Tag: Jess McAvoy

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Big Sky Documentary Film Festival indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 7

Happy President’s Day!  It was a very busy weekend with the opening of the 16th Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.   We volunteered four box office shifts at the Wilma and MCT, attended the parties on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and still managed to squeeze in a block of four documentary shorts and two features.  One of the shorts, After the Fire, won last year’s Pitch Day competition, and we can’t wait to see what gets pitched this year on Thursday.

At Friday night’s party at the Elks Lodge, we met director James Martin and his wife Jen West, as well as cinematographer Bud Simpson and Eva.  They were involved in the short film Being with Elephants which screened Saturday afternoon and will screen again on Thursday at 4 p.m. at MCT.  They were amazing company and we managed to run into each other several times over the weekend.  We only wish we could see their film, but our schedule doesn’t permit that,

At Saturday night’s party at the Missoula Art Museum, we met Jonathan Sutak, the director of Dons of Disco.  Before the Mili Vanilli lip-syncing scandal, there was Den Harrow, an Italo Disco artist who sold 20 million records without singing a word.  This brilliant movie told the story of the plan by American singer-songwriter Tom Hooker and Italian producer Miki Chieregato to have a male model become the face of their music.  It was a compelling story about the music industry and left us wanting to know even more about this fascinating tale, and  the dispute that developed between Hooker and Harrow.  We highly recommend this film.

Last night we attended Industrial Accident:  The Story of Wax Trax! Records.  This was the story of a small record store in Chicago that accidentally created a whole new genre of music and launched the careers of acts such as Ministry, Front 242, REVCO, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult and inspired others like Nine Inch Nails.  It was a remarkable story directed by Julia Nash, the daughter of Jim Nash, who together with his partner Dannie Flesher, created this alternate reality for people whose musical tastes were far from the mainstream.  We also highly recommend this film.

Today we are volunteering at the box office at the Elks Lodge before heading off to work, followed by tonight’s party at the Dana Gallery.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single comes from our dear PR friend, Doug Deutsch Publicity Services.  It is the latest from LA Music Critic Award winner for best EDM/Dance artist/band TNEO, and we really dig the groove of “Circles Around You.”  This one will definitely get you up and dancing on this Monday morning.

Next up is the latest from the amazing Alyssa Jacey.  She has recently married the love of her life, Jutt Huffman, and the resulting new music is full of hope and love.  Check out “Our Love” and share  it with those you care for.

Our third single comes from the band Crystal Tides, and is an upbeat alt pop song called “Backbiting.”  We love their groove and think this song has some serious legs.  Check it out.

Next up is the latest from Grammy-winning artist Aqualung.  “Complicated” is the second single from his new album Additional Futures.  We think it’s one of his best ever and can’ wait to review the entire album soon.

Our final single this week is a rare treat.  This one is a country tune from William Shatner (yes, Captain Kirk) and Jeff Cook of the incredible country band Alabama, which also features country legend Neal McCoy and acapella group Home Free).  We are shocked at how good it is.  Here’s “Why Not Me.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video has the incredible guitarist/vocalist Jess McAvoy serenading the streets and subways of New York City with her truly inspirational song, “Do What you Want.”  We love it.

Next up is the latest from The Stoneface, an amazing band out of Belarus.  We love the rocking sound of “That Summer” and think you will too.

Video number three comes from Swedish alt pop artist Augustine.  We love the sound of his latest, “Luzon,” and think he has a great career ahead.  His sound is perfect for American radio, and the cinematography in the video is outstanding.  Check it out and see.

Our next video is from New Orleans-based Berlin Taxi and has a definite 80s new wave vibe.  We love “Last Night” and think you will too.

Our final music video today is “Shacked up Sweetie,” a rousing country tune from Canadian Francine Honey.  This one will get your boots on the dance floor.  Enjoy!

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 3

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.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 37

What a great victory for our Dolphins yesterday, who came from behind to tie and then win the game in overtime over the Bears.  It was a great start to this week that would only get better if the Brewers can clinch a World Series Berth with a sweep of the Dodgers in LA.  In the meantime, check out these new singles and music videos and have a wonderful week.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is all about overcoming the pain of leaving people and things behind to pursue success.  We can totally identify with this track, and think it just might be the inspiration you need for this new week.  Check out “All Alone” by Jess McAvoy (ft Alicia Madison).

Our next single is from the dynamic duo that call themselves The Darcys.  We love the upbeat sound of “Chasing the Fall,” and think it will appeal to you as well.

Ari Herstad is well-known in the indie music community, and his column Ari’s Take is one of the better read publications, with news that indie artists can truly use.  He has joined up with the one and only Nina Storey to form Brassroots District, and they have released their first single, which we truly love.  Check out “Repetition.”

Our fourth single comes from the newly married Nashville fixture Alyssa Jacey.  It is her first single since “I Want it to Rain,” and it is a beautiful ballad that is truly inspirational.  Here’s “Beautiful Night.”  Welcome back AJ!

Our final single is from an icon of the pop scene who has returned to performing on his new label, Blue Élan Records.  On this amazing remake of his band’s monster hit, “Crazy Love,” Rusty Young is joined by labelmates Cindy Alexander, Chelsea Williams, Lisa Lambe, Gina Sicilia, Scout Durwood and Brie Darling of Fanny Walked the Earth.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video is from an LA band that we are loving more and more with each release.  Check out the amazing rocking tune “No Hand me Downs” from Birds and Arrows.  This one will put some life in your Monday morning and every day thereafter.

Up next is the latest from surf guitarist JP Soars and his band, The Red Hots.  They blow us away with their tune, “Southbound I-95,” and its hot cars and hotter cinematography.  Turn this one up loud and enjoy.

Our third video is an amazing Latin Pop tune from the incredible Chesca, who is Gloria Estefan and Christina Aguilera all rolled up into one.  Check out “Azúcar” and get your fix of her sweet sound.

Next up is some alt rock to keep you going, as trio Noble Bodies bring us “Take me Down.”  Rock on.

We close out this edition of Monday Mashup with the latest lyric video from 12-time LA Music Critic Award winning band The Spider Accomplice.  Check out this timely and visually stunning video for their song “Epilogue.”  If you’re in LA, don’t miss the chance to catch them live at The Viper Room on October 18.