Tag: Nuela Charles

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – VNV Nation, Big Lonely, Younger Then, Phony Ppl, Nuela Charles

Happy Giving Tuesday.  If you are so inclined, there are a number of worthy charities out there that need your support.  We have posted links to several on our Facebook pages, and encourage you to help others at this time of the year.  To sweeten the deal, we have five more great artists for you to check out as we wind down submissions for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2018:

Artist Name:  VNV Nation

Album Name:  Noir

Label:  Metropolis Records

Genre:  Alternative/Electronic

Track Listing:  1.  A Million; 2.  Armour; 3.  God of All; 4.  Nocturne No. 7; 5.  Collide; 6.  Wonders; 7.  Immersed; 8.  Lights go Out; 9.  Guiding; 10.  When is the Future; 11.  Only Satellites; 12.  Requiem for Wires; 13.  All our Sins

Publicist:  For the Win Media

Review:  If ever there was an album that was custom-built for placement opportunities in film and television, this is it.  The sound is majestic, sweeping and cinematic, with a driving dance beat that would easily also make a great source for house music DJs.  This one takes off from the first notes of “A Million” and never lets up, building to a stunning conclusion.  There is obvious influence from The Cure, especially on “God of All.”  This album truly delivers a great listen from start to finish.  We also love the piano instrumental “Nocturne No. 7,” and the string instrumental “Guiding,” which are a total change of pace from the rest of the album.  We wish them well on their North American tour.

Recommendation:  Don’t even think about it – Get this one!

Artist Name:  Big Lonely

Album Name:  Bad Magic

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Just Lose; 2.  Butter on Ice; 3.  Dreamboat; 4.  A Place I’ve Never Been To; 5.  Don’t Fool me Twice; 6.  All at Once; 7.  Ticket; 8.  Up my Sleeve; 9.  Bad Magic

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  Canadian band Big Lonely incorporates some Southern Rock guitar into their indie rock style to create memorable music with a retro vibe.  Their music could easily work on American Top 40 and college radio, and we bet their live show is just as dynamic.  “Dreamboat” has a Roy Orbison vibe  You’ll want to listen to this one from start to finish, cause there are no weak tracks.  Enjoy the reflective vibe.

Recommendation:  A definite add to your collection – go Get it.

Artist Name:  Younger Then

Album Name:  Bad Life

Label:  Standby Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  All in All; 2.  Lonely Holy; 3.  California King; 4.  Sarah Told Them; 5.  Cherry Glaze; 6.  Sweetest; 7.  Sundazed; 8.  Bad Life; 9.  Luna; 10.  Wishing Tree; 11.  Seasick

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:   With a sound somewhere between Kings of Leon and U2, Younger Then burst forth from their humble Buffalo to take on the world of indie rock, and they truly have the goods to make a lasting impression.  They have already gained a healthy reputation for their live shows, and now they have a CD that captures that energy and style and showcases it to the rest of the world.  There is so much good stuff on this 11-song album that everyone should be able to find a favorite.  For us, we love them all, and will give this quite a few listens from start to finish.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Phony Ppl

Album Name: mō’zā-ik.

Label:  300 Entertainment

Genre:  Soul/Funk/R&B

Track Listing:  1.  Way too Far; 2.  Once you say Hello; 3.  Something About you Love; 4.  Cookie Crumble; 5.  The Colours; 6.  One Man Band; 7.  Think You’re Mine; 8.  Move her Mind; 9.  Before you get a Boyfriend; 10.  Either Way; 11.  On Everything I Love

Publicist:  No Big Deal PR

Review:  Phony Ppl is already receiving critical praise from folks like NPR Music, and it quickly becomes obvious that this band cannot be placed in a box according to genre.  Their music encompasses soul, funk, R&B, jazz, rap, and more, with incredible harmonies, and a seamless chemistry that makes it sound more like a jam session than a scripted song.  In truth, the songwriting could use some work, as stretching out the lyrics makes them become obnoxious at times and takes away from the beauty of the music.   Best tracks include “Cookie Crumble,” “Move Her Mind,” their first single/video “Before you Get a Boyfriend,” “Either Way” and “On Everything I Love.”

