Tag: LA Music Critic Awards

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards indie music LA Music Critic Awards

Announcement of winners for LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2019

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that this will be the last LA Music Critic Awards for the foreseeable future.  Due to our current work schedule, and the lack of support from the committee, we find ourselves unable to continue with the awards.  We will continue to support the indie music community with our reviews, but will be cutting back to just our current five review articles per week, plus our monthly Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos articles.

As far as this year’s Fan Favorite competition, for the first 10 days it looked like it was going to be a one-horse show with all votes being cast for Cherie Currie & Brie Darling.  Out of nowhere came votes for four more artists:  Susan Santos, Neverwonder, Dee Miller Band and Niecie, and when the dust cleared, we had a surprise winner, which will be revealed below.  Unfortunately more than 100 votes could not be counted because fans did not follow the instructions and voted on Facebook, or tried to vote for music categories instead of Fan Favorite.  Among the artists who lost votes was previous LA Music Award winner Brigitte Rios Purdy.

Without further adieu, here are the winners:

BEST EP (Male) – PAehNE (beautyandpain Part 1)

BEST EP (Female) – Kat Holland (Retrovision)

BEST EP (Group) – NIIGHTS (Hellebores Part One & Two)

BEST EP (International Artist) – Marcus Haran (A True Story:  A Soundscape to In-Difference)

BEST EP (International Group) –The Fisherman & The Sea (The Hurt & the Humour)

BEST CD (Male) – Tony Campanella (Taking it to the Street)

BEST CD (Female) – Susan Santos (No U Turn)

BEST CD (Group) – The Empty Pockets (Tanglewoods)

BEST CD (International Artist) – Ronny Morris (Sweet Silence)

BEST CD (International Group) –Bahuki (Tell it to the Worms)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Male) – Jerad Finck (“Home”)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Female) – Kensington Moore (“I Don’t Like you Anymore”)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Group) –  Taco Mouth (“The White House”)

BEST VIDEO (LYRIC) –Paige Peel (“The Crown”)

BEST VIDEO (COLLABORATION) – Americana Kitchen Band (“All Dressed Up”)

BEST VIDEO (COVER) – Cherié Currie & Brie Darling (“The Motivator”)

BEST VIDEO (INTERNATIONAL) – Girl Crush (“Blame Girls”)

BEST SINGLE (Male) – Keifer Sutherland (“Something to Love”)

BEST SINGLE (Female) – Brigitte Purdy (“Blue Collar Woman”)

BEST SINGLE (Group) – The Rembrandts (“Broken Toy”)

BEST SINGLE (INTERNATIONAL) –  Belle and the Beats (“Qetesh”)

BEST SINGLE (COLLABORATION) – William Shatner, Jeff Cook & Neal McCoy (“Why Not Me”)

BEST BLUES ARTIST – Diana Rein

BEST BLUES BAND – Dee Miller Band

BEST BLUEGRASS ARTIST/BAND – Balsam Range

BEST COLLABORATION – Americana Kitchen Band

BEST COMEBACK ARTIST – The Rembrandts

BEST COMPILATION ALBUM – Born to Uke (Various Artists)

BEST COUNTRY ARTIST – Kamber Cain

BEST COUNTRY BAND – Lowdown Drifters

BEST EDM/DANCE ARTIST/BAND – Dree Patterson

BEST FOLK ARTIST – David Huckfelt

BEST FOLK BAND –   Bettman & Halpin

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST –Ronny Morris

BEST INTERNATIONAL BAND –Straw

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARTIST/BAND – Tommy Emmanuel & John Knowles

BEST JAZZ ARTIST/BAND – The Charlie Wooton Project

BEST LATIN ARTIST/BAND – Constanza Herrero

BEST POP ARTIST – Sarra

BEST POP BAND – We Three

BEST POP/ROCK ARTIST/BAND – Curtis Peoples

BEST PUNK ARTIST/BAND – Taco Mouth

BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST/BAND –Billy Price

BEST ALT ROCK ARTIST/BAND – Neverwonder

BEST ROCK ARTIST/BAND –Odds Lane

BEST ROOTS/AMERICANA ARTIST – Ted Russell Kamp

BEST ROOTS/AMERICANA BAND – Jason Robert Band

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER – Fred Hostetler

RISING STAR –Katile

FAN FAVORITE – Niecie

MOST SUPPORTIVE PUBLICISTS – Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, So Much Moore Media, KG Music Press, Effective Immediately PR, Blind Raccoon, MAD Ink PR

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 23

Are you ready for the new week?  We have five new singles and music videos for you, as well as some news from the indie music front.  On the LA Music Critic Award front, we finally have a battle for Fan Favorite brewing.  The first 30+ votes were all for one band, but two more have now entered the fray, and it’s a close battle.  The deadline for voting is midnight CDT on Wednesday, August 28, so remember to vote for your favorite band.  The winners will be announced on Friday.

