It’s our final Monday Mashup for the month of August, and we’ve got plenty of news and great new singles and music videos. Last night we worked the Shakey Graves concert at Big Sky Brewing Company, and it was an amazingly chill evening. The music was incredible, and the performers were very good and fun to hang with. Thanks so much to Rayland Baxter and Shakey Graves for being incredible and easy to talk to. Watch for our review shortly.
SONIA RAO GIVES INSPIRING TEDx TALK
One of our favorite indie artists, Sonia Rao, shares from her heart on “The Shame and Power of Being a Woman.” This one deserves a mass audience.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 UNSIGNED ONLY MUSIC COMPETITION
Congratulations to the following winners of this year’s Unsigned Only Music Competition. We look forward to hearing more from them and to reviewing their projects.
Grand Prize – Eric Ethridge (Sarnia, ON, Canada) “Girl On Fire”
AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
First Place – DENNY (Minneapolis, MN, USA) “Girls Like You”
Second Place – O-SHiN (Berlin, Germany) “Aimless”
Adult Contemporary (AC)
First Place – Sahara Beck (Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia) “Here We Go Again”
Second Place – Da Candy (Kiev, Ukraine) “Runaway (ft Nathaniel)”
Americana
First Place – Todd Tyler (Aiken, SC, USA) “Run”
Second Place – Brad Anderson (Manchester, England) “Death Do Us Part”
Christian
First Place – Drew Greenway (Henderson, TN, USA) “Walk In The Light”
Second Place – Dave Pettigrew (Ridgewood, NJ, USA) “Undertow”
Country
First Place – Kaylee Bell (Waimate, New Zealand) “Getting Closer”
Second Place – Virginia Creek (Chincoteague, VA, USA) “Kiss Me Sober”
EDM
First Place – Reign (Oshawa, ON, Canada) “Make Me”
Second Place – Pokki DJ (Imperia, Italy) “Remember This Night”
Folk/Singer-Songwriter
First Place – Leon Of Athens (Athens, Greece) “Aeroplane”
Second Place – Ezra Vancil (Dallas, TX, USA) “Complicated Man”
Pop/Top 40
First Place – Adrielle Bow Belle (New York, NY, USA) “Runaway”
Second Place – Carrie Lane (Montclair, NJ, USA) “Drowning”
R&B/Hip-Hop
First Place – Denzil Porter (Bronx, NY, USA) “Time Soon Come”
Second Place – Mayah (Cairns, QLD, Australia) “XO Girl”
Rock
First Place – The Royal Foundry (Sherwood Park, AB, Canada) “Lost In Your Head”
Second Place – Glass Mansions (Columbia, SC, USA) “Just Friends”
Screen Shot
First Place – Big Little Lions (Royston, BC, Canada) “Find Your Tribe”
Second Place – Jayde (Port Hope, ON, Canada) “Perfect Strangers”
Teen
First Place – Hailey Belle (Santa Clarita, CA, USA) “Fall So Easily”
Second Place – Under The Radar (Memphis, TN, USA) “Boom”
Vocal Performance
First Place – Paul Loren (New York, NY, USA) “I Know A Place”
Second Place – Elinor Sitrish (Dimona, Israel) “One Reason”
Fandemonium Winner (winner selected by online public vote) – Haddon Cord (Boise, ID, USA) “A Million Songs”
Unsigned Only is now accepting entries for the 2019 competition. This year, Unsigned Only has added five new categories for artists to enter. The complete list of categories includes: AAA (Adult Album Alternative); AC (Adult Contemporary); Americana; Blues; Christian; Country; EDM; Folk/Singer-Songwriter; Instrumental; Jazz; Latin; Pop/Top 40; R&B/Hip-Hop; Rock; Screen Shot (songs suitable for placment in film, tv, etc.); Teen (for artists 18 years old and younger); Vocal Performance; and World Music. More information can be found at: https://www.unsignedonly.com. To hear the winning songs, download low-res photos, and view the complete list of winners, go to: https://www.unsignedonly.com/winners
NEW SINGLES
Our first single this week is from one of our favorite Santa Monica bands, Only Bricks. Their latest is called “Ordinary,” and we believe the band is anything but. Check them out and let us know what you think.
Next is the latest from Blue Élan Records artist Amy Wilcox. Her single is called “Somebody,” and is the second single from her forthcoming EP West. We can’t wait to hear the rest.
Our third single this week is “Dancing” from Basement Revolver, Ontario, Canada, and we really like this gritty indie rock track.
Our fourth single this week is from Amy Stroup, who was born in Boston and raised in Abilene, Texas. It’s called “Wild Nights,” and we love it. What do you think?
Our final single this week is from the amazing R&B/alt pop voice of Thomas Graff. It’s called “Make it Easy,” and we think that it accurately describes this artist’s future in the business. Enjoy the groove.
NEW MUSIC VIDEOS
Long time indie giant Greg Laswell is finally releasing a new album on September 21. The first single from it is called “Royal Empress,” and it was debuted by Los Angeles tastemaker Nic Harcourt (KCRW) on August 14. Here’s the lyric video for the song, which we simply love since it reminds us of vintage Springsteen.
Next up is the latest from Satellite Citi, which we introduced to you last year. The song is entitled “Collide” and that’s what is going to happen soon when the world finds out about this amazing rock band with a lead singer that not only plays drums, but can also compete with Amy Lee. Enjoy this one!
Our third video this week is from Tim Burlingame and Kathrin Shorr, also known as Sweet Talk Radio. We really love this beautiful video for “Blue,” and think you will too.
Our next video is “Running” from Daniel Ellsworth and The Great Lakes. This one has such a chill vibe that we think it is perfect for your Monday.
Time for our final video this week. We’re closing out without another chill tune from Falcon Jane. Here’s “Ginger Ale.” Are you thirsty yet?
