Category: Reviews

Reviews of music albums, singles or videos.

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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.

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

Katie Knipp shows her depth of talent with the release of The Well

In recent years, there has been an increase in the visibility of indie music.  Indie artists are being nominated for and winning major awards like the Grammys, as well as being exposed in television, movies and radio.  Today we explore one of those artists, Katie Knipp, and her latest EP masterpiece, The Well.

Knipp wrote these songs during the turbulent times of 2020, and captured the feelings and frustrations of that period.  She accomplished this feat by working with such talented musicians as Zack Proteau on electric bass and rhythm guitar, Neil Campisano on drums and percussion, Chris Martinez on electric guitar and Otis Mourning on saxophone and clarinet.  She also convinced Mick Martin (harmonica), Justin Au (trumpet), Brandon Au (trombone) and Keith Cotton (Hammond organ) to provide guest instrumentation.  Knipp supplied the vocals, piano, Rhodes, Hammond and dobro guitar to the mix.

We previously featured her first single, “Chamomile and Cocaine,” last July.

The Well debuted last week on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart at #4, one of the highest debuts ever by an indie artist.  It’s easy to see why.

Artist Name: Katie Knipp

Album Name:   The Well

Label:  Self-released

Genre:   Blues

Track Listing:   1.  Sad Eyed Lover; 2.  The Gospel of Good Intentions; 3.  Better Me; 4.  Chamomile and Cocaine; 5.  Bullet Train.

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review:   What can we say.  Her voice is delightful, and perfectly suited to the blues.  Her songwriting chops are some of the finest currently on display anywhere and the chemistry she has with her band members is to die for.   They may call it the blues, but there’s nothing depressing about the quality of sound and music that Knipp exudes.  The EP kicks off with the toe-tapping sound of “Sad Eyed Lover,” and truly takes off from there.  This one is the perfect pairing with the Chicago blues sound made famous by The Blues Brothers.  She takes it back a step with the moody and jazzy sound of “The Gospel of Good Intentions,” before roaring back with the delta blues sound of “Better Me.”  Our favorite cut is “Chamomile and Cocaine,” but truthfully, you can’t go wrong with any of these musical gems.  “Bullet Train” just puts an exclamation point on this work of art.

Recommendation:   This is a no-brainer.  You simply MUST add this one to your music collection.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see this one up for Grammy consideration.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Live Concerts Reviews

The Imaginaries slay with their streaming CD release concert

Oklahoma-based power couple Shane Henry and Maggie McClure aka The Imaginaries kicked off the release of their long-awaited debut album with a live streaming acoustic performance sponsored by American Songwriter Magazine.  The concert included the back stories for each song on the album, and lasted for more than 90 minutes, all of it pure joy.

One of my favorite moments was when McClure and Henry were explaining their individual career progression and McClure noted that she had begun with performances at Borders Books and Music.  You see, I was the booker for those stores back in the late 90’s/early 00’s, and it finally answered the question of where I had first heard her music.

Since the concert was essentially a listening party for their CD, we are including our Get it or Forget it review format.

Artist Name:   The Imaginaries

Album Name:  The Imaginaries

Label:   Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Folk

Track Listing:   1.  Revival; 2.  Walking on a Wire; 3.  Thinking ‘Bout You 4.  Trust Falling With You; 5.  There Will Come a Day 6.  Geronimo 7.  One Life; 8.  Enough of You; 9.  Blue Sky; 10.  You Remind Me

Publicist:   37 Media (Julie Lichtenstein)

Review:   The CD kicks off with two of their strongest songs, and never stops delivering powerful messages with memorable musical accompaniment.  In addition to their incredible creativeness in writing these masterpieces, The Imaginaries are also adept at conceptualizing the visualization of those songs, as evidenced by the numerous film festival nominations and wins that their videos have garnered.  We will be featuring their latest video for “Blue Sky” in our Monday Mashup column next week.

The album is produced by the duo and was recorded in the same studio in Muscle Shoals where the pair began their musical journey.  The album features bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (John Paul White, The Secret Sisters), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard), drummer Rob Humphreys (Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz), keyboardists Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) and Dan Walker (Heart).

Recommendation:   Drop whatever you’re doing today and get this album.  It will be the crowning jewel in your musical collection.