INDIE MUSICIAN NEEDS YOUR HELP

If you’ve spent any time on the LA music scene, then you are familiar with the amazing artist Jesse MacLeod.  Ari Herstand or Ari’s Take recently updated us on MacLeod’s medical issues.  Here’s his post:

“If you know Jesse MacLeod, you know his heart. If you’ve heard his songs, you know his soul. He was one of the first friends I made in Los Angeles and has remained one of (my)  best friends ever since.

He is loyal and caring. Supportive and compassionate. And I don’t have to tell you how incredibly talented he is. He writes soulful, heartfelt songs that captivate even the most skeptical rooms. He knows how to craft a lyric that can seem so simple, but penetrates you right to your core. Whether he’s singing about getting busy in the restaurant bathroom with the waitress, or stumbling through a relationship ‘just being a man’ or simply having a ‘real good feeling’ about a new love interest, his music makes you feel right at home. He’s got one of those voices that you want to take a long road trip listening to. Or grab a lover and slow dance to. He’s one of my favorite singer/songwriters. And an all around great guy.

Many of you know that Jesse got melanoma a couple years ago. At the time it was contained to his lower lip. After surgery, reconstruction and radiation, he went into remission. Unfortunately, it has come back with a vengeance. It has metastasized and Jesse currently has multiple tumors of varying sizes in his lungs, hip, shoulder, ribs and lymph nodes.

He will be undergoing treatment and will be fighting this thing with everything he’s got. But he needs our help!

He will be staying with his parents in Memphis during this process, but he will be getting treatment in Los Angeles. I encourage you to give whatever donation you can to help Jesse along this process to help cover the plane tickets and the extra medical costs.

At the very least, please shoot him a message and let him know you’re thinking about him. He really appreciates it. And pop on one of his records (might I suggest “Just Being a Man” or “Real Good Feeling”) and spend some time meditating to his beautiful contributions to the world.

His music has affected and influenced me more than he’ll ever know.

Thank you for your love and support of Jesse during this time of need.”

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from Canadian Margø and is a hot electronic pop tune called “Lovelost.”  We think it’s the perfect way to get your week off to a great start.

Our second single will give you an immediate feeling of deja vu, as the rich tones and musical stylings of Julian James will remind you of a cross between the rich voice of Van Morrison and the jazz greatness of New Orleans.  Check out “Looking for a Light” and let us know what you think.

https://soundcloud.com/julian-james-813506639/looking-for-a-light/s-Bm7gv

Next up is the sweet sound of Caitlin Nicole with her latest single, “Differently Able Man,” complete with a strong message and perfect harmonies.

Single number four is a straight-ahead country tune that reminds us of a cross between Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton.  Check out Matt Westin and “Stomp On.”

Our final single this week is from Peach Luffe, who is trying to become a Canadian citizen so he can be a full-time musician.  His latest is a deep song about hopelessness, set in an upbeat manner that entices the listener to truly listen to his message.  Check out “On my Side.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video is from a gentleman that truly needs no introduction.  it is a powerful video about sexual abuse and comes to us from one of the greatest country musicians of our time, Vince Gill.  Check out his message contained in “Forever Changed,” the latest single from his forthcoming album, Okie,

Next up is an animated lyric video from another pair of greats, Cherié Currie and Brie Darling.  It is a cover of “Do it Again” from The Kinks.  Enjoy their version.

Our third single comes from Adera, and we really love the sound of “Little Feather.”  The song talks about a topic we are all too familiar with – anxiety.  We think she nails it with this visualization of her song.

Our next video has collected more than 3 million views in less than 10 days, and combines two of today’s best – Lauv and Anne-Marie.  Check out “F**k I’m Lonely.”  We bet you can relate to this one.

We close things out this week with the fun sound of Lush Puppy with their insanely fun video for their latest song, “Ms. Grey.”  This one should tide you over until the next edition.  See you soon.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music LA Music Critic Awards

Nominations for first half of 2019 (Updated)

This transition has been kicking our butts.  So sorry it has taken us so long to announce the nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2019, but with the new job and long hours, there hasn’t been a lot of free time.  Not only that, we are still crashing at our brother’s house, so we have to work off the laptop instead of the desktop.  Thanks for your patience while we work things out.

As always, fans are encouraged to vote for the Fan Favorite Award.  To vote for your favorite,  simply leave a comment below in the following format:  “I vote for (name of artist) for Fan Favorite.”  No other comments will be counted toward the Fan Favorite Award, and each reader may only vote once.   Comments made on other social media sites will not count.