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  Nuela Charles

Album Name:  Distant Danger

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alternative/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Troublemaker; 2.  Danger; 3.  Forecast; 4.  Do it Right; 5.  Sugar; 6.  March On

Publicist:  Mystic Sons

Review:  We featured her video for “Danger” in our Ten Amazing Videos of October, and the same single in one of our Monday Mashup articles in September.   Believe us when we tell you this lady has the goods to rule the soul/R&B charts and radio.  We simply love her sense of style, her songwriting and her incredible voice, which are truly personified in her song “Danger.”  All six songs are great and this artist deserves a spot on your repeat button.  We can’t wait to hear what comes next, as she has earned a permanent place in our hearts.

Recommendation:  Run don’t walk and Get this one Today!

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Amazing Videos Women in Entertainment

Ten amazing videos released in October 2018

It’s been a great day so far.  Miami’s stellar defense made four sacks and four interceptions, including a pick-6 that provided the margin of victory.  In addition, Indie Voice Blog has garnered more than 80,000 views in just over 38 months.  Let’s celebrate with another 10 amazing videos from the more than 100 we received this month.  Here we go!

With Election Day fast approaching, we thought it might be wise to share a music video that speaks about social issues.  Check out this lyric video from Illiterate Light for their song, “Growin’ Down.”  And don’t forget to vote!

Our next video was filmed in Bodie, California, one of our favorite ghost towns.  It is an original tune by Stone Stanley’s Jason Robert, and conceptualizes one of the legends of that famous mining town.  The cinematography is breathtaking and the song belongs in a class on California history.  Tell us what you think.

Our third video reminds us of Lenka, and features the incredible sound of Somme‘s hit “Broken Hearted Lovers.”  This one has a beat that is guaranteed to get you on the dance floor.  We hope you love it as much as we do.

Our next video is also relevant for Election Day, as Nashville’s resident punk rocker Taco Mouth provide their views on the current political scene with their anti-Trump video, “Fighting for Today.”  This one is well thought out and provides an interesting stance – let us know what you think.

Our fifth video has a very strong Emmylou Harris vibe.  We simply love the sound of New Zealand’s Mel Parsons, and her video for “I Got the Lonely.”  This one could go very far!

We start our second five videos with this amazing cinematic video for Völuspa‘s glorious ballad, “Miss You Too.”  We think this one sets a high bar and we look forward to seeing what she does next.

Video number seven is an autobiographical sketch into what it’s like to be an indie band in today’s music scene.  Check out the video for “On my Way”by City on Down.

Halloween may be over, but the spirit lives on in Maggie Lindemann‘s impressive video for her song, “Human.”  Enjoy this spooky video.

For our ninth video we go all the way to Norway for the tantalizing video by Sigrid for her song, “Sucker Punch.”  This one will give you all the energy you need for the coming week.

Our final video this month is from Canadian R&B/Pop artist Nuela Charles.  It is another spooky good video for the energetic song “Danger.”  We think it is the perfect video to segue into Election Day.  Enjoy.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 34

It’s the final week of September, and things are still popping on the indie music scene.  The non-stop barrage of new releases continues, and we are working like crazy to get them all reviewed for you.  But before we get back to that task, let’s take a moment to see what else is happening, and share five new singles and five new music videos with you, as well as check in on multiple LA Music Critic Awards winner and Blue Élan Records Americana superstar Rod Melancon.

ROD MELANCON HAS AN EXPLOSIVE WEEK

Rod Melancon thought this week would be like any other, but he woke up Monday morning to find not only critical success from the release of his latest single, “Westgate,” which we featured last week and which was also highlighted in Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Songs of the Week on Friday, but his song, “Wanna Go for a Ride” is being featured in a national Toyota commercial.

“Last night one of my childhood friends called me up after he heard my song playing behind a Toyota commercial.  I could hear the excitement in his voice.  People from my hometown really root for one another.  This is what it’s all about,” said Melancon.

“Westgate” is the first single from his forthcoming album Pinkville, which is scheduled to be released in spring 2019.   Rolling Stone praised “Westgate” as ‘equal parts talking blues and bar-band Southern rocker.  Melancon glues both halves together with a voice that’s every bit as punchy and pockmarked as the song’s
protagonist.’”

