Tag: Katie Knipp

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music New Music Friday Reviews Women in Entertainment

Katie Knipp shows her depth of talent with the release of The Well

In recent years, there has been an increase in the visibility of indie music.  Indie artists are being nominated for and winning major awards like the Grammys, as well as being exposed in television, movies and radio.  Today we explore one of those artists, Katie Knipp, and her latest EP masterpiece, The Well.

Knipp wrote these songs during the turbulent times of 2020, and captured the feelings and frustrations of that period.  She accomplished this feat by working with such talented musicians as Zack Proteau on electric bass and rhythm guitar, Neil Campisano on drums and percussion, Chris Martinez on electric guitar and Otis Mourning on saxophone and clarinet.  She also convinced Mick Martin (harmonica), Justin Au (trumpet), Brandon Au (trombone) and Keith Cotton (Hammond organ) to provide guest instrumentation.  Knipp supplied the vocals, piano, Rhodes, Hammond and dobro guitar to the mix.

We previously featured her first single, “Chamomile and Cocaine,” last July.

The Well debuted last week on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart at #4, one of the highest debuts ever by an indie artist.  It’s easy to see why.

Artist Name: Katie Knipp

Album Name:   The Well

Label:  Self-released

Genre:   Blues

Track Listing:   1.  Sad Eyed Lover; 2.  The Gospel of Good Intentions; 3.  Better Me; 4.  Chamomile and Cocaine; 5.  Bullet Train.

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review:   What can we say.  Her voice is delightful, and perfectly suited to the blues.  Her songwriting chops are some of the finest currently on display anywhere and the chemistry she has with her band members is to die for.   They may call it the blues, but there’s nothing depressing about the quality of sound and music that Knipp exudes.  The EP kicks off with the toe-tapping sound of “Sad Eyed Lover,” and truly takes off from there.  This one is the perfect pairing with the Chicago blues sound made famous by The Blues Brothers.  She takes it back a step with the moody and jazzy sound of “The Gospel of Good Intentions,” before roaring back with the delta blues sound of “Better Me.”  Our favorite cut is “Chamomile and Cocaine,” but truthfully, you can’t go wrong with any of these musical gems.  “Bullet Train” just puts an exclamation point on this work of art.

Recommendation:   This is a no-brainer.  You simply MUST add this one to your music collection.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see this one up for Grammy consideration.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2020 indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Best singles of 2020

This past year was a tough one for the majority of us.  Thank goodness there was indie music.  Looking back over the 19 Monday Mashup columns we compiled during the year, we have selected the 20 Best Singles.  Here they are in the order we featured them.

Volume 1 – Matt Hansen, “Find Me”

Find Me · Matt Hansen (spotify.com)

Volume 2 – Emmrose, “Take me With You”

Spotify – Take Me with You

Volume 3 – Jackie Castro, “Gravity”

Spotify – Gravity

Volume 4 – Joel Plaskett, “If There’s Another Road”

Spotify – If There’s Another Road

Volume 5 – Single by Sunday, “Debbie”

Spotify – Debbie

Volume 6 – Nia Ekanem, “Shelter”

Spotify – Shelter

Volume 7 – Kyle LaLone, “Not Gonna Drink Over You”

Spotify – Not Gonna Drink Over You

Volume 8 – BINX, “Blazing”

Spotify – Blazing

Volume 9 – The Trusted, “The Innocent”

Spotify – The Innocent

Volume 10 – Katie Knipp, “Chamomile and Cocaine”

Spotify – Chamomile and Cocaine

Volume 11 – Ted Russell Kamp, “Home Sweet Hollywood”

Spotify – Home Sweet Hollywood

Volume 12 – The Imaginaries, “Revival”

Spotify – Revival

Volume 13 – Soul Asylum, “If I Told You”

Spotify – If I Told You (Acoustic)

Volume 14 – Gina Sicilia, “Married Man”

Spotify – Married Man

Volume 15 – Mustangs of the West, “I am the Highway”

Spotify – I Am the Highway

Volume 16 – Goldflēce, “Tie One On”

Spotify – Tie One On

Volume 17 – Brigitte Purdy, “Memphis Hotline”

Spotify – Memphis Hotline

Volume 18 – Cameron DuBois, “Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are”

Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are · Cameron DuBois, Bama Sound (spotify.com)

Volume 19 – Amy Steele, “Our House”

Our House · Amy Steele (spotify.com)

Best of the Rest – Shannon Hurley, “Am I in This Love Alone”

Am I in This Love Alone · Shannon Hurley (spotify.com)

We’ll be back soon with our 20 Best Music Videos.  See you soon.

 

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indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 10)

Happy Monday the 13th!  It’s been a busy but productive week, and we’re happy to be back to share five more music videos and singles this week.  Please let us know what you think about our selections.

NEW SINGLES

First up this week is the title track from the latest by the amazing blues artist Katie Knipp.  We discovered her about a year ago and have been blown away by her talent.  She does not look like the typical blues artist until she opens up her mouth and then OMG – shut the front door!  She is a dynamo on the guitar and an intriguing writer, but her voice is what sells it.  Check out “Chamomile and Cocaine” and tell us you’re not immediately hooked.  This lady belongs in the Memphis Blues Hall of Fame.  Watch for a review of her entire album shortly.

Next up is the equally beautiful sound of Elia F. Compton and her debut single, “This Moment.”  She has so much passion in her voice that it immediately draws you in with a song that is an instant classic.  We think we will be hearing a lot more from this amazing artist.

So many of us were huge fans of the prog rock band Yes during the late 60’s until the early 80’s.  Their lead singer, Jon Anderson, has now signed with Blue Élan Records and has released a solo album that brings back all the greatness of Yes and then some.  His latest, “First Born Leaders,” is a total paradigm shift and we think it shows just the tip of the iceberg of talent for this amazing artist.  Check it out and feel the love.

Speaking of rock, our next single is from the awesome Abby K, who proves that she can definitely “Rock the Rock.”  She reminds us of a cross between Orianthi and Avril Lavigne, and we are hooked.  Check it out.

We close out this week with the pop mastery of Brandon Hutcheson.  He has that definite boy band vibe and this one could soon be at the top of the pop charts.  Enjoy “Don’t Say.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

For all of you that miss going out dancing, our first video this week will definitely compel you to get up and dance to the zydeco sound of Sean Ardoin.  His intention was to create a “CoronaCation” and we think he has truly nailed it.  Not only that but he provides the vocals, bass, accordion and washboard for this amazing song.  Check out “Came Thru Pullin.”  Even though it’s been out a couple of months, this one was too good to pass up.

Next up is the visually stunning video for the smooth sound of Fred Hostetler‘s “River of Hope.”  Listen to the positive and affirming lyrics of the sound while you groove to the 60’s style rock, which features Robbie Cribbs  This one is a keeper.

Our third video is a new age masterpiece from GoldFlēce called “Space Rider.”  We love the visuals for this lyric video, but truly enjoy the relaxing vibe of the song.  We think this one should be your background chill time song.

Video number four is from the legendary Ted Russell Kamp, who has been a part of numerous bands including CALICO and Shooter Jennings, as well as proving that the bass is the sexiest instrument in music.  His latest album, Down in the Den, has been released, along with this amazing first single and video, “Have Some Faith.”  Chill out to the amazing down home sound of TRK.

We close out the week with another artist TRK has worked with, Tawny Ellis.  Her strong vocals fit perfectly with this song co-written with TRK called “Deep End of Love,” from her upcoming album Love Life, which will be released on July 24.