Month: June 2021

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 20)

Happy Monday – as we head for next weekend’s Fourth of July celebration, we are looking forward to celebrating the freedom we  have achieved as new homeowners.  Let’s also celebrate the amazing indie music out now with these five new singles and music videos.

NEW SINGLES

First up for this week and the last week in June is the other Hilary Scott (not the one with two “l” from Lady A).  She released her new 5-song EP Kaleidoscope last Friday, and this is the first track.  We really love it and feel it is a fitting sample of the entire project.  Check out “Just a Shame.”

Our second single comes from an artist we loved before she signed with Blue Élan Records and released her latest album Moth to the Flame on June 18.  Here’s the latest from Natalie Gelman, “Photograph.”  We think she’s just beginning to tap into her immense talent.

Next up is the latest from the Ben Reddell Band, with his sassy Chris Stapleton-esque vocals and a classical country Americana sound.   He will be releasing his new EP LA Story on July 9.  In the meantime, stop and listen awhile when he says “Hey,”

Our fourth single comes from all-female Americana band Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters, who released a live album on May 18.  This is the most popular track, which is also track 1.  Check out “How the West was Won.”

Our final single this week is from 2016 LA Music Critic Award-winning band Carly and the Universe.  They’ve been relatively quiet since then but have returned with abandon.  Their latest single offers “Salvation.”  Maybe we should take them up on it.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video is from an artist that is no stranger to Monday Mashup, and with each new song we continue to be amazed at her artistry.  Rachel Lorin is in top form in her video interpretation of the classic A-ha hit, “Take on Me.”  This one needs to be put on repeat.

Our second video is from our resident funny lady, none other than Blue Élan Records artist Scout Durwood.  This time around she uses a SIM to create the perfect background for her hilarious “Scout it Out.”  This one will definitely have you ROFL.

Music video number three is from the next big LA band, none other than Kids in America.  We love this animated visualizer for “My Escape,” which features Sam Tinnesz.  The song reminds us of Fitz and the Tantrums, and we are in love with it.

Next up is a video we are dedicated to talented songwriter Warren Sellers because of the totally rad skateboarding moves.  It’s from Filipina artist YUZON, and it’s a truly chill tune called “Oh my Days.”  If you don’t like this one, we’ll give you your money back.

Our final music video brings back memories of Rick Astley and the 90s sound and is from relative newcomer Ferris Pier.  Check out the upbeat and stimulating tune, “Everything,” featuring Galen Disston.  This one will definitely power your week.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 19)

Hope you enjoyed this past weekend of Juneteenth and Father’s Day.  Are you ready for a new Monday Mashup?  We got some great new singles and music videos, so let’s get this party started.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single is a powerhouse collaboration between two of the most soulful indie artists we have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  We’re talking about vocals from the one and only Debby Holiday and the incomparable Chris Pierce, combined with a sizzling soundtrack from Brett Oosterhaus.  Check out the radio edit of their hot new tune, “Love and Beats.”

Next up is the latest upbeat treat from LA’s iconic BINX.  She just keeps getting better and better.  In fact, she’s “Glossy,”

Track number three is the latest country offering from the classy Casey Ahern.  This one brings back so many memories and we love all the references to great country classics.  Here’s “Heartbreak Radio.”

Here’s a Monday Mashup extra – hard to believe that it was 30 years ago when CCM artist Amy Grant set the music world on edge with the release of her first pop album, Heart in Motion.  To celebrate she has re-released the album, complete with new songs.  Here’s “Don’t Ever Want to Lose It (Wind in the Fire).”

Next up is a sweet upbeat tune from Bella Paton.  We love her light and airy sound and her sweet vocals.  Check out “Spacey,”  We hope to hear more from her soon.

We close out this week’s singles with this soulful and reflective ballad from Swedish American duo Flora Cash.  This one will stay with you long after the song ends.  Here’s “Don’t You Look at me That Way.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

It’s been a few years since we last caught up with LA songstress Scarlett Taylor.  We have previously reviewed three albums and featured three songs on Monday Mashup. and we think her latest music video is one of her best.  Here’s “California Dreamin.”

