Tag: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

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Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Larry Lacerte, Ghost of You, Lomboy, Marieme, Jamison Isaak

It’s Thursday, and we are so thankful to be able to continually bring you new and exciting indie artists to check out.  We are also so thankful to be able to host one of the biggest documentary film festivals in the country, and are having a blast volunteering in support of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.  Here are five more artists that are worthy of your attention.

Artist Name:  Larry Lacerte

Album Name:  Dreaming of the Ways

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Dreaming of the Ways; 2.  Work of Love; 3.  One More Whiskey; 4.  Love me Wrong; 5.  Alone

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We met Larry Lacerte at last year’s Durango Songwriters Expo and were impressed with his style.  He has just released his first studio EP, and it has lived up to the standards he demonstrated at Durango.  It is the perfect cross-over between Roots Rock, Americana and Country, and should do well in any of those formats.  The songs are well crafted and feature the perfect country voice of Lacerte.  We especially love the banjo on “Work of Love,” as well as the amazing slide guitar on “One More Whiskey.”  “Love me Wrong” reminds us of a cross between Jason Aldean and Clint Black.  He closes the all-too-short five-song EP with “Alone,” which reminds us many of our greatest accomplishments happen when we are forging our own way.  We can’t wait for what’s next for this talented indie artist.

Recommendation:  You should definitely Get this one.  It has all the makings of a breakout hit.

Artist Name:  Ghost of You

Album Name:  Black Yoga

Label:  Indies Scope

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Recognize; 2.  Break Into Eden; 3.  Skeleton; 4.  Locust; 5.  Tempest; 6.  Feast; 7.  The Ark Won’t Come; 8.  A Rifle and a Spoon

Publicist:  Indies Scope

Review:  All the way from the Czech Republic comes Ghost of You, who bill themselves as psychedelic art-rock.  We think they are more than that.  The first track, “Recognize” is eerily reminiscent of U2, while “Break into Eden,” with its amazing bass work, and “Skeleton” have more of a techno sound.  In fact, that tag applies to the majority of the album.  This music would do well in the EDM/Dance scene, so DJ’s take notice.  They have accomplished their mission of taking rock into a different arena.  Well done.

Recommendation:  Give these guys a chance, America, and check out the European rock scene.

Artist Name:  Lomboy

Album Name:  Warped Caress

Label:  Cracki Records

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Alien Lady; 2.  Worth to You; 3.  Loverboy; 4.  Love Ain’t got the Groove; 5.  Director’s Paralysis

Publicist:  Practise Music

Review:  Lomboy splits her time between Paris and Tokyo, with backing bands in both cities.  Her music has an 80’s pop feel, reminiscent of Madonna, and is perfect for radio.  Her music is dreamy and airy, with heavenly vocals on top of a dance soundtrack that is just as enjoyable to listen to as it is to dance to.  Her sound is multi-dimensional, with “Alien Lady” being more of a dance track while “Worth to You,” with its stunning flute solos, a very dreamy pop sound that is perfect for chill time.  On “Loverboy,” she incorporates her Japanese influence while the overall track is reminiscent of a cross between Enya and Dido.

Recommendation:  Don’t pass this one up.  Get it today.

Artist Name:  Marieme

Album Name:  Marieme

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Leave; 2.  Be the Change (The Shelter); 3.  Ask for Help

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Senegalese-native Marieme is taking America by storm with her powerful voice and timely, socially-driven lyrics.  Her style is similar to such other powerful artists as Erykah Badu, Billie Holiday and Lauryn Hill.  The emotion behind the lead track, “Leave,” conveys what it was like to leave her native country and come to America to start fresh.  The second track, “Be the Change (The Shelter,” is a moving ballad that compels us to not wait for others to lead the charge for change, but to be the one that does it.  Her final track, “Ask for Help,” is the corresponding call for action.  We feel Marieme has a huge future in this business.

Recommendation:  This is our pick of the month.  Get it immediately.

