Are you ready for some more great indie artists? If you are, we have five new ones to check out in today’s Get it or Forget it.
Artist Name: Max Caddy
Album Name: Straight to the Face
Label: Self-released
Genre: Acoustic Folk/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Hear you Out; 2. Show Yourself; 3. Things we Said Today; 4. Who you are to Me
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: We featured NYC-based duo Max Caddy’s single, “Hear You Out” as part of our Ten Great Singles article in May. Now they have released their four-song EP, and we could not be happier with the results. This is their first recording in five years, and we are glad they broke their silence and gave us new material, as well as a beautiful stripped down cover of the Beatles’ “Things we Said Today.” Jesse O’Neil and Corina Corina have brought their respective solo talents and created one of the best duos in music today. They mix elements of blues, folk and Americana to form some dynamic songs that can function in a myriad of genres.
Recommendation: These guys deserve a break – give them a try today. You won’t regret that decision.
Artist Name: Dirk Vermin & the Hostile Talent
Album Name: Sweet Dreams (From the Gutter)
Label: Squidhat Records
Genre: Indie Punk Rock
Track Listing: 1. Sweet Dreams (From the Gutter); 2. Danger City!; 3. Destroy TV; 4. Middle Finger; 5. Hey Rockstar; 6. Kill the Rat; 7. It’s Time to Drink; 8. Robots R Here; 9. Riot on Sunset Strip; 10. Freakshow Rodeo; 11. Lipstick Smears & Bloodshot Eyes; 12. Fistful-A-Hell
Publicist: Squidhat Records
Review: Dirk Vermin has been a Las Vegas staple for quite a few years, both as a tattoo artist and as a member of one of Las Vegas’ most notorious bands for the past 20 years. On his debut solo album, he has assembled a group of Vegas’ finest musicians to showcase his balls-to-the-wall rock and roll style, which has been compared to that of The Clash, AC/DC and Motorhead. The comparison is not just hyperbole; Vermin lives up to it. We must warn you though, this is definitely not family material.
Recommendation: If you like your rock hot and full of vinegar, then you should definitely check this one out.
Artist Name: Alain Mallet
Album Name: Mutt Slang
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Till I Dance; 2. Blessed be the Empty Soul; 3. Road Signs; 4. Alone; 5. The Long Walk Home; 6. Salif; 7. Adama; 8. Sprig; 9. Elles; 10. Batukada; 11. This is When I Thinks About You; 12. Cradle
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: With more than 25 years as a pianist and composer, Alain Mallett is no stranger to the jazz community. Oddly enough, he has never recorded a CD, until now, and the wait was worth it. His 12 compositions take up two discs, and will give you hours of relaxing and refreshing jazz. The songs have everything you associate with great jazz – amazing horns, stimulating drums, interesting keys and compositions that meander through time and space, leaving you feeling like you went on an aural journey with the maestro.
Recommendation: If you love jazz, then you simply must add this one to your collection.
Artist Name: Mike Stapleton
Album Name: Mid-Winter Blues
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Mid-winter Blues; 2. Take my Breath Away; 3. Drawn from a Dream; 4. With Every Waking Hour; 5. The Other Life; 6. Two Dog Chase; 7. New World; 8. Stealing Pictures; 9. Calm and Peaceful Mind; 10. Village Idiot; 11. Far and Few; 12. Sail; 13. Light on Ambition
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: We have reviewed some stellar material from Bandcamp members lately, and this is one of the best to date. Mike Stapleton has a strong and pure voice that fits perfectly with his simple guitar accompaniment. His music would be a perfect fit for NPR, as his songs are memorable, and on point in this politically challenging time. From the first notes of “Mid-Winter Blues” to the final notes of “Light on Ambition,” Stapleton brings you songs that challenge your ideas and opinions and give you plenty of food for thought. Favorite cuts include “Take my Breath Away,” “Drawn From a Dream,” “The Other Life,” “Two Dog Chase,” “Village Idiot,” and “Far and Few.”
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a go.
Artist Name: Gary Brumburgh
Album Name: Moonlight
Label: Cafe Pacific Records
Genre: Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Day Tripper; 2. I’ll Close my Eyes; 3. Dig/Sweet Georgia Brown; 4. Wichita Lineman; 5. Moonlight; 6. Heavy Cloud no Rain; 7. Eggplant; 8. My World is Empty Without You; 9. Just a Little Lovin’ (Early in the Mornin’); 10. Haven’t we Met
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: Gary Brumburgh is a gifted jazz vocalist who turns popular tunes of different genres into spectacular jazz standards. He starts off with the Beatles’ “Day Tripper,” and goes up from there. We love his take on the Harlem Globetrotters’ theme “Sweet Georgia Brown,” incorporating the lyrics which many of us have never heard. He also does a very special jazz treatment for the Glen Campbell classic tune, “Wichita Lineman,” as well as the Supremes’ mega hit, “My World is Empty Without You.” Other songs worth considering include Dusty Springfield’s “Just a Little Lovin’ (Early in the Mornin’)” and Frank Sinatra’s seminal “What’ll I Do.”
Recommendation: Get it!
