When this reviewer began covering music in the Los Angeles area, one of the first performers he met was a young keyboard player named Shannon Hurley. At the time, she was performing with another incredible indie artist named Marina V, as well as starting her own showcases for females under the “Don’t Call us Tori” umbrella.
This reviewer was so impressed with her abilities that he got involved as a booker/promoter for those showcases, and also became friends with Hurley and her future husband, Ben Eisen.
As Hurley’s star began to rise, she and Eisen decided to branch out and created the duo Lovers & Poets, releasing their first CD in 2010 to rave reviews. Over the past six years, the duo has worked on their live performance and released a couple of singles on CD Baby before finally releasing their sophomore album Lovers & Poets II, on May 6, 2016.
“You & Me in the Summer” kicks off the CD, and it only gains momentum through ten amazing songs that provide the perfect musical backdrop for relaxing, allowing the listener to forget their troubles like a great massage takes away muscle aches and pains.
Hurley’s voice is heavenly, and her keyboards provide the perfect accompaniment, coupled with the firm foundation that is the bass playing of Eisen. Even without her voice, the instrumental tracks “Get Crucial” and “Dream Girl” soar. In addition, their cover of Duncan Sheik’s “Barely Breathing” is amazing and breathes new life into this classic song.
We are proud to recommend Lovers & Poets II. We believe a daily dose of this CD will go a long way in alleviating your stress.
For more info on this dynamic duo, check out their website and Facebook pages, follow Hurley on Twitter, and subscribe to the duo’s YouTube channel.
It has been said that one of the marks of a great artist is the ability to build on past works, rather that rebuild. That is exactly what Rod Melancon has done with his latest EP, LA 14, recently released on indie label Blue Élan Records.
If you didn’t know that this EP had just been released, most listeners would think it was a contemporary of country greats like Merle Haggard or Johnny Cash. Melancon’s songs have that timeless appeal of those greats and others.
Through the five songs on LA 14, Melancon reveals his Southern Louisiana roots through his lyrics and choice of music, a sound that is part blues, part country with just a touch of rock and roll – the perfect recipe for Americana music.
Thankfully, this EP is a preview of his forthcoming full length album which will be released later this year and produced by Brian Whelan, the former lead guitarist for Dwight Yoakum.
Of the five tracks, “The Lights of Carencro” is the most unique, with elements of rock usually found in the music of such artists as Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The track stands out from the rest, which are more country than rock.
All of the songs tell amazing stories, and definitely leave the listener wanting to hear more from this gifted artist. We highly recommend you check out Melancon and get on board before the world learns of his amazing talent.
For more information, check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
Thank you to Melissa Dragich-Cordero of Mad Ink PR for providing the background materials and referring this wonderful EP to me for a review.
With the release of her latest album, Hold Fast Open Palm, Sarah Ault is on her way to becoming a household name in Los Angeles, with the world waiting at her doorstep. Her vocals are reminiscent of Annie Lennox and her songs have powerful lyrics and instrumentation that are worthy of mass exposure.
She has recently released a music video for the first track, “Flesh and Blood and Bone” that is simply amazing. Kudos to director Lindsey Haun for an amazing film. Check it out!
Ault’s voice is sultry and powerful and is perfectly combined with the airiness of her keyboards. The other instrumentation, especially the strings and guitar. take her music to a level not normally heard in indie music today.
All 10 tracks are worthy of repeated listens. Top songs include “Flesh and Blood and Bone,” “Adam,” “The Hunted” and “Long Way Down.”
We are pleased to highly recommend Hold Fast Open Palm. For more info, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her Vimeo channel.
If Weird Al and Progressive’s Flo had a family who grew up to be a boy band, the result would be Un5gettable.
Composed of Joe Cameron, Kyle Cothern, Brendan Hawkins, Ryan Richards and Zach Harris, Un5, as they are affectionately called by their fans, came from the local civic theatre, where they were relatively above average performers, at least as far as community theatre goes.
According to their website, Cameron met Cothern when Cothern was a toddler because Cameron went to school with Cothern’s older siblings. Cameron loved Cothern’s perfect pitch, and they became friends. Richards lived across the street from Cameron. Richards and Cothern were in grade school together, where they were often mistaken for twins. Hawkins and Richards were in show choir together in high school.