Artist Name:  Jamison Isaak

Album Name:  EP1

Label:  FLORA

Genre:  Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Sharalee; 2.  Upstairs; 3.  Wind; 4.  More

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  Jamison Isaak has been making music under the monikers Teen Daze, Two Bicycles and Pacific Coliseum for years, but this is his first time recording under his own name.  His music is meditative, reflective and perfect for chilling.  It explores the beauty of piano and pedal steel guitar, and fills the room with such calm that the listener can relax and reflect.  He is already getting critical praise from the likes of NPR, and he lives up to the hype.

Recommendation:  If you enjoy a musical interlude while you meditate, or just appreciate great music, then you must Get this one.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Kevin Fisher, Johnny Tucker, Barren Womb, Viv and the Revival, Thrillchaser

Happy Hump Day!  It’s beautiful here in Montana, although a little cold, but that is not keeping the crowds away from the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.  We are having a blast presenting these documentaries, and can hardly believe that the Festival is almost over.  At least we have some more indie artists to review, so here we go with five more.

Artist Name:  Kevin Fisher

Album Name:  Beer Me

Label:  37 Records

Genre:  Country

Track Listing:  1.  Beer; 2.  Beer Me; 3.  Dog Beers; 4.  I Wish you  Were Beer; 5.  Better Beer; 6.  To Beer or not to Beer; 7.  I Like Beer; 8.  Beer in the Fridge; 9.  Beerly Beloved; 10.  Beer Thirty; 11.  Beer Blue Sky; 12.  Last Call

Publicist:  McJames Music

Review:  Beer Me was released last October.  Since then, Kevin Fisher has released a couple of singles.  His current single, “Beer Thirty,” is currently sitting at #1 on the Hot Disk UK charts for the third week in a row.  The album contains a 12-pack of songs about beer with titles that are tongue in cheek, and feature co-writes on seven of the tunes.   Fisher has that perfect voice for country music, and the songs are truly radio ready gems for die-hard country fans that love their beer.  Our favorite cuts are the title track, “Dog Beers,” “Better Beer,” “Beer in the Fridge,” “Beer Thirty,” and “Last Call.”

Recommendation:  If you love country music, or beer in general, you will get a kick out of this CD.  Get it before “Last Call.”

Artist Name:  Johnny Tucker

Album Name:  Seven Day Blues

Label:  Highjohn Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1,  Talkin’ About you Baby; 2.  Tired of Doing Nothing; 3.  Why do you let me Down so Hard; 4.  Love and Appreciation (to Georgia); 5.  Seven Day Blues; 6.  Come on Home With Me; 7.  Tell you All; 8.  Something I Want to Tell You; 9.  Gonna Give you one More Chance; 10.  I Wanna do It; 11.  Do Right Man; 12.  One of These Days; 13.  I Can’t Wait; 14.  Listen Everybody; 15.  You can Leave my House

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Johnny Tucker broke into the business back in 1964, hooking up with Phillip Walker and singing James Brown.  He later became the drummer for Walker’s band and began touring the world for the next 34 years.  This is his second album since returning to music in 2006, and he has not lost a step.  This time around, he collaborates with such monumental blues players as Big Jon Atkinson, Bob Corritore and Kid Ramos in creating this perfect 15-song disc that celebrates the beauty of traditional blues.  His voice brings back memories of some of his peers, like Muddy Waters, BB King and Fats Domino.  This is an album to relish and savor.  Just put it on, sit back, and reminisce about the return of the glory days of the blues.

Recommendation:  If you are a music historian, or simply love the blues, you simply must Get this one.  It is a national treasure.