Next up is the latest from 2018 LA Music Critic Award nominee Andy Sydow.  This one has a pure country radio-friendly sound and a humorous video.  Check out “Just One More Time.”

Our third video is the final one from her album While the Angels Sigh.  Blue Élan Records artist Cindy Alexander has done it again with a stellar lyric video for her song “Chiaroscuro.”

Next up is a video from hot British duo Superlove.  This one will definitely get your juices flowing.  Celebrate “The People You’ll Love Forever.”

Closing out this week’s music videos is this feel good tune from Canadian group Parks N’ Rec that will definitely get you ready for summer with its reggae sound.  Time to bid “Adieu” to the past.

 

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

Get it or forget it – Ponderosa Grove launches The Debut

cover art by Matthias Petsche

It’s New Music Friday, and we are pleased to bring you a new Get it or Forget it of an amazing new band that features one of our long time friends in the indie music world – Candace Devine.

For those of you who don’t know, I spent quite a few years working in the music business as a publicist and manager.  One of the artists that I used to manage was Devine, who I combined with another long-time friend, Dave Yaden, to form David and Devine.  Twelve years ago this month we launched them with a tour of NYC and the east coast.

Devine went on to get married, move to Prescott, Arizona and start a family.  She has now hooked up with Johan Glidden and Drew Hall to form Ponderosa Grove, and we couldn’t be more impressed with their debut album.

Artist Name:   Ponderosa Grove

Album Name:  The Debut

Label:  Farasi Records

Genre:  Folk/Americana

Track Listing: 1.  Slowing Down in Real Time 2.  Freedom Ride; 3.  Waterline; 4.  It Never Rains; 5.  Til Tomorrow; 6.  Save my Soul; 7.  You Got Me; 8.  One Seat; 9.  Love; 10.  Holding me Back; 11. Into the Blue

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Every so often a new band hits the market that stops you in your tracks and makes you take notice.  The last band that stopped me was Sugarland with the release of their debut album Twice the Speed of Life . . . until today.  This amazing new album has everything that propelled Sugarland to super-stardom, including great songwriting, impeccable musicianship, and a powerhouse female lead vocalist.

Ponderosa Grove features Devine on lead vocals, sharing the mic with Hall on guitar/vocals and Glidden on guitar/violin/vocals.  They are joined by Cosimo Bohrman on bass, Shawnee Snaketail on keys/synthesizer, Kenneth Crouch on organ/Wurlitzer, Bryan Taylor on drums/percussion, Steph Griffin on trumpet, Paul Ruffner on saxophone, and Vince Porter on tuba/trombone.  Devine also wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks, which were produced by Dylan Ludwig and mastered by Hans DeKline.

There is not a weak song on the album, and we wouldn’t be surprised to hear quite a few of them released as singles.  Although the vibe of the album is folk/Americana, there are subtle hints of R&B, jazz and blues, which gives the band a great cross-over window of opportunity.   We do love this entire album, but the tunes that grabbed our attention the most were “Slowing Down in Real Life,” “Waterline” (with obvious inspiration from Fleetwood Mac), the powerful “Save my Soul,” the soulful ballads “You Got Me” and “Into the Blue”, the jazzy “Love” and “Holding me Back.”

Recommendation:  Drop whatever you’re doing and go get this one NOW!!  If you’re lucky enough to be in Prescott, Arizona, they’re celebrating tonight with a Record Release show at Downtown Square at 6:45 p.m.

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 18)

Happy Monday – we’re back with another edition of Monday Mashup and we have some very interesting tunes to share with you this week, including a new single from a baseball legend.  Grab your coffee and let’s get started.

NEW SINGLES

He’s a baseball legend and one of the best pitchers of the past 20 years.  We’re talking of course of the great Barry Zito | Facebook, who pitched for both the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s.  But he’s also a brilliant musician from a musical family (sister Sally Zito is an indie piano musician).  Check out his new single.

Our next single comes from an multi LA Music Critic Award winner, Katie Costello.  She’s got the right idea, as she talks about viewing the world through “Rose Colored Glasses.”