Fans are also encouraged to comment on other award nominations, and those comments will be reviewed by the Awards committee.  However, they will not count for the Fan Favorite Award unless the comment specifically says that the artist is being nominated for the Fan Favorite Award. 

The deadline for voting for the Fan Favorite Award is Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at midnight CDT.  The full list of winners will be announced at 2 p.m. CDT on Friday,August 30, 2019.

Without further delay, here are the nominations.

BEST EP (Male) – PAehNE (beautyandpain Part 1), Shayfer James (Hope and a Hand Grenade), Shane Guerrette (Shane Guerrette)

BEST EP (Female) – Ariel Gold (Grace), Kat Holland (Retrovision)

BEST EP (Group) – NIIGHTS (Hellebores Part One & Two), Illiterate Light (Sweet Beast), Ballroam Boxer (A Little Wild), The Reverend Shawn Amos (Kitchen Table Blues Vol. 1)

BEST EP (International Artist) – Marcus Haran (A True Story:  A Soundscape to In-Difference)

BEST EP (International Group) –The Fisherman & The Sea (The Hurt & the Humour), Brother Brad (Get Around), Leading Edge (Ghost), Jet Plane (Falls Feather), Iridea (Agitationist)

BEST CD (Male) – Joshua Powell (Psycho/Tropic), Chris Koza (Sleepwalkers Part 1), The Suitcase Junket (Mean Dog Trampoline), Tony Campanella (Taking it to the Streets)

BEST CD (Female) – Kathryn Grimm (Blues Tools), Susan Santos (No U Turn), Sydney Wright (Seiche); Diana Rein (Queen of my Castle)

BEST CD (Group) – Cold Weather Company (Find Light), The Empty Pockets (Tanglewoods), Jeffrey Halford & the Healers (West Towards South), Authority Zero (Persona Non Grata), WANK (White Knuckle Ride)

BEST CD (International Artist) – Ronny Morris (Sweet Silence), Kinnie Starr (Feed the Fire)

BEST CD (International Group) –Bahuki (Tell it to the Worms), LeBarons (Summer of Death),

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Male) – Jerad Finck (“Home”), Banners (“Got it in You”), Keaton Simons (“A Chance in the World”), Fred Hostetler (“Heart Radio Part 1”)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Female) –Diana Rein (“Queen of my Castle”), Kensington Moore (“I Don’t Like you Anymore”), Brooke Moriber (“Cry Like a Girl”), Dayla (“Closer”), Alice Wallace (“The Blue”), Kris Angelis (“Reappear”)

BEST VIDEO (OFFICIAL) (Group) – Riddle the Sphinx (“Lullaby”), Falling Through April (“Recover // Relapse”), Aly & AJ (“Church”), We Three (“Lifeline”), The Spear Shakers (“Leaving it all Behind”), Taco Mouth (“The White House”)

BEST VIDEO (LYRIC) – Kevin McHale (“Help Me Now”), Paige Peel (“The Crown”), Jess McAvoy (“Do What you Want”), Whisperado (“Band One Out”)

BEST VIDEO (COLLABORATION) – Red Wanting Blue and Liz Brasher (“I Got a Feeling it Hurts”), Americana Kitchen Band (“All Dressed Up”)

BEST VIDEO (COVER) – Cherié Currie & Brie Darling (“The Motivator”), PaperDolls Band (“Billy”), Fuel on Fire (“With or Without You”), Olivia Millerschin (“New Year’s Day”)

BEST VIDEO (INTERNATIONAL) – Girl Crush (“Blame Girls”), Ivan and the Parazol (“When I was 17”), Augustine (“Luzon”)

BEST SINGLE (Male) – Titus Calderbank (“Mistakes”), Rusty Young (“Listen to Your Heart”), Keifer Sutherland (“Something to Love”), Tony Lucca (“Restless Heart”), Aqualung (“Complicated”)

BEST SINGLE (Female) – Chanel Lóran (“Pretend”), Car Astor (“Hush”), Eden Espinosa (“Bed for 2”), Lucy Gallant (“Not Normal”), Brigitte Purdy (“Blue Collar Woman”), Kat Holland (“The One”)

BEST SINGLE (Group) – The Rembrandts (“Broken Toy”), West Coast Weekend (“Heart Attack”), Cherié Currie & Brie Darling (“The Motivator”), Southern Halo (“Sunshine”), Skiver (“No Goodbyes”)

BEST SINGLE (INTERNATIONAL) – The Black Fever (“No Work”), Theo Bard (“The Gift”), Belle and the Beats (“Qetesh”), Straw (“Perfectly Fine”), Philip la Rosa (“Fable”)

BEST SINGLE (COLLABORATION) – William Shatner, Jeff Cook & Neal McCoy (“Why Not Me”)