Years later, Cameron, Hawkins and Richards were cast as brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The circle was complete when Cameron and Harris were cast in Crazy for You. They began playing music together, and the rest, they say, is history.
The group was formed in 2002, and has been playing around the Midwest ever since. They released their latest videos, “Sorry” and “I Wish” on March 30, and they are freaking hilarious.
What hits you first are the perfect vocal harmonies and the simple piano and guitar instrumentation. But once you listen to the lyrics, you can’t help but start laughing inside. Cameron is a true wordsmith, crafting realistic lyrics that combine to tell a story that is funny enough for Weird Al.
The videos also show the comedic timing and abilities of the individuals of the group, each of whom shine forth.
If you are in need of a laugh, then Un5gettable is the band for you. Check out their website and Facebook pages, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and definitely subscribe to their YouTube page.
One of the joys in working as a music critic over the past 20 years is the chance to become friends with some of the artists that I have come across, and to get the chance to watch their career progress. One of those artists who has become a special friend is none other than Iowa’s Midwestern songbird, aka Sara Routh, who we profiled in our Women in Entertainment series.
I have had the privilege of booking Routh at several venues in Los Angeles, including the Viper Room, the Derby, Genghis Cohen and the Burbank Film Festival. She has always delivered, and her recent stop at Missoula’s Stage 112 as part of her Black Sheep Tour was no different.
On the road since March 17, Routh arrived in Missoula on day 15 of her tour, the next to last leg of her journey. We had the privilege of hosting her, her tour mate Rae Davis, and Chad Taylor, a local Iowa blogger who was documenting the tour. You can check out that blog here.
After getting them settled at our apartment, we headed downtown to grab some dinner, opting for MacKenzie River Pizza on Front Street, where we all grubbed out on some very delicious food before heading over to the venue for sound check. Upon arriving at the venue, we found out that they would not be performing on the stage, but on a small riser in the lounge.
After sound check, we took Routh out for a walk around Missoula, ending up at Grizzly Liquor so that she could take home a bottle of our local whiskey from Montgomery Distillery. Once back at the venue, we learned that Davis had met a female comic named Sara Reynolds and had invited her to open the show.
It being “First Friday,” the venue convinced them to postpone their show until 9 p.m. so that more people would be available, and as the appointed time arrived, that advice proved sound. Reynolds turned in a good set with a few great laughs, and then it was time for Davis to perform. Davis definitely has a way with words, and her music reflected her musical journey. She has a great voice that comes from deep within, and her skills on her baby Martin were likewise good. She turned in a set of about an hour that kept the locals listening and buying drinks, which was a good thing since they were being paid a cut of the bar.
Finally it was time for the star of the show. I was impressed with the maturity in Routh since the last time we had seen her perform, more than three years ago. Her new material, while different from some of her earlier stuff, still reflects the small town Midwestern girl who has spent some time in the big city and in another land, and the lessons she has learned along the way. She honored us by singing one of the first songs she wrote in LA, “Hills of Gold,” the very song that made us fall in love with her music. She continued with her calvacade of hits spanning the whole time we have known her, including one of our favorites, “Drinking with the Devil.” The time went by far too fast, and once again we knew that we had been in the presence of greatness, even if the world does not yet know it.
We got up early the next morning and took them to Paul’s Pancake Parlor for a hearty breakfast before they headed off to Denver for the last show of the tour. All too soon our brief visit was over, leaving behind more great memories of time spent with one of our favorite indie artists. Thanks for your friendship and your music. We love and appreciate both gifts.
Most of us have memories of the 80’s – the hair, the music, and the search for a good time. Jonnie Rockwell and Joy Tolbert, aka Jonnie & Joy, have memories of their own.
Back then they were members of an all-girl band called Starchild, playing all over the island of Manhattan at clubs like Trax, Gildersleeves and Limelight, as well as amusement parks and other events.
Why did they split? Jonnie & Joy – the moniker of their fresh, explosive, very contemporary new duo – can’t recall the specifics. All they remember is the magic they created back then, and the foundation it laid for their dynamic musical partnership. And now, reunited after their mutual association with guitarist Justin brought them back together more than two decades and many musical lifetimes apart, Jonnie (keyboards, backing vocals) and Joy (lead vocals) are focused on the future and jamming full steam ahead with the release of their fiery and infectious pop-rock driven debut EP.