Jay Nash was one of the success stories that came out of the famed Hotel Café.  His latest is a beautiful acoustic cover of one of Tom  Petty‘s greatest hits.  Check out Nash’s version of “Won’t Back Down” with his band, The Contenders.

Our fourth single this week is a future blues classic from the brilliant Karen Lawrence and her band, Blue by Nature.  She’s under a “Bad Spell” and we couldn’t be prouder of this song.  This one bears repeating!

We close out our singles this week with this powerful song from the sultry Christina LaRocca, who reminds us about “The New Normal.”  Welcome to post-pandemic America.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week comes from our favorite South African indie artist Cara Frew.  This is the perfect kick-off video for summer.  Check out “Falling.”

Video number two this week features the country sound of Corinne Cook as she discusses her dating life.  This humorous lyric video will have you ROFL with “Blah, Blah, Blah.”

For our third video this week we would love to introduce one of the fastest rising bands in the country.  Composed of Chip Moreland (husband of indie queen Cindy Alexander) and Gregory Markel, All in your head has captured the heart of music lovers with their incredible harmonies, creative videos and a retro sound.  Check out “How Does it Feel to be Real?”  We think you’ll be back for more.

On the pop country front, we stumbled across this amazing artist and we truly his sound, which we think could quickly rise up the charts and deserves serious radio airplay.  Check out J4 and be “Better.”

We close out this week with another future country smash from Seth Michael.  His latest belongs on country radio and the video is amazing.  Check out “She Got a Thing.”

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 17)

We have officially moved to North Carolina and the renovations have begun on our new home.  We just got our internet installed last Thursday, and I had a job interview as well.  Going through the background check right now, and hope to hear from them soon.  In the meantime, let’s get back to sharing new singles and new music videos with you.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is a beautiful and harmonious duet featuring our friend Melissa Polinar and the other worldly sound of the one and only India.Arie.  With our country finally coming back alive and a full concert schedule for the summer, let’s celebrate with their joyous tune “We Started a Song.”

Spotify – We Started a Song

Another voice that has led the revolution has returned with a powerful new ballad that is inspiring a whole new generation.  Check out “I Belong,” the latest anthem from MILCK.

I Belong · MILCK (spotify.com)

It’s never a bad time for a new tune from the golden boy Gabe Dixon.  His vocals drip with honey and his mastery of the keys is second to none.  Sit back and enjoy his musical style and “Lay it on Me.”

Lay It on Me · Gabe Dixon (spotify.com)

We are pleased to introduce you to a new voice in indie music who has a song that hits hard, especially in our current situation.  Please check out Kimi Kazee and her introspective “Live With It.”  We want to know what you think.

Live With It · Kimi Kazee (spotify.com)

We close out this week’s new singles with a fresh country voice from someone who just may be the female version of Brad Paisley with her humorous tongue-in-check tune “Normal Girls.”  Give it up for Crystal Leigh.

Spotify – Normal Girls

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Blue Élan Records resident funny lady Scout Durwood is back with another great video.  Laugh along to her antics as she laments “Now That UR Gone.”  Warning – explicit lyrics.

Our second video is from another Blue Élan artist, who also was responsible for getting the label off the ground.  Cindy Alexander‘s latest album While the Angels Sigh has generated one great song after another.  Her latest is “Alizarin Crimson,” and the music visualizer is stellar.  Enjoy another taste of our favorite Pnut.

Next up is one of our favorite British guilty pleasures – Single by Sunday.  In their video for “Hey Boy,” they remind us that age is just a number – just because we grow up doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun.

Video number four is dedicated to the Pride community and comes from one of LA’s most intriguing duos – Lucy & La Mer.  “Ooh La La” – Happy Pride Month.

We close out this week with the latest from the one thing we will miss most about Oklahoma – The Imaginaries.  This husband and wife duo is at the top of their game, and recently collaborated with Cheryl Ladd on a movie.  They close out the week with “Trust Falling With You.”  See you next week.

p.s.  I got the job.