BEST BLUES ARTIST – Diana Rein, The Reverend Shawn Amos, Kathryn Grimm, Susan Santos, Niecie, Vin Mott, Tony Campanella

BEST BLUES BAND – Benny Turner & Cash McCall, Dee Miller Band, Tiffany Pollack & Eric Johanson, Trevor B. Power Band, Head Honchos, Karen Lawrence and Blue by Nature

BEST BLUEGRASS ARTIST/BAND – Balsam Range, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, The Cleverlys

BEST COLLABORATION – Al Jourgensen & Beauty in Choas, Americana Kitchen Band, Ali Handal and Debby Holiday

BEST COMEBACK ARTIST – Aqualung, The Rembrandts, Cherié Currie & Brie Darling

BEST COMPILATION ALBUM – Born to Uke (Various Artists)

BEST COUNTRY ARTIST – Jimmy Charles, Kamber Cain

BEST COUNTRY BAND – Lowdown Drifters, The Vegabonds, Cliffs and Caves

BEST EDM/DANCE ARTIST/BAND – Dree Patterson, Kim Cameron, Blue Angels, Lavender Fields, Daiju, TNEO

BEST FOLK ARTIST – Joshua Powell, Chris Peace, David Huckfelt

BEST FOLK BAND –   Bettman & Halpin, Eric Brace Peter Cooper & Thomm Jutz, Cold Weather Company, The Empty Pockets, The Well Pennies

BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST –Ronny Morris, Kinney Starr, Marcus Haran, Will Jacobs

BEST INTERNATIONAL BAND –Belle and the Beats, Straw, The Black Fever, Iridea, The Fisherman & The Sea

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARTIST/BAND – Tommy Emmanuel & John Knowles, Hugh Marsh

BEST JAZZ ARTIST/BAND – The Odd Dogs, The Charlie Wooton Project

BEST LATIN ARTIST/BAND – Orkesta Mendoza, Constanza Herrero

BEST POP ARTIST – Eden Espinosa, Sydney Wright, Derek Smallman, PAehNE, Sarra

BEST POP BAND – We Three, Royal Canoe, Bahuki

BEST POP/ROCK ARTIST/BAND – Curtis Peoples, Car Astor, Tony Lucca, Jordan Siwek

BEST PUNK ARTIST/BAND – Taco Mouth

BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST/BAND –Waxcat, Billy Price

BEST ALT ROCK ARTIST/BAND – Illiterate Light, Neverwonder

BEST ROCK ARTIST/BAND –Beauty in Chaos, After-Death Plan, Odds Lane, Cherié Currie & Brie Darling

BEST ROOTS/AMERICANA ARTIST – Billy Craig, Chris Koza, Ted Russell Kamp, Alice Wallace, Jason Robert

BEST ROOTS/AMERICANA BAND – Jeffrey Halford & the Healers, Harrison Country, Jason Robert Band

BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER – Ariel Gold, Melissa Phillips, Fred Hostetler

RISING STAR –Katile, Rachel Ariana, Amy Wilcox, Chelsea Williams

FAN FAVORITE – Your choice goes here

Categories
Fringe Shows Hollywood Fringe Festival LA Music Critic Awards Reviews See it or Skip it Women in Entertainment

HFF19 day 5 – see it or skip it

No fringing tonight – it’s our Third Annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase, honoring Women in Entertainment.  Doors at The Mint open at 6 p.m. and the show kicks off at 6:30, with Emily Zuzik, Dree Mon, Jordan Siwek, Constanza Herrero, Brigitte Rios Purdy, Amilia K. Spicer, Manda Mosher and The Spider Accomplice set to perform.  We will also be honoring Fanny Walked the Earth with our 2019 Icon Award.  Tickets are available at the door for $13, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Please join us.  In the meantime, here are our reviews from Monday night.

TITLE OF SHOW:  All our Pretty Songs

VENUE:  Asylum Studio C

REVIEW:  This show should be required viewing for all millennials and others seeking guidance on whether to follow their dream or settle for the security of a real job.  The staging of the show was brilliant.  Hats off to playwright John Brahan, who also performed on the drums, director Dan Schultz, who likewise took the role of the artist seeking his dream, and Shanlie Phillips as the semi-spoiled but gifted daughter of music industry parents.  To sound like an artist who doesn’t have any talent takes a lot of skill, and Schultz pulled it off.  But this wasn’t supposed to be a true display of their musical talents, rather a biting look at coming of age, and in that they succeeded.

RECOMMENDATION:  This one is definitely worth checking out.  Remaining performances are June 22 at 10 p.m. and June 29 at 8 p.m.  Tickets are available on their Fringe project page.

