Tag: new releases

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews Women in Entertainment

Invest in the latest from Kanisha K

Kanisha K has been a favorite of this writer since she was first introduced to us by Ue3 Promotions in August 2014.  During that time, she has upped her skills, had her music placed in more and more stores across the country, and received media and critical attention, including nominations for several awards.  This writer has shared her music through several media outlets, including Examiner.com, AXS.com, and Indie Voice Blog, adding them to the list of media outlets that look forward to each new release.

Her new single, “Bet on Me,” should quickly rise up the charts after its release on Friday, February 17, 2017, and will be available on iTunes.  It was co-written and produced by Joe Vulpis, who has worked with the likes of Lady Gaga, Richie Blackmore and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Having been a fan of her music for several years now, we can truly say that “Bet on Me” is the best song Kanisha has released to date.  This power ballad captures the amazing tone of her voice and provides the perfect vehicle to announce to the world that she has truly arrived and is a good bet for musical greatness.  We look forward to hearing this song on Top 40 radio.

“Bet On Me” continues the dynamic creative relationship between Kanisha and Vulpis that began in 2015 with the single “Oh Damn Yeah” (which was released to both Top 40 and CHR radio) and was mastered by Tom Coyne, who has worked on projects by Adele, Beyonce, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Pink and Ariana Grande.  The song also became popular during the Summer Olympics in Brazil.

“The song is about feeling like the underdog and asking the question, ‘If I were at my lowest point,’ would you still bet on me and take a chance on me?’” says the Holland, Michigan based pop singer.  “I wrote it in kind of a love song mode but am in a very different place in my life now, so I can embrace its much deeper meaning.  When we’re not at our best, are the people we love and count on going to be there for us through the hard times?  Who’s going to stick around and who is not?  I’m really proud of ‘Bet On Me.’  It’s a powerful and inspiring song and I love belting it out!”

We think that Kanisha K is a worthy investment.  We can hardly wait to hear the rest of the new music she is working on in Nashville with such veteran songwriters as Britton Cameron, Nathan Meckel and Jane Bach.  If it’s anything like her past work, then we think you the listener should heed Kanisha’s advise to “Bet on Me.”

 

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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.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: No One Mind, Racing Heart, Affordable Hybrid

Welcome back to another edition of Get it or Forget It.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to review indie music, and to let you know what we think of it before you give your hard earned cash away.  Take a moment from all the Thanksgiving preparation and join us as we discuss three new releases from Noisy Ghost PR’s talented client base.

noonemind_noonemind_coverart

Artist Name:  No One Mind

Album Name:  Self-titled

Label:  Third Uncle Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Folk Wagon; 2.  Tiger; 3.  In the Valley; 4.  Revenge; 5.  I Don’t Know who you Are; 6.  Big Talking Man; 7.  Grey Days; 8.  Bad Attitude; 9.  Island of Hours 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  No One Mind (“NOM”) was created by Ellis Anderson, Noah Dehmer and Missy Thangs after their previous musical partnerships had dissolved in betrayal and acrimony.  Fused together on a musical base of traditional rock and pop, NOM brings their message from the perspective of both the accuser and the accused, creating an interesting sound along the way.  Based on the material contained in their debut album, we believe that this band still has a lot to say.   Stand out tracks include “In the Valley,” “Revenge,” “I Don’t Know who you Are,” and “Big Talking Days.”

Recommendation:  NOM has a truly unique sound within the indie community, and a message that needs to be heard.  If you like music that is outside the norm, then this is the band for you.  Take a chance on this as yet unknown band and Get It.

racingheart_whatcomesafter_coverart

Artist Name:  Racing Heart

Album Name:  What Comes After

Label:  Misra Records

Genre:   Experimental/Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  Flogging a Dead Horse; 2.  That Doubt Remains; 3.  Bargaining Chip; 4.  New Economy; 5.  Letters From the Compound; 6.  Sleep With my Fists Clenched; 7.  A Prayer From our Leaders; 8.  New Economy (Slight Return); 9.  Badlands; 10.  Squaring the Circle; 11.  What Comes After 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  What Comes After is the sophomore release for Norwegian artist Mathias H. Tjønn, who calls his solo project Racing Heart.  The album is full of political statements about many different issues, including recession, power, conflicts with no clear enemies and those caught in the crossfire.  The sound is fresh and diverse, helped in no small part by the creativity and musical genius of Jenny Hval, who contributed both lyrics and vocals.  The album is a definite departure from the type of music we usually hear, but that departure is a badge of honor as Racing Heart continues to find its voice.  Best tracks include “That Doubt Returns,” “Letters from the Compound,” “Sleep With my Fists Clenched,” “Badlands,” and “Squaring the Circle.”

