Category: Hollywood Fringe Festival

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 3 (part 2) – see it or skip it

We continue with part 2 of our reviews of the previews we saw on Saturday.  You can find part 1 here.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Leaving Prince Charming

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  One of the reasons I have always loved solo shows is the depth of honesty and relatability.  Leaving Prince Charming is further proof of that fact.  Lara Repko delivers a masterpiece of solo theater with another in a long line of unfortunate stories about domestic violence.  Unlike so many others, she is not bitter about it, although her emotions came through loud and clear.  She tells the story in a humorous way that kept the audience at ease while she hit us with one startling revelation after another.  Her courage was evident and I left the show feeling empowered, as I have had a similar experience.  Thank you once again to Jessica Lynn Johnson for helping Repko tell her story.  This is one of the best solo shows at Fringe this year.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this one – it could easily change your life.  Remaining performances are June 16 at 6 p.m. and June 29 at noon.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  To Richard!

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  Death is not normally a funny topic, but the brilliance of the script and the shear power of the performances by writer/ director Jessica Durdock Moreno and Nicky Romaniello turn this somber subject into a hilarious romp.  A chance meeting between a grieving widow and a former candidate for priesthood creates a roller-coaster of emotions, and leads to healing for both of the protagonists.  We don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that this one will have you laughing and crying at the same time.  This is the first self-directed show I have ever truthfully been able to recommend.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this one – it could easily change your life.  Remaining performances are June 13 at 8 p.m., June 15 at noon, June 19 at 6 p.m., June 21 at 8 p.m.  and June 29 at 4 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Tattered Capes

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:  Theatre Unleashed has earned its reputation for consistently delivering Fringe hits, and this show does not deviate from that pattern.  It was one of our Most Anticipated shows of HFF19.  Written by the uber-talented Greg Crafts and directed by the equally brilliant Corey Lynn Howe, Tattered Capes delivers where only DC and Marvel have delivered before.  The star-studded cast includes Travis Joe Dixon and Joanna Mercedes as Kevin and Stephanie Connelly, a couple with major secrets who are trying to celebrate their fifth anniversary.  Major props to the “5” – Tanner Risner as Maximus, Ann Hurd as Lady Voodoo, Courtney King as The Owl and Chris Clabaugh as Jonathan Strong – the best superheros since the Justice League.  This was a truly different type of Fringe show for TU, and proved that there is nothing they cannot do.  Hats off also to the “Shadows” for their amazing assistance and support to this show.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t drag your feet getting tickets for this one – it’s almost sold out for the entire run.  Remaining performances are June 16 at 7 p.m., June 21 at 10 p.m., June 24 at 7:30 p.m. and June 29 at 1 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 3 (part 1) – see it or skip it

Had a fantastic Saturday full of fringing, music and  new fringeships.  Headed in early to get good parking at The Broadwater, and easily found parking all day at both The Lounge and Studio/Stage.  Early morning breakfast at Starbucks produced a pair of new fringeships and tickets to a couple more shows.  We’re now up to 70 shows on our schedule.  Approximately 27 of them are for our Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence and the rest are just because.  Also got an amazing email from Michael Shaw Fisher stating they wanted to judge my solo show for their “O” Face Award.  That made my day.  I saw a total of six shows on Saturday, topped off by a Neverwonder concert at Molly Malone’s.  Let’s get going on the first three shows.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Bully Problem

VENUE:  The Broadwater (Main Stage)