TITLE OF SHOW:  Raised by Wolves

VENUE:  Stephanie Fuery Studio Theatre

REVIEW:  Once again a brave solo artist has given us an absolute gem that is easily one of the best, if not the best, show at HFF19.  All the way from Canada comes the compelling and emotionally draining story of Marla Black, and I was proud to be crying by the end of the show.  I learned so much about the pack structure of wolves and sled dogs, and how it applies to every day living.  This was a Ted Talk/Seminar disguised as a Fringe show, and would be a bargain at ten times the price.  Don’t miss this priceless and thought-provoking show.

RECOMMENDATION:  Don’t miss this show.  The only remaining performance is June 22 at 5:30 p.m., so get your tickets before it sells out.  Tickets are available on her Fringe project page.

 

 

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indie music Monday Mashup

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 12

Welcome to our final Monday Mashup of the month.  As we leave behind the winter and enter into spring, we are being bombarded with review requests by both publicists and indie artists alike, so we ask for your patience as we process these requests.  We currently have a backlog of 126 requests, and we will get through them by the end of May, the current deadline for the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2019.  Here is some indie music news as well as our selections for new singles and music videos for the week.

UNSIGNED ONLY VIDEO COMPETITION

Unsigned Only Music Competition is taking entries for its “Video Only” special promotion, running March 20-29.  This is your opportunity to enter a music video into Unsigned Only for the first time this year!  Original music and cover songs are eligible.  Two winners will be selected, and all entries will be entered into the overall 2019 competition.  Enter your music video today at https://bit.ly/2U3u9SZ 

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is from former Poco front-man and winner of last  year’s LA Music Critic Award’s Icon Award Rusty Young.  The song is already garnering critical acclaim and we think you should just heed his advice and “Listen to Your Heart.”

Next up is an artist we have featured on quite a few occasions, as they consistently deliver great music.  Here is the latest single, “Gonna Leave It,” from Teddy and the Love Gang.  We think you’ll dig their groove.

We introduced you to our third artist, Karina, when we published our list of Ten Great Singles released in February 2019.  They’re back with a soulful ballad called “No Puedo.”  Let your Latin roots explode.

Our fourth single comes from Julia Zahra, and we really love the sound of her vibe, her voice and her music.  We think this is the perfect song to kick off the new week, so enjoy “Do You.”

https://soundcloud.com/juliazahramusic/do-you

Our final single this week is from SJae and features Sam Sparro.  We love the retro R&B feel of this track and think you will too.  Check out “The Avenue” and get down to this sick beat.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video this week comes from one of the premiere Americana voices of 2019, Rebelle Roadshow artist Alice Wallace.  We simply love this stunning video of the title track of her latest release, “The Blue.”   Soar on the voice of beauty.

Next up is another amazing country voice, this time from newcomer Paige Peel.  Here is the lyric video for her song, “The Crown,” and we officially crown her the next queen.

Our third video is from one of our all-time favorite female artists, Kris Angelis, who has won multiple LA Music Critic Awards.  We love the beauty of the cinematography on her new video for “Reappear.”  Get lost in this one.

Corinne Cook provides a light-hearted look at break-ups with the humorous video for her song, “One Box of Tissues.”  We think she offers sound advice.

Our final video is a retro-laden song that will give you the chills, and comes to us from Canadian band Maybelleen.  Check out their tribute to “Emily.”

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 11

It’s finally starting to show signs of the coming spring up here in Montana, and it’s about time!  Hopefully this week will be better than last week, and we hope to get yours off to a great start with some outstanding new singles and music videos.  Check them out!

NEW SINGLES

Our first single comes from Belle and the Beats, winners of the Best Single (International) category in the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2018.  They are back with another great song, and we think you’ll love it – here’s “Qetesh.”

https://open.spotify.com/album/07byAt08ZyYa6ABu9abMsn

Our second single is from an amazing band out of Washington State that we had the privilege of recently reviewing.  If you close your eyes, they almost sound like Montgomery Gentry, and trust us, we think they will be just as successful.  Here’s “Red Rock” from The Lowdown Drifters.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4i9Hdy71eHRfsbjGXMrc6i

Our beloved Jack Bauer is back, but this time, he has a new album and single, and his strong vocals will surprise you.  Keifer Sutherland is amazing, and we can’t get enough of his new single, “Something to Love.”  We want to hear what you think of this song.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4SCQVJSvSPYZTbjvgnMc7k

Our fourth single is from another LA Music Critic Award nominee, Gigi Rich, and it shows an incredible amount of creative growth since we last heard from her.  Her vocals are powerful and the song is so upbeat and positive.  Check out “Silver Lining.”

