What a year for indie music. We received a boatload of review requests from around the world, and published reviews of nearly 1,000 CDs and EPs. We culled through those we reviewed first to pick our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards, and now to compile our list of the 40 Best CDs of 2018.
Due to the sheer volume, we only considered full-length projects for this list, but that doesn’t mean that quite a few of the EPs we reviewed weren’t also worthy of distinction. We may yet put together another list of just EPs.
In the meantime, while we wait for the winners of the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards to be announced tomorrow, here are our favorite CDs of 2018. You can find their individual reviews by searching for them on our blog.
40. Kate Reid – The Heart Already Knows
39. Deb Ryder – Enjoy the Ride
38. Jeffrey Foucault – War on the Radio
37. Katie Herzig – Moment of Bliss
36. Eric Tingstad – Electric Spirit
35. Fanny Walked the Earth – self-titled
34. Wily Bo Walker – Almost Transparent Blues
33. Buddy Guy – The Blues is Alive and Well
32. Walt Weiskopf – European Quartet
31. Mindi Abair & the Boneshakers – All I Got for Christmas is the Blues
30. YYNOT – self-titled
29. Peter V Blues Band – Shaken but not Deterred
28. Delta Moon – Babylon is Falling
27. The Textones – Old Stone Gang
26. Ronny Morris – Sweet Silence
25. Sydney Wright – Seiche
24. Gleeson – The Years Have It
23. Colin Devlin – High Point
22. Everlast – Don’t Complain
21. Zsuzsika – Start Again
20. Michael Peterson – From Here to Eternity
19. K. Michelle Dubois – Autumn
18. Broken Bellows – I, Kaleidoscope
17. Rachel Sage – Myopia
16. Janiva Magness – Love is an Army
15. John Flanagan Trio – Honest Man
14. Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm – Shoot me Down
13. Floods – Bad Times
12. Frank Hannon(From One Place . . . to Another, vols 1 and 2)
Happy New Year’s Eve. We close out the year at Indie Voice Blog with our final Monday Mashup of 2018, along with the knowledge that we had a banner year. We started out 2018 with just over 41,000 views and are closing it knocking on the door of 91,000, an increase of almost 50,000 views. In other words, we had more views in 2018 than in the entire life of our blog up to that point. Thank you one and all for your support and your faithful readership. We have some big changes coming in 2019, so please subscribe to our blog and let’s keep sharing the indie music love.
Enjoy your celebration tonight but be safe. Many communities are having First Night celebrations, including one here in Missoula, Montana. It’s going to be a cold one, with temperatures in the single digits, so bundle up and enjoy all the indie music available.
We thought it only fitting to kick off this final 2018 edition with a wonderful video by Colin Devlin that reflects our thoughts. Here’s “On New Year’s Day.”
NEW SINGLES
Our first single today comes from 2016 LA Music Critic Award winner Alice Wallace, who drops her new album, her first on Rebelle Road Records, on January 19. We can’t wait to review it. Here’s a taste of what’s to come with “Santa Ana Wind,” her take on the recent California wildfires.
Next up is a Christmas single from multiple-LA Music Critic Award nominee The Fisherman & The Sea. Check out “Christmas on a Mountain.”
They also have a new album coming out in January and we can’t wait. Speaking of their new album, we also give you a sneak peak of the first single, “The Fairytale Waltz.”
Our third single is perfect for tonight, as Karmic gives us their interpretation of the classic song, “Auld Lang Syne.”
Single number four comes from the amazingly gifted guitarist, Ali Handal, and features the equally amazing vocals of Debby Holiday. We strongly agree with her sentiments in “Love More.”
Our final single this week is the first one from the forthcoming new album by The Lighthouse. Enjoy the pop stylings of “Catch Fire.”
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first video this week comes from the new solo project of the lead singer of a band we introduced to you earlier this month. The band is called Cheat Codes and the lead singer is Dahl. Here’s the video for his first single, “Think About Us.”
Next up is the video of Brian Mackey‘s latest single, “Don’t Own Much.” It features some of the finest cinematography we have seen this year and was shot during his tour of Europe. Enjoy this one.
Our third video has the hard edge of rockers Crashing Atlas, and is very timely. Watch how they deal with their own obsessions in “Monster.”
