Happy Martin Luther King Day! We had a blast last night at The Wilma in Missoula, where we were introduced to an LA band called Bikini Trill who was opening for Reel Big Fish and Tony Lovato and MEST. We recently reviewed Reel Big Fish’s new album, and had previously reviewed MEST back in December 2017. MEST also won the LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Band for that album for the second half of 2017. We will have the full review of last night’s concert soon. In the meantime, here are five new singles and music videos from the indie world.
JACK TEMPCHIN ELECTED TO SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
Blue Élan Records artist Jack Tempchin is part of the Class of 2019 and will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 13 in New York City. He wrote a plethora of songs that we’ve all danced and sung along to, including the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Tequila Sunrise,” and “Already Gone,” Glenn Frey’s “The One You Love,” “Smuggler’s Blues,” “You Belong To The City” and “Sexy Girl,” and Johnny Rivers‘ “Slow Dancing.”
NEW SINGLES
Our first single this week comes from an amazing 15-year old future superstar named Bella Rios. She received a nomination in the recent LA Music Critic Awards for Rising Star, and we guarantee this artist is on her way to the top of the charts. Check out her latest single, “Under the Waves.”
Our second single is from another LA Music Critic Awards winner, Rod Melancon, who is a member of the Blue Élan Records family. His latest song, “Goin’ Out West,” is a harder rocking Americana song that he usually does, and we totally dig it.
Our next single is likewise from a multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, who we hope will perform in our next Winners Showcase. We have followed the career of Curtis Peoples for many years, and his latest single, “Tidal Wave,” is one of his best, and features the beautiful vocals of Holy Wars. Let us know what you think.
Our fourth single is from another member of the Blue Élan Records family, who has recently rebranded herself and now goes by the name of Car Astor. This one will get you up and dancing into the new week. Check out “Don’t Stop, Don’t Speak.”
Our final single today is from another multiple LA Music Critic Award winning duo, Lovers & Poets. We are also providing the bitmoji video they did for their latest offering, “Here and Now.”
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first video this week is a beautifully made lyric video for “Do What you Want,” the latest from the phenomenally talented Jess McAvoy. Check this one out.
We don’t often post cover videos, but this one is so good that we had to share and features Fuel on Fire, one of the rising young pop bands from Nashville. Check out their cover of U2‘s monster hit, “With or Without You, featuring the amazing children’s choir at Homer Pittard Campus School. We’ll have a review of their cover album shortly.
Our third video is from steampunk-influenced singer-songwriter Elyssa Vulpes for her single “Front Line.” We think this one could become an anthem for so many causes.
Our next video is from the collaborative efforts of the Americana Kitchen Band. Check out this video for their single “All Dressed Up (and Nowhere to Go).” This one will give you the strength to make it through the new week.
We close out this week with the latest video from Blues/Rock superstar guitarist Eric McFadden, “While You Was Gone.” This one will surely give you a head start on the next great weekend. Have a great week and we’ll see soon.