REVIEW:  Our first musical of HFF19 was a dream come true.  Michael Gordon Shapiro (with the help of ASCAP and Broadway’s Stephen Schwartz) has created a masterpiece of energetic singing and dancing and a timely story about overcoming obstacles and becoming who you were meant to be.  The show was produced by New Musicals, Inc. and is ready for Broadway now.  Time stood still as the entire sold-out audience was totally mesmerized by the amazing talent on stage, especially the work of James Everts as the protagonist Kevin Djykstra,  Jordan Mitchell-Love as the robot Oscar,  Josh Hillinger as the chief bully Gordo and Allie Costa as the effervescent Margaret.  The show was skillfully directed and produced by Joanna Syiek with superb musical direction from Jennifer Lin.  Hallie Mayer, Melvin Villajin Biteng, Tianna Cohen, Clint Blakeley, Jayna Sweet, Frankie Zabilka, Andrew Landecker, Socks Whitmore, Case Hunter, Malissa Marlow and Adam Foster Ballard turned in masterful supporting performances, especially Whitmore’s portrayal of bully intern and future nerd Charley.  This one is definitely one of the best musicals we have ever seen at Fringe.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  Remaining performances are June 14 at 8 p.m., June 22 at 5 p.m., June 27 at 6:30 p.m. and June 29 at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Batter Up!  My Brain on Baseball

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:  Brett Moore is a Fringe rookie performer, just like me, although he is affiliated with Theatre Unleashed and has spent his share of time in the shadows.  Thanks to the amazing direction of his director Gregory Crafts and his stage manager and wife, Erin Moore, he brought this magical show to live and delivered a killer performance.  I’m a huge baseball fan anyway, so regardless I would have seen this show.  But the funny part is that it’s enjoyable whether or not you like baseball.  Think of it like the close-up magic you see by the wandering magicians at the Magic Castle.  This one is interactive and will have you cheering along, and there are prizes.  This is definitely one of the most interesting shows we have ever seen at Fringe.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  Remaining performances are June 14 at 7 p.m., June 21 at 7 p.m., June 22 at 3 p.m. and June 29 at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Journey of the Little Prince

VENUE:  Studio/Stage

REVIEW:  Irina Kampa is quite simply a force of nature.  If you attended any of the pre-Fringe Office Hours functions, you could not fail to notice her.  She brings that same energy to this production, wonderfully written by Victor Sotomayor, which reminds us that every adult was once a child, but only a few remember.  The Prince’s journey is a meta-physical voyage of self-discovery.  Patricia Mizen and Transe Carder provide excellent support to Kampa during her travels.   The most unique feature was the interesting lighting design, which kept most of the stage and cast in the shadows.  This allowed the words to have a more powerful impact, making them truly stand-out so the message could be delivered loud and clear.

RECOMMENDATION:  This one is definitely worth your time.  Remaining performances are June 15 at 10 p.m., June 22 at 11:30 a.m., June 25 at 9 p.m. and June 29 at 11:30 a.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 2 – see it or skip it

Day 2 was not as hectic as day 1, but just as enjoyable.   I worked my part-time job in the morning, then spent the afternoon writing reviews of the day 1 shows, as well as getting ready for my own preview performance last night.  One of my roommates at the Air BnB wanted to see the show, and wanted to spend some time discovering what the Fringe is.  Although he is the son of long-time Fringe reviewer Ken Worther, Angel Morales had never been to a Fringe show.  He made a great +1 for the evening, and got the chance to see what I do first-hand, including having dinner with one of my fringeships, Rasika Mathur.  Thanks for coming along.

TITLE OF SHOW: Uprooted:  A Tale of Navigating Turbulence to Find Home

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  Solo shows have always been one of my favorite forms of Fringe expression, and I review a multitude of them each year.  I love their honesty and triumphant story, and the bravery it takes to share these sometimes dark truths with the public.  During my nine years of reviewing Fringe shows, one director keeps popping up behind my favorite shows, and that is Jessica Lynn Johnson, who not coincidentally directed this show.  Vanessa Boss revealed so much in this show which was totally relatable and filled me with more hope that I was following the correct path.  What made her show so different was her use of mythological creatures to represent the different aspects of Boss’ psyche and bring her struggles to life so that we could all cheer as she made life-changing discoveries.  Although a bit slow at first, she soon hit her stride and kept the audience mesmerized with her beautiful storytelling.  Her audience interaction skills were likewise brilliant, enabling her to break the third wall without missing a beat.  It was the perfect show to prepare me for my own preview show that occurred later that night.  Thanks for a wonderful experience.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  Remaining performances are June 23 at 12 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 preview day 1 – see it or skip it

Last night was the first official day of previews for HFF19, and it started off with a bang.  It was so great seeing all three shows, and running into fringeships that included Michal Shaw Fisher, Alli Miller, Sara Haworth, Schoen Hodges, Rasika Mathur, Eric Blair, Thea Rivera, Tracey Paleo aka Giaonthemove, Monika Spirit Hawk and Amber Bruegel, among others.