Our final single this week is from an artist who debuted on The WiMN (Women in Music Network).  In light of our upcoming LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 18, which will highlight Women in Entertainment, we couldn’t think of a better way to spotlight them both than with the latest effort from Rachel Lynn, “Didn’t I,” which we think is a mega hit.  We love the retro Motown feel, as well as the vocals and overall vibe of the song.  We hope you feel the same.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video this week comes from the dreamy sound of Hush Pup.  This one is perfect for those times when you want to forget the world.  Check out “Oasis.”

If you love the sights and sounds of New York City, you will love our next video, with views of such iconic places as Coney Island.  Here’s UK-based Scott Lavene with the visualization to his song, “Methylated Blue.”

Our third music video this week is from a band we introduced to you last December.  We really love the sound of this duo, and this is their very first music video for their song, “Down to my River.”  We proudly present to you the band Skand.

Next up is a rocking duo from London based duo She Made Me Do It.  This one has everything a great rock song needs, and we think it’s definitely worthy of your attention.  Check out “Bones.”

We slow things down and close out the week with the amazing harmonies of America’s Got Talent stars We Three and their simply beautiful song, “Lifeline.”  Have a great week.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Women in Entertainment

Women in entertainment – Brie Darling, indie music pioneer and true renaissance woman

Photo courtesy of Bobbi Jo Hart.

Welcome back for another edition of Women in Entertainment.  Today we are pleased to feature one of the pioneers of music, Brie Darling, who is currently the drummer, vocalist and songwriter of the resurrected 70’s band Fanny (now known as Fanny Walked the Earth), one of the stable of amazing artists signed to Blue Élan Records.

Darling has had a storied career spanning more than 50 years, and including a myriad of creative endeavors.  She joined the Sacramento Musician’s Union and played her first professional gig as a drummer when she was 14.  Five years later, she moved to Los Angeles and began playing clubs and bars until she got hired to perform as a recording artist.   She has recorded as an artist with
Fanny (the first all-girl band to release an album on a major record label), Earthquire, American Girls, Boxing Gandhis and now Fanny Walked The Earth.

Along the way, she has also recorded, toured with and performed with the likes of Melissa Manchester, Keith Moon, ELO, Ringo Starr, Robbie Nevil, Jimmy Buffett, Carole King, Nikki Sixx, Glen Campbell, Janiva Magness and The Temptations.

“I now go by Brie Darling (having previously been known as Brie Howard and Brie Howard Darling),” explains Darling.   “I’m a drummer, singer and songwriter who has dabbled in a few films, some TV and a whole lot of music videos.  I also make crazy amazing behemoth cakes and love designing and building houses . . . anything creative and artistic.   In fact, what truly inspires me is opportunity.  My motto is ‘Be open to everything and be ready for anything.”

“Besides writing songs that I have recorded, my songs have also been released by a plethora of other artists, including The Pointer Sisters, Ellen Foley, Randy Crawford, Peter Criss (Kiss) and Michael Jackson (“Night Line” is still in vaults awaiting release!)  I am really proud to have been part of writing and performing what has become an anthem for women’s rights, ‘When we Need Her.’  That song also earned us an LA Music Critic Award for Best Video (group) in 2018.”

Not only did 2016 bring the resurrection of Fanny, but also gave Darling the opportunity to compete on Cake Wars, where she took home first place.  Check out her amazing Facebook page for this endeavor.

What does the future hold for this amazing woman?  “I’ll keep writing, playing, performing and creating . . . until I can’t.  Please stay tuned for a brand new secret project that I’m thrilled about.  If you like what you’ve already heard, then I think you’ll love this.”

If you would like to know more about Darling, check out the links above for her website and her three Facebook pages.  If you’re in Los Angeles, make sure you don’t miss the next performance of Darling and her band, Fanny Walked the Earth.

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2019: vol. 4

Happy Monday.  We’ve reached our final Monday Mashup for January, and we’ve got some special treats for you today, including premieres of new singles from Lindsey Compton and Illicit Ghost.  Let’s get this week off to a great start.

INDIE ARTISTS REIGN AT THE NAMM SHOW

Congrats to all the indie artists who performed during The NAMM Show last week.  Thanks for keeping us in the loop with your performances, your photos and your memories.  We loved living vicariously through your social media posts.

LINDSEY COMPTON DEBUTS NEW SINGLE

Budding superstar Lindsey Compton is dropping her new single, “Starstruck” today, and we have been chosen to premiere it here.  For those who don’t know, Compton is fast becoming a force of nature.  She is standing up for the rights of women and taking feminism to a whole new level.  She believes women should express anything they choose – and she does it with a ‘do everything for the art’ attitude that expresses all that she is:  sassy and witty, flirty and fun, inclusive and edgy, funky and above all else, fearless.