Thank you to The Imaginaries for an amazing showcase of your talent.  It was so refreshing to hear a band that sounds as good acoustically as they do when they have their entire band playing live.  They are further proof that indie music is the best music.  Can’t wait to see them live in person in the not too distant future.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Live Concerts Reviews

The Imaginaries wow hometown crowd with first full band show of 2020

Last Saturday we had the distinct pleasure of attending our first live music performance of 2020.  We drove out to Chickasha, Oklahoma for the Third Annual Oklahoma Food Truck Championship to support the first full band show of 2020 by the amazing husband and wife Americana band The Imaginaries.  Not only was the music inspirational and incredible, but the food was pretty good too.

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging

The band is composed of Shane Henry on guitar, lead and backing vocals and his lovely wife, Maggie McClure on keyboard, tambourine, lead and backing vocals.  They were joined by Ryan Miller on bass, Jordan Olivet on drums, Jim Robinson on keyboard and Isaac Stalling on guitar.

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging

They kicked off their first set with “Enough of You,” which showed the rocking side of their sound.  Although individually they have released several solo albums, the band’s debut album will not be released until the spring of 2021.  That didn’t stop them from showcasing their talents and giving the enthralled audience a sneak peak of what to expect when that album is dropped.

They are also gathering a huge following with their music videos, directed by Reagan Elkins.  The above video has been accepted by five film festivals, while their latest, “Walking on a Wire,” was featured in our recent Monday Mashup article.

Their second song, “Gone,” was a rockabilly masterpiece, which was followed by the country pop sound of “Things are Gonna be Alright,” which should be the theme song for 2020.  They followed those up with “Thinking About You” and “You Remind Me,” the latter showcasing McClure’s vocal style, which is a combination of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging

“Blue Sky” was a treasure of vocal harmonies, which was followed by the aforementioned “Walking on a Wire,” which is even better live than in the video.  McClure then performed one of her solo songs, “Coming Home,” before performing “There Will Come a Day.”  They wrapped up the set with a brilliant interpretation of the classic Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty duet, “Stop Dragging my Heart Around.”

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging
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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews

Get it or forget it – 2020 vol 1

It’s been a while since our last edition of Get it or Forget it, and we wanted to ease back in with a few of our favorite artists who have all been busy during this pandemic.  We hope you like what you read, and will check out these amazing artists.  We hope to make this a regular weekly feature, but that will depend on when our work schedule becomes more solid.  At any rate, here we go.

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Artist Name:  Emily Zuzik

Album Name:  Torch & Trouble

Label:  Head Bitch Music and Maenades Music

Genre:  Americana

Release Date:  August 28, 2020

Track Listing:  1.  Stay Wild, 2.  Get it Right, 3.  Chinese Food and Donuts, 4.  Trouble, 5.  Magic, 6.  Shadows, 7.  All That Love, 8.  Wild Mustangs Across the Great Plains, 9.  Embers, 10.  The Band Played On

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Emily Zuzik has been one of the leading voices in the resurgence of the Los Angeles Americana music scene with her unmistakable voice and incredibly well-written songs.  Her latest, Torch & Trouble, sets the bar high and is truly her best effort to date.  The album is skillfully produced by Ted Russell Kamp, the amazing country bass player who is a huge part of the success of every artist he works with, including Shooter Jennings, Manda Mosher, Tanya Tucker and Zuzik.   Among the amazing supporting musicians on the project are Christopher Allis on drums, Brian Whelan on Hammond organ and guitar, Kamp on bass, and John Schreffler on guitar.

Zuzik wrote or co-wrote nine of the ten songs on the album, hits the ground running with the first track, “Stay Wild,” and never slows down as she delivers memorable song after memorable song.  Although there are no weak songs on the entire album, our favorites include “Stay Wild,” “Get it Right,” the rocking “Trouble,” the Chris Isaak-like “Shadows,” (a Yo La Tengo cover), the romantic waltz “All That Love,” the epic story of “Wild Mustangs Across the Great Plains,” and “Embers,” which features the vocals of Kamp and Zuzik in a stirring duet.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and get this one like your life depends on it.

