Month: January 2021

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indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 4)

It’s our final Monday Mashup for January, and we think we have some powerful tunes for your listening pleasure.  Let’s get the party going.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the latest from LA’s premier all-girl band SZNS, who channel the 90’s power-pop sound to bring perfect harmonies as well as a powerful message.  Check out “Behave.”

Behave · SZNS (spotify.com)

Next up is We Three, our favorite trio since Nickel Creek.  The latest, “Secrets,” continues their legacy of incredible songs and is one of the best songs they have recorded.  We think you’ll fall in love with them as well.

Secrets · We Three (spotify.com)

Our third single is a refreshing pop tune from Zoe Clark that reminds us of vintage Taylor Swift.  Check out her latest and tell us if you think you’ll be the “Last One Standing.”

Last One Standing · Zoe Clark (spotify.com)

Our next single comes from Berlin-based The Flavians, and talks about star-crossed lovers and wasting time.  The song has a definite Americana edge, and we are impressed.  Check out “Ace of Base.”  Can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Spotify – Ace of Base

We close out this week’s new singles with this foot-stomping tune from Jeff Plankenhorn that we could easily see being used in the next season of Mayans.  It’s called “Murder of Crows” and it creates all kinds of word pictures.  We think this one is a true keeper and a great two-step.

Murder of Crows · Jeff Plankenhorn (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week comes from Nova Miller, who has a voice that is instantly familiar and truly deserving of extended radio airplay.  This song makes us want to get out on the dance floor and is perfectly visualized in her video.  Check out “Here With Me” – we definitely want to be there.

Our next video will definitely pull at your heartstrings as the sweet voice of Bryan Lanning gives life to his single, “Walls.”  Trust us, you’ll want to have some tissues ready.

Coping with the virus has allowed many indie artists to up their “A” game.  Case in point is our next music video, which was produced and created in his own home by Aaron Sibley.  Check out “Frozen Mind.”

Our fourth music video has a very distinctive 60’s feel in the music of Venus Furs.  They have a psychedelic feel to their sound that will definitely put you in an introspective mood.  Check out their “New Inspiration.”

We close out the month with our final music video for January.  This one is a groovy performance video from the band The BluesBones for their song “Demon Blues.”  We can’t wait until we can get out and experience these kind of songs live again.  In the meantime, we hope this one will help you remember what it was like.

 

Categories
indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 3)

Happy MLK Day!  Hope you had a great weekend and are ready for some great new music, including the latest video from multi-LA Music Critic Award winning band, The Spider Accomplice.  Let’s get going.

NEW SINGLES

We kick things off this week with the latest from country/ Americana powerhouse Peggy James.  We think it is the perfect song for this new year, and we pray that our “Guardian Angel” will direct our paths during 2021,

Guardian Angel · Peggy James (spotify.com)

Next up is England-born rocker Tommy Newport.  Check out his groovy tune called “Yellow Line.”  This one will definitely get your toes tapping.

Yellow Lines · Tommy Newport (spotify.com)

Our third single comes from the band Welshly Arms and should be considered THE anthem for 2021.  The song speaks of hope and change and we are totally inspired after listening.  Let’s join the band, knowing that “I Will Overcome.”

I Will Overcome · Welshly Arms (spotify.com)

Next up is the first new “Christian Rock” we have heard in quite some time.  We love the way they have brought the story of the Book of Exodus to life, and remind us of one of the pioneers of Christian rock, Petra.  Check out The Word66 and their single, “On the Way to the Promise Land.”

On The Way To The Promise Land by The Word66 | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Our final single this week is from the intriguing pop band KITTEN.  They ask the simple question, “Do U Still Love Me?”  After hearing this song, the resounding response is “Yes.”

Do U Still Love Me? · Kitten (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

As promised, here is the brand new music video from one of our all-time favorite bands, the multi-talented and multi-awarded alternative rock band The Spider Accomplice.  This one is more of a power ballad than their usual style, and we will definitely “Keep” playing this one.

We love great Americana music because of the stories they tell, and this new one from Shannon Clark and the Sugar is one of the most powerful we’ve heard since “Whiskey Lullaby.”  Watch this powerful video and let the words of “Carry Me” sink in.

Our third video is courtesy of Angela Leese, the drummer for one of our favorite punk bands, Taco Mouth.  She likewise shines on this song by punk/new rock guitarist Jax Hollow which will truly rock your socks, and leave you with a desire to “Say my Name.”

Next is the latest from Valleyheart, a band with a true classic rock sound that reminds us of the 90’s.  The song is called “T.I.K.,” which is an acronym for Thoughts I Keep.  Listen carefully to the words of the song and rock out to the beat.