TITLE OF SHOW:  The Duchess & the Stripper

VENUE:  The Lounge Theatres

REVIEW:  Based solely on this show, we have no doubt that HFF19 is going to be a fabulous festival and the perfect example of ten years of Fringe shows.  The premise of the show is that Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor had a late-night meeting with burlesque queen Blaze Starr at Starr’s club in Baltimore, Maryland in 1961.   The show is brilliantly written by David Bosley and directed by Fringe veteran and mentor (as well as a truly talented actor in his own right) Ezra Buzzington.  The cast was likewise perfectly set with AEA actress Blaire Chandler in the role of Wallis Simpson, Cherry Poppins queen Alli Miller as Blaze Starr and Krista Conti as Starr’s sister and assistant June Fleming.  The entire show was breathtaking, and kept us on the edge of our seat from start to finish.  It was the first time we have seen Miller in a straight drama, and she killed it, with nothing less than stellar performances by Chandler and Conti as well.  This one is definitely one of the best Fringe shows we have ever seen.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  Remaining performances are June 9 at 1 p.m., June 15 at 5:30 p.m., June 21 at 10 p.m. and June 22 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Guilt

VENUE:  Second Stage (Cyanide Theatre)

REVIEW:  This show was composed of two short plays with a common theme.  First up was The Holy Name of Apostasy, written by Ryan Lisman and Benjamin Schwartz and directed by Lisman.  It was a two-hander that featured Varda Appleton as Mother Dawn and Brandon Courture as her student Dylan.  The story turned the #MeToo discussion on its ear with a bold interpretation of church abuse.  The second show was Man vs. Armadillo, written and directed by Schwartz.  It was likewise a two hander about the relationship between an adult son and his aging father.  But what set this one apart from so many other Fringe shows was the intriguing percussion that provided the soundtrack during the show and transitions.  It truly set the mood for the show, and added to the story in many ways.  Both halves were equally compelling, although we did think the second half was a little wordy.  Nevertheless, it was definitely worth the time.

RECOMMENDATION:  This show is worthy of your attention, just leave your religious prejudices at the door.  Remaining shows are June 14 at 8 p.m., June 16 at 2 p.m. and June 23 at 6 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Blackboxing

VENUE:  The Complex Hollywood (Dorie Theatre)

REVIEW:  Long-time Fringe veteran Matt Richey has mounted his best show ever, a show that would sweep the Tonys if it was on Broadway.  It told the story that every stage manager has probably experienced at one time or another, and allowed said Stage Manager to say and do things they’ve always dreamed of doing.  Jim Niedzialkowski is brilliant as the stage manager, while Richey aptly represented the selfish actor that thinks he’s ready for his one-man show.  I haven’t laughed that hard at a Fringe show in years, and it was the perfect culmination of a great day of Fringe previews.  If ever there was a sure-fire hit at Fringe, then this show is it.  The original music also added depth to the show, and provided some of the best highlights of the evening.