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Artist Name:  Tawny Ellis

Album Name:  Love Life

Label:  Music Building Records

Genre:  Americana

Release Date:  July 24, 2020

Track Listing:  1.  Love Life, 2.  Moon Shine, 3.  Pretend Love, 4.  No More, 5.  Deep end of Love, 6.  Spirit of Love, 7.  I Believe, 8.  Powers That Be, 9.  Daddy, 10.  Dirty Work

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Tawny Ellis is proof of the benefit of being in the right place at the right time, and her relentless pursuit of perfection is evident in every song on this true masterpiece, which took three years to complete.  The artists who worked with her on this project sound like a “Who’s Who” of some of the finest musicians in the industry, including Jesse Siebenberg (Lukas Nelson, Lissie), Ted Russell Kamp (Shooter Jennings, Tanya Tucker), Gio Loria (Jack Johnson) and Kaitlin Wolfberg (H.E.R.).  Their contributions give Ellis’ sound an eclectic vibe that makes the music accessible to fans of all genres.  Among the best cuts are “Love Life,” “Pretend Love,” the rocking “No More,” the mournful “Deep End of Love,” the stirring “I Believe,” and the haunting and iconic “Powers That Be.”

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – your music library NEEDS it and so do you.

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Artist Name:  Ted Russell Kamp

Album Name:  Down in the Den

Label:  PoMo Records

Genre:  Roots/Rock/Americana

Release Date:  July 24, 2020

Track Listing:  1.  Home Sweet Hollywood (ft Shooter Jennings), 2.  Have Some Faith, 3.  Waste a Little Time With Me, 4.  Stick With Me, 5.  Hold On (ft Gordy Quist), 6.  Hobo Nickel, 7.  Rainy Day Valentine, 8.  The Good Part, 9.  Word for Word (ft Sarahh Gayle Meech), 10. My Turn to Cry, 11.  Only Son (ft Shane Alexander), 12.  Every Little Thing you Need, 13. Saint Severin, 14.  Take my Song With You (ft Kirsten Proffit)

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  This article would not be complete without a review of the common denominator between Emily Zuzik and Tawny Ellis, the legendary musician himself, Ted Russell Kamp.  The album was recorded in Kamp’s home studio, affectionately called “The Den,” and features several of the amazing artists that Kamp has worked with, including Shooter Jennings, Gordy Quist, Sarah Gayle Meech, Shane Alexander and Kirsten Proffit.  We have already featured the first two songs on the album in our Monday Mashup series, and they are just the tip of the iceberg of the treasures contained in this 14-song collection.  We really love the swinging feel of “Waste a Little Time With Me,” the classic country sound of “Stick With Me,” the New Orleans Jazz-infused “Hobo Nickel,”  the two-stepping sound of “The Good Part,” the Dwight Yoakum-inspired strains of “My Turn to Cry,” the righteous country ballad “Saint Severin,” and the sweet duet “Take my Song With You.”

Recommendation:  No music library is complete without this one, so go out and get it ASAP.

 

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

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 1)

Did you miss us?  Things have finally settled down.  I am in the process of being promoted to Shift Manager at Pizza Hut, which has allowed me to quit my job at Sam’s Club and have a less hectic life.  I’m still  working a lot of hours, but have regular days off and will (normally) get off earlier.  As a result, we should be able to get back to the business of promoting indie music here on Indie Voice Blog.  We are very happy to be back.

Let’s kick off our first Monday Mashup of 2020 with some great new songs and videos.  Here we go.

NEW PLATFORM FOR INDIE ARTISTS

A revolutionary new music platform has launched, enabling artists to take control of their careers.  Beatchain’s premium services help musicians share their talent, connect with fans, and earn money from their music, without having to share profits and creative control with industry middlemen.

Though there are many tools in the market providing services to musicians, they tend to be expensive and limited to a single capability, for example, handling just distribution, websites, email lists or social media management. Beatchain believes artists need all of these capabilities together in one platform. The market has clearly indicated that Beatchain is resonating. Over 40,000 artists have already taken their first steps towards independence by signing up to the Beatchain platform.

“Too many artists are seeing music streaming as a talent show where they upload one song to Spotify with zero promotion, and suddenly they’re being signed to a label or played on the radio,” said Ben Mendoza, Beatchain CEO. “Unfortunately that’s not how the music industry works in the streaming era. To get heard above the noise, you need the complete set of tools to grow and engage your fanbase, get them hyped for your new release, and then direct them again and again to your music, your shows and your merchandise.  The unique thing about Beatchain is that you can do all this with one platform, without the artist needing to become an expert marketer or music promoter.”