Artist Name:  Barren Womb

Album Name:  Old Money / New Lows

Label:  Spartan Records

Genre:  Metal

Track Listing:  1.  Crook Look; 2.  Mystery Meat; 3.  Theory of Anything; 4.  Slumlord Millionaire; 5.  Cave Dweller; 6.  Drive-Thru Liquor Store; 7.  Mad 187 Skills; 8.  Russian Hankerchief

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  Norwegian rockers Barren Womb have returned with a new album, nearly three years after the last project, and are planning an extensive tour of Europe and Scandinavia to promote their music.  They call their music “Noise Rock,” and the description is apt.  It is a cross between metal and Beastie Boys, with the lyrics more spoken than sung, and a heavy metal/rock musical score.  This music is not for everyone, but true metal-heads will dig it, especially the current single, “Mystery Meat.”

Recommendation:  If you are a lover of metal and/or hard rock, then you should definitely check out Barren Womb.   If not, then you should probably forget it.

Artist Name:  Viv and the Revival

Album Name:  Perfect High

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Perfect High; 2.  Stop my Heart; 3.  Lost in the Fire; 4.  Cannonball; 5.  Nikki

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Viv and the Revival have a perfect radio sound that is missing from current programming.  From the amazing title track through the final notes of “Nikki,” this band gives us incredible music, with an indie rock sound that is perfect for Top 40, as well as serious consideration by music supervisors looking for hot tunes to incorporate into television and film projects.  We really love the rocking “Stop my Heart,” with its killer guitar riffs, but all five songs are hot.  We can’t wait to hear what they come up with next.

Recommendation:  This one is a keeper.  Get it now.

Artist Name:  Thrillchaser

Album Name:  A Lot Like Love

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Emptiness; 2.  Out of our Minds; 3.  A Lot Like Love; 4.  Like That; 5.  Wildflower; 6.  Hold on to the Night; 7.  fivetwentyfive; 8.  Invisible; 9.  Still got a Hold on Me; 10.  Juliet

Publicist:  Right Angle PR

Review:  Thrillchaser, formerly known as American Wolves, have returned to bring us incredible pop/rock tunes.  As American Wolves, they had a hit single with “Part of Me,” which went viral on YouTube and Spotify, and their new tunes as Thrillchaser will surely exceed that high bar they set.  Thrillchaser has released a lyric video for their first single, “Wildflower,” which has gained them 10.1K Facebook fans in only three weeks.  Clearly this band is on to something, and radio programmers and music supervisors need to stand up and take notice of their music.  This is pop music that appeals to all ages, and is just what our stale Top 40 stations need to perk up their listeners.  “Hold on to the Night” is already being featured on idobi radio.  Don’t be surprised to see this one on the list of Grammy nominees next year.  If the Academy overlooks this band, they are doing everyone a disservice.

Recommendation:  If you love music, then this band MUST be on  your radar.  Drop everything and Get it now.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Susan Williams and the Wright Groove, Sly and Robbie meet Dubmatix, Ann, Cvltvre, The Reverend Shawn Amos

Greeting from the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival!  We are actively engaged in the Festival, but taking time to bring you review of five new artists.  We hope you enjoy them.

Artist Name:  Susan Williams & The Wright Groove

Album Name:  It’s About Time

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Tell me you Love Me; 2.  Love What U Do; 3.  Loving U From a Distance; 4.  Shame on You; 5.  I’m Sorry; 6.  Meet me in the Middle; 7.  Another Thing Coming; 8.  One Way Street; 9.  Please Come Back to Me; 10.  Keep Moving On; 11.  Too Little Too Late

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review:  Susan Williams is an iconic Chicago-based blues bassist who, along with her band The Wright Groove, is releasing their debut album.  They also competed in this year’s International Blues Challenge.  The album is chock full of amazing blues riffs, dynamic keys and kick-ass progressive and traditional blues featuring the soulful voice of Williams, who penned nine of the album’s eleven tracks.  They have definitely set the bar high for their next project, and we fully believe that they will continue to excel.  Our favorites include “Tell me you Love Me,” “Love What U Do,” “Love U From a Distance,” “I’m Sorry,” “Another Thing Coming,” “One Way Street,” “Please Come Back to Me,” and “Keep Moving On” – practically the entire album.

Recommendation:  Don’t even hesitate, just Get this one.