Our final video this week is “Francine” from People Club, a band we introduced you to back in October 2019.  This one is equally as different, and we invite you to check it out.

 

Categories
indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 2)

Hope you survived the NFL’s first six game wild card weekend.  It was an interesting one, with plenty of football action as well as the arrival of Hawaii 5-0 on the Ion television network.  Regardless of how you spent your weekend, it’s time now for another week of great indie music and the unveiling of this week’s Monday Mashup.

NEW SINGLES

We get this week off to a good start with the release of “Hey Beautiful” from intriguing artist Black MP Well.  We love the reggae feel of this one and think you will too.  It also has a great message that everyone is beautiful, regardless of how they look on the outside.

Hey Beautiful · Black MP Well (spotify.com)

Next up is a sweet and smooth tune from the incomparable Toby Lightman.  This time around she talks about the “Ebb and Flow” of life, and provides the perfect soundtrack for a new week.

Ebb and Flow · Toby Lightman (spotify.com)

Our third single comes from British husband and wife duo Toby & Pip.  We love the simplified sound of their harmonies and are inspired by the message of truth and hope in their single “New Year.”

New Year · Toby & Pip (spotify.com)

Next up is an incredible single from Las Vegas-based singer Sabriel.  Her dreamy groove and sexy lyrics will entice you to check out her entire library.  Give a listen to “Love Again.”

Love Again · Sabriel (spotify.com)

Our final single this week has a dynamic 80’s vibe that carries its message of hope and friendship.  We are proud to present Sleepwoka with his latest creation, “Together We Are.”

Together We Are · Sleepwoka (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Today was the 25th anniversary of the start of Life.Church.  To celebrate this monumental occasion, their worship team has released a stunning lyric video for their song, “As You Are.”  This song shares the love and vision of this church, and shares the hope and promise of being around people that truly accept you.  Congratulations and here’s to the next 25 years.

Next up is the latest from LA Music Critic Award-winning singer-songwriter Dree Mon.  We simply love the sentiments expressed and the beat keeps drawing us out to the dance floor.  Enjoy the amazing visuals for “Love me at my Best.”

We haven’t featured any hard rock in a bit, but we found the perfect vehicle in the form of alternative metal band HURANOVA from Italy.  Check out this video for their song, “Need,” and pay homage to the next great female lead vocalist.

Our fourth video is a powerful summary of the events of 2020, coupled with hope for the future.  Check out Jeff Coffey‘s stunning video for “Someday.”  If the voice sounds familiar, that’s because he used to sing for one of our favorite bands, Chicago.

We close out this week with an animated lyric video of the debut single by Brady Lee, complete with the perfect amount of Jimmy Buffett/Luke Bryan swagger.  He says “I Can do This All Day,” and we hope he can.

 

Categories
Best of 2020 indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Best Music Videos of 2020

We’re back with our list of the best music videos as featured in our Monday Mashup column.  Like our list of best singles, we are listing them in the order they were featured in our blog.

Volume 1 – The Spider Accomplice, “Enough”

Volume 2 –  Sonja Midtune, “Lonely Bones”

Volume 3 –  Ace of Wands, “Feminine Values”

Volume 4 –  Deleo, “Unfair”

Volume 5 – Casey Ahern, “Sunday Driver”

Volume 6 – Alyssa Jacey, “Why I Left”

Volume 7 – Nicole Boggs and the Reel, “Money”

Volume 8 –  Chelsea Williams, “Wasted”

Volume 9 – The Spider Accomplice, “Crawl”

Volume 10 –  Sean Ardoin, “Came Thru Pullin”

Volume 11 – Ben Fuller, “Find my Faith”

Volume 12 – Dauzat St. Marie, “Common Ground’

 

Volume 13 –  Scout Durwood, “Sad Ukelele”

Volume 14 –  The Imaginaries, “Walking on a Wire”

Volume 15 –  Brooke Moriber, “Better Days”

Volume 16 –  Kris Angelis, “Ghost (I’m Alive & Breathing)”

Volume 17 –  Lucy & La Mer, “Better Than I was Before”

Volume 18 – The Imaginaries, “Hometown Christmas”

Volume 19 –  Eric Bellinger, Inigo Pascual, Sam Concepcion, Moophs, Zee Avi and Vince Nantes, “Rise (Together)”

Best of the Rest – Baby Taylah, “Good Enough”

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2020 indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Best singles of 2020

This past year was a tough one for the majority of us.  Thank goodness there was indie music.  Looking back over the 19 Monday Mashup columns we compiled during the year, we have selected the 20 Best Singles.  Here they are in the order we featured them.

