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Artists Worth Checking Out Hollywood Fringe Festival indie music LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 14

What a crazy conclusion to this year’s March Madness – I never would have picked Virginia and Texas Tech as the two best in the country who will fight tonight for the National Championship.  At least baseball is more predictable, and my Brewers continue to dominate the division before heading out to the west coast to play the Angels and Dodgers.

Speaking of the west coast, we are making our final preparations for our trip to California at the end of April for the 10th annual Hollywood Fringe Festival.  We have an AirBnB in central Hollywood near Theatre Row, and can hardly wait to begin rehearsals for my solo show, Livin’ the Dream (a journalistic journey), which opens with a preview show on June 7 at studio/stage in Hollywood.  We have launched a GoFundMe page, and have begun to receive donations and could really use your help.  Please give if you can or at least share our need with your friends and family.

We are also making final preparations for the third annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 18 at the Mint LA, which will honor Women in Entertainment.  Our lineup for the night includes Emily Zuzik, Dree Mon, Constanza Herrero, Amilia K. Spicer, The HawtThorns, Brigitte Rios Purdy, Fanny Walked the Earth, Manda Mosher, The Spider Accomplice and Lawrence Lebo, with a very special appearance by Jordan Siwek.  Tickets are $10 in advance through PayPal and $13 at the door if there is space available.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  Please buy your tickets now and help us support women and Sweet Relief.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from Ugandan Suzan Mutesi, and we love the rhythm  and vibe of this cool song, and definitely agree, “This Feeling is Mutual.”

Our world-wide tour next takes us to Greece for the sweet and soulful sound of Eleni Drake and her song, “4.”  We think it’s definitely a “10.”

We return to Dallas, Texas for the debut single of the amazing Sydney Cope, who has a sound somewhere between Justin Timberlake and Ariana Grande.  We think she hits the nail on the head with this one, appropriately titled “Watch Out for Me.”

From the USA to the UK we travel for our fourth single from a singer-songwriter who mixes folk, pop, reggae and more into her amazing style.  Lucy Gallant has it all in her song “Not Normal,” and we simply love her style.

We close out our Women in Entertainment themed New Singles section with another debut single, this time from Cincinatti-based singer songwriter Shannon Garcia, who teams up with Josiah Wolf of Why? for “Spooky Action at a Distance.”  We would rather keep this one close to our heart.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first music video continues our world-wide tour as it was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.  Check out this beautiful lyric video by Saul City for their song “Let Go.”

Next up is a band that reminds us of the sweet Americana sound of Suzanne Santo and honeyhoney.  We are pleased to introduce you to Boston-based Honeysuckle and their song, “Old Firestarter,” with its simple videography that so beautiful tells the story of the song.

Huge props to our next artist, Savannah Pope, for her ingenious portrayal of her song, “Rock n’ Roll No More.”  She truly brings the rock on this one, so we have to respectfully disagree that “nobody loves rock n’ roll no more.”  She definitely takes us to church on this one.

We introduced you to the song “Closer” by DAYLA in our Ten Great Singles of March article.  We are so glad to now share the stunning video of the same song, and think that you will fall in love with this amazing artist, just like we have.

We close out this week’s Monday Mashup with Dutch pop star Maya Lavelle‘s intriguing video for her song, “Dancing with a Bottle.”  We introduced her to you back in February.  She uses text messages to convey the lyrics for the video, which was shot in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and makes us want to hang out with her.  Let us know what you think.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 5

If you love defense, then yesterday’s Super Bowl was an incredible display of power.  Both offenses sucked, but the Rams especially had a tough time against Patriots’ Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, who will become Miami’s new head coach.  It will be interesting to see what he brings to South Florida.  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, here’s our first Monday Mashup of this short month.  We will have our Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos articles and another Women in Entertainment profile up later this week before getting back into the Get it or Forget it reviews and New Music Friday.  Let’s enjoy the latest in indie music.

Photo credit: Andie Mills

SHE ROCKS AWARDS GIVEN OUT AT THE NAMM SHOW

For the seventh year in a row, awards were given out to recognize the accomplishments of female members of the music industry at last month’s NAMM Show.  Many of the honorees performed in a concert held at the House of Blues in Anaheim and hosted by the Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN).  In addition, a Hall of Fame award was introduced this year which honored Janis Joplin.   The award was accepted by her sister, Laura Joplin, who gave an impassioned speech.  Afterwards, the other honorees joined together in a medley of Joplin’s hits, including “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” and “Raise Your Hand.”  Those performing included Orianthi, Vanessa Amorosi, Judith Hill, Emily Armstrong, Sarah Command, Mindi Abair and Rock Sugah.

The full list of ladies honored in 2019 included Terri Nunn, lead singer of the iconic electro-pop band, BERLIN; Macy Gray, GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and actress;
Lisa Loeb, Platinum-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning singer songwriter, touring artist and author; Nita Strauss, acclaimed solo artist and guitarist for Alice Cooper; Erika Ender, award-winning and chart topping composer, singer, co-writer of the hit “Despacito;”  Dana DuFine, VP Global Content and development AEG Facilities
Dale Krevens, vice president of Tech 21; Lynette Sage, art director of Reverb; Samantha Pink, director of business operations at JAM industries USA; Terri Winston, executive director, Women’s Audio Mission; Janet Bill Rich, Manage This Media and Bonnie Gallanter, co-producer of the She Rocks Awards and owner of Muse Artist Management.  Lyndsey Parker and Christine Devine hosted the event.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this month comes from Los Angeles electro-pop artist Zhao.  We really dig this vibe and think this one will get your week off to a great start.  Check out “Feeling Today.”

Next up is an indie rock trio who we introduced to you back in December in our Ten Great Singles article.  Valentin Marx bring us “Last Time,” and we hope it’s not the last time we hear this amazing group.  If you are in LA, check them out at the Hotel Cafe on February 15.

Our third single gives us the rocking blues guitar and vocals of J.D. Simo, and we can’t think of a better way to keep this party going.  Check out his latest single, “You Need Love,” from his forthcoming album scheduled to drop next month.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1yRq8FxAEpL4BWtRPBiJ9g

The incredibly sweet vocals of The Desert make our next single easier to swallow.  It may be called “Bitterness,” but there is nothing foul tasting in this amazing song from one of the UK’s best indie bands who we introduced to you last October in our Ten Great Singles article.

https://soundcloud.com/funnel-music/the-desert-bitterness-1/s-747iC

Last but definitely not least this week is the latest single from Fred Hostetler, the guitarist for the incredible blues band Blue by Nature.  Here is his new solo single, “I’m a New Man,” which takes his music to an entirely different level.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this month comes from Brisbane-based artist Mallrat.  We love the cinematography and the vibe of this awesome pop song, “Nobody’s Home.”

Our next video is an interesting one from former opera singer turned pop powerhouse Emin Eminzada.  Here is his single “Treasure Me,” which should get you ready for Valentine’s Day.

Your eyes and ears are in for a treat with the new music video from amazing soprano singer Amy Owens.  This one checks all the boxes – great song, incredible artist and amazing dancing.  Enjoy “Discreet.”

Video number four combines great blues and pop with an Americana vibe from Foxfeather.  We are in love with this song, and can’t wait to hear what comes next.  Please enjoy “Come and Get Me.”  We accept the invitation.

Our final video this week is from Maya Lavelle and uses the story of Don Quixote to visualize her amazing song, “House on a Rocky Road.”  This is one of the best indie videos we have ever seen, and think you will likewise agree.  Enjoy this one and we’ll see you next week.