Artist Name:  Sly & Robbie meet Dubmatix

Album Name:  Overdubbed

Label:  Echo Beach

Genre:  Dubstep, Triphop/Electronic, Reggae

Track Listing:  1.  Dictionary; 2.  Smoothie (ft. Prince Alla, Screechy Dan, Megative); 3.  Riding East; 4.  Great Escape; 5.  Great Wall

Publicist:  RDX Promo

Review:  Jamaican’s Sly Dunbar (drummer) and Robbie Shakespeare (bassist) have combined with Canadian Dubmatix to produce this interesting dance mix.  The tracks range from dubstep to reggae to breakbeat, triphot, Afro-Brazilian and electronic, but all of them are fun to listen and dance to.  We are still amazed at the level of talent in the international indie community, and are so happy to be part of spreading this music to America.  This album should be of interest to every dance DJ out there looking for great mixes.

Recommendation:  If you are a DJ, we strongly encourage you to check out this collaboration.  If you just love reggae music, then this is the one for you.

Artist Name:  Ann

Album Name:  Let Go

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  R&B/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Try (ft. Will Gittens); 2.  Todd’s Song; 3.  So Familiar; 4.  Let Go

Publicist:  Camp Entertainment Worldwide

Review:  Ann was born in Nairobi, Kenya but now calls Worcester, Massachusetts her home.  She has competed on such shows as X-Factor and American Idol, and has interestingly enough decided to release her four track EP as a series of audio only tracks on YouTube.   She has also chosen to forego Facebook and instead base her social media through Instagram and Twitter.  Please be advised that these songs are rated Mature (language).  The first track is a duet with Will Gittens that is slow, sexy and steamy.    The second is a slam at a former boyfriend.

Recommendation:  This one deserves to be checked out simply because of its uniqueness.  We think the voice will grab you and keep you.

Artist Name:  Cvltvre

Album Name:  All Life Is // Act 1:  An Act of Letting Go

Label:  Standby Records

Genre:   Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Blame; 2.  Birthday Song; 3.  Progression; 4.  Drown; 5.  Pour These Words

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Cvltvre is an Inland Empire (California) based rock band releasing their second EP, the first of a four-part series dealing with self-purpose and identity.  “Drown,” the fourth track is the first single off the EP,  They have also released a music video for the second track, “Birthday Song,” a rocking ballad.  In fact, the musical diversity of this EP is what sets it apart from its peers, and make Cvltvre a band worthy of industry attention.

Recommendation:  If you love rock, definitely check this one out.

Artist Name:  The Reverend Shawn Amos

Album Name:  The Reverend Shawn Amos Breaks it Down

Label:  Put Together Records

Genre:  Blues/Gospel

Track Listing:  1,  Moved; 2.  2017; 3.  Hold Hands; 4.  The Jean Genie; 5.   Freedom Suite – Uncle Tom’s Prayer; 6.  Freedom Suite – Does my Life Matter; 7.  Freedom Suite – (We’ve got to) Come Together; 8.  Ain’t Gonna Name Names; 9.  (What’s so Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  This is an interesting effort, delivering a message of freedom and the search for civil rights in the form of the blues, including a three-song “Freedom Suite” that includes an acapella reading of Uncle Tom’s Prayer before expounding on the words of Booker T. Washington and Martin Luther King.  The album plays like a passion play, and needs to be listened to in its entirety without skipping around.  All we can say is “Preach it.”

Recommendation:  If you are at all concerned about civil rights, then this one is a must for you.  Hopefully it will empower change in this world.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Hollywood Fringe Festival LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 7

Mother Nature has made it clear these past few days that she’s not ready for spring yet here in Montana, as we have been bombarded with snow, high winds and sub-zero temperatures.  Regardless of the weather, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival kicked off last Friday night with a sold-out screening of the film Dark Money, attended by our very own Governor.  Attendance at other screenings on Saturday, Sunday and today have been high, including quite a few sell-outs, including Forever B, the one I attended tonight about kidnap victim Jan Broberg, a child kidnap victim and author of Loss of Innocence.

