We’re back with our list of the best music videos as featured in our Monday Mashup column. Like our list of best singles, we are listing them in the order they were featured in our blog.
It’s a new year – welcome 2021. Here’s hoping that we will see a return to live music and much success for indie artists worldwide.
Speaking of live music, we just learned of the passing of long-time indie music supporter Lina La Rosa to ALS. We are dedicating this week’s column to her memory. RIP, Lina.
After waking up to a blanket of white on New Year’s Day, we wanted to kick off the new year right with some great new singles and music videos. Here’s what we found this week:
NEW SINGLES
Our first single is from an artist whom we’ve known since the 90’s. She is a survivor of COVID, and probably our favorite redhead on the planet. We’re talking about none other than Nina Storey, and her first song of 2021 will definitely get you on the dance floor. Check out her latest groove and get ready to “Fly.”
Next up is a beautiful holiday song from another friend from our time living in San Diego. She has since moved to Nashville where she has become a popular host of a music show, an actress and a force of nature. Check out “Somethin’ ‘Bout the Snow” from the original lady of blue, Alyssa Jacey.
Our third song pretty much sums up the feelings of quite a few people concerning 2020. Meiko is another long-time friend who says what many of us feel, “This Year can Kiss my Ass.”
Gabe Dixon is a past winner of the LA Music Critic Awards, and has become the natural follow-up to such amazing “piano men” as Billy Joel, Elton John and Phil Vassar. We simply love his holiday song and echo its sentiments, so let’s bring in the “New Year Just With You.”
We close out this week’s singles with the latest from the multi-talented actress, songwriter, crafter and co-creator of the “Don’t Call us Tori” showcase and podcast, LA’s own Shannon Hurley. In answer to her question, “Am I in This Love Alone,” we respond with a resounding, “Hell No!”
We kick things off with a video from the amazing duo Dauzat St. Marie. We think this powerful ballad sets the perfect message for 2021 – “In it Together.”
ROCKET is another group with powerful female vocals. They have just released a lyric video for their empowering song, “Giants,” and we think you should take their lyrics to heart.
Our third video is from a new artist we have recently discovered courtesy of Tarsier Records. Enjoy this beautiful and soulful visual for “Best Wishes” by Markus.
Christmas may be over, but the spirit of the season lives on in this stirring video cover of one of our all-time favorite classics, “What Child is This.” Check out Dan Hegarty and metal maven VK Lynne in this stunning visual shot by Sean McHugh.
We close out the first week of the year with this remarkable lyric video that brings back so many memories. Lend your ear to the amazing songwriting of Michael Shynes and meet us at “Sundown.”
Here we go again. No sooner did I publish what was supposed to happen with my work hours than they changed it up again. This time they upped the timeline when they were supposed to close a store and gave us only two days notice that we would be taking over their territory – more than doubling our workload. I worked nearly 70 hours last week, most of it on the night shift. Can hardly wait to see what this week brings. In the meantime, we have five new singles and music videos to get your week off to a great start.
NEW SINGLES
Our first single this week reminds us that there are “Better Days” ahead. Thanks to Joe Dáccache for reminding us that we will get past these days of COVID-19 and social distancing. Make this one the first song you listen to each day.
Next up is “Porcelain,” a personal and poignant song about mental illness. Check out this heartfelt cry from Talitha Ferri.
Single number three is a sometimes discordant but deeply emotional song about doing what hurts you in order to make someone else happy. Check out “Stable and Steady (to be Happy) from Anima & Ennui.
Our next single has an airy 90s electronic feel that we simply love. Check out “She Keeps me in her Locket” by Venture Boi. We think you’ll want to hear a lot more from them.
Our final single this week is “Shelter,” a compelling ballad from Nia Ekanem. Let this one keep your spirits up as you stay at home.
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first video this week comes from an old friend who we have known and loved since we lived in San Diego (oh so many years ago.) Like us, she left the West Coast and moved east in pursuit of her dreams, settling in Nashville where she is at the top of her game. Please give it up for the one and only “lady in blue,” Alyssa Jacey, and her latest, “Why I Left.”
Next up is “Blisters” from the rocking indie band big loser. We love their energy and wish we could see them perform live. (They were supposed to perform here in Oklahoma this week.)
Our third video is from LA Music Critic Award winner Lauren Jaimes, who reminds us that “Home is Where you Are.” We totally agree with the sentiments of this video.
Next up is the latest from the brilliant minds of Birds and Arrows. Check out the harmonies and visuals for their song “Truth or Consequences.”
We close out this week with a truly amazing video from one of our favorite bands, We Three. Here’s their latest, “I Wanna Love Somebody.” This one will have you singing along with tongue firmly in cheek.
Happy President’s Day! It was a very busy weekend with the opening of the 16th Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. We volunteered four box office shifts at the Wilma and MCT, attended the parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and still managed to squeeze in a block of four documentary shorts and two features. One of the shorts, After the Fire, won last year’s Pitch Day competition, and we can’t wait to see what gets pitched this year on Thursday.