Starstruck

Click on the link above to check out the song.  With “Starstruck,” Compton manages to achieve pop bliss by bringing the sounds of Hole, Ariana Grande, and Lykke Li together.  The song starts off dark enough to make us believe she might be a grunge-era Queen, but by the time the chorus is repeating out it has become crystal clear that Compton is the new Princess of Pop.

ILLICIT GHOST DROPS FIRST SINGLE OF 2019

Brooklyn-based artist/producer/violinist Illicit Ghost also drops her latest single, “Parties by Myself,” today, a head-bobbing anti-social anthem, but beware, this one is quite explicit.  She combines a remarkably raw vocal performance, dirty bass, hip hop machine drums and ominous synths with her signature aggressive violin sound.  In her own words, “‘Parties by Myself’ is simply about not trying to fit in, not taking shit from anyone and doing what makes you happy,” says Illicit Ghost.  “I think the new year is perfect timing for this message.”  We couldn’t agree more.

The inspiration for the song came from an unlikely place. “I used to listen to Third Eye Blind’s ‘Semi-Charmed Life’ constantly when I was 12” explains Illicit Ghost.  “I had a Third Eye Blind cassette that I was not allowed to listen to because it was about sex and drugs.  But I loved that song so much that I got a small tape player and listened underneath my covers each night.  At the time I didn’t understand what it was about at all, but I liked the feeling I got from it.  I felt free. I wanted to make something that captured the same feeling.”  We think she accomplished her goal.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is from Fort Frances, who we introduced to you back in December 2016 when we reviewed their album Alio.  Since then, they have been up to great things and their latest single is another masterpiece.  Check out “Double Take.”

Our next single comes from Montreal’s L.A. Foster, and is a beautiful and intimate song called “Honestly.”  We think it will soon become your own personal anthem.

Our third single is an upbeat fun tune called “Lonely Loving Me,” and comes to us via the UK’s Hockeysmith.  This one has the R&B and electronic pop sound to get your week off to a great start.

Next is the debut single from Denver based R&B band Waxcat.  Here is “Oceans.”

Our final single this week comes from the forthcoming album by Damon Mitchell, which will drop on March 2.  Here is the title track, and we think it is definitely worthy of a listen.  Can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is from Blue Élan Records artist The Vegabonds, who we reviewed January 18 upon their release of V.  This is one of the best cuts on the album, and we are proud to share “Best I Can” with you.

Our next video comes from recent LA Music Critic Awards winner Jordan Siwek.  It is a heart-wrenching and touching video shot in New York City that perfectly captures the essence of his song “Lover and a Giver.”  Break out the tissues.

Video number three is the latest from Valerio Lysander, who we reviewed last August.  “Little People” is inspired by the 1st movement of Mozart’s Sonata in F major, K. 332, and should raise your cultural awareness for the week.  Enjoy the beauty of this video.

Our next video is about coming to terms with who you are, and features the soulful voice of Aaron Sibley.  Check out this powerful video for his song, “Falling Through.”

We close out this week with the amazing sound of We Three, who we reviewed last week.  They have been on a tear ever since they competed on America’s Got Talent, and this video shows why.  Check out their fans lip-syncing the band’s song “Your Lifeline.”

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Live Concerts Reviews Women in Entertainment

Ska reigns at the Wilma with Bikini Trill, MEST and Reel Big Fish

Photo courtesy of Chelle-S Imaging.

If there was any doubt that ska music is still popular, it was promptly erased by the size of the crowd at Missoula, Montana’s The Wilma for the latest visit from Reel Big Fish and their opening acts, Bikini Trill and MEST.  Thanks to Logjam Presents, the cold northwest had a taste of the blazing California sun with the energy presented by these three bands.

We recently reviewed Life Sucks . . . Let’s Dance, the brand new album from Reel Big Fish, their first new album in six years.  Our dear friend John Avila, who was the bassist for Oingo Boingo, introduced us to the band when we toured his studio a few years back.  He had produced Why do They Rock so Hard?, which earned a Gold Record.  Despite knowing that they had to be good, we were unprepared for the ridiculous amount of energy they emanate from stage.  Thanks to Mike Cubillos of Earshot Media for securing All Access passes for us to meet them and enjoy the concert, and to Tom Ames, the tour manager for Reel Big Fish for being such an excellent host.

The first band to take the stage was Los Angeles trio Bikini Trill, who bear a striking resemblance to the sound of No Doubt.  The band mixes electronic percussive tracks to back the guitar/bass work of Tony and Roach, which perfectly support the soaring vocals of LJ.  While not technically a ska band, their brand of surf and indie rock and hip-hop meshed perfectly with the bands that followed.