We have a bit of news for you today, as well as four new singles and three new music videos, so let’s get to it.

DIANA REIN LAUNCHES CROWD-FUNDING CAMPAIGN

Referred to as the “The Six-String Siren,” LA Music Critic Award winner Diana Rein has announced the launch of a crowd-funding campaign for her upcoming album, Queen Of My Castle. The follow-up to her critically-lauded 2016 release Long Road, Queen Of My Castle is being co-produced by Michael Leasure (drummer extraordinaire with the Walter Trout Band).

“The new album is a collection of 15 songs, with one of those songs being a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan,” says Rein, just back from representing Guitar Girl Magazine at the 2018 NAMM Conference.  Rein is the featured artist for the month of April in their 2018 Calendar.  “There’s a lot of traditional blues, as well as high energy, upbeat, and blues-rock songs that I know you guys will love. This album will be lucky #3 for me and my first full-band album.  I loved making my last record on my own, but I am really looking forward to challenging myself this time around and collaborating with the pros.”

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL NEWS

The Hollywood Fringe Festival is getting ready for their ninth run June 7-24, and is looking for interns and volunteers, specifically in the areas of Fringe Central Set Design, Events, Volunteer Coordinator and Cabaret.  Interning with the Fringe is the best way to get hands on experience behind the scenes of the largest performing arts festival in the west.  Interns work directly with Fringe staff to help run various aspects of the festival.  Click the link for position details.  If you are interested, please submit a cover letter and resume to internships@hollywoodfringe.org.  Please specify which position you are interested in.  The deadline to apply is April 1.

NEW SINGLES

Here’s the first single from the forthcoming album People Person by Everett Bird.  The single is entitled “Bucket of Dark Meat,” and we think you’ll like it.  It is different from many of the songs featured here, so get ready to try something new.

https://soundcloud.com/royalmountain/03-bucket-of-dark-meat/s-5vsqk?in=royalmountain/sets/everett-bird-people-person/s-TOwD8

Next up is “The Monster” from LA based garage rock band Bird Concerns.  This one truly rocks.

Our third single today is from folk singer songwriter Brown Kid.  It is definitely a step down energy wise from the previous song, but it is different enough to pass on to you.  The song is entiled “Sunrise” and we want to hear your feedback.

https://soundcloud.com/brown_kid_music/sunrise-single

Our final single today is from another LA Music Critic Award winner, Sleep Machine.  They are releasing their newest album one song at a time.  Here is “Mother.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our favorite Italian rock band is back with another hot video.  Check out “Never Obey” from Black Mamba.  We guarantee this one will rock your sock.

Our next video is the latest from Allison Iraheta and Mathew Hager, aka Halo Circus.  It is a video for their single “Narcissist,” which we debuted two weeks ago.  Please let us know what you think.

Blue Élan Records continues to bring back classic bands, and the latest to return is Fanny Walked the Earth.  Here is the video for “Lured Away,” their first single in 34 years.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Jeremy Romeo, Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra, The Crowleys, Earwig, Kyler England

We made it to Friday and the weekend.  It’s gonna be a busy one for us with opening night of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival tonight.  The opening night movie is Dark Money, the story of how Montana stopped the influx of corporate money in state and local political campaigns.  Governor Bullock will be among the dignitaries attending tonight’s screening, so it should be an interesting evening.  In the meantime, we have five more artists to review, including a couple of our favorites.  Let’s get started.

Artist Name:  Jeremy Romeo

Album Name:  All You’re Meant to Be

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Pop/Rock/Country

Track Listing:  1.  This is Home; 2.  Lights of Boston; 3.  Here With You; 4.  Said and Done; 5.  All You’re Meant to Be; 6.  See you Soon

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  Aussie Jeremy Romeo is a rising star in his own country and ready to expand his musical reach to America.  He has a sound similar to Keith Urban meets the Plain White T’s, a mixture of pop, rock and country.  His songs are well crafted and his unique soaring voice is perfectly suited to this type of music.  All six songs are great and deserve attention for American radio station managers.  Don’t be surprised to see Romeo become the latest Aussie musician to make it in America.

