Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 8

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has come to a close, and it was a very successful run.  So many of the movies sold out, including a few that we had the pleasure of viewing, such as Dark Money, Fail State and the Greg Barker film The Final Year.  We’ll have more on the winners at the Festival later this week.  For now, here’s the latest news on the indie arts front.

AMERICANAFEST IS ACCEPTING SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS

Showcase submissions for AMERICANAFEST® 2018 are now open and will be accepted through Monday, March 26, 2018. There are two ways to submit:
  • Submissions are open to anyone via our digital platform for a small fee of $25.  Digitally submit here.
  • Become an artist member of the Americana Music Association® today and take advantage of free submissions, access to our expansive artist and industry global community, discounted conference registration rates and more!  To join, click here.  Once you join, you will find a free submission form link in your welcome letter.
Selected artists will showcase Tuesday, September 11 through Sunday, September 16 at many premiere venues throughout Nashville, Tennessee.  For more information, go to our website.
MONTANA REP ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

Montana Repertory Theatre, the professional theatre-in-residence at the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance, has selected Michael Legg to become its next artistic director.

Legg is currently the director of the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky.  He will start his new role at the University of Montana on July 1.

Montana Rep celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.  Greg Johnson, whose tenure with Montana Rep began in 1990, is delighted with the choice.

“Mr. Legg brings youth, vision and vitality at a time when the Rep is poised not only to continue its tradition of touring nationally, but also to be a strong artistic presence in Missoula and the region, as the University of Montana begins its renaissance under our new president.”

BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS ARTIST KEITH HARKIN TO PLAY SPECIAL PRE-ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION AT LA’S HOTEL CAFE

Irish singer/songwriter Keith Harkin (of Celtic Thunder fame) is currently on a Stateside tour in support of his new live solo release, In The Round, his fourth album on Blue Élan Records.

He will perform at Los Angeles’ famed indie listening room The Hotel Cafe (1623 Cahuenga Boulevard, Hollywood) on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.  Tickets are available here for $35 in advance.  We strongly encourage you to attend this show.

NEW SINGLES

 Our first single today comes from Ruby Friedman and Two Beards.  It is an amazing Americana song called “Un4gvn.”  We truly dig it and hope you will too.

We just discovered an amazing British country pop band called Delaware.  They have a new single called “Fire,” and we think it is really hot.  Please let us know what you think.

Our final new single today is a rocking number from Australian artist Reichelt.  Here is “Seduced by the Light Side.”  Let it get your new week off to a great start.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up today is the title track for the forthcoming EP from Keaton Simons, one of Los Angeles’ elite indie artists.  His new EP will be released on March 9 and is being produced by Nashville legendary producer Marshall Altman.  It will have more of an Americana feel than his previous material.  Let us know what you think.

Last week we reviewed the new EP from Marieme, and were truly impressed with her voice and her message.  Here’s the music video for her most personal and powerful song, “Leave.”  This one will move you.

Our final video today comes from another Blue Élan artist, Cindy Alexander.  She has released a lyric video for her song “Passenger,” from her latest album, Nowhere to Hide.  Have a wonderful week.

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Larry Lacerte, Ghost of You, Lomboy, Marieme, Jamison Isaak

It’s Thursday, and we are so thankful to be able to continually bring you new and exciting indie artists to check out.  We are also so thankful to be able to host one of the biggest documentary film festivals in the country, and are having a blast volunteering in support of the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.  Here are five more artists that are worthy of your attention.

Artist Name Larry Lacerte

Album NameDreaming of the Ways

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Dreaming of the Ways; 2.  Work of Love; 3.  One More Whiskey; 4.  Love me Wrong; 5.  Alone

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We met Larry Lacerte at last year’s Durango Songwriters Expo and were impressed with his style.  He has just released his first studio EP, and it has lived up to the standards he demonstrated at Durango.  It is the perfect cross-over between Roots Rock, Americana and Country, and should do well in any of those formats.  The songs are well crafted and feature the perfect country voice of Lacerte.  We especially love the banjo on “Work of Love,” as well as the amazing slide guitar on “One More Whiskey.”  “Love me Wrong” reminds us of a cross between Jason Aldean and Clint Black.  He closes the all-too-short five-song EP with “Alone,” which reminds us many of our greatest accomplishments happen when we are forging our own way.  We can’t wait for what’s next for this talented indie artist.

Recommendation:  You should definitely Get this one.  It has all the makings of a breakout hit.

Artist NameGhost of You

Album NameBlack Yoga

Label:  Indies Scope

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Recognize; 2.  Break Into Eden; 3.  Skeleton; 4.  Locust; 5.  Tempest; 6.  Feast; 7.  The Ark Won’t Come; 8.  A Rifle and a Spoon

Publicist:  Indies Scope

Review:  All the way from the Czech Republic comes Ghost of You, who bill themselves as psychedelic art-rock.  We think they are more than that.  The first track, “Recognize” is eerily reminiscent of U2, while “Break into Eden,” with its amazing bass work, and “Skeleton” have more of a techno sound.  In fact, that tag applies to the majority of the album.  This music would do well in the EDM/Dance scene, so DJ’s take notice.  They have accomplished their mission of taking rock into a different arena.  Well done.

Recommendation:  Give these guys a chance, America, and check out the European rock scene.

Artist NameLomboy

Album NameWarped Caress

Label:  Cracki Records

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Alien Lady; 2.  Worth to You; 3.  Loverboy; 4.  Love Ain’t got the Groove; 5.  Director’s Paralysis

Publicist:  Practise Music

Review:  Lomboy splits her time between Paris and Tokyo, with backing bands in both cities.  Her music has an 80’s pop feel, reminiscent of Madonna, and is perfect for radio.  Her music is dreamy and airy, with heavenly vocals on top of a dance soundtrack that is just as enjoyable to listen to as it is to dance to.  Her sound is multi-dimensional, with “Alien Lady” being more of a dance track while “Worth to You,” with its stunning flute solos, a very dreamy pop sound that is perfect for chill time.  On “Loverboy,” she incorporates her Japanese influence while the overall track is reminiscent of a cross between Enya and Dido.

Recommendation:  Don’t pass this one up.  Get it today.

Artist NameMarieme

Album NameMarieme

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Leave; 2.  Be the Change (The Shelter); 3.  Ask for Help

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Senegalese-native Marieme is taking America by storm with her powerful voice and timely, socially-driven lyrics.  Her style is similar to such other powerful artists as Erykah Badu, Billie Holiday and Lauryn Hill.  The emotion behind the lead track, “Leave,” conveys what it was like to leave her native country and come to America to start fresh.  The second track, “Be the Change (The Shelter,” is a moving ballad that compels us to not wait for others to lead the charge for change, but to be the one that does it.  Her final track, “Ask for Help,” is the corresponding call for action.  We feel Marieme has a huge future in this business.

Recommendation:  This is our pick of the month.  Get it immediately.

Artist Name Jamison Isaak

Album NameEP1

Label:  FLORA

Genre:  Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Sharalee; 2.  Upstairs; 3.  Wind; 4.  More

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  Jamison Isaak has been making music under the monikers Teen Daze, Two Bicycles and Pacific Coliseum for years, but this is his first time recording under his own name.  His music is meditative, reflective and perfect for chilling.  It explores the beauty of piano and pedal steel guitar, and fills the room with such calm that the listener can relax and reflect.  He is already getting critical praise from the likes of NPR, and he lives up to the hype.

Recommendation:  If you enjoy a musical interlude while you meditate, or just appreciate great music, then you must Get this one.