Tag: Canyon City

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 6

Greeting from the frigid cold of Montana.  Our wonderful spring-like weather evaporated and a cold front set in, with some severe wind chill.  Good thing the music scene is hot.  Here’s the latest.

HEATHER JACKS TO RELEASE NEW BOOK

Author Heather Jacks, one of our panel members on the LA Music Critic Awards committee, is about to release her new memoir, My Headdress is on Fire.  She has previously released a couple of tabletop books, The Noise Beneath the Apple, and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.  This one is about her time growing up on Indian land, and is a series of essays.  If you would like to be part of her Indiegogo pre-release campaign, just click here.

TRACY BONHAM SIGNS WITH ECR MUSIC GROUP

We had the privilege of reviewing the latest from Tracy Bonham, and were impressed.  She has recently signed with the ECR Music Group and they’re throwing a party in New York City on February 23.  We highly recommend you attend if you’re in the area.

INDIE PERFORMANCES

We love to promote shows for indie artists, so make sure you send the press releases to us for inclusion in this weekly column.  Here’s what we have for this week.

San Diego native Sarah Rogo, who we reviewed back in November, is coming to Los Angeles tomorrow night and playing at Bar Lubitsch at 9 p.m.  If you’re in LA, you should definitely check her out.  She’s been nominated for the latest round of the San Diego Music Awards.

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen from Alexandria, Virginia are heading west for a gig at Boulevard Music in Culver City, California on February 24 at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $20 and available online at the venue.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winner Kris Angelis, just in time for Valentine’s Day.  We simply love her new single, “A Billion Hearts,” and think you will too.  Let us know what you think.

https://soundcloud.com/krisangelis/a-billion-hearts

Next up is a remake of the old Poco song, “Rose of Cimarron.”  This time is features former lead singer Rusty Young along with LA Music Critic Award winner Chelsea Williams, both artists on Blue Élan Records.  We love it – how about you?

https://open.spotify.com/album/2NRlFktIabT0RDLeuXCGbA?si=OfB54I9nQI6J6MrrPQFnFw

Our final new single today is from Canyon City,  a LA Music Critic Awards nominee.  Check out “Shadows.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up today is the latest from rockers Harker for their single, “Plague Your Heart.”  This one should get your heart pumping.

Next up is the debut music video from Susie Q for her single, “Home.”  This one has a powerful message of peace.  Please check it out and share it with your friends.

Our final video today is a lyric video by Michele Vreeland for her single, “Wild Horse.”  We love this song and its message.  Please let us know what you think.

See you tomorrow with a new set of Get it or Forget it reviews.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Durango Songwriters Expo Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Canyon City, Monica Chapman, Marc Berger, Alex Mabey

We were so amazed at the level of talent at this year’s Durango Songwriters Expo.  It was our first trip since we moved to Montana, and the talent pool, which has already spawned such acts as Meghan Trainor, Alissa Moreno, Tim Fagan and others just keeps getting better.  Two of our reviews today are artists we saw perform at DSE.  We think all of these reviews will encourage and entice you to continue supporting indie music.

Artist Name:  Canyon City

Album Name:  Constellation

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Our Way; 2.  Find You; 3.  Midnight Flight; 4.  Like I Did; 5.  Train; 6.  For the Day; 7.  Oh my God; 8.  Satellite; 9.  Run; 10.  Be Scared With Me

Publicist:  Red Boot PR

Review:  Canyon City aka Paul Johnson has a sound smooth as silk, with a dreamy voice that will soothe the listener’s soul and provide the perfect background for a major chill session.  His music goes down like a fine glass of wine, warming your body as his vibe eases your tensions and stresses, creating a truly relaxing feel.  This is music that would be at home on Hot AC and AAA stations, as this music demands radio airplay.  From the first track onwards, Canyon City gives you song after song that will change your mind about indie music.  There are no weak tracks on the album, but we really love “Our Way,” the title track (which is also the first single), “Train,” “For the Day,” and “Satellite.”

Recommendation:  This is a must have for your musical collection.  It will soon become one of your favorites, so Get it now and play it often.

Artist Name:  Monica Chapman

Album Name:  Small World

Label:  Live Records

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  A Shine on Your Shoes; 2.  Goldfinger; 3.  Piel Canela; 4.  Small World; 5.  Caravan; 6.  Baby It’s Cold Outside; 7.  Big Spender; 8.  What Kind of Fool am I; 9.  So in Love; 10.  Orange Colored Sky; 11.  Don’t Explain; 12.  A Foggy Day

Publicist:  None

Review:  Monica Chapman is a Canadian artist who was born in Romania, and teaches jazz in her spare time.  She has gathered a stellar collection of jazz standards and incorporated the incomparable voices of Mike Murley, Reg Schwager and Kevin Turcotte into her sound.  Jazz standards never go out of style, and Chapman has the perfect voice for these songs.   We love great horns, and she uses them to perfection, especially on “A Shine on Your Shoes.”  This is a great soundtrack for your daily or weekly happy hour, and the tunes will surely put a smile on your face.  We love her take on the James Bond classic “Goldfinger,” as well as the Duke Ellington classic “Caravan.”  Other impressive gems are “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Big Spender,” and “Orange Colored Sky.”