Recommendation:  We highly recommend you check out this rising star before he becomes too big and  Get his EP.

Artist Name:  Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra

Album Name:  Stereoscope

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots

Track Listing:  1.  Firmament; 2.  Southern Road; 3.  Ghost; 4.  Fish in a Rut; 5.  Come and go Heartbeat; 6.  Hard Time Killing Floor Blues; 7.  Stereoscope; 8.  Off and on Again; 9.  Let the Wind In; 10.  Battlefields; 11.  Spacehorse

Publicist:  Big Picture Media

Review:  Just when you think you’ve heard everything possible within the roots/Americana genre, a group like Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra reinvent the genre.  Mixing elements of blues, swing, country and traditional Americana into their own unique style is what makes this group a driving force in the Americana community, and this album a preview of what is yet to come to one of the most interesting and diverse genres in American music.  With raspy vocals, often discordant strings, a driving rhythm section, songs that tell a story and the accompanying soundtrack to vividly paint the picture, we are impressed with the quality and foresight of this album.  We love this album, but our favorites are “Southern Road,” “Ghost,” “Fish in a Rut,” “Off and on Again,” “Battlefields,” and “Spacehorse.”

Recommendation:  This album is great for those music lovers that like to be on the cutting edge.  We recommend you Get this one.

Artist Name:  The Crowleys

Album Name:  Colours Change Their Tones

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Pink Rainbows; 2.  Midnight Blue; 3.  Stargazer; 4.  Girl What; 5.  L.A. Sunset; 6.  Pansy Party Extravaganza

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:   The Crowleys bring us cosmic electronic pop, with airy sounds that soar above the music, creating an audio and visual picture that is all too vivid.  We only wish there were more than six songs to enjoy.  These songs would be excellent placement material for television and movies, and music supervisors would be wise to check out their entire catalog of musical treasures.  For music lovers, the uniqueness of their sound will make a welcome addition to your personal music library.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.  It will grow on you.

Artist Name:  Earwig

Album Name:  Gibson Under Mountain

Label:  Lizard Family Music

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Trees; 2.  Star Cross’d; 3.  Not About You; 4.  Her Heart; 5.  Lovesong Cockroach; 6.  Sleepyhead; 7.  Next Christmas; 8.  Glorious & Gloom; 9.  Wicked; 10.  Shiny Morning; 11.  Rumplestiltskin

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This album was originally released back in 2011, but the band has decided to remix it and release it again this month, in anticipation of a brand new album to be released later this year.  It was originally mixed and produced by Mike Landolt, who has also done great work with Maroon 5 and the Spin Doctors, and contains several tracks that are radio-ready, reminiscent of the Gin Blossoms and the Spin Doctors.  Earwig has always been an underground favorite, and maybe the attention that is sure to come will help elevate them to a more recognizable and household band.  The band’s high intensity rock is evident from the beginning of the first track, “Trees,” and continues throughout this album.  Our favorites include “Star Cross’d,” “Not About You,” “Sleepyhead,” “Next Christmas,” “Wicked,” and “Shiny Morning.”

Recommendation:  This is the indie rock band of the future, available now.  Don’t miss this opportunity to Get one of their best offerings.

Artist Name:  Kyler England

Album Name:  The Wilderness

Label:  Gypsy Rock Records

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Best is yet to Come; 2.  Little Light; 3.  Holding up the Sky; 4.  Never Gonna get Over You; 5.  Give up the Ghost

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Kyler England has been a successful singer-songwriter in Los Angeles long  before she joined up with two of her friends, Gabriel Mann and Adrienne Gonzales to form The Rescues.  The release of this new EP about heartbreak and healing comes on the one year anniversary of finding out she was going to have a baby.  She transparently discusses her infertility and pregnancy loss on the way to having her son.   All five songs are incredible, as we have come to expect from England.  The songs would also easily translate into the three-part harmonies of The Rescues.  As England so aptly says in the first track, “The Best is Yet to Come.”  We can hardly wait for her next inspired tracks.