RECOMMENDATION:  This show is a can’t miss, and you simply must make it a priority for your Fringe schedule.  Remaining performances are June 14 at 8:30 p.m., June 16 at 2:30 p.m., June 22 at 4 p.m., June 27 at 10:30 p.m. and June 29 at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

Categories
Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it Theatre

HFF19 previews 2 – see it or skip it

Last night was the final night of Office Hours for HFF19.  All five of  the May sessions were held at BLACK, with the finale at Thymele Arts.  Last night was also Fringe Runway, with participants showing off their amazing costumes, followed by a round of live band karoake with the Moon Units.  It was a very interesting evening and signaled today’s start of preview performances.  Before we head out tonight for our first three “official” Fringe previews, we wanted to tell you about another show that we saw back on June 1.  The show opened in May, but will run through Fringe so it is considered part of HFF19.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Roots:  An Evening of World Premiere Shorts

VENUE:  Theatre of NOTE

REVIEW:  This show gave me an excuse to return to where it all started for me in 2010 – the Theatre of NOTE.  I fell in love with this theater and its company then and have tried to see at least one show there every year.  I had run into one of the actresses, Channing Sargent, at Office Hours on May 22, and she talked me into attending.  I am so glad I did, as these four shows were so different yet similar, and each one featured a stellar cast, although they were all directed by Lee Hannah Conrads and stage managed by Aaron Saldaña and Zachary Burch.

The first show was Deadpan by Phinneas Kiyomura, and featured truly gifted actress Jennifer Flack in the role of Winchester, a bride-to-be who gets wasted on her wedding day because she is uncertain about her future.  She was supported by Sierra Marcks as her best friend Heckler, Dan Wingard as Koch, and Brad C. Light as her fiance, Colt.  Patricia Canale also made a cameo appearance  as the parent of Colt.  This one was hysterical from start to finish, with a surprise ending that kept it fresh.

Next up was Big Ones by Lisa Sanaye Dring, and featured Sargent as one of three characters dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake.  She was supported by Tony DeCarlo and David Guerra, and all three turned in a united effort that made this a true ensemble piece.

The third show was Rand! by Bill Robens, and was the most complex and dynamic, and eerily similar to an opera, with Canale leading the charge as Peter the Great.   This was the showpiece of the four shorts, and featured Cat Chengery in the title role, with dynamic support from Alysha Brady as Natasha, DeCarlo as Vlad/Keynes, Kelby Jo McClellan as Rhodia/Hopkins and Jaxy Boyd as Anna/FDR.  Tying it all together were Boyd, Brady, Flack, Light, McClellan and Wingard as the Suitcase People, a dynamic chorus that were stunning to hear. and also contributed some hilarious transitions between the stories.

The final story, The Smell of Something to Eat by Erik Patterson, featured Chengery and Marcks as a couple that hook up only to discover some interesting truths about each other afterwards.  We won’t betray those surprises, but assure you that you will be pleasantly shocked by them.

All in all, it was a wonderful show that had what we truly encapsulated what we call “the NOTE experience.”  The entire show is about 90 minutes long with no intermission.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  Remaining shows are June 8 at 6 p.m., June 9, 15, 16 and 23 at 7 p.m. and June 22 at 8:30 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

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

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 21 (updated)

We’ve reached Memorial Day, and the opportunity to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free and strong.  Never forget what they did to give us the chance to live our own lives.

It was another busy week, working for Trendsource, completing the tech and dress rehearsals for my solo show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, Livin’ the Dream (a journalistic journey), and having the chance to see the latest masterpiece from the ladies and gentlemen of Cherry Poppins Productions.  They put on a masterful production of Clash of the Queens, which succinctly summed up the entire eight seasons of Game of Thrones, and sold out the Globe Theater in downtown LA in the process.

Speaking of my solo show, it’s hard to believe that my preview is less than two weeks away, with the entire Fringe kicking off with the Opening Party on June 12.  It’s going to be a great Fringe, and should be worthy of being the tenth year.  Please check out my show which will be at studio/stage (520 N. Western Avenue) on June 7 at 10 p.m., June 16 at 5:30 p.m., June 20 at 10 p.m., June 23 at 9 pm. and June 28 at 7 p.m.  Tickets are available on the Fringe website.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from Toronto.  If you’re going to catch something, we suggest you catch The Black Fever.  We simply love the sound of “No Work” and recommend that you listen intently to the lyrics of the song.

