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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 45

OMG – did you see the end of the Miami-New England game?  That amazing 69-yard pass/lateral that resulted in a Miami touchdown and a win over our arch-rival the Patriots?  That was one of the best games we have seen in many years, and so happy we were able to pull it off.  We are also happy for all the nominees of the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2018.  Remember, fans can ONLY vote for the Fan Favorite award, so leave your vote as a comment on the announcement article by saving “I vote for (name of artist or band) for Fan Favorite.”

Now that the nominations are out of the way, we have a wonderful Monday Mashup for you today, with five new singles and videos including some holiday tunes.  We hope you enjoy them.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is from LA alt-rock band Swerve.  It is a hard rocking tune called “She Cut Her Hand,” and we like it a lot.  Swerve originally began as a moniker for music created by Los Angeles native Greg Mahdesian. But what initially began as a solo project eventually became a full-fledged band. Greg solely composed all of the songs on Swerve’s self-titled debut EP and hired producer Brandon Duncan to record them. So, when it came time to recruit musicians in order to perform live, Greg naturally asked Brandon to join on bass, his old college friend, Ryan Berti, on guitar, and Mark Gardner on drums.

Next up is a holiday cover from Israeli rock goddess Ninet.  We love the simple stylings of “Sweet Chariot” and hope it puts you in the proper mood for the holidays.

For our third single, we head up to Sweden for the beautiful voice and similarly simple arrangement of Marlene Oak on her latest song, “In the Evening.”  Enjoy this masterful and soaring song.

Next is a pop gem from Dollshot called “Paradise Flat.”  This one is not your ordinary pop tune, and we relish its uniqueness, with sparkling jazz stylings. Please let us know what you think.

Our final single is another amazing holiday song, this time featuring the incredible voices of Mallory Trunnel and Lauren Harding, otherwise known as Crimson Calamity.  This may well become our favorite new holiday song.

https://soundcloud.com/crimson-calamity/first-snow/

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We tried to share this one a couple of weeks ago, but it was not released until December 7.  The video was shot in Portland and we think it is very well done.  Check out the amazing Hayley Lynn, who shot this video in one take, and her incredible pipes amid the beautiful backdrop on her song, “Valentine, Too Soon.”

From the beautiful to the different, we bring you the latest from Luna Neptune, who are sharing the “Next Automated Wave.”  They are another European band, and we hope they come play the States in the not too distant future.

Our third video features the truly hip sounds of Saving Forever.  We think you’ll love it, so let’s make some “Memories.”

Our fourth video is a lo-tech lyric video from Alex Bloom.  We love the simpleness of the shoot but the intensity of the lyrics on his song, “Elevator.”  What do you think?

We close out this week with a cover of one of our all-time favorite holiday songs, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”  This time around it is covered by the lovely and extremely talented Arlene Zelina, and we think it provides the perfect sentiment for the season.  See you again soon.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Amazing Videos Women in Entertainment

Ten amazing videos released in November 2018

We are so happy to have finally finished preparing the list of nominations for the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards, and they will be announced tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.  While you wait, here are ten amazing videos that were not chosen for Monday Mashup features, but which we thought deserved recognition.

We start things off with a beautiful video about reconciliation.  We fully agree with the sentiments expressed in the song “Right Where You Are” by BlissBliss.

Next up is an amazingly fun video about the end of the world, as visualized for “Lazer Queen” by I Love You Honey Bunny.  They are a Czech band and we love their vision.

Our third single is one of the most beautiful protest songs we have ever heard.  Stephen Michael Murphy and InfiniteTolerance.com have joined forces with General Steel to give us the reggae sound of “African Mamas.”  Watch for the Bob Marley cameo at the end.  #StopInjustice

Video number four is another beautiful collaboration, this time between D’Sound and Armi Millare on the single “Lykkelig.”  This one is the perfect segue and should keep the music grooving.

Our next video is a tongue-in-cheek look at the powerful “Alexa” and the hazards of online purchasing.  Laugh along with Beans on Toast but take the sentiment behind the video as seriously as he does.

Our sixth video features the Janis Joplin-like vocals of Ninet on her powerful song “Self Destructive Mind.”  This one is packed with food for thought.

Reason/Define is an all-female post-hardcore band that puts the rock in rock and roll.  Their latest video is a powerful statement about “Pointing Fingers,” and we think you need to pay attention.  This band is definitely going on our radar.

Our eighth video has stunning cinematography and the sweet voice of Kiyomi Hawley for her single “Meet you There.”  We love the feelings this song generates, and think it is a perfect song for this time of the year.

Our next video is about “Revenge” and is from Static Noize, a  hip-hop duo from the small Western Australian area of Burundi.  Check out the beat on this one.

Our final video this month is from LA Music Critic Award-winning prog-rock band Orissa.  Check out this live performance of their song “Blue Communion,” and check out those dancers.