Our next video slows it down with a live performance of up and coming Swedish artist Marlene Oak‘s single, “In the Evening.” We introduced her to you three weeks ago, and we still can’t get enough of this song.
We close out 2018 with the latest video from LA Music Critic Award nominee Band of Silver. Check out “El Magnifico.”
Take care tonight. We’ll be back next year with more great coverage of indie music and theater, and the return of our popular series, Women in Entertainment.
What an amazing Thursday we had. Our Brewers won it in the 10th after blowing a 2-0 lead in the 9th, and the Durango Songwriters Expo kicked off with an amazing showcase of talent. Today is the first full day of the Expo, with lots of interaction with industry, seminars and another showcase tonight. And of course, another chance for the Brewers to shine. Check out these amazing albums being released today, including the first new album from an old favorite in quite a few years.
Track Listing: 1. High Point; 2. Just a Fire; 3. Highwire; 4. Promised Land; 5. This is Where we Are; 6. Nostalgia; 7. Water; 8. Shine On; 9. Exosphere; 10. A Dream Worth Living; 11. Lost in the Silence
Publicist: MAD Ink PR
Review: Colin Devlin is a Los Angeles transplant from Dublin, Ireland, where he was a member of The Devlins. Since arriving in LA, he has become a fixture of the music scene, working with a myriad of indie artists and signing with Blue Élan Records to record his own solo album. And what an album it is! He hits the ground running with the title track, and the album only goes up from there. There is a brooding darkness just underneath the surface, and comparisons to Bono and Sting are definitely on target. We have already featured several songs in our Monday Mashup articles, and this album has something for everyone, delivering one incredible song after another. This is music for those times you want to chill and contemplate life, and it will provide you with amazing clarity as you ponder the skillfully written lyrics and music. We love every song, especially the title track, “Just a Fire,” “Nostalgia,” and “Shine On.”
Recommendation: Don’t miss the chance to get this one while it’s hot. Get it Today!
Track Listing: 1. Long Goodbye (ft Emily Millard); 2. When I Dream, I Dream of You; 3. Delta Lab; 4. Our Spectacular & Common Lives; 5. Mid-Tempo Drama; 6. When you Dream, you Dream of Waves; 7. Peachland at Night; 8. Dark Horizon; 9. Choice is Unlike Anything; 10. Ones you Love (ft Shad); 11. To get it Right you Have to get it Wrong Sometimes
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: We featured the video for “When I Dream, I Dream of You” this past Monday, and are pleased to be able to review the entire album for you today. This Canadian treasure needs to be shared with the world. Their music is fresh, upbeat and extremely well-crafted, and every song is worthy of attention. The layers of goodness contained in each track scream out that this is a band that has arrived and is looking for a long-term residence in your musical library. Their sound is majestic and cinematic. Music supervisors would be wise to consider their music for placement opportunities in television and film.
Recommendation: Give them a home in your music collection. You won’t regret it.
Track Listing: 1. Can’t Wait; 2. Fly; 3. Feel Again (Castaway); 4. Let you Down; 5. Weakened by You; 6. Infinite Time; 7. Things Don’t Make Sense; 8. Carry Along
Publicist: self-promoted
Review: If you love 80s pop music, then have we got a treat for you. Stephen Miller has returned in his persona as Millamix to deliver a fresh set of 80s-inspired pop songs that are destined to become a staple of your 80s library. From the first track, “Can’t Wait,” which was obviously inspired by Phil Collins, Miller delivers a stunning collection of songs that capture all of the joy and energy of 80s pop. We really love “Feel Again (Castaway)” and “Carry Along” with the sounds of that amazing saxophone.
Recommendation: If you love the 80s, you must have this album in your collection. It will earn a place in your heart.
Track Listing: 1. New Blues; 2. Pigs; 3. Hercules; 4. Simple Dude; 5. Unseen; 6. DLTFWYH; 7. Can’t Stay Here; 8. Outttatime; 9. Ready to Win; 10. Edgy; 11. One of These Days; 12. Daisy Chain
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Tokyo Police Club are back with their first full length studio album in four years, and the result was definitely worth the wait. From the dynamic energy of their first single, “Hercules” to the Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe of “Simple Dude,” TPC proves the band was right about the decision to make one more album. Rob Schnapf, who produced the band’s 2010 release Champ was the perfect choice for this new album, and his production work is truly brilliant. Other songs that we really love include “New Blues,” “Can’t Stay Here,” “Edgy,” and “One of These Days.”
