Tag: Janiva Magness

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 6

Never in my life have I witnessed a collapse like that of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI.  The only positive about the game was the half-time show, which Lady Gaga nailed!  Considering she began her career as an indie artist playing the mean streets of Los Angeles, we should be proud of her ultimate accomplishment – playing her music before a world-wide audience.  Way to go Gaga!!!

For the rest of us who haven’t quite reached our goals yet, we encourage you to keep at it.  Keep singing, writing and creating.  Treat those three people in the audience as if they were the most important three people in the world.  You never know who might be listening, and the doors they are capable of opening.  Keep up the fight!

GRAMMY TIME FOR MAGNESS

This time next week we’ll be celebrating the Grammys.  Since we have at least one indie artist in the running, and a local one at that, let’s give a hearty and rousing cheer for Blue Élan Records artist Janiva Magness and her blues album Love Wins Again.  We hope you take home the prize.

INDIE ARTISTS SHINE AT NAMM

A few years back a visionary named Kerry Getz thought it would be a great opportunity for local indie artists if they would put on showcases at the hotels near the convention site.  It was such a great idea that NAMM decided to take over and expand the opportunity to stages within the event itself.  Getz likewise recruited Tim Moyer to assist her, and Moyer runs this major music event now.  One of the artists who was selected to perform at the 2017 event was Los Angeles country/Americana artist Alice Wallace.  Check out her sterling performance of “I Just Don’t Care Anymore” from NAMM’s Grand Plaza Stage.  You can find the official music video of the song on her YouTube channel.  Enjoy.

RYKKA DEBUTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO

European indie artist Rykka has released her latest music video for “Runnin’ Away” from her new album Beautitudes.  If this video is any indication of the quality of music on the album, then you should definitely check it out.  We will be reviewing the album here soon, so check back with us.

See ya next week.

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 5

Wow – five weeks into 2017, and indie artists are really making noise.  Milck, an artist we introduced you to back on September 21, 2015, is truly blowing up!!!  In the past seven days, her official music video for “Quiet” has gone from just over 142,000 views to more than 400,000.  She has been featured in Billboard, Allure, ET Online, Twitter and Facebook, and made several appearances on national TV, including her appearance on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.  The YouTube video of that appearance has already drawn more than 75,000 views in less than three days.  We are so proud of you Connie Lim aka Milck.  Thank you for having the courage to bring your message of hope in a time of increased insanity.  We are proud to support you!!!  We are also proud of her PR effort, spearheaded by the Big Kahuna herself – Go Laura and Red Boot PR as you champion another worthy indie cause!!!!

KEATON SIMONS JOINS WITH BACKBONE POSSE

LA Music Critic Icon Keaton Simons has been busy, but not in the typical way.  Always a firm believer in collaboration, Simons has lent his talents to the Backbone Posse on their new music video for “Supawaz Gaz,” which also features the talents of Slimkid3 and Adam Vadel.  Please be warned this video is NSFW or young kids.  Enjoy.

GRAMMY NOMINEE PERFORMS AT THE TROUBADOUR

Indie artist Janiva Magness, nominated for Best Blues Album for Love Wins Again, is having a birthday today.  She recently performed before a packed house at the world famous Troubadour in Los Angeles, and posted several videos of her live performance.  Please enjoy this one and make sure to send her best wishes.

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

We are proud to spotlight this incredible new indie video.  Watch for us to review her new release soon.  Please give it up for Emily Zuzik from Los Angeles with the amazing release of “Alone,” which has garnered more than 25,000 views in the past four days.  We think this one is a definite keeper!!!

We look forward to chatting with you again next month.  Have a great week!

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup

Monday Mash-up 2017, Vol. 1

Happy new year – so glad you made it through 2016.  Here’s hoping that 2017 will be your best year yet.  If you believe in the power of indie music, it should be a great one 🙂

LA Music Critic Awards

The nominations for the second half of 2016 for the LA Music Critic Awards were announced last week.  Already almost 300 people have voted on their Fan Favorite or suggested nominees for the Icon Award.  There’s still time to vote.  Simply click here to review the nominations, go to the bottom of the article and add a comment about your favorite artist.  The winners will be announced on January 17.