Our next single is a killer remix that combines Monsta X, Steve Aoki and DVBBS.  The song is called “Play it Cool” and it is mega-hot and a sure-fire way to get the gang on the dance floor.  Request it from your favorite DJ.

Our third single is an incredible song from London-based Theo Bard entitled “The Gift.”  It truly is an amazing electronic song with incredible vocals and well-crafted lyrics.  This one is a definite keeper.

Our next single combines electronica with jazz and pop and highlights the talent of the amazing KYOSi on her track, “Boo Radley.”  We think this one will become your favorite dance track.

Our final single this week is from the upcoming album Fuel the Crazy by Brazilian-born electro-pop artist Carvi.  We are totally digging on her “Vibe.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is from teen sensation Maddie Rose, who delivers a stunning video for her song “Liv Tyler.”  This one is going on repeat and we think you’ll love it.

Next up is a video shot in Los Angeles by Trapdoor Social for their song, “The Move.”  The song is amazing, as is the video.  Be part of the solution and join in “The Move.”

Next up are the powerful vocals of Dejhare on her video for “Trust my Love,” which remind us of Madonna’s True Blue album.  We think this one is stunning and look forward to seeing what she does next.

Our next video comes from New York-based band Wild Planes.  Put on your rocking shoes and enjoy their latest single “Money.”

Our final video this week is from Aly and AJ, who we last heard from when their song ‘Church” was included in our March edition of Ten Great Singles.  They’re back with a beautiful video for their song “Don’t go Changing,” which could easily be a Top 40 hit.

 

 

Categories
Hollywood Fringe Festival Theatre

Most anticipated shows at HFF19

It’s time once again for our annual list of the shows we are most anticipating at the 10th annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  Unlike past years, not only are we reviewing shows and screening shows for our Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence, but I am also doing my first solo show.  Needless to say, this is going to be a very interesting Fringe.  Here is our list, in alphabetical order.

Come on Down (The Broadwater) – This one’s directed and written by Jeff Scot Carey, features Emily Clark, CJ Merriman AND Victor Isaac, and was part of Serial Killers at Sacred Fools – what more reasons do we need?  This one is going to be epic.

Crabbe & Goyle are Dead (Studio/Stage) – The Harry Potter legend continues at Fringe with this latest creation from Kitty Keim.  That’s reason enough to see it.

Hollywoodn’t (The Lounge) – This one tells the story of the Hollywood scene before women were allowed to speak up and say no.  It also features writer, performer and lyricist Lisa Verlo.  It’s also part of the amazing Soaring Solo community and is directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson.  Can’t wait for this one.

Klingon Tamburlaine (The Complex) – I am a huge Star Trek fan, and have always love the Klingons.  This one sounds like a sure-fire hit, and the dream show for every nerd at Fringe.

Pockets (The Broadwater) – If ever there was a “sure thing” at Fringe, it would be anything put on by Robot Teammate.  They have brought us the incredible Turbulence and Thug Tunnel and their creativity and musical abilities are among the best we’ve ever seen at Fringe.

Tattered Capes (Studio/Stage) – We think this may well be the best thing Theatre Unleashed has ever attempted.  Written by Greg Crafts and directed by Corey Lynn Howe, this show looks to take TU into uncharted territory, and we have every confidence it will be amazing.

The Duchess & the Stripper (The Lounge) – Every year we look for a historical play, and this one is our selection for HFF19.  It tells the story of the Duchess of Windsor and Blaze Starr, one of the most famous strippers of all time.  It’s also highly recommended by the Cherry Poppins crew.

The Mayor’s Debate of Tranquility, Nebraska (The Complex) – we have always been a huge fan of Jim Hanna, and his latest projects looks to be as close as we will come to an actual intelligent political discussion until next year.  We also love his marketing campaign.

Transference (The Broadwater) – This one features a pair of our favorite actresses in Esther Mira and Lisa K. Wyatt and is written and directed by the incomparable Jim Blanchette.  That adds up to an amazing time at the theater.

