Tag: Monday Mashup

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Artists Worth Checking Out Awards Monday Mashup Theatre

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 7

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone in love.  Thought we ‘d kick off this week’s Monday Mashup with the latest music video from our friends at Redhead Express.  This original song was written by lead singer Kendra and features her husband Kelly and their son in a simply beautiful homage to love.  Check it out and share it.  If you love what they’re doing, please consider becoming one of their Patreon supporters.

INDIE ARTIST MAKES HISTORY AT GRAMMY AWARDS

Chance the Rapper, an unsigned independent artist who has never recorded a physical album, took home three Grammys last night from his seven nominations.  He won for best rap album for Coloring Book, best rap performance for “No Problem,” and best new artist.  What sets him further apart is the fact that this award winning album is only available through streaming.  Way to set the bar high, Chance.  Here’s to the future of the music industry!

Speaking of the Grammys – huge shout out to a couple of indie artists who performed at the show.  Adrienne Woods played her cello during John Legend’s performance, while indie triple threat actress Tiffany Phillips was a part of the Beyoncé performance.  Way to go!

BALCONY TV HOSTS STREETS OF LAREDO

We introduced you to the amazing sound of Streets of Laredo back in October 2016.  Balcony TV recently hosted them and filmed a music video for their hit single “99.9%,” which they released today.  Check it out.

MORE MUSIC VIDEOS

Two more indie artists recently released music videos.  First up is the amazing Shannon Hurley, who released a stunning Max Headroom-esq video of her forthcoming single “Someday.”

Our second video is a premiere from a new artist we were recently introduced to.  We like what we see so far – please let us know your opinion.  His name is Dario and his tune is called “Good Morning World.”

Enjoy your week!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 6

Never in my life have I witnessed a collapse like that of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI.  The only positive about the game was the half-time show, which Lady Gaga nailed!  Considering she began her career as an indie artist playing the mean streets of Los Angeles, we should be proud of her ultimate accomplishment – playing her music before a world-wide audience.  Way to go Gaga!!!

For the rest of us who haven’t quite reached our goals yet, we encourage you to keep at it.  Keep singing, writing and creating.  Treat those three people in the audience as if they were the most important three people in the world.  You never know who might be listening, and the doors they are capable of opening.  Keep up the fight!

GRAMMY TIME FOR MAGNESS

This time next week we’ll be celebrating the Grammys.  Since we have at least one indie artist in the running, and a local one at that, let’s give a hearty and rousing cheer for Blue Élan Records artist Janiva Magness and her blues album Love Wins Again.  We hope you take home the prize.

INDIE ARTISTS SHINE AT NAMM

A few years back a visionary named Kerry Getz thought it would be a great opportunity for local indie artists if they would put on showcases at the hotels near the convention site.  It was such a great idea that NAMM decided to take over and expand the opportunity to stages within the event itself.  Getz likewise recruited Tim Moyer to assist her, and Moyer runs this major music event now.  One of the artists who was selected to perform at the 2017 event was Los Angeles country/Americana artist Alice Wallace.  Check out her sterling performance of “I Just Don’t Care Anymore” from NAMM’s Grand Plaza Stage.  You can find the official music video of the song on her YouTube channel.  Enjoy.

RYKKA DEBUTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO

European indie artist Rykka has released her latest music video for “Runnin’ Away” from her new album Beautitudes.  If this video is any indication of the quality of music on the album, then you should definitely check it out.  We will be reviewing the album here soon, so check back with us.

See ya next week.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 5

Wow – five weeks into 2017, and indie artists are really making noise.  Milck, an artist we introduced you to back on September 21, 2015, is truly blowing up!!!  In the past seven days, her official music video for “Quiet” has gone from just over 142,000 views to more than 400,000.  She has been featured in Billboard, Allure, ET Online, Twitter and Facebook, and made several appearances on national TV, including her appearance on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.  The YouTube video of that appearance has already drawn more than 75,000 views in less than three days.  We are so proud of you Connie Lim aka Milck.  Thank you for having the courage to bring your message of hope in a time of increased insanity.  We are proud to support you!!!  We are also proud of her PR effort, spearheaded by the Big Kahuna herself – Go Laura and Red Boot PR as you champion another worthy indie cause!!!!

KEATON SIMONS JOINS WITH BACKBONE POSSE

LA Music Critic Icon Keaton Simons has been busy, but not in the typical way.  Always a firm believer in collaboration, Simons has lent his talents to the Backbone Posse on their new music video for “Supawaz Gaz,” which also features the talents of Slimkid3 and Adam Vadel.  Please be warned this video is NSFW or young kids.  Enjoy.