Running Home was produced by the legendary Gary Katz, renowned for his groundbreaking recordings with Steely Dan as well as legendary figures Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, Laura Nyro, Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen and many others. Recorded at Avatar Studios, Alchemy Post Sound and The Bunker, and mixed by Gary Katz and Aaron Nevezie, tracks the title song as well as “Night Stalker,” “Can You Hear Me,” “Hold Tight,” “Lost Soul” and “Never Gonna Cry.”
Every song on this EP is amazing, reminding this reviewer of the great tunes from the musical Rock of Ages. Listening to these songs feels like cruising the Sunset Strip, long hair blowing in the wind, and rock music screaming from the speakers.
“Never Gonna Cry” starts out sounding like Abba and ends up sounding like Night Ranger, with a touch of Journey and Pat Benatar thrown in for good measure. Every song that follows builds that momentum, but our favorite was “Lost Soul.”
So how did this new collaboration come about? After the band broke up, Jonnie played with Scarlet Fever and Baby before quitting music to become a doctor. However, her love of music never stopped. She gradually began to return to music by combining her love of sci-fi with music to mount an off-Broadway show called The Anthem, which ran for eight weeks in 2014 at the Lynn Redgrave Theater. Joy, on the other hand, toured and recorded with her band Restless Soul and scored a unique recording credit when former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno asked her to sing the background vocals on a cover of the T. Rex song “Children of the Revolution” by his band The Killers.
About two years ago, Jonnie called Joy out of the blue and asked her if she might be interested in resurrecting and re-recording some of their old tunes. Joy agreed to re-join her fabulous friend and see what kind of magic their new creative journey would create.
Ironically, because of distance and their busy personal schedules, the two collaborated digitally for a while before actually meeting face to face. Joy says, “We exchanged MP3’s and booked studio time to record them, and I initially went into the studio alone to lay my vocals on these tracks without her. Then we booked a session at Avatar and recorded in the studio together. It brought back old times, and it was instantly comfortable yet also exhilarating because there we discovered so many new possibilities in these songs. Ironically, we had recorded at the same facility years before when Avatar was known as Power Station.” Jonnie adds, “Joy walked into the studio like she had never left. She was as brilliant as she had always been.”
Katz got wind of the duo’s recordings and listened to tracks on SoundCloud. They both loved the way Katz’s “golden hand” brought more depth to their songs. Jonnie explains, “He took the songs and made them sound more dynamic and exciting. He has the ability to bring out a deeper level of magic in a single take.”
“It was great to talk to Jonnie again after so many years,” Joy says. “We had a blast taking the core of them, changing things up and making them fresh and new.” Jonnie adds, “Joy was always so brilliant and beautiful, such a strong and insightful storyteller, sharing through songs her life experiences and the ups and downs of finding love and losing love. I consider these storyteller songs that perfectly balance lyrics and melody. We were always such a strong songwriting and performing team and working with Joy again is a delight and we are looking forward to an amazing ride.”
Running Home is amazing and strongly recommended by Indie Voice. We can hardly wait to see where this duo will go from here. Check them out on Facebook.
Special thanks to Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions for turning us on to the band and for providing the background info.
Back on February 1, we told you about an amazing alt-pop band out of Portland, Oregon named My Brothers and I who were heading out for their first headlining tour. This past Saturday, March 26, that tour concluded with a show at The Big Dipper in Spokane, Washington.
The venue was amazing. Long a Spokane icon, the Big Dipper has been renovated and turned into a state of the art music venue with incredible sound and an even more incredible sound man named Jeff. He made the night that much more memorable with his mastery of the board.
Thanks to the band’s publicist, Alex Steininger of In Music we Trust PR, an interview with the band was set up before the show. I arrived at the venue early and helped the band load in and get set up for sound check. The interview was conducted throughout that process, and will be published at a later date.
While all that was going on, the opening band, The BGP, arrived for their sound check. Imagine my surprise to learn that the band’s founder and lead singer, Brandon Ghorley, was friends with, and had performed with, several of my LA musical peeps, including Keaton Simons, Tony Lucca, Aijia and Andy Grammer, and Clara C.
