Tag: Kiyomi Hawley

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Amazing Videos Women in Entertainment

Ten amazing videos released in November 2018

We are so happy to have finally finished preparing the list of nominations for the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards, and they will be announced tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.  While you wait, here are ten amazing videos that were not chosen for Monday Mashup features, but which we thought deserved recognition.

We start things off with a beautiful video about reconciliation.  We fully agree with the sentiments expressed in the song “Right Where You Are” by BlissBliss.

Next up is an amazingly fun video about the end of the world, as visualized for “Lazer Queen” by I Love You Honey Bunny.  They are a Czech band and we love their vision.

Our third single is one of the most beautiful protest songs we have ever heard.  Stephen Michael Murphy and InfiniteTolerance.com have joined forces with General Steel to give us the reggae sound of “African Mamas.”  Watch for the Bob Marley cameo at the end.  #StopInjustice

Video number four is another beautiful collaboration, this time between D’Sound and Armi Millare on the single “Lykkelig.”  This one is the perfect segue and should keep the music grooving.

Our next video is a tongue-in-cheek look at the powerful “Alexa” and the hazards of online purchasing.  Laugh along with Beans on Toast but take the sentiment behind the video as seriously as he does.

Our sixth video features the Janis Joplin-like vocals of Ninet on her powerful song “Self Destructive Mind.”  This one is packed with food for thought.

Reason/Define is an all-female post-hardcore band that puts the rock in rock and roll.  Their latest video is a powerful statement about “Pointing Fingers,” and we think you need to pay attention.  This band is definitely going on our radar.

Our eighth video has stunning cinematography and the sweet voice of Kiyomi Hawley for her single “Meet you There.”  We love the feelings this song generates, and think it is a perfect song for this time of the year.

Our next video is about “Revenge” and is from Static Noize, a  hip-hop duo from the small Western Australian area of Burundi.  Check out the beat on this one.

Our final video this month is from LA Music Critic Award-winning prog-rock band Orissa.  Check out this live performance of their song “Blue Communion,” and check out those dancers.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Van Alden, Kooma, An Autumn for Crippled Children, Historian, Kyomi Hawley

Welcome to our special Saturday edition of Get it or Forget it.  Due to the overwhelming number of submissions we have had for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2018, we will be adding a Saturday edition for the remainder of the month in order to get all of the nearly 500 submissions reviewed before the deadline.  Unfortunately, we are still getting submissions daily, so those not already on the schedule will have to wait until after this cycle to be reviewed, but will be considered for the first half of 2019 awards period.  With that in mind, check out these five artists.

Artist Name:  Van Alden

Album Name:  Van Alden

Label:  Dramakaze Records

Genre:  Pop-noir

Track Listing:  1.  Otherside; 2.  Boheme; 3.  Never Die; 4.  Sinners; 5.  An(otherside)

Publicist:  Effective Immediately Public Relations

Review:  Paul Abrahamian aka Van Alden is best known for his two seasons on the CBS reality show Big Brother, but with the release of his self-titled EP, he has made the transition to becoming known for his music as well.  His fare is not your typical singer-songwriter variety, but a deeper, darker pop-noir sound more reminiscent of The Fray than Ed Sheeran.  Each song is well crafted, marrying the best lyrics with the perfect musical accompaniment to create songs that are not only radio friendly, but perfect for placements in film and television, especially “Boheme,” “Never Die,” and “Sinners.”

Recommendation:  Go Get this one!

Artist Name:  Kooma

Album Name:  Trigger

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Hip-Hop/Indie

Track Listing:  1.  Petals; 2.  Trigger (ft To NY & Veela); 3.  Bear Trap; 4.  Breathe (Interlude); 5.  Matches; 6.  Imok (Tomorrow is a Better Day); 7.  Eyes Wide Open

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Finnish producer/songwriter Petri Hautala has released his debut EP as Kooma, and recruited Canadian vocalist Veela, American  rapper To NY, Finnish beatmaker Avy, German songsmith Chris Pondland and Finnish vocalist Ilona Savolainen to create this magical sound.  Each song has something unique to offer, and should appeal to more than just the typical hip-hop crowd.  If you like indie music in general, you will probably like this one, so check it out, especially the upbeat tune, “Imok.”

Recommendation:  This one is different enough that it deserves a place in your musical library.