GRAMMY NOMINEE PERFORMS AT THE TROUBADOUR

Indie artist Janiva Magness, nominated for Best Blues Album for Love Wins Again, is having a birthday today.  She recently performed before a packed house at the world famous Troubadour in Los Angeles, and posted several videos of her live performance.  Please enjoy this one and make sure to send her best wishes.

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

We are proud to spotlight this incredible new indie video.  Watch for us to review her new release soon.  Please give it up for Emily Zuzik from Los Angeles with the amazing release of “Alone,” which has garnered more than 25,000 views in the past four days.  We think this one is a definite keeper!!!

We look forward to chatting with you again next month.  Have a great week!

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Theatre

Monday Mashup Vol 4: What’s new in the indie world today?

Happy Monday – can you believe there are only two more Mondays after today left in this year?  Has it been a good one for you?  If not, what are you doing to change the future?  Indie artists are our hope for a brighter tomorrow, so get up, get busy, and let’s change the world for the better.

Kari Kimmel releases new album

Indie artist extraordinaire Kari Kimmel is one of the most well-known of indie artists, since her music has been heard in countless television shows, movies and commercials.  Hot on the success of her last release, Poppyfields, Kimmel is releasing an album of covers on December 15.  Check back for our review of the new CD.  In the meantime, get out and add it to your collection.  You can pre-order now on iTunes.

Foxtrax plays Sofar Sounds Los Angeles

Foxtrax, who we introduced to you in August, performed at last night’s Secret Holiday Show for Sofar Sounds Los Angeles, which was the 300th Sofar Sounds show.   They previously had performed a residency at Sofar Sounds in October.  Unfortunately we couldn’t be there, but we are sure it was a smashing success.  If you are an indie artist, you owe it to yourself and your career to become part of the Sofar Sounds experience.  Congratulations to Sofar Sounds on 300 shows.  Thanks for all you do for indie artists!!!

Alexis Keegan set to perform at The Mint

The music of Alexis Keegan was born in the soulful sounds of Motown and R&B, and Keegan wants to go back to those roots.  If you’re lucky enough to live in Los Angeles, you can get an early taste of the new sound by attending her performance on January 28, 2017 at the world famous Mint.  We think you will be pleased with the new sound.

Cindy Alexander to open for Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin

Speaking of upcoming concerts, two of the best artists on Blue Élan Records will be performing together in a special show at Hollywood’s famed Hotel Café on January 22, 2017 on their Second Stage.  Don’t miss this opportunity to hear some of the best music in Los Angeles when Cindy Alexander opens for the famed Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin.

Congrats to Janiva Magness for her Grammy nomination

And speaking of Blue Élan Records’ artists, we send out our heartiest congratulations to Janiva Magness for her recent Grammy nomination for Contemporary Blues for her album Love Wins Again, a first for both Magness and Blue Élan Records.

StageCrafts, L.L.C. to take over management of Stage/Sound

Theatre Unleashed Managing Director Gregory Crafts and his talented wife Jenn Scuderi Crafts have launched a new venture, StageCrafts, L.L.C., which will take over management of Koreatown’s Stage/Sound venue, effective January 1.  This is an amazing venue where we were able to catch Round Rock a few years ago.  We wish them the best as they continue to keep intimate theatre alive in the Los Angeles area.

Video Releases

Redhead Express, one of our favorite indie groups, has released their latest music video, just in time for Christmas.  This one is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit, as Kendra, LaRae, Alisa and Meghan cover “Away in a Manger,” bluegrass style.

Patrick Joseph has released a live video of his amazing song, “Piece of Your Love.”  This one gives us goosebumps.  Enjoy.

Come back tomorrow for another edition of Get it or Forget it.  Until then, keep it indie!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup

Monday Mashup: what’s happening in the indie world?

Welcome to our third installment of Monday Mashup.  The year is drawing to a close and indie musicians are as busy as ever.  The LA Music Critic Awards are on the horizon and this one appears to be one of the strongest ones we’ve seen in recent memory.  If you have released an album, EP, single or video since July 1, or plan to release one before December 31, please contact us so we can consider it for one of the awards.  In addition, we will have some great news to share in January regarding the Awards.  You don’t want to miss that announcement, so make sure you’re subscribed to our blog.