Track Listing: 1. Little Red Thread; 2. Human Being; 3. The River; 4. The Mountain; 5. The Healer (redux); 6. Dark Side; 7. Poison; 8. Backlash and Vinegar; 9. In This Body; 10. The Night That Bowie Died; 11. Tiny Love
Publicist: Right Angle PR
Review: She’s back, and it’s like she never left us. We had the privilege of seeing KT Tunstall open acoustically for Better Than Ezra and Bare Naked Ladies at the start of summer, and featured her video for her first single, “The River” in our Monday Mashup column. Believe us when we tell you that this is some of her best work ever. The album kicks off with the rocking “Little Red Thread” and only goes up from there. Tunstall has reestablished herself as a relevant performer who knows how to write great songs that are truly radio friendly. We think she has enough worthy material here to keep our radio dials filled for the next year! There really isn’t a weak track on the entire album. This one is definitely going on repeat!!
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one TODAY!
Looking forward to heading down to Denver on Wednesday for this year’s Durango Songwriters Expo. We’re having a meet and greet at The Walnut Room on Wednesday night before the Expo kicks off with their showcase on Thursday night and closes Saturday night with a concert. Should be an interesting weekend, and it will be warmer there than here in Montana. In the meantime, here are the latest happenings in indie music, as well as five new singles and five new videos for you to check out.
COLIN DEVLIN CD RELEASE SHOW AT HOTEL CAFÉ
Colin Devlin and Blue Élan Records will celebrate the release of Devlin’s new album High Point (which we will be reviewing on Friday) with a concert at the esteemed Hotel Café on Wednesday, October 3. The opening act is Devlin’s labelmates Roan Yellowthorn, who are making their Los Angeles debut. Roan Yellowthorn goes on at 7 p.m., followed by Devlin at 8 p.m. If you are in or near Los Angeles, we strongly encourage you to be there.
SPOTIFY TO ALLOW INDIE ARTISTS DIRECT UPLOADS
Spotify has announced a new feature which will enable independent artists to upload tracks to the service directly – without any requirement for a third-party aggregator or record label. The feature currently remains in invite-only beta mode – with a few hundred United States artists being ushered in – but Spotify says that, in the future, it will “bring upload to even more artists, labels, and teams.”
Artists will be able access the upload function via the Spotify For Artists platform, which counted more than 200,000 verified acts amongst its monthly user base at the end of June.
The best part is that this new upload feature is completely free, unlike the current feature provided by existing third-party digital aggregators/distributors such as CD Baby, TuneCore, Distrokid and Ditto – all of which require either a one-off upload fee or a yearly subscription payment from artists.
NEW SINGLES
Our first single today comes from long-time indie artist Amy Kuney, who advises us to just “Hold On.” We should all listen to her advice.
Our second single comes from another great artist client of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services. Here is “Highway Jawn” from Paul Edelman and Jangling Sparrows. This one will get your toes a tapping while you sit back and enjoy your whiskey and beer chaser. We can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.
Next up is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winners Lovers & Poets. Check out their cover of the title track from the 1968 sci-fi film “Barbarella.” We really love the 60s vibe of this song, which bring back great memories of the powerful female singers of that era.
Our fourth single comes from another amazing publicist, Jennifer Allison Publicity. Please enjoy this premiere of the new single, “Desnudame” by Joaquin Torres. Spanish and English never sounded better together.
Our final single this week is the first release from new Blue Élan Records artist Lisa Lambe. We think the title of the song, “Beautiful Thing,” sums up the incredible music she has created.
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first video offers timely advice on what it means to be “beautiful.” Check out this amazing video for “Costume Party” by The Voice‘s Season 12 runner-up, Lauren Duski.
Next is the video for the first single off the forthcoming album from We are the City. For a rocking good time, check out “When I Dream, I Dream of You.”
Our third video this week is from Zoey Clarke, who we introduced to you last year when we reviewed her last album. We really like the sound of her new material, including “Rewind,” and can’t wait to hear the rest of her new music.