Wigfield (The Hudson) – Last year we almost missed out on the stunning Pamela Eberhardt show The Runaway Clone.  This year we’re jumping on the bandwagon and making her latest show required viewing.  Based on the amazing marketing campaign she has run, this one looks to be even better than last year’s Clone.

And there you have it.  We can’t wait for Fringe to begin, and already have 32 shows on our schedule, including all  of the above.  We’ll be publishing daily reviews, so keep it here for our See it or Skip it articles.

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival Reviews See it or Skip it

HFF19 previews – see it or skip it

The tenth annual Hollywood Fringe Festival is officially upon us with the first preview of #HFF19.  America got its first glimpse of the potential for this show when they appeared on America’s Got Talent and made it to the quarter-finals, but that was nothing compared to what is in store for attendees at their Fringe show.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Human Fountains

VENUE:  Let Live Theater at The Actor’s Company

REVIEW:  This show lifted physical theater to an entirely new level.  Now pared down to three performers (Benjamin Tillis, Sam Kaufman and Joel Lowinger), they wasted no time to wowing the audience with their “human interpretation of the Bellagio fountains in Vegas.”  The show was magical from start to finish, and told with amazing music and absolutely no words.  Each performer had his moment and the chemistry between the three was palpable.  It was quite obvious that they loved what they were doing, and their audience interaction and involvement weresome of the best we have ever seen at Fringe.  This show may very well turn out to be the surprise hit of the Festival.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  There is one more preview on May 21 before it officially opens for Fringe.  Performances are scheduled for June 25 and 26 at 8:30 p.m., June 27 at 9 p.m., June 28 at 3:15 p.m. and June 29 at 12:45 p.m.  Don’t live your life with regret – make sure you see this show above all others.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

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

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 15

Happy tax day!  Two weeks from today we’ll be in Los Angeles to begin rehearsals for my solo show, Livin’ the Dream (a journalistic journey).  We open on June 7 at studio/stage in Hollywood, and will be doing five performances during the month of June.  If you believe in the arts, and want to help us put on this show, please visit our fundraiser page at GoFundMe and donate.  Thanks.

We are also making our final preparations for the third annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 18 at The Mint LA.  Tickets are on sale now at the venue website, as well as through PayPal.  If you want to purchase tickets through PayPal, use lamusiccritic@yahoo.com as the payee and indicate how many tickets you want.  The cost is just $10 per ticket.  Please help us showcase these amazing indie artists and raise funds for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from LA Music Critic Award winning country trio Southern Halo, who has been featured on numerous occasions in this blog.  We simply love their new single, which truly sets the stage for summer.  Give it up for these three young ladies, who are bringing us the “Sunshine.”

Next up is a band from Stockholm that will put you in a party mood, even though the words are nothing to laugh about.  The sound is so infectious and upbeat that you will enjoy it, even though it’s about sadness.  Check out “Cryin’ (such a disgrace)” from Delsbo Beach Club.

Our third single is the title track to the new album by Field Guide.  It’s called “Full Time,” and we think it demonstrates that this artist is ready for prime time.  We love the accompaniment and the honesty and integrity of the lyrics.  Enjoy it.

https://soundcloud.com/user-574887665/full-time-master

Next up is the sweet simple acoustic stylings of Hong Kong born singer-songwriter Allman Brown.  This artist has a perfect radio-friendly sound and we think he is on his way to the top of the charts.  Check out his single, “Lonely Hearts, Los Angeles,” and you’ll see what we mean.

Our final single this week is from the ever-impressive Jess Ribeiro, who consistently delivers quality music.  This is from her recently released album LOVE HATE, and describes her love/hate relationship with “Dylan.”  We’re sure you can relate.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week comes from Broadway legend Eden Espinosa (Wicked), and is an incredible video for her single “Bed for 2.”  Her voice is electric and her songwriting is some of the best we have heard this year.  Enjoy this one – we think she’ll be riding the top of the charts in no time.

