get it going.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is a blast from the past.  Many of you fell in love with the sound of The Rembrandts, especially if you were fans of the television show, Friends.  Well the lads are making a comeback, courtesy of the fine folks at Blue Élan Records, and have released their first single, “How Far Would you Go?”

For our second single, allow us to introduce you to pronoun, an amazing one-woman band with an incredible pop sound.  Here’s the title track from her forthcoming album temporary insanity, which will be released in May.

If you like television theme music, then you will love our third single from Run Coyote.  We love the retro feel of 60s television on “The Chase.

Just when you think you’ve heard all the possible mash-up combinations along comes a band that mixes disco with metal.  They are actually quite good and go by the name Makes my Blood Dance.  Here is their first single, “Beaming Right Up.”  See you on the dance floor.

Our final single this week is from Jenny Tolman, an upcoming country songstress who was recently named as the Facebook Artist of the Day.  She shows why she was chosen on her latest single, “High Class White Trash.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Are you one of the countless fans that made Glee such a cultural phenomenon?  If you are, then our first video will definitely appeal to you.  It comes from Kevin McHale, who portrayed the affable wheelchair-bound character Artie Abrams.  On his first ever solo project, he has written an incredibly danceable song, “Help me Now,” and has created a lyric video for the tune.

Next up is a chill video from Erin K.  We love her sound and think you will dig it as well.  Here’s “Frame to Freeze.”

Our next band, The Happys, comes from the San Francisco area and bring back fun surf music with a hint of punk on their single “Cut the Rope.”

Our fourth video comes from goth rockers Skiver.  These guys will blow you away with a sound like an entire band of Adam Lamberts.  Here is their song “No Goodbyes.”  Rock on!

Our final video is a soothing tune from Elisa Kate which we think is the perfect segue to the week.  Enjoy the beauty of “Now or Never.”  See you soon.