Beatchain offers three pricing levels – a free Basic Plan, a Premium Plan for $14.99 and a “Superstar” Plan for $19.99. The platform’s wide array of tools remove the need for artists to subscribe separately to a number of other services, which can add up to a significant monthly investment, especially for artists just starting out.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the unique sound of Stefan T.  He composed this guitar instrumental and then enlisted an old high school friend to write lyrics for it.  He incorporated a hip hop beat underneath the guitar to give it that intriguing sound.  Check out “One.”

https://soundcloud.com/stefantofficial/one

Next up is the amazing vibe of Dani Le Rose with her latest single “Flowers” from her upcoming self-titled EP, which will be released on Friday.  We are totally in love with her and can’t wait to hear the rest of the EP.

Our third single has a similar “hot” vibe with the haunting sound of British songstress Actrese.  We likewise love her groove and think that “Lola” will be a huge hit.  What do you think?

Our next single has a gospel/pop feel and an equally incredible vocal zzsound from A Blake.  Check out “Witness” and we think you’ll be a believer.

Our final single is from a future superstar that deserves as much airplay as Harry Styles.  Check out “Find Me” from LA’s Matt Hansen – we think you’ll go out of your way to catch his live act.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

There are few things we love more than new music from multi-LA Music Critic Award winners The Spider Accomplice.  Their latest, “Enough,” is definitely one of their finest accomplishments to date, and we are so proud to share it with you.  Get ready to rock your socks off!

Next up is the new video from Blue Élan Records artist Lisa Lambe, formerly of the band Celtic Women.  Her sound is reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, and we are intrigued by “Hunter’s Moon.”  This one is a true keeper.

Our third video is the perfect segue and features the incredible sound of Grizzly Coast.  We hope they stay around “Forever.”

Our next video is visually stimulating and worthy of multiple viewings.  Check out Kris Kelly and his song, “More.”

We close out this week’s edition with the latest from our friend and amazing singer-songwriter Andy Grammer.  We think everyone can relate to the lyrics of “Spotlight.”

 

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

Get it or forget it – new music vol. 5

We’ve got a rare free morning, so we thought we’d share some reviews.  Here are five new releases that we think you’ll like, so grab your coffee and get ready to meet some new artists.

Artist Name:  Abby Posner

Album Name:  Return

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots/Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Return Home; 2.  Cooking Wine; 3.  Heavy; 4.  Snow

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Listening to Abby Posner is like finding that rare vintage book in the bargain bin of the thrift store – its value isn’t determined by its surroundings.  Of all the indie artists we have encountered during our 20+ years supporting music, she is one of the most talented and unique, and never fails to deliver.  Adept on every instrument she plays, she weaves her incredible life into every note and word.  She is supported on this project by The Queertet (one of the best string sections we have ever heard), and they add so much to her sound.  Our only regret is that this long-awaiting EP is only four songs, but we know that she will continue to provide us with amazing music.  We shared the video for her first single, “Return Home,” last month and we are here to tell you that the other three songs are just as amazing.  We love the acoustic sound and will keep this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  This is the best EP released in 2019, and absolutely MUST be in your collection.  Go get it now!

Artist Name:  Tombstones in Their Eyes

Album Name:  Maybe Someday

Label:  Somewherecold Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Open Skies; 2.  Maybe Someday; 3.  I Want You; 4.  Today; 5.  Down in the Dirt; 6.  The Demon; 7.  Behind my Mind; 8.  The One; 9.  I Believe; 10.  I Can’t Feel it Anymore; 11.  Up and Down; 12.  Dreams

Publicist:  Shameless Promotion

Review:  This LA band has drawn comparisons to Pink Floyd, and they are well-earned.  Their sound is obviously influenced by that classic rock band, although they have updated and modernized the sound.  These are songs that stop you in your tracks, mesmerizing your ears with that classic rock sound while the words tantalize and entice your mind.  This is a band that is going places, and they show that with a collection of songs that hit the target dead-on.  Put this one on repeat and chill.

Recommendation:  If you love classic rock and especially Pink Floyd, then this one is a must-have.

