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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 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 Reviews

Redhead Express burn up the stage at Northwest Montana Fair

Redhead Express (RHE) is a country/bluegrass/pop quartet composed of sisters Kendra, LaRae, Alisa and Meghan Walker, originally from Palmer, Alaska.  They are based out of Nashville, Tennessee with a summer home base of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, since so many of their summer fair shows are on the west coast this year.

These gifted ladies are no strangers to this reviewer, as he has been following them since being introduced to their music almost two years ago.   A review of the first concert he saw was published on AXS.com on September 17, 2014, followed with the publication of an interview with the band on November 27, 2014.

RHE has also amassed quite a few nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards, and won the award for best video (cover) in 2015 for their version of OneRepublic’s hit song “I Lived.”

Montana has seen a lot of RHE this year at fairs across the state.  Indie Voice caught up with them during their performance at the Northwest Montana Fair in Kalispell on August 17.  The ladies did a pair of performances that day, with their evening slot being the opener for country superstar Trace Adkins.  This review is of their afternoon slot on the Huckleberry Stage.

photo by Chelle S Imaging
Kendra and Alisa work their magic

The ladies kicked off their 45 minute set with a stirring cover of Alabama’s song “I’m in a Hurry.”  As always, harmony is king (or is it queen?) when RHE hits the stage, and this performance was no exception.  Instrumentally, Kendra is on acoustic guitar and mandolin, LaRae is on banjo and acoustic guitar, Alisa is on fiddle and mandolin and Meghan is on Eddie, her trusty double bass.

photo by Chelle S Imaging
Meghan performs on Eddie, her bass

RHE mixed their own stirring cover versions of such popular songs as Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” with original songs, including “Roots,” a song they wrote about their childhood  home in Alaska, and “Lose My Mind,” a song about the craziness of getting married.  They even played a request by yours truly for one of their latest cover songs, Meghan Trainor’s “Better When I’m Dancing,” from the Peanuts movie.

photo by Chelle S Imaging
LaRae kills it on the banjo

While every member of RHE is accomplished on their respective instruments, on this day LaRae truly shined.  She played with such confidence it was as if she owned the stage.  In the two years since this reviewer last saw RHE perform live, LaRae’s performance skills have truly grown, allowing her to shine next to her sparkling sisters.

photo by Chelle S Imaging
Kendra joins the Walker Boys for a stirring cover of Mumford & Sons’ “I Will Wait”

Even the brothers, Sean, Joseph and Ammon, who are usually in the background supporting their sisters, got the chance to shine when The Walker Boys took the stage for a short two-song set during their sisters’ show.  Like their sister LaRae, The Walker Boys have grown in their performance skills and nailed their short set.  Besides the wonderful harmonies and impressive musical skills of Ammon on bass, Sean on banjo and Joseph on mandolin, Sean truly wowed the audience when he lept from the stage and played his banjo throughout the crowd before returning to the stage.

photo by Chelle S Imaging
Sean impressed the crowd with his banjo skills

The performances of both RHE and The Walker Boys were stellar and worth well more than the cost of entry into the fair.  Although we were unable to catch their opening slot later that night, we did catch snippets of the performance through a live recording done for members of RHE’s Patreon supporters.

photo by Chelle S