Recommendation:  Racing Heart brings a lot of meat to its material, creating a diverse and fresh sound that crashes through supposed musical barriers to deliver hard hitting social commentary.  We recommend you Get it.

7 Foldover [GDP-17-001]

Artist Name:  Affordable Hybrid

Album Name:  Bat/Roky

Label:  Flannel Gurl Records

Genre:  Post-punk

Track Listing:  1.  Bat; 2.  Roky

 Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Affordable Hybrid is a four-piece post-punk band from Sweden which has not released any music since 2009.  On their latest two-song 7″ vinyl EP, they reintroduce themselves with a frenzied sound that immediately draws the listener in and puts a spell on their ears and mind.  Both songs are best listened to loudly, and offer hope that this band is back on the scene.  Welcome back to Lars Ludvig Löfgren, Samuel Järpvik, György Barocsai and Mikael Björklund.  The music world and music lovers everywhere have missed you.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get It.  The energy alone is worth the price.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or Forget it: Janey Street, Mitch Hayes, Kari Kimmel

Happy Election Day!  Hope that you are exercising your rights as an American, and have or intend to vote today.  It is so important that we all participate in this process.

Since it’s my day off, I decided to check back through my emails to see what submissions I had not yet reviewed.  Imagine my surprise to find several amazing CDs that I had missed.  My apologies to these artists for not recognizing your talent in my initial perusal of emails from your respective publicists.

Sit back, take your mind off all the political backbiting, and learn about some amazing artists that you simply must check out.

janey-street

Artist Name:  Janey Street

Album Name:  This Side of Paradise

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Singer-Songwriter/Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Among the Missing; 2.  Good Side; 3.  Bring it On; 4.  House of Mirrors; 5.  Situation; 6.  Tears Taste the Same; 7.  I’m not the Girl I Used to Know; 8.  End; 9.  Grand Delusion; 10.  My Side of Paradise; 11.  Radar; 13.  Scat Like Ella; 14.  End of the Day 

Publicist:  Mad Ink PR

Review:  OMG!  I can’t believe I missed this CD.  Janey Street is part Anne Murray, part Ann Wilson and part Patti Griffin, all rolled up into one awesome package.  Her songs are sometimes laid back, like the title track, and sometimes in your face, but the overall vibe is just great music.  Every song is powerfully written, with lyrics that are meaty and memorable, and a beat that drives the message home.  “House of Mirrors” is the perfect anthem for this election day, as is “End.”  It’s hard to pick my favorite, so I choose them all, although “Scat Like Ella” is a great song that reminds me of Maroon Five’s “Moves Like Jaeger.”  This is definitely one of the best releases of 2016.  I can’t believe this amazing artist, whose previous biggest hits were in the 1980’s, had not published any music in more than a decade.  Welcome back Janey!

Recommendation:  Whatever you have to do, definitely get off your backside, rush to your favorite retailer/online music source and GET THIS CD!

mitch-hayes

Artist Name:  Mitch Hayes

Album Name:  Heroes

Label:

Genre:  Singer-Songwriter/Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Look at You; 2.  The Hardest Thing; 3.  All my Heroes; 4.  Hand of the Devil; 5.  All Fall Down; 6.  Home Again; 7.  Helping Hand; 8.  Ashes & Dust (Erin’s song); 9.  A Peaceful Revolution; 10.  Life Goes On; 11.  Something Deep Within; 12.  Home Again (reprise) 

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  Mitch Hayes is a man of many talents and a cancer survivor, which has added an edge to his amazing voice that can still deliver a powerful message in song.  His lyrics are so well written that they instantly connect to the listener, in part because the musical accompaniment is perfectly suited to each song.  These songs make you think and reflect, especially “All my Heroes.”  This is the perfect album for your relaxation and meditation time, as it gives you perfect food for thought.  So glad you survived your cancer scare, Mitch.  The world needs more artists like you.  Best tracks include “Look at You,” “All My Heroes,” “Home Again,” and “A Peaceful Revolution.”