At Friday night’s party at the Elks Lodge, we met director James Martin and his wife Jen West, as well as cinematographer Bud Simpson and Eva. They were involved in the short film Being with Elephants which screened Saturday afternoon and will screen again on Thursday at 4 p.m. at MCT. They were amazing company and we managed to run into each other several times over the weekend. We only wish we could see their film, but our schedule doesn’t permit that,
At Saturday night’s party at the Missoula Art Museum, we met Jonathan Sutak, the director of Dons of Disco. Before the Mili Vanilli lip-syncing scandal, there was Den Harrow, an Italo Disco artist who sold 20 million records without singing a word. This brilliant movie told the story of the plan by American singer-songwriter Tom Hooker and Italian producer Miki Chieregato to have a male model become the face of their music. It was a compelling story about the music industry and left us wanting to know even more about this fascinating tale, and the dispute that developed between Hooker and Harrow. We highly recommend this film.
Last night we attended Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records. This was the story of a small record store in Chicago that accidentally created a whole new genre of music and launched the careers of acts such as Ministry, Front 242, REVCO, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult and inspired others like Nine Inch Nails. It was a remarkable story directed by Julia Nash, the daughter of Jim Nash, who together with his partner Dannie Flesher, created this alternate reality for people whose musical tastes were far from the mainstream. We also highly recommend this film.
Today we are volunteering at the box office at the Elks Lodge before heading off to work, followed by tonight’s party at the Dana Gallery.
NEW SINGLES
Our first single comes from our dear PR friend, Doug Deutsch Publicity Services. It is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winner for best EDM/Dance artist/band TNEO, and we really dig the groove of “Circles Around You.” This one will definitely get you up and dancing on this Monday morning.
Next up is the latest from the amazing Alyssa Jacey. She has recently married the love of her life, Jutt Huffman, and the resulting new music is full of hope and love. Check out “Our Love” and share it with those you care for.
Our third single comes from the band Crystal Tides, and is an upbeat alt pop song called “Backbiting.” We love their groove and think this song has some serious legs. Check it out.
Next up is the latest from Grammy-winning artist Aqualung. “Complicated” is the second single from his new album Additional Futures. We think it’s one of his best ever and can’ wait to review the entire album soon.
Our final single this week is a rare treat. This one is a country tune from William Shatner (yes, Captain Kirk) and Jeff Cookof the incredible country band Alabama, which also features country legend Neal McCoy and acapella group Home Free). We are shocked at how good it is. Here’s “Why Not Me.”
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first music video has the incredible guitarist/vocalist Jess McAvoy serenading the streets and subways of New York City with her truly inspirational song, “Do What you Want.” We love it.
Next up is the latest from The Stoneface, an amazing band out of Belarus. We love the rocking sound of “That Summer” and think you will too.
Video number three comes from Swedish alt pop artist Augustine. We love the sound of his latest, “Luzon,” and think he has a great career ahead. His sound is perfect for American radio, and the cinematography in the video is outstanding. Check it out and see.
Our next video is from New Orleans-based Berlin Taxi and has a definite 80s new wave vibe. We love “Last Night” and think you will too.
Our final music video today is “Shacked up Sweetie,” a rousing country tune from Canadian Francine Honey. This one will get your boots on the dance floor. Enjoy!
What a great victory for our Dolphins yesterday, who came from behind to tie and then win the game in overtime over the Bears. It was a great start to this week that would only get better if the Brewers can clinch a World Series Berth with a sweep of the Dodgers in LA. In the meantime, check out these new singles and music videos and have a wonderful week.
NEW SINGLES
Our first single this week is all about overcoming the pain of leaving people and things behind to pursue success. We can totally identify with this track, and think it just might be the inspiration you need for this new week. Check out “All Alone” by Jess McAvoy (ft Alicia Madison).
Our next single is from the dynamic duo that call themselves The Darcys. We love the upbeat sound of “Chasing the Fall,” and think it will appeal to you as well.
Ari Herstad is well-known in the indie music community, and his column Ari’s Take is one of the better read publications, with news that indie artists can truly use. He has joined up with the one and only Nina Storey to form Brassroots District, and they have released their first single, which we truly love. Check out “Repetition.”
Our fourth single comes from the newly married Nashville fixture Alyssa Jacey. It is her first single since “I Want it to Rain,” and it is a beautiful ballad that is truly inspirational. Here’s “Beautiful Night.” Welcome back AJ!
Our final single is from an icon of the pop scene who has returned to performing on his new label, Blue Élan Records. On this amazing remake of his band’s monster hit, “Crazy Love,” Rusty Young is joined by labelmates Cindy Alexander, Chelsea Williams, Lisa Lambe, Gina Sicilia, Scout Durwood and Brie Darling of Fanny Walked the Earth.