Artist Name:  BINX

Album Name:  Bee From Mars

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop/Dance

Track Listing:  1.  Phantom; 2.  Neighbors; 3.  Love on Mars; 4.  Milk; 5.  Anthem; 6.  Shock Waves; 7.  How do you Like Your Eggs?; 8.  Crying in California; 9.  Space DJ; 10.  The Hills

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We met BINX at last year’s LA Music Critic Awards showcase, and were immediately enamored with her personality and style, which is becoming just as iconic around Hollywood as Evangeline‘s pink Corvette.  We shared her first single, “Milk,” last month.  Now, with the release of her latest album, she shows that she is not just stunning stylistically, but is also incredibly talented and deserving of heavy rotation on radio and inclusion in the dance tracks of every intelligent DJ.  She is the natural successor to early Lady Gaga, with a style that sets her apart from so many indie artists.  In addition, her songs are better than so much of the current Top 40 songs, and will immediately capture your attention and affection.  You will want to hear them over and over again, and we strongly encourage you to put this one on repeat.  South Africa’s loss is truly America’s gain.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and go get this one.

Artist Name:  Jack Broadbent

Album Name:  Moonshine Blue

Label:  Creature Records

Genre:  Folk/Blues/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Moonshine Blue; 2.  If; 3.  The Other Side; 4.  Everytime I Drown; 5.  This Town; 6.  The Lucky Ones; 7.  Tonight; 8.  Wishing Well; 9.  Too Late

Publicist:  E2PR

Review:  We have shared a pair of his singles with you (“Wishing Well” and “Everytime I Drown“), and believe this British import is about to make a huge impact on the American music scene.  He is already getting praise from the jazz/blues festival circuit for his incredible slide guitar work, and we think every accolade is well deserved.  If you love sax, then you will be blown away by “The Other Side.”  But don’t stop there – enjoy every track of this amazing album.

Recommendation:  Definitely worthy of your attention – grab it!

Artist Name:  Katy Hobgood Ray featuring Dave Ray

Album Name:  I Dream of Water

Label:  Out of the Past Music

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Lollie Bottoms; 2.  Washed Away; 3.  Oh Devil; 4.  I Dream of Water; 5.  House Divided; 6.  Dirty Water; 7.  Little Children’s Blues; 8.  Des Allemands; 9.  That Really Matters; 10.  Kings, Queens, and Jesters

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  From the first notes of “Lollie Bottoms,” you can feel the influence of the Big Easy on the down-home sound of this music, which would make the perfect soundtrack for an episode of NCIS: New Orleans, or any other show or movie about the south.  These songs create a truly relaxing atmosphere – all that’s missing is the beer and crayfish.  This album should be enjoyed from start to finish and then just let it play over and over again while you kick back and relax.

Recommendation:  The perfect background for a relaxing weekend – get it and enjoy it today.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Live Concerts Reviews

Andy Grammer brings his message of positivity to packed house in Oklahoma City

I have known Aijia Lise Grammer for more than ten years, having met her through her friend Hope Leigh Rollins and booked her for several gigs back when I was doing shows at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles.  Until recently, I had never had the chance to meet her husband, Andy.  Thanks to Aijia and with the help of Andy’s sterling manager, Welshie, I finally got that chance when Andy Grammer brought his “Don’t Give Up on Me” tour to The Jones Assembly in Oklahoma City on October 15.

I have been going to meet and greets for the better part of the past 25 years when I discovered this amazing part of the live concert experience.  Back in those days, the only artists doing them were country artists, and you merely had to buy a membership in their fan club to get the opportunity to meet your favorite star.  However, somewhere along the way, other genres found out about this phenomenon and have exploited it, now calling it the “VIP experience,” and charging upwards of $200 for the privilege.

Prior to this time, my favorite meet and greet outside of the early country shows was Blue October.  Grammer’s session was particularly incredible, and is now my favorite.  The experience started with a quick meet and greet and photo with him before participating in what he called the “circle of trust.”  Grammer talked about his recent losses and the strengths he had gained in going through the pain, and then invited others to share their stories with the group.  There were some compelling stories, and we all shed a few tears during our time together.  After the circle, Grammer performed a couple of acoustic songs and then opened up his merchandise booth so we could have first crack at it.  After that it was time to wait for the doors to officially open and the evening’s concert to begin.