By the time the doors opened, there was a line around the building of fans anxious for the show. Both bands took the time to talk to the fans and welcome them to the show.
The BGP took the stage first. Upon encouragement from Ghorley, everyone left their comfortable seats and made their way to the floor in front of the stage, where they stood mesmerized during the entire performance.
Featuring music from their latest EP, Fort Knox, as well as covers of “Bennie and the Jets” and “What a Fool Believes,” the BGP rocked the joint like a lesser-known version of Maroon 5. Ghorley’s stage presence was breathtaking to behold, as he seamlessly interacted with the audience while also entertaining them with his keyboard and vocal abilities. His bandmates, Phil Hopper on guitar and keys and Josh Demorow on drums truly complemented his sound while making memorable moments of their own.
These guys are the real deal. If you have a chance to catch their live show, don’t miss it. Check out their website, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
After a short break, My Brothers and I took the stage, while the audience joined them in front of the stage. David, the youngest of the three Wurgler boys that make up 60% of the band, is the lead singer, while his older siblings Erik is on bass and Scott is on drums. Childhood friends Jordan Roach on guitar and Johnny Iliyn on keys make up the rest of the band.
The band has begun to receive attention from their recently released CD Don’t Dream Alone, including a placement in last week’s Pretty Little Liars episode. Over the course of an hour, the band brought to life every cut from that CD, as well as tease us with an upcoming song, “Tell Me,” which has its own interesting tale to tell.
David’s sultry vocals, coupled with the driving bass of Erik and the perfect beat of Scott made each song come alive. Jordan’s guitar and John’s keys filled in the melody, creating the perfect blend of musical genius culminating in songs that had meaningful lyrics and a beat that made you want to stand up and dance. Hearing the audience sing along was the icing on the cake of one of the best live performances I have ever experienced.
My Brothers and I are definitely for real. I strongly recommend them, as well as the BGP, as bands to take notice of now before they skyrocket to the top of the charts.
Country music is an American art form which has given birth to other great musical genres like rock and roll, Americana and roots. Over the years it has also spawned a generation of female musical legends, like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, Reba and Taylor Swift. You can now add to that legacy the amazing voice and music of Tamara Laurel.
Although her debut album Runaway was released a year ago, this writer was just recently introduced to this bright new future star, who has quietly been making a name for herself while flying under the radar.
We recently had the opportunity to talk to Laurel about her music and career. Here’s what she had to say.
IV: What is your musical background?
TL: I grew up learning flute and violin in my elementary school band. I also learned about musical backgrounds while doing arrangements for school musicals, which also taught me to love the essence of songwriting. I never had any formal music education, although I did take a guitar course in college. I simply fell in love with music. I graduated with a business degree, moved to Dallas and began working for News Corp.
Even though I loved my job, I just couldn’t quiet the desire to be an artist, so I quit working and became one. I was writing songs at night and studying songwriting in Nashville, Dallas and Seattle. I just really wanted to do this, so I moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and took classes at the University of Southern California. I spent a full year trying to get over my fear of performing live, so I would head down to the Santa Monica Promenade after midnight when no one was there, and perform to the open sky. I also ran the circuit of open mics. My big break came when I won a contest sponsored by Live Nation to perform at a showcase at the Hollywood House of Blues. I did about 20 more open mics to prepare for this showcase, starting in Malibu, and have never been nervous about performing live since.
IV: Who are your musical inspirations?
TL: Growing up it was Elton John and Bruce Springsteen – I loved the way they told stories with emotions, and I loved their songwriting styles. Some of my current favorites are Jason Isbell, Ray LaMontagne, Virgil Simpson, Grace Potter, Emmylou Harris and Allison Krause.
IV: What else inspires you?
TL: I’ve always been drawn to write about what evokes a strong emotional reaction, especially relationships. I took the last year off to be alone and to figure myself out. Lately it’s about travelling around the country and doing shows, about growing up, while learning a kind of stability about relying on yourself and being responsible. It’s not just about a broken heart or the fun of being in early 20s. I can talk to someone who tells me a story which leaves an impact that forms a song.
IV: Tell us about your debut album.
TL: Runaway was a product of a very difficult and interesting growing experience. One day I decided that my life was not going the way i wanted it to and so I just picked up and left.