“Wanna Go for a Ride” is a song from his second album Parish Lines, which was released in 2014.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes to us courtesy of Open All Nite Entertainment, which has been extremely busy promoting talent lately.  Their client John Hickman released his latest single, “What’s This All About” last Friday, and we are pleased to share it with you today.

Paria fuses Iranian, Latin and UK bass beats into her very own brand of DIY pop, and the result is the incredible single, “Casual.”  This one will get you up and moving.

Our third single is another amazing pop/soul track, this time from the likewise amazing artist Nuela Charles, who was a part of our Ten Great Singles article back in March.  She wants to know, ‘Are you looking for some “Danger?'”

We switch it up to some straight ahead rock with “Nobody’s Fool”by Carlo & the Montes, featuring Akovia.  It reminds us of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and we think you will dig it.

Our final single this week is the PREMIERE of the latest track from Push & Rama Duke.  Check out the amazing dance tune “Frozen,” which is very reminiscent of those monster hits from Donna Summer.

https://soundcloud.com/bigmanagement/frozen-1/s-eAO1I

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is the long-awaited new song from Magnolia Memoir.  Check out this amazing 80s-inspired tune, “Afterlife.”  We are so glad to have them back!

Next up is the video for the title track of Colin Devlin‘s new album High Point, which we will be reviewing on October 5.  We love the sound of and the images, and think you will too.

Our third video is from an LA staple, Eileen Carey, who brings us the country pop smash “That Town,” which reminds us of early Faith Hill.  Enjoy this beautiful video.

In our fourth video this week, dance duo Karmic drops some “Wisdom Pie,” with a groovy fun tune that is perfect for the dance floor.

We close out the week with the first video from the upcoming new album from KT Tunstall, Wax, which is being released on October 5.  Check out “The River.”

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews Ten Great Singles Women in Entertainment

Ten great singles from March 2018

Every Monday we bring you news from the indie arts world, as well as new singles and music videos.  Unfortunately, we receive so many requests that we are unable to accommodate everyone.  We decided to create a monthly listing of singles and music videos we thought were worthy but didn’t have space for in our Monday Mashup.  Here is our list of singles for the month of March.

Our first single comes from Toronto, Canada, and has that “Hotel Café” vibe of Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.  We really love “Terribly True” by Deanna Petcoff, and think you will too.

Our second single comes from the opposite end of the earth, down under, and features the rocking blues sound of Steph Fischer-Ivancsy‘s “Warning Signs.”  Rock on Aussies 🙂

Back to Edmonton, Canada for our next artist, who is up for a Juno award, the Canadian equivalent of our Grammy award.  Here’s “Do it Right” by Nuela Charles.

Our fourth single comes to us courtesy of New Jersey indie rock band Young Rising Sons.  The song is reminiscent of fun. and The Lumineers, and gives us a hungering for “Whiskey.”  Check it out.

We next go to Sweden for our next single, the stimulating “Die” from Constine.  The amazing combination of electronica and vocals make this one instantly memorable and haunting.  Let us know what you think.

We next travel to the British Isles for the latest single from producer Tony Njoku.  Here is “Remain Calm,” which is exactly what this chill track will do for you, which its Nigerian rhythms and relaxing synths.

Next up is an American folk singer named Taana Rose, who brings us an “Unexpected Love.”  This song is so smooth, and Rose’s vocals are so sweet it may give you a sugar high.  Check out those amazing keys.

Our eighth single comes from the incomparable Mike Edel.  It is called “Finish Line,” and it is a definite winner in our minds.  We think it is one of his best efforts to date.

Next is a retro 80’s grove from The New Division.  Their single is called “One Night in Tokyo,” and we think this one will have you grooving late into the night.  Enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/thenewdivision/one-night-in-tokyo-2

We leave you today with the amazing jazz/hip-hop sound of Tertia May, who we are totally floored by.  Her music is overwhelming and we think her single “White” is the perfect way to close out this edition of Ten Great Singles.  See you next month.