If you like nostalgic videos, then our fourth video this week will likely take your breath away, especially if you love Irish Castles. Check out the latest, “The Hill Dwellers,” from Kramies.
Our final video this week is from the incredible Korean-American artist, Tiffany Young. She will be in Los Angeles on October 3 from 6-8 p.m. at the Sunset H&M (8580 Sunset Blvd) to celebrate the release of her new video, “Teach You,” as well as her new collaborative effort with H&M.
See you soon with our first Get it or Forget it for October.
It’s the final week of September, and things are still popping on the indie music scene. The non-stop barrage of new releases continues, and we are working like crazy to get them all reviewed for you. But before we get back to that task, let’s take a moment to see what else is happening, and share five new singles and five new music videos with you, as well as check in on multiple LA Music Critic Awards winner and Blue Élan Records Americana superstar Rod Melancon.
ROD MELANCON HAS AN EXPLOSIVE WEEK
Rod Melancon thought this week would be like any other, but he woke up Monday morning to find not only critical success from the release of his latest single, “Westgate,” which we featured last week and which was also highlighted in Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Songs of the Week on Friday, but his song, “Wanna Go for a Ride” is being featured in a national Toyota commercial.
“Last night one of my childhood friends called me up after he heard my song playing behind a Toyota commercial. I could hear the excitement in his voice. People from my hometown really root for one another. This is what it’s all about,” said Melancon.
“Westgate” is the first single from his forthcoming album Pinkville, which is scheduled to be released in spring 2019. Rolling Stone praised “Westgate” as ‘equal parts talking blues and bar-band Southern rocker. Melancon glues both halves together with a voice that’s every bit as punchy and pockmarked as the song’s
protagonist.’”
“Wanna Go for a Ride” is a song from his second album Parish Lines, which was released in 2014.
NEW SINGLES
Our first single this week comes to us courtesy of Open All Nite Entertainment, which has been extremely busy promoting talent lately. Their client John Hickman released his latest single, “What’s This All About” last Friday, and we are pleased to share it with you today.
Paria fuses Iranian, Latin and UK bass beats into her very own brand of DIY pop, and the result is the incredible single, “Casual.” This one will get you up and moving.
Our third single is another amazing pop/soul track, this time from the likewise amazing artist Nuela Charles, who was a part of our Ten Great Singles article back in March. She wants to know, ‘Are you looking for some “Danger?'”
We switch it up to some straight ahead rock with “Nobody’s Fool”by Carlo & the Montes, featuring Akovia. It reminds us of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and we think you will dig it.
Our final single this week is the PREMIERE of the latest track from Push & Rama Duke. Check out the amazing dance tune “Frozen,” which is very reminiscent of those monster hits from Donna Summer.
Our first video this week is the long-awaited new song from Magnolia Memoir. Check out this amazing 80s-inspired tune, “Afterlife.” We are so glad to have them back!
Next up is the video for the title track of Colin Devlin‘s new album High Point, which we will be reviewing on October 5. We love the sound of and the images, and think you will too.
Our third video is from an LA staple, Eileen Carey, who brings us the country pop smash “That Town,” which reminds us of early Faith Hill. Enjoy this beautiful video.
In our fourth video this week, dance duo Karmic drops some “Wisdom Pie,” with a groovy fun tune that is perfect for the dance floor.
We close out the week with the first video from the upcoming new album from KT Tunstall, Wax, which is being released on October 5. Check out “The River.”
Are you ready for a new week? We are constantly amazed at the quality of music being made by indie musicians each and every day. We were stunned at the singles and videos we chose over the weekend for our Ten Amazing Videos and Ten Great Singles articles, and can’t wait to hear and see what comes next. We have some news for you today, as well as five new singles and music videos to share, so let’s get going.
MINT FILM FESTIVAL RUNS SEPTEMBER 14-16
The First Annual Montana International Film Festival today announced its main slate of over 55 films, panels and events from September 14 – 16 in Billings, Montana.
The inaugural festival will see six narrative and eight documentary features competing for $15,000 in cash and in-kind prizes, including the first-ever MINT Spirit Award, as well as six juried awards: Best Female Director, Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short Film, Best Documentary Feature Film, Best Documentary Short Film and the Made In Montana award.