As I was talking with Jennifer from CID, the folks that coordinated the meet and greet, I heard a familiar voice coming from the stage.  I looked up to see my dear friend Sean Hill doing his spoken word to open the show.  What a treat.  It was also a privilege to hang with him the rest of the night.

The opening band was called Nightly and they hailed from Nashville.  Composed of Joey Beretta, Jonathan Capeci and Nick Sonato, they put on a rousing show that showcased their talents and warmed up the capacity crowd for what was yet to come.  They even incorporated an outstanding U2 cover into their set.

Finally it was time for Grammer to perform.  He started the show in the center of the audience by performing a spoken word piece before playing the title track to his latest album, Naive.  He then proceeded to perform another 20 songs, including nearly every song on Naive and his megahits “Honey I’m Good,” “Keep Your Head Up,” “Fresh Eyes,” and “Good to be Alive.”

Just before he performed his new single “Wish You Pain,” he shared with the audience what he had previously shared with us during the Circle of Trust, and again invited the audience to share their stories.  He picked one member from the audience, listened to her story, and then he and Hill proceeded to write a song on the spot that illustrated that story.  It was a very special moment for both the lucky audience member and the crowd in general.

Grammer concluded the evening with a rousing performance of his latest hit, “Don’t Give up on Me.”   The evening ended as the audience joined in and sang the chorus back to him.  It was the perfect culmination for a perfect concert experience.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Patrick O'Heffernan Reviews

“Magnetic” continues X.Ari’s brilliance with new joy and sparks.

Editor’s note:  We would like to welcome Patrick O’Heffernan to our staff of writers.  He will be covering the Latin music scene and is posting his first review below.  He has been a huge supporter of the LA Music Critic Awards, and is the host of Musica LA and Blog Talk Radio‘s Music Friday.  Welcome Patrick!

I have been following X.Ari for over three years- back when she was Ari without the “X”, and I have watched her change and grow with every new song.  A certified genius with an angelic – and sometimes demonic – voice, her music is unique, addictive, thought-provoking.  Each new step she takes, each new lyric she writes, each new video she makes reveals her depth and her brilliance.

She has done it again with her latest release, Magnetic – a song about love.  She moved into romantic R&B territory in Magnetic, which is about the feeling you get when you fall in love – the polar attraction that happily consumes your life.  The music is sophisticated, as all of X.Ari’s music is, but it also has a familiar feel to it – we know this song in our bones, although we have never heard it before.

Magnetic has its own magnetic attraction, a polar pull on your ears, your muscles, and – if you know X.Ari’s struggles with her own internal polar opposites — on the part of you that can join in sync with another human being and her feelings.

A singer-songwriter-artist and mental health advocate from Toronto currently living in Los Angeles, X.Ari’s driving force is to turn pain into power by using art. Her musical art deftly dances in and out of genre lines, moving from alternative pop to gritty hip-hop with an electronic tinge that is especially apparent in her live performances, which often include a primal scream.

Her costume, stage presentation, album art, and graphics carry her uniqueness and power forward with her sound. Her lyrics are visceral, written in pain and power to bring messages of hope as well as to examine tragedy. The final product vibrates between the two, sometimes painfully, sometimes intensely reflective, always gripping.  Magnetic does all of this, only with joy and sparks.

X.Ari has been on a talent tear recently.  Her songs “Uni-Fi,” “Break-Point,” and “LA LA LA” have all been works of musical and cathartic genius. With Magnetic, she has continued the streak, albeit in a different musical style that is consistent with her legacy, but fresh and invigorating, and hopefully reflective of her state of being.

She has just released a companion video to Magnetic and it measures up to the song and then some.

Magnetic was released September 17, 2019, and can be streamed on Spotify.

 

Patrick O’Heffernan

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music New Music Friday Reviews

Get it or forget it – New Music Friday vol. 2

We made it through another week, and have some great rewards for you, including the latest by a recent Grammy-nominated artist who is covering the library of a Grammy legend.  Let’s get this weekend started.