K-Syran to perform first American show

European dance-pop artist K-Syran will perform her first show in the United States this year.  The event is scheduled for Monday, January 9 at the world-famous Los Angeles venue, The Mint.  The show is one of the monthly events for local promoter Hunnypot.  K-Syran will perform at 8:45pm.   The Mint is located at 6010 West Pico Boulevard.

2016 Best Of Lists

You’ve probably seen them everywhere by now, this penchance for always making a “Best of” list for every category every year.  What’s been nice about this year’s music “Best of” lists is how many indie artists are being included among their mainstream peers.  It’s a good sign that indie music is finally making it on to the radar of the general public.  Congratulations to all the indie artists that have made these lists, including The Spider Accomplice, Jerad Finck and Janiva Magness, who by the way is up for a GRAMMY.  Keep spreading the message of indie music until we conquer the world!

Have a wonderful day and we’ll be back soon with more reviews and news.

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Theatre

Monday Mashup Vol 4: What’s new in the indie world today?

Happy Monday – can you believe there are only two more Mondays after today left in this year?  Has it been a good one for you?  If not, what are you doing to change the future?  Indie artists are our hope for a brighter tomorrow, so get up, get busy, and let’s change the world for the better.

Kari Kimmel releases new album

Indie artist extraordinaire Kari Kimmel is one of the most well-known of indie artists, since her music has been heard in countless television shows, movies and commercials.  Hot on the success of her last release, Poppyfields, Kimmel is releasing an album of covers on December 15.  Check back for our review of the new CD.  In the meantime, get out and add it to your collection.  You can pre-order now on iTunes.

Foxtrax plays Sofar Sounds Los Angeles

Foxtrax, who we introduced to you in August, performed at last night’s Secret Holiday Show for Sofar Sounds Los Angeles, which was the 300th Sofar Sounds show.   They previously had performed a residency at Sofar Sounds in October.  Unfortunately we couldn’t be there, but we are sure it was a smashing success.  If you are an indie artist, you owe it to yourself and your career to become part of the Sofar Sounds experience.  Congratulations to Sofar Sounds on 300 shows.  Thanks for all you do for indie artists!!!

Alexis Keegan set to perform at The Mint

The music of Alexis Keegan was born in the soulful sounds of Motown and R&B, and Keegan wants to go back to those roots.  If you’re lucky enough to live in Los Angeles, you can get an early taste of the new sound by attending her performance on January 28, 2017 at the world famous Mint.  We think you will be pleased with the new sound.

Cindy Alexander to open for Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin

Speaking of upcoming concerts, two of the best artists on Blue Élan Records will be performing together in a special show at Hollywood’s famed Hotel Café on January 22, 2017 on their Second Stage.  Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some of the best music in Los Angeles when Cindy Alexander opens for the famed Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin.

Congrats to Janiva Magness for her Grammy nomination

And speaking of Blue Élan Records’ artists, we send out our heartiest congratulations to Janiva Magness for her recent Grammy nomination for Contemporary Blues for her album Love Wins Again, a first for both Magness and Blue Élan Records.

StageCrafts, L.L.C. to take over management of Stage/Sound

Theatre Unleashed Managing Director Gregory Crafts and his talented wife Jenn Scuderi Crafts have launched a new venture, StageCrafts, L.L.C., which will take over management of Koreatown’s Stage/Sound venue, effective January 1.  This is an amazing venue where we were able to catch Round Rock a few years ago.  We wish them the best as they continue to keep intimate theatre alive in the Los Angeles area.

Video Releases

Redhead Express, one of our favorite indie groups, has released their latest music video, just in time for Christmas.  This one is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit, as Kendra, LaRae, Alisa and Meghan cover “Away in a Manger,” bluegrass style.

Patrick Joseph has released a live video of his amazing song, “Piece of Your Love.”  This one gives us goosebumps.  Enjoy.

Come back tomorrow for another edition of Get it or Forget it.  Until then, keep it indie!