Recommendation:  If you’re a Tom Waits and/or Americana fan, then you should definitely Get it.  It’s truly worth the listen.

kari-kimmel

Artist Name:  Kari Kimmel

Album Name:  Poppyfields

Label:  Rykim Records

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Keep Shinin On; 2.  Nothing you Could Do; 3.  One Foot out the Door; 4.  For Anyone; 5.  Just the way I Like; 6.  Feel Alive; 7.  Over It; 8.  Every Second; 9.  Undercover; 10.  One in a Million; 11.  Everybody has to Fall 

Publicist:  none

Review:  Kari Kimmel may not be as well known as other pop icons like Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson or Pink, but her songs are no less powerful.  In addition, this DIY master has had her music placed in more than 600 movies and televisions shows, and has consistently been ranked among the Top 50 artists on VH-1.  Her latest effort, Poppyfields (named after her daughter) is by far her best to date.  From the first note of “Keep Shinin,” a serious power ballad, it explodes with a sound that is so much better than most of the music you hear on today’s Top 40 stations.  “One Foot out the Door” is so sassy and fun, I bet Pink is jealous that she didn’t record it.   Although this album is perfect from start to finish, our favorites are “Keep Shinin,” “One Foot Out the Door,” “For Anyone,” “Just the Way I Like,” and “Every Second.”

Recommendation:  If you love an artist that consistently puts out amazing music and has achieved a similar level of success to many label-driven pop artists, all while doing it by herself, then you would be a fool not to rush out and Get It.  We are sure you will be putting this one on repeat.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Get it or Forget it: Mimes of Wine, Peach & the Almost Blues Band, The Galaxy Electric

Welcome back to the next set of reviews in our Get it or Forget it series.  We’ve been taking a break to write about some recent happenings, but we’re glad to be back.  Not only that, but we’re almost caught up with submissions from Noisy Ghost PR and our beloved Doug Deutsch Publicity Services.  So sit back, have a cold one and check out our reviews of these three artists.

mimes-of-war-cover

Artist Name:  Mimes of Wine

Album Name:  La Maison Verte

Label:  Accidental Muzik

Genre:  Avante-garde folk

Track Listing:  1.  Below a Fire; 2.  Jai Singh; 3.  Hour; 4.  Last man on Mount Elysian; 5.  Birds of a Feather; 6.  Gates; 7.  Shemkel; 8.  Lovers’ Eyes; 9.  Road 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:    To fully appreciate the sound of Mimes of Wine, imagine that you are watching Cabaret, however, instead of Liza Minelli performing, it’s PJ Harvey or Tori Amos, doing what they do best, but in a 1940’s jazz style.

Mimes of Wine is led by the creative force known as pianist and singer Laura Loriga, originally of Bologna, Italy.  She is joined in the band by Stefano Michelotti, Matteo Zucconi, Luca Gugliemlino and Riccardo Frisari.  La Maison Verte is their third release, and was two years in the making.  It is their first album released in the United States.

Loriga’s vocals are breathy and ethereal, creating mental pictures with her tone and lyrical delivery.  The mood she creates is relaxing and reflective, making the album perfect for those times you just want to sit back and chill.

Recommendation:  While this album is not your typical indie artist, Mimes of Wine is definitely unique, which is reflected in this eclectic and tasty collection.  Their music will not appeal to everyone, but if you happen to like the sounds of artists like PJ Harvey or Tori Amos, then it’s a must have.  We are proud to give it a rating of Get It.

peach

Artist Name:  Peach & the Almost Blues Band

Album Name:  A Night in Copenhagen

Label:  Magic Music

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Tonight I’ll be Stayin’ Here With You; 2.  Never Make Your Move too Soon; 3.  Little by Little; 4.  Love-Itis; 5.  Tell me you Love Me; 6.  Come up and see me Sometime; 7.  Same as I’m Over You; 8.  Ain’t got no Money

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:   Blues music is an American icon, and this live recording captures it in all its glory.  Americans Peach Reasoner and her long time keyboard player Ken Stange travelled to Copenhagen in February of this year and hooked up with local musicians Michael Engman Rønnow, Helge Solberg and Niclas Campagnol to create this masterpiece.  All of the songs with the exception of track 5 “Tell me you Love Me” are covers, but that’s what makes blues music special.  Reasoner has the perfect voice for the blues, and her guitar licks have that same feel as Bonnie Raitt.  Best tracks include “Little by Little,” “Love-Itis,”Tell me you Love me,” and “Come up and see me Sometime,” but the entire album kicks ass.