The historic Babcock Theater in Billings will host many of the MINT screenings and other programming and is re-emerging as a robust cinema, an effort kindled in part by MINT. Murnion says, “The time seemed right for creating space for the unlikely moments that occur when people get together in the same room—well, rooms—at the same time to witness and engage in great storytelling.” Other theaters include the Art House Cinema, a non-profit, independent cinema and pub in the heart of downtown Billings and the 2905 Montana, a pop-up space transformed for MINT on Montana Avenue in the Historic District of Billings.
Passes and individual tickets for MINT are on sale now. Please visit https://mintfilmfestival.org/ for tickets, passes and all other film festival information.
PASADENA TO HOST TASTES AND SOUNDS OF SOUTH LAKE
Date: Saturday September 29th, 12 pm – 5 pm
Location Live Cooking Demos: The Commons, 140 S. Lake Avenue
Location Music Stage: The Shops on Lake, 345 S. Lake Avenue
Admission: FREE
SPECIAL LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY:
o Arms Akimbo – Named by Billboard as a band to watch, Arms Akimbo create infectious feel-good indie rock.
o The Sound of Ghosts – The LA based, Americana roots musical collective delivers an engaging, explosive yet intimate live performance.
o The Regrettes – The LA based four-piece create infectious, punk driven tracks with a pop aesthetic reminiscent of 50’s and 60’s acts a la the Temptations or Buddy Holly.
o VÉRITÉ – Indie pop artist praised by TIME for her ‘rich and ethereal vocals’
o Larkin Poe – Acclaimed roots rock n’ roll sister duo praised by Rolling Stone among other high profile outlets.
o *DJ William Reed spinning between sets
SPECIAL LIVE COOKING DEMOS BY:
o 12:00 pm: Luisa Fabbri – Owner of Contessa Foods. Join Luisa for an olive oil tasting the way professionals do it!
o 1:00 pm: Jose Acevedo – Mercado Pasadena’s Executive Chef/Partner. Classic and contemporary cuisine inspired by fresh, local ingredients and Chef Jose’s Mexican roots.
o 2:00 pm: Ronald Russell – Renowned vegan and raw food chef, co-owner of celeb hangout Sun Café in Studio City.
o 3:00 pm: RG Enriquez – Host of Astig Vegan Cooking Show, making healthy Filipino cuisine.For more information, please visit www.southlakeavenue.orgor call (626) 792-1259.
NEW SINGLES
Our first single comes from former Mouseketeer and The Voice contestant Tony Lucca. Here’s his latest tune, “Nashville,” which was released on August 31.
Next up is SNEAK PREVIEW of a new band to us, represented by our friend Gayle Davidson of AGD Entertainment, who brought us Wendy Sweetlove, among others. Here is “In the Woods,” the first single off the forthcoming EP Folklore by Haunted Like Human. Check out their website and pre-order the new album if you like the single.
Our third single this week is from Kinney, an artist that reminds us of Ingrid Michaelson. Her voice is so sweet and the music is so much fun that you just want to stop the world and bask in the beauty of the song. Please let us know what you think about “Petah Bread Rocketship.”
Our fourth single is from another client of Davidson named Drunken Logic. Here is their latest single, “Alone in America.” We love their indie folk/alternative rock sound and those horns are amazing.
Our final single this week is from Colin Devlin, former member of The Devlins and currently both a producer and an artist for Blue Élan Records. His new album, High Point, will be out soon, but he has just released his first single, “Just a Fire.”
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Our first video this week is the long awaited follow-up to the smash “Narcissist” by Alison Iraheta and Matthew Hager, aka Halo Circus. The new video is for their song “Oh, Money,” and is just as powerful as the previous one. Let’s rock out!
Next is “Play me Birdie” from Sexy Dex and the Fresh. It is upbeat and fun, with lots of funky guitar. We think you’ll like it.
Our next video features some interesting images to the theme “Decline in U.S. Civics” and is an instrumental number from He Arrived by Helicopter. This one definitely deserves your attention.
Video number four is a definite hit for Saint Slumber and their song “Infinite.” This one is simply amazing and belongs on the radio. Let us know what you think.
Our final video this hit comes from Royal Canoe, which recently signed with Paper Bag Records. Their first single is “Rayz,” and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album which will be released next January.