Jerad Finck wins grand prize in US Songwriting Competition

We reported last Monday that Jerad Finck had won the Best Pop Song in the annual US Songwriting Competition for his title track to his latest album, Criminal.  We have since learned that he also won the overall Grand Prize for the best song of 2016.  We are so proud to have introduced you to this amazing artist, and look forward to seeing what comes next.  Finck is a client of Ue3 Promotions.  Congratulations to you both.

Teen sensation Meresha releases new single “Together”

Meresha has released a new single.  According to Meresha, “In today’s world, we can’t let ourselves be divided because of our skin color, national background, religious practice, sexual preference or other beliefs.”  We wholeheartedly agree.  We think this song is great in many ways, and should be a part of your daily dose of healthy music.  Meresha is another client of Ue3 Promotions.  Download her song on iTunes or Google Play.

LA Music Critic Award winner Rod Melancon scheduled to play Hotel Café

Americana artist Rod Melancon, a two-time LA Music Critic Award winner will be playing a special show at the world famous Hotel Café in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 10.  He will be performing at 11 p.m. after the set by The Vegabonds.  Melancon is signed to Blue Élan Records and is a proud client of MAD Ink PR.  We only wish we could be in LA next weekend for this show.

Blue Élan Records releases A Blue Élan Christmas

LA Music Critic Award winner Cindy Alexander is among the artists with singles on the new Christmas release from her label, Blue Élan Records.  Check out her cover of the Dave Matthews Band’s “Christmas Song” below:

https://soundcloud.com/cindyalexander-me/christmas-song?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook

Video Releases

Red Boot PR client Lucy Woodward has released a video for her hit single “Live Live Live.”  We think you’ll agree this is an amazing song and an even more amazing video.  Check her out.

Multi LA Music Critic Awards winning trio The Spider Accomplice has released the latest in their video series supporting their album Los Angeles:  The Abduction.  Check out their video for “You Still Lie.”  We think you will see why this blog and LA Music Critic are so in love with these indie rockers.

 

That’s it for this week.  Please let us know if you have any news you want us to share.  Until next Monday . . .

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup

Monday Mashup: what’s new in the indie world?

Hope you all survived Thanksgiving week.  We’re back with another look at what’s new in the indie world.

Un5Gettable release cover of ‘NSYNC’s “Merry Christmas Happy Holidays”

Comedy/parody group Un5Gettable has released their own version of ‘NSYNC’s holiday song “Merry Christmas Happy Holidays.”  Winners of the Best Video (Comedy) for the first half of 2016, these boys have proven that there are no sacred cows in their lives.  But believe it or not, these boys can really sing, as demonstrated by this track.  Please enjoy it with our compliments.

https://soundcloud.com/un5gettable/un5gettable-merry-christmas-happy-holidays

Jerad Finck wins USA Songwriting Competition

Jerad Finck, winner of the Best CD (Male) for the second half of 2015, has another laurel to put on his mantel.  He recently won the award for Best Overall Pop song for the title track of his latest CD, Criminal.  Here’s the stripped down acoustic version of his song, recently posted to YouTube.  We think you’ll agree that this song deserves all its accolades.

Brian Mackey releases new Christmas single, “Just One Night”

We introduced you to Brian Mackey back in October when his single “Are You Listening?” was getting a lot of traction in the business.  Now Mackey has released his Christmas single, and we think you’ll dig it.  Check it out and download it from Apple Music.

Jess Penner releases lyric video for “Together”

Jess Penner, the solo singer-songwriter persona of Jessica Treskon, and one half of the dynamic duo of Kayjez, recently released a lyric video for her song “Together,” off her EP Good Times.  Check it out and see why we are so jazzed about the future of  this amazing artist.

Marina V launches food and travel blog

International indie artist Marina V has recently launched a food and travel blog.  As an musician who travels and tours around the globe, Marina V is the perfect person to be able to also report on her travels and the food she encounters while on tour.  Check out her blog here.

More video releases

Here are two more amazing videos released in the past week.  The first is by outstanding Americana band The Show Ponies, who are preparing for the release of their new album in January.  Check out their video for “The Time it Takes,” filmed while they were recently on tour.

Alexis Keegan has been a favorite of this blog and this writer since she first burst on the scene.  She recently released the video for her monster hit “Empty Heart.”  Expect a lot more great music from this artist as we head into 2017.

Please let us know if you have any news you want to share.  We’ll be back next Monday with more from the amazing world of indie music.  Thanks to Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions and Laura Goldfarb of Red Boot PR for introducing us to some of their amazing clients.