Recommendation:  If you love blues music, then this one is a no-brainer.  This is one of the finest blues recordings I have heard, and I would have loved to be in the room when it was recorded.  Run, don’t walk to your computer and definitely Get It.

thegalaxyelectric_everythingislightandsound_coverart

Artist Name:  The Galaxy Electric

Album Name:  Everything is Light and Sound

Label:  none

Genre:  Indescribable

Track Listing:  1.  Relaxation Tapes Vol 1; 2.  Calm Down; 3.  Temporal; 4.  Lux Lux; 5.  Luminosity; 6.  Dreamland; 7.  Buchia Coconut; 8.  Murder in the Garden; 9.  Nightmares; 10.  Goes Around Comes Around; 11. Doorbell; 12.  Please Come Home Soon 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Composed of Jacqueline Caruso and Augustus Green, The Galaxy Electric creates their own form of music through the use of lo-fi recording techniques, among other tricks.  The resulting music almost sounds like the band went back to those science fiction films of the 50’s and 60’s and used their soundtracks for inspiration.  It is a strange, dreamy sound that we have never heard before, except in the strange world of David Lynch.  The best part about the music is the incredible vocals of Caruso, which float on the eerie music like cream on coffee.

Recommendation:  Unless you live in Twin Peaks, or love the eerie tone of music that Lynch uses to paint his creations, you’ll probably just want to leave this one alone, and we regrettably must give it a rating of Forget It.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Brian Whelan’s sophomore album Sugarland is pure sweetness

With instrumental abilities that made him a key member of Dwight Yoakam’s band, a voice reminiscent of Jackson Browne and a Top 10 lyrical streak that makes him seem like he’s been writing hook-laden hits for years – Brian Whelan is poised to attract a much wider audience with the release of his second solo album Sugarland.

A music major at the University of Southern California, Whelan can play almost anything that has keys or strings, including steel guitar, accordion and piano, and puts these skills to the test while playing many of them on his new release.

From the opening strains of “Americana,” where he adds the impressive fiddle of Gabe Wichter, to the final notes of “The Bottom,” where Wichter again shows his fiddling prowess, all ten tracks of Sugarland are sweet and give his listeners a taste of his musical greatness.  This is country rock at its best.

Other amazing musicians who add to the sound include Herb Pederson, Rami Jaffe, Keith Gattis, Greg Camp, and Ross Flournoy, as well as vocal help from Nicole Eva Emery, Phoebe Bridgers, Jonathan Clark, and Sarah Taylor.

Sugarland was co-produced by fellow Yoakamite and Whelan’s current drummer Mitch Marine, who are joined by Lee Pardini on bass, keys and vocals.  The resulting music places Whelan in the same crowd with John Fullbright, Sturgill Simpson, fellow Yoakamite Mike Stinson, and Jason Isbell.

Besides the incredible musicianship, which you would expect from Whelan, what sets Sugarland apart is the lyrics, revealing Whelan’s growth as a songwriter, arranger, and vocalist, as revealed in such highlights as “Americana,” “Sucker Punch,” “Go Dancing,” and “Number 1 Fan.”

The album is a natural extension of Whelan’s debut, Decider, and is much more radio friendly.  With the release of Sugarland, he should be well on his way to letting the rest of the world know that he and his music are the real deal.

We are proud to highly recommend Whelan’s Sugarland, which should be in the hands of every true music lover.  For more info about him, check out his website and Facebook pages, follow him on Twitter, and search for his music on YouTube.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Lovers & Poets II is a gem among indie music offerings for 2016

When this reviewer began covering music in the Los Angeles area, one of the first performers he met was a young keyboard player named Shannon Hurley.  At the time, she was performing with another incredible indie artist named Marina V, as well as starting her own showcases for females under the “Don’t Call us Tori” umbrella.

This reviewer was so impressed with her abilities that he got involved as a booker/promoter for those showcases, and also became friends with Hurley and her future husband, Ben Eisen.

As Hurley’s star began to rise, she and Eisen decided to branch out and created the duo Lovers & Poets, releasing their first CD in 2010 to rave reviews.  Over the past six years, the duo has worked on their live performance and released a couple of singles on CD Baby before finally releasing their sophomore album Lovers & Poets II, on May 6, 2016.

“You & Me in the Summer” kicks off the CD, and it only gains momentum through ten amazing songs that provide the perfect musical backdrop for relaxing, allowing the listener to forget their troubles like a great massage takes away muscle aches and pains.

Hurley’s voice is heavenly, and her keyboards provide the perfect accompaniment, coupled with the firm foundation that is the bass playing of Eisen.  Even without her voice, the instrumental tracks “Get Crucial” and “Dream Girl” soar.  In addition, their cover of  Duncan Sheik’s “Barely Breathing” is amazing and breathes new life into this classic song.

We are proud to recommend Lovers & Poets II.  We believe a daily dose of this CD will go a long way in alleviating your stress.

For more info on this dynamic duo, check out their website and Facebook pages, follow Hurley on Twitter, and subscribe to the duo’s YouTube channel.