Artist Name:  An Autumn for Crippled Children

Album Name:  The Light of September

Label:  Consouling Sounds

Genre:  Shoegaze/Black Metal

Track Listing:  1.  The Light of September; 2.  New Hope; 3.  Hiding in the Dark; 4.  Lovelorn; 5.  Fragility; 6.  The Silence Inside; 7.  A New Day has Come; 8.  Still Dreaming; 9.  The Golden Years

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  Musically, this band takes a shoegaze approach to black metal, but the screamo vocals are mostly unintelligible and add nothing to the songs.  It almost seems like they were added to the music as an afterthought, and are the most forgettable part of their sound.  These songs are perfect without the vocals, and the band should consider doing an instrumental version, which would make the music suitable for placement opportunities in television, film and commercial applications.

Recommendation:  If you can get past the vocals, the music is wonderful, but with them, it might be best to forget this one.

Artist Name:  Historian

Album Name:  Distant Wells

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie/Space Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Everything; 2.  I’ve Been Here; 3.  Giving it Up; 4.  Empty Tunnel; 5.  Away; 6.  Spiral Stairs; 7.  Distant Wells; 8.  Familiar Bell; 9.  Crept In; 10.  Not Alarmed

Publicist:  Working Brilliantly

Review:  We reviewed their previous album Expanse last December, and stand by our initial impressions.  This is a band that continues to grow and evolve, becoming a leader in the indie rock movement in Los Angeles and the world in general.  This is music that chills, relaxing body and mind with its sweeping instrumentation and down-to-earth lyrical content.  The vocals are not always perfect, but they convey the mood, and mesh well with the down-to-earth lyrical content.

Recommendation:  Add this one to their previous release in your “chill time” collection.

Artist Name:  Kiyomi Hawley

Album Name:  Meet me There

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Miss you Love You; 2.  Wedding Song; 3.  Meet you There; 4.  Shine; 5.  Little Angel

Publicist:  EMPKT PR

Review:  We included the first single, “Miss You Love You,” in our Ten Great Singles of August article, and are happy to be able to review the entire EP this time around.  Her sound is light and airy, and radio friendly.  The musical accompaniment is majestic and grand and perfectly supports her amazing vocals.  The lyrics are well crafted, resulting in music that is instantly memorable.  These songs would also fit nicely in musical theater.

Recommendation:  Add this one if you love beautiful music that soothes and relaxes the soul.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Great Singles Women in Entertainment

Ten great singles released in August 2018

We just returned from the Griz-Drake game where our hometown Griz whooped up on the visiting team by a score of 48-16.   It was a much closer game in the first half, but the second half was all Griz.  To celebrate, here are 10 great singles which were released in August that didn’t make it into our Monday Mashup series.  Enjoy these songs.

Our first single is from Montreal’s Edwin Raphael and featuring Claire Ridgely.  It is a beautiful song called “Tangerine Skies,” and we think you’ll love it.

https://soundcloud.com/antifragile_music/tangerine-skies-feat-claire-ridgely-edwin-raphael/

Next is a remix by South Florida DJ LaLa of a wonderful song from one of our favorite indie bands The Cravens.  Here is the dance track “Fool/Road to Reason.”  We think it will definitely get you up and dancing.

We are really digging on our third single, “Second Chance” by the amazing KRSTN.  Her voice is truly incredible, and the song has Top 40 hit written all over it.  Let us know what you think.

Our fourth single “Kerosene” by SARRA is another amazing dance track that makes it impossible to sit still when you hear it.  Get up and dance and enjoy this track.

Single number five is from the upcoming new album by Kiyomi Hawley, and the ladies continue to bring it in August with the first single, “Miss You Love You.”  We can’t wait to review this album when it is released.

Our second five starts off with the indie rock/ska sound of Hey Harriet on their single, “Too Fast Too Soon.”  This one has a definite resemblance to No Doubt, and we love them.

Single number seven is “Down and Lost” from another band we truly love, Belle and the Beats.  This one is smooth, sexy and just plain good R&B/soul.  We think you’ll love it.

Our next single also comes from Amsterdam, and are labelmates of Belle and the Beats.  Check out “Pick me Up” from Sweetwood, and get on the dance floor.

Our ninth single is “Touch the Sky” from The Offshore.  We think  you will love their retro sound.

Our final single this month is from Becoming Bristol, who we have featured several times in the past.  We really love their latest, “Brighter Days,” and think it deserves your attention.  It brings attention to the epidemic of suicide that is plaguing us with a refreshing take on how you can help save a life.