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first music video is from an LA band that we are loving more and more with each release. Check out the amazing rocking tune “No Hand me Downs” from Birds and Arrows. This one will put some life in your Monday morning and every day thereafter.
Up next is the latest from surf guitarist JP Soars and his band, The Red Hots. They blow us away with their tune, “Southbound I-95,” and its hot cars and hotter cinematography. Turn this one up loud and enjoy.
Our third video is an amazing Latin Pop tune from the incredible Chesca, who is Gloria Estefan and Christina Aguilera all rolled up into one. Check out “Azúcar” and get your fix of her sweet sound.
Next up is some alt rock to keep you going, as trio Noble Bodies bring us “Take me Down.” Rock on.
We close out this edition of Monday Mashup with the latest lyric video from 12-time LA Music Critic Award winning band The Spider Accomplice. Check out this timely and visually stunning video for their song “Epilogue.” If you’re in LA, don’t miss the chance to catch them live at The Viper Room on October 18.
It’s been a while since our last article in the Women in Entertainment series, February 1, 2016 to be exact, but we’re back with another edition. Fair warning – it’s a long one, but definitely worth the read.
Our feature today spotlights Alyssa Jacey, a pop/soul singer-songwriter out of Nashville by way of San Diego, who loves the color blue. Why, you say. Jacey explains, “About the age of 16, I got my first car and decided to paint it. I was flipping through the color pages and had an instant attraction to the color Highlight Blue Pearl, a bright royal blue with an opal coating. From that point on, I could only see the color blue. I would make a beeline to that color whenever I was choosing clothes, and always fell for the guy in the royal blue sweater. I’m currently on my fourth car, and all of them have been blue.”
Jacey has turned that attraction to blue into her own brand. “I always tell people when they come to my shows, ‘Bring your crew and wear your blue.’ My grandmother and I were very close when she passed away from Alzheimer’s. I had just started singing and she never got to hear me perform. I told myself that when I was able to support myself with my music that I would do something to help fight the disease. Now, when my fans come to my shows, if they are wearing blue, I donate $1 from their ticket sale to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.”
Jacey had formerly been a hip-hop dancer, choreographer, and private dance instructor, had appeared in music videos and performed at the Super Bowl. She assumed that her career would be in the dance industry. But that all changed, literally overnight, when Jacey went out with her friends. “One day I just made the decision to pursue music. I had spent my whole life dancing but there was always something missing; Karaoke night changed all that and my life has never been the same,” explains Jacey.
Jacey’s latest single, “I Want it to Rain,” is an incredible song that truly belongs on radio outlets worldwide. Since it was posted on her YouTube channel just a month ago, the video has already received more than 3,000 views.
Jacey recently posted on her Facebook page that she has spent more time in the past three months in Europe than at home. Not bad for an unsigned independent musician who is the epitome of the DIY artist. In fact, that success has enabled Jacey to also become an international public speaker, and to open her own business, Image Twelve 28. The business allows her to provide coaching for other indie musicians who want to achieve their dreams.
“I was 23 when I found my voice, 26 when I learned the guitar and 28 when I learned to drum. I believe you can do whatever you want as long as you believe in yourself. Don’t listen to the naysayers, just do it. My true purpose here is to inspire people.”
But what inspires Jacey? “What inspires me is the beauty that lies in the unknown. As a DIY artist, you never know what hand your career will deal you, and it’s BEYOND EXCITING. Opportunities come from all angles, in all shapes and sizes, and the fun part is two fold: Being surprised with ones you weren’t expecting and seeing how many you can turn into reality, and going through individual experiences, which are each so unique and so special. When I think of all the experiences I’ve had over the years and risks I’ve taken to get to them, my heart swells up. My favorite hashtag to use is #LivingWithGratitude, and I absolutely am, living with gratitude, every single moment, of every single day.”
Where does Jacey see herself in the future? “My future plans have not changed since the exact moment I realized I was going to pursue music, and basically, that’s ‘I know I’m here, and I want to get there. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but I know I will, and I will just take it one step at a time.’ I started playing music because I had a late calling. At 23 years old, I was convinced by friends that I had a voice. I had never sung before, never written a song or played an instrument. But after a year of singing karaoke and hearing the same thing on a consistent basis from random strangers from karaoke bar to karaoke bar every week, I knew I had to pursue it. I was going to let absolutely nothing stop me from getting as far as I could go. Did I want to be famous? No. I wanted to see if I could ever make a living playing original music, and after that, the sky would be the limit, should I chose to continue. Just 13 months after moving to Nashville (and 8 years after being in the music industry), I started to earn a living. I’ve been so motivated by seeing hard work pay off, that when it comes to “future plans,” all I can do is just keep doing what I’ve been doing. In doing so, every six months beats out the previous six months, and all I’m doing is just following my intuition.”
For more info on Jacey, be sure to check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. If you like her music, you can stream it on Spotify or Pandora, or purchase it at iTunes.