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice.  Get this one now!

 

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Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Theatre Women in Entertainment

BSDFF brings ‘Bright Lights’ to Missoula’s Wilma Theatre

Kicking off their 14th annual run, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival opened on Friday night with a screening of the HBO documentary Bright Lights at the Wilma.  Fans began lining up before 6 p.m. for the free screening, and filled the house to capacity.

The documentary tells the story of the relationship between Debbie Reynolds and her children, Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher, and is based on a small portion of the film archives of the family.  It was heartfelt and raw, and made you want to laugh, cry and cheer, all at the same time.

The film was introduced by current Executive Director Rachel Gregg, who was joined by the film’s producer, Todd Fisher.  Fisher returned after the screening and participated in a Q&A session that lasted for nearly an hour.

The Festival continues through February 26, with screenings at a multitude of venues, including the Wilma, the Elks Lodge, the Public House, the Roxy and the MCT Center for the Performing Arts.  Headquarters for the event will be at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography (216 N. Higgins), where you can purchase tickets and merchandise, participate in the VR Experience or attend classes on documentary filmmaking through the Doc Shops series, which begins on Monday, February 20.

For more information, check out the Festival’s website.  You can find the schedule here.

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Reviews

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival another success

The 13th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival (“BSDFF”) concluded on February 28 after a successful 10-day run at multiple venues in Missoula, including their flagship at the newly remodeled Wilma, the Crystal, the Roxy, the Top Hat and Shakespeare & Company.

Besides screening more than 100 films, this year’s BSDFF included two different five day series of lectures and workshops, including Schoolhouse Docs for kids, held at first-time venue the Roxy, and DocShop, which featured lectures and a pitch session for filmmakers to present their ideas for future projects.

The Festival included a live concert by Lydia Loveless, an up and coming alt-country performer and the subject of the documentary Who is Lydia Loveless?, also shown during the Festival, as well as numerous Q&A sessions with filmmakers, cast and crew following screenings of their respective films.

BSDFF relies heavily on the use of volunteers, who staff many of the events and provide numerous services during the Festival.  This writer was once again fortunate enough to be one of those volunteers, staffing the Wilma for three shifts as well as a shift at the DocShop session on Tuesday.

The Festival opened on February 19 with a screening of Mavis!, sponsored by HBO Now.  In addition, Sundance Now debuted their new Doc Club, a Netflix-like service for documentary film lovers.

One of the highlights of the Festival was the screening of the top 12 finalists in the Fusion Doc Challenge, which give filmmakers a subject, a genre, and five days to completely write, film and edit a short (4-7 minute) documentary.  One of the films, Don’t Call me Cute, caught the attention of this reviewer, as it was about sexism in the music business.  Watch for a follow-up article on this one.

Another featured film was the world premier of Tear the Roof Off:  The Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic.  This provocative film by Bobby J. Brown featured the back story of the creation of P-Funk, as well as allegations of former members regarding their treatment by George Clinton.  The Q&A afterwards featured Brown as well as original bassist Billy “Bass” Nelson, “Tear the Roof Off” co-songwriter Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey, and former Bride of Funkenstein member Satori Shakoor.  The Q&A was so successful that it delayed the next screening by 30 minutes.

courtesy of Bobby J. Brown
courtesy of Bobby J. Brown

If Only I was That Warrior was a documentary regarding the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, and the controversy over a monument to Fascist General Rodolfo Graziani, a war criminal during the reign of Mussolini.  The documentary was well done and the follow-up Q&A with director Valerio Ciriaci was very informative.

Hats off to Festival director Gita Saedi Kiely and her amazing staff who once again pulled off a phenomenal festival.  For more info, check out their website and Facebook pages.