Volume 1 – Matt Hansen, “Find Me”

Find Me · Matt Hansen (spotify.com)

Volume 2 – Emmrose, “Take me With You”

Spotify – Take Me with You

Volume 3 – Jackie Castro, “Gravity”

Spotify – Gravity

Volume 4 – Joel Plaskett, “If There’s Another Road”

Spotify – If There’s Another Road

Volume 5 – Single by Sunday, “Debbie”

Spotify – Debbie

Volume 6 – Nia Ekanem, “Shelter”

Spotify – Shelter

Volume 7 – Kyle LaLone, “Not Gonna Drink Over You”

Spotify – Not Gonna Drink Over You

Volume 8 – BINX, “Blazing”

Spotify – Blazing

Volume 9 – The Trusted, “The Innocent”

Spotify – The Innocent

Volume 10 – Katie Knipp, “Chamomile and Cocaine”

Spotify – Chamomile and Cocaine

Volume 11 – Ted Russell Kamp, “Home Sweet Hollywood”

Spotify – Home Sweet Hollywood

Volume 12 – The Imaginaries, “Revival”

Spotify – Revival

Volume 13 – Soul Asylum, “If I Told You”

Spotify – If I Told You (Acoustic)

Volume 14 – Gina Sicilia, “Married Man”

Spotify – Married Man

Volume 15 – Mustangs of the West, “I am the Highway”

Spotify – I Am the Highway

Volume 16 – Goldflēce, “Tie One On”

Spotify – Tie One On

Volume 17 – Brigitte Purdy, “Memphis Hotline”

Spotify – Memphis Hotline

Volume 18 – Cameron DuBois, “Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are”

Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are · Cameron DuBois, Bama Sound (spotify.com)

Volume 19 – Amy Steele, “Our House”

Our House · Amy Steele (spotify.com)

Best of the Rest – Shannon Hurley, “Am I in This Love Alone”

Am I in This Love Alone · Shannon Hurley (spotify.com)

We’ll be back soon with our 20 Best Music Videos.  See you soon.

 

Categories
indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 1)

It’s a new year – welcome 2021.  Here’s hoping that we will see a return to live music and much success for indie artists worldwide.

Speaking of live music, we just learned of the passing of long-time indie music supporter Lina La Rosa to ALS.  We are dedicating this week’s column to her memory.  RIP, Lina.

After waking up to a blanket of white on New Year’s Day, we wanted to kick off the new year right with some great new singles and music videos.  Here’s what we found this week:

NEW SINGLES

Our first single is from an artist whom we’ve known since the 90’s.  She is a survivor of COVID, and probably our favorite redhead on the planet.  We’re talking about none other than Nina Storey, and her first song of 2021 will definitely get you on the dance floor.  Check out her latest groove and get ready to “Fly.”

Fly · Nina Storey (spotify.com)

Next up is a beautiful holiday song from another friend from our time living in San Diego.  She has since moved to Nashville where she has become a popular host of a music show, an actress and a force of nature.  Check out “Somethin’ ‘Bout the Snow” from the original lady of blue, Alyssa Jacey.

Somethin’ Bout the Snow · Alyssa Jacey (spotify.com)

Our third song pretty much sums up the feelings of quite a few people concerning 2020.  Meiko is another long-time friend who says what many of us feel, “This Year can Kiss my Ass.”

This Year Can Kiss My Ass · Meiko (spotify.com)

Gabe Dixon is a past winner of the LA Music Critic Awards, and has become the natural follow-up to such amazing “piano men” as Billy Joel, Elton John and Phil Vassar.  We simply love his holiday song and echo its sentiments, so let’s bring in the “New Year Just With You.”

Spotify – New Year Just with You

We close out this week’s singles with the latest from the multi-talented actress, songwriter, crafter and co-creator of the “Don’t Call us Tori” showcase and podcast, LA’s own Shannon Hurley.  In answer to her question, “Am I in This Love Alone,” we respond with a resounding, “Hell No!”

Am I in This Love Alone · Shannon Hurley (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We kick things off with a video from the amazing duo Dauzat St. Marie.  We think this powerful ballad sets the perfect message for 2021 – “In it Together.”

ROCKET is another group with powerful female vocals.  They have just released a lyric video for their empowering song, “Giants,” and we think you should take their lyrics to heart.

Our third video is from a new artist we have recently discovered courtesy of Tarsier Records.  Enjoy this beautiful and soulful visual for “Best Wishes” by Markus.

Christmas may be over, but the spirit of the season lives on in this stirring video cover of one of our all-time favorite classics, “What Child is This.”  Check out Dan Hegarty and metal maven VK Lynne in this stunning visual shot by Sean McHugh.

We close out the first week of the year with this remarkable lyric video that brings back so many memories.  Lend your ear to the amazing songwriting of Michael Shynes and meet us at “Sundown.”