The first track,”Whiskey,” which was also my first single, is so fun to play live. I’ve had a lot of exposure for that song. I was doing two shows in Chicago, and the fans were singing most of the songs back to me. The song captures that feeling of “I know this is bad for me, but I’m doing it anyway.”
The title track is my type of track – raw, emotional and painful to say – and it sums up the essence of album It is a good description of what that year meant to me.
I am also now the official artist and spokesperson for Pikolino, a Mexican shoe company. My first song “I Want You” was used in their winter campaign about two years ago. It’s been an incredible partnership.
IV: What are your future plans?
TL: I have completed writing my next album, and I’m looking for a new producer/ I’ve been touring, formed my own record label, and simply love making music and playing out. I believe in the slow and steady build of a long career. I’m spending time collaborating and working with Nashville writers – I simply love just being in the room when the magic happens.
“Classic rock” is more than just a musical genre. It encapsulates a sound and a generation where social ills were addressed in powerful lyrics over a screaming guitar riff. It is not ashamed of its country roots, and incorporates elements of bluegrass, country and folk into its mix.
Morgan Washam has captured that sound with his debut solo record, Blood Moon, which was released in September 2015. Like true classic rock, his music combines the essence of folk, country, blues, rock and jazz under the Americana umbrella, while his lyrical content is inspired by his life experiences as well as his views on spiritual and political events.
Washam is a singer/songwriter and guitarist hailing from the Appalachian hills of Ohio who has been performing music since the age of 11 when he first picked up his mom’s guitar. During his early career he played in many groups, with the most notable being the jam band Peach Melba with whom he toured throughout the Midwestern United States from 1996 until 2004, when the group disbanded. During that time, the group recorded three albums.
Washam is a big advocate of music education, and has spent much of his free time working with youth in public schools, teaching and inspiring them to immerse themselves creatively in the arts through music. He also worked with his home town arts advocacy organization, helping them to renovate a performance theater.
In 2007, Morgan launched his own production house called Wildwood Media. The company continues to produce creative projects for regional artists as well as for educators and organizations throughout southern Ohio.
From the first notes of “On Down the Road,” the listener will think he has stumbled onto a classic track by The Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd. This sense of familiarity permeates the album and makes it seem like you are listening to an old friend instead of a new artist.
This album is worthy of repeated listens. The lyrical content is full of meat and words to ponder, unlike so much fluff in today’s music scene. We highly recommend our viewers check out this artist and enjoy Blood Moon for what it is: a true classic. The music is available for streaming on Spotify and for download through Google Music, iTunes and Amazon Music.
For more info, you can check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
New York City has always been on the cutting edge of musical direction, but the release today of Ryal‘s self-titled EP raises that bar to a new level. Although critics of her earlier releases have likened Ryal to the style of Bjork and Portishead, her latest contribution is more akin to an electronica version of ABBA, combined with a little Lady Gaga. Like “Dancing Queen” and “Bad Romance,” the songs on this EP will keep your toes tapping and compel you to the dance floor.
Along with the release of the EP, Ryal has also released a music video for “Lonely Love,” which is one of the best this reviewer has seen in a while.
“My wish is that people will listen to this and want to dance as much as I have while I have made this record,” says Ryal.
All six songs on the EP are amazing, but two songs especially stand out. The first is the opening track, “City Lives,” which opens with a steady beat and the words “Who you gonna be? Who you gonna love?” This song truly rocks and makes it is difficult to sit still while listening.
The other outstanding song is “Lonely Love.” I dare you to try to sit still for this one as well. Check out the video above.
Ryal added these words: “It’s easier to write a depressing song, but more of a challenge to be optimistic, and attempt writing timeless numbers that also give the listener positive feelings. I don’t want to make pop songs full of fluff, but rather make songs full of content that resonates with my age group.”
Ryal has also received a lot of attention from two other songs on the EP, “Wish” and “Jill.” Speaking of “Jill,” you can hear the song when you visit your local Starbucks nationally.
You can check out the entire EP, which is currently streaming on Sundcloud. If ever there was a “must-have” album for 2016, Ryal’s new EP is the one.
For more info on Ryal, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter, and subscribe to her YouTube and Soundcloud channels.