We think our next video, “Ring Ring” will definitely get you up and ready for the dance floor.  We love the sound of Nikki Paige, and were impressed that she has been a paid songwriter since the age of 11!  Let us know what you think about her.

Our next video is a well-shot film for the latest from Taveeta, “Chasing Feelings.”  She has an amazing voice and and hip-hop/R&B sense of style to her sound.

Our next video is the perfect segue and features R&B artist Àkin.  Check out the smooth sound of “Green Light,” with just the right amount of reggae goodness to take it over the top.

We close out this week with a beautiful remake of the classic Minnie Ripperton song “Loving You.”  We think T’Melle has the perfect voice for the song, and captures it perfectly.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Hollywood Fringe Festival indie music LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 14

What a crazy conclusion to this year’s March Madness – I never would have picked Virginia and Texas Tech as the two best in the country who will fight tonight for the National Championship.  At least baseball is more predictable, and my Brewers continue to dominate the division before heading out to the west coast to play the Angels and Dodgers.

Speaking of the west coast, we are making our final preparations for our trip to California at the end of April for the 10th annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  We have an AirBnB in central Hollywood near Theatre Row, and can hardly wait to begin rehearsals for my solo show, Livin’ the Dream (a journalistic journey), which opens with a preview show on June 7 at studio/stage in Hollywood.  We have launched a GoFundMe page, and have begun to receive donations and could really use your help.  Please give if you can or at least share our need with your friends and family.

We are also making final preparations for the third annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 18 at the Mint LA, which will honor Women in Entertainment.  Our lineup for the night includes Emily Zuzik, Dree Mon, Constanza Herrero, Amilia K. Spicer, The HawtThorns, Brigitte Rios Purdy, Fanny Walked the Earth, Manda Mosher, The Spider Accomplice and Lawrence Lebo, with a very special appearance by Jordan Siwek.  Tickets are $10 in advance through PayPal and $13 at the door if there is space available.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Please buy your tickets now and help us support women and Sweet Relief.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from Ugandan Suzan Mutesi, and we love the rhythm  and vibe of this cool song, and definitely agree, “This Feeling is Mutual.”

Our world-wide tour next takes us to Greece for the sweet and soulful sound of Eleni Drake and her song, “4.”  We think it’s definitely a “10.”

We return to Dallas, Texas for the debut single of the amazing Sydney Cope, who has a sound somewhere between Justin Timberlake and Ariana Grande.  We think she hits the nail on the head with this one, appropriately titled “Watch Out for Me.”

From the USA to the UK we travel for our fourth single from a singer-songwriter who mixes folk, pop, reggae and more into her amazing style.  Lucy Gallant has it all in her song “Not Normal,” and we simply love her style.

We close out our Women in Entertainment themed New Singles section with another debut single, this time from Cincinatti-based singer songwriter Shannon Garcia, who teams up with Josiah Wolf of Why? for “Spooky Action at a Distance.”  We would rather keep this one close to our heart.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video continues our world-wide tour as it was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.  Check out this beautiful lyric video by Saul City for their song “Let Go.”

Next up is a band that reminds us of the sweet Americana sound of Suzanne Santo and honeyhoney.  We are pleased to introduce you to Boston-based Honeysuckle and their song, “Old Firestarter,” with its simple videography that so beautiful tells the story of the song.

Huge props to our next artist, Savannah Pope, for her ingenious portrayal of her song, “Rock n’ Roll No More.”  She truly brings the rock on this one, so we have to respectfully disagree that “nobody loves rock n’ roll no more.”  She definitely takes us to church on this one.

We introduced you to the song “Closer” by DAYLA in our Ten Great Singles of March article.  We are so glad to now share the stunning video of the same song, and think that you will fall in love with this amazing artist, just like we have.

We close out this week’s Monday Mashup with Dutch pop star Maya Lavelle‘s intriguing video for her song, “Dancing with a Bottle.”  We introduced her to you back in February.  She uses text messages to convey the lyrics for the video, which was shot in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and makes us want to hang out with her.  Let us know what you think.