Bikini Trill was highly energetic and got the audience involved from the first song.  They kept them involved with a set filled with great songs, of which weed seemed to be the featured subject.

Next up was MEST, featuring the amazing guitar and lead vocals of Tony Lovato.  MEST has been on our radar for awhile.  We first reviewed them back in December 2017, when Lovato released an acoustic album of the band’s tunes called Broken Down II.  That release earned him and the band an LA Music Critic Award for Best Folk Band for the second half of 2017.

MEST is from Chicago, where they released several records for Maverick Records before disbanding in 2006.  Lovato resurrected the band in 2013 with the release of Not What You Expected, followed by his pair of acoustic albums, Broken Down I and II.  While their sound is more punk than ska, they still have enough of that ska feel to make them the perfect opening band for Reel Big Fish.

It was obvious from their first song that the audience was familiar with their songs, and loved their energy.  They even played “2000 Miles” on the spot when a fan requested it.  Their music is highly contagious, and speaks out against addictions and the oft-times unfairness of life.  The harmonies were incredible and sweet, while the drums and bass set the perfect foundation for the band’s sound.  They truly brought it on two of their most powerful songs:  “Jaded (These Years)” and “Mother’s Prayer.”

Towards the end of their set we went down to the green room where we had the chance to meet the members of Reel Big Fish and spend some time talking to them before they took the stage.  They were even kind enough to sign our tour poster.

Led by the stellar vocals and guitar of Aaron Barrett, the amazing horns of Billy Kottage (trombone), John Christianson (Johnny Christmas) (trumpet) and Matt Appleton (saxophone) and the perfect rhythm section of Ed Smokey Beach (drums) and Derek Gibbs (bass), Reel Big Fish is the real deal.

Reel Big Fish kicked off their set with an amazing ska cover of the 80s megahit “Take on Me.”  All three members of the horn section contributed backing vocals, and created incredible harmonies with Barrett.  There was such amazing chemistry on stage that it whipped the crowd into a frenzy.  If you could harness that energy we would be able to power the world.  The crowd especially loved the title track to the new album, and were jumping for joy at every song they played, which covered their 20 years as a band.

If you ever have the chance to see them perform in concert, we highly recommend you take the opportunity.  You will be so glad you did.  We can’t wait for the next time they come to town.

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

Rachel Arianna brings hope and awareness in the message of ‘We Become’

photo courtesy of Catherine Fiehn.

Rachel Arianna is not your typical teenager.  At the tender age of 15, she is already a gifted songwriter and performer as well as the founder of the “Words Can Soar” anti-bullying campaign.  This young lady from the New York City area  has worked tirelessly as a mental health, suicide prevention and anti-bullying youth activist and her mission is to raise awareness through music, the arts & activism.

Arianna is releasing her latest single, “We Become” on all media platforms today.  The song is not just about accepting who you are, but also about accepting the little mistakes that we make because “today is now, but we always have the future.”  The song will also be featured in the Lyme Light Journey documentary featuring Brooke Procida Ritchie (Studio P.C.I.)

The song is a powerful anthem of hope that needs to be shared with the world.  It is well-written and crafted in such a way that it should appeal to music lovers of all ages.  The message comes through loud and clear with a call to action that must be answered.

The single was recorded at Shorefire Recording Studios in Long Branch, New Jersey, was produced and co-written by two-time Grammy winner Marc Swersky (Hillary Duff, Joe Cocker) and was engineered by Joseph DeMaio (Bon Jovi).

When she was 10 years old, Arianna started her “Words Can Soar” anti-bullying initiative after learning that a teen in her hometown had committed suicide.  She expanded her program to reach many more venues and individuals as she witnessed the impact that bullying takes on suicide and mental illness.  She is also in favor of gun control after learning that they have become one of the leading causes of suicide in teens.

Arianna realized that healing begins through communication and that young adults need to talk to each other and hear each other’s stories.   With a desire to empower others, she began her mission to create change through the arts.  Using her poetry, she collaborated with songwriters Marc Swersky and Brielle Brown to write “We Become,” her second single with them, as a vehicle to inspire the communication young adults so desperately need and to make sure they know that no one is alone.

Rachel has been performing for 11 years and has appeared in national commercials, television, movies, and off-Broadway, while her voice has been used for voice-overs.  In 2017, she was presented with the State Honoree Award for Community Service for Middle Schoolers through the Prudential Spirit Awards, and was a two-time recipient of gold medals from the Presidential Awards.  She  has been invited to leadership conferences, won the Clarence F. Heimann Award and the Halaby Award, as well as the LA Music Critic Award for Rising Star in 2018 and for Fan Favorite in 2017.

Arianna hopes to use her music to spread messages of kindness so that no one else will lose their lives to the horrible epidemics of bullying, suicide, mental health or guns.