Recommendation:  If you love jazz, then this is a great album for your collection.

Artist Name:  Marc Berger

Album Name:  Ride

Label:  Real Records

Genre:   Americana/Roots

Track Listing:  1.  Nobody Gonna Ride on the Railroad; 2.  Take it on the Chin; 3.  Ride; 4.  Time Waits for no Man; 5.  Montana; 6.  Twister; 7.  Heavenly Ancients; 8.  Object of my Affection; 9.  Long way from Vixenburg; 10.  A Bottle of Wine, a Suitcase, an Umbrella; 11.  Object of my Affection (instrumental)

Publicist:  None

Review:  Marc Berger has the perfect voice for roots/Americana – full of gravel, spit and determination.  He underscores his gritty sound with a musical background that is soothing, smooth and pure.  The underlying mandolin, accordion, slide guitar and harmonica flow seamlessly with the percussion and acoustic guitar.  This album takes off from the first note and never disappoints.   While every track is wonderful, we particularly love the title track, “Time Waits for no Man,” “Montana,” “Twister,” and “Long Way from Vixenburg.”

Recommendation:  This one is a worthy addition to your Americana collection – Get it.

Artist Name:  Alex Mabey

Album Name:  Enough

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Bravest Daughter; 2.  Enough; 3.  Wild and Free; 4.  Soldier’s Wife; 5.  Run to the Edge; 6.  Jesus Was

Publicist:  None

Review:  We met this artist at DSE, and were immediately overcome with the beauty of her voice and the power of her words.  That amazement continues from the opening notes of “Bravest Daughter,” the first track of her EP Enough, as it becomes quickly clear that Alex Mabey has arrived as the new voice in folk/Americana music.  Her songs are well crafted, her voice soars like a bird, and the musical accompaniment is first rate, especially the cello on the first track and on “Soldier’s Wife.”   Our only complaint is that this six-song EP is simply too short – merely teasing us with her greatness.   The title track has such potential for placement in television and film, and creates a yearning for Mabey’s music that can never be fully quenched, but will keep bringing the listener back for more.  “Wild and Free” and “Run to the Edge” likewise grabbed our attention, and deserve serious radio airplay.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and Get this one now.  It is an absolute must have for your musical library.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 33

Happy Labor Day – may the Fourth be with you!  Hope you’re all having a wonderful holiday weekend and are ready for some new music and videos from the indie music community.

SHANNON HURLEY CREATES ART

Most of you who are familiar with the indie music community either know of or personally know Shannon Hurley.  Not only is she an amazing solo artist, but she is half of the award-winning duo Lovers & Poets, as well as a DIY wizard.  She has collaborated with countless DJs who have turned her songs into dance hits, and is a budding actress.  What you probably don’t know is that with her numerous hours of downtown while on set, she has recently begun “doodling,” creating some amazing art.  We strongly encourage you to check out her new art page on Facebook and support this amazing multi-talented indie artist.

ROBBERY INC. TO PLAY VIPER ROOM

If you happen to be in Los Angeles, we recommend you check out Robbery Inc.‘s performance at The Viper Room on September 14.  Here’s their latest single, “Honebee,” to whet your appetite.  The band is fronted by former Trapt guitarist Robb Torres.

NEW SINGLES

We love sharing new music with our readers, and we have a few great new singles to share today.  Artists and publicists – please make sure you let us know when you have new music out – we’d be happy to share!

Here’s the latest single, “Go Home,” from David Garfield.  It has such a sweet sound featuring strong saxophone and guitar, great upbeat rhythm, awesome background vocals near the end and a catchy melody throughout.  Please let us know what you think.  We have always loved jazz and simply adore this song.  Thanks to Doug Deutsch Publicity Services for sharing it with us.

Here’s the title track from the forthcoming album Anthropocene from genre-defying artist Peter Oren.  Please let us know what  you think.

Like your music a little rockier?  Check out “Way Too Much” from Smash Boom Pow.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We love this creative video from newcomers The Phase for their single “Can’t Get It.”  If you love the beach, this one just might make you miss it a little.  Definitely check these guys out.

If horses and beautiful cinematography are your thing, you will probably love this video by Erin Durant for her single “Old Soul.”

Last but not least today is the video for “Midnight Flight” by Canyon City, the new single from their forthcoming release, Constellation, which we will be reviewing in the not too distant future.  Thanks to Red Boot PR for bringing us another outstanding indie artist.