Artist Name:  Sarah Lightman

Album Name:  Interlude

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Interlude; 2.  Let Your Light In; 3.  Graduating 4.  Alright; 5.  Until I see you Again; 6.  Shell; 7.  I Can’t Be; 8.  So Good; 9.  Home; 10.  We are the Same; 11.  Letter to my Father

Publicist:  Elisa Tapia

Review:  Sarah Lightman came to Los Angeles to be an actress but gave it up to become a singer-songwriter.  If her debut album, Interlude, is any indicate, she made the right choice.  Her songs offer hope and are sung with such a sweet voice that the listener can’t help but be drawn up.  Her music deserves heavy rotation on radio stations nationwide, and her songs should be highly considered for placement in television and film.  We especially love “Graduating,” “Until I See You Again” (with its jazzy undertones and amazing co-vocals from WOLVES), “I Can’t Be,” and “So Good.”  She may have made her start performing on the streets of City Walk, but she’s ready for a larger audience.  Don’t miss this train as it leaves the station for super stardom.

Recommendation:  Definitely RUN out and get this one.

Artist Name:  Jimbo Pap

Album Name:  It can Always get Worse

Label:  Fiesta Red Records

Genre:  California Country/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Submission (Nice Pants); 2.  On my way to the show 3.  Long Kiss Goodbye; 4.  Nothing’s Quite the Same; 5.  Queen of my Lonely Little World; 6.  String of Pearls; 7.  Yard Sale; 8.  Long Time Movin’; 9.  Another Ticket on the Windshield; 10.  It can Always get Worse; 11.  Someone’s Gonna Love me Again

Publicist:  Devious Planet

Review: A recent edition to the Los Angeles Americana scene, Jimbo Pap provides the perfect tongue-in-cheek approach to incorporating their unique blend of country with a folk-style message about current events.  Their voices create incredible harmonies that deliver their message without offending the listener.  You will quickly find yourself tapping along to the beat while you process the words, and will leave with a better understanding of what you can do to improve the world around you.  Don’t forget to grab a beer and tool around the dance floor as well.

Recommendation: A brilliant release that deserves a place in your library – go get it!

Artist Name:  Sarah Rogo

Album Name:  Smoke and Water

Label:  Funzalo Records

Genre:  Blues/Roots

Track Listing:  1.  Pieces; 2.  Here Goes Nothing; 3.  Smoke and Water; 4.  Will you Still Love me Tomorrow 5.  Run; 6.  Jolene; 7.  Love and be Loved; 8.  Take me to the Water 9.  Which Wolf; 10.  Voodoo Child

Publicist:  Independent Music Media

Review: Hard to believe it’s been nearly two years since we reviewed an album from Sarah Rogo (Live at Lestats West), which was her first album published by Funzalo Records.  She was signed after meeting them at the Durango Songwriters Expo, one of several up and coming superstars that emerged from the annual affair in Denver, Colorado.  From the first notes of “Pieces,” you can quickly hear her maturity and growth as an artist.  She is the voice of a new generation of blues and roots singers, and we believe she is heading for tremendous success.  Her songs cut to the heart and deliver a touching message, accompanying by Rogo’s mad resonator guitar skills.  This one deserves to be on repeat, especially her beautiful interpretations of the classics “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “Jolene.”

Recommendation:  One of the best we’ve heard from any Durango alum – run out and don’t stop until you get this one.

Artist Name:  Janiva Magness

Album Name:  Change in the Weather:  Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Blues Covers

Track Listing:  1.  Change in the Weather; 2.  Lodi (ft Sam Morrow); 3.  Someday Never Comes; 4.  Wrote a Song for Everyone; 5.  Don’t you Wish it Were True (ft Taj Mahal); 6.  Have you Ever Seen the Rain 7.  Bad Moon Rising; 8.  Blueboy; 9.  Fortunate Son; 10.  Deja Vu (All Over Again); 11.  A Hundred and Ten in the Shade; 12.  Lookin’ out my Backdoor

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  As someone who grew up on the music of John Fogerty and Credence Clearwater Revival, it was quite an honor to be asked to review these amazing covers of those songs we grew to love.  Janiva Magness takes her stellar blues skills to turn these songs into instant blues classics, and we are sure that Fogerty would be totally ok with that.  Our favorites include “Lodi,” “Have you Ever Seen the Rain,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Lookin’ out my Backdoor.”

Recommendation:  If you love Fogerty and the blues, you will simply adore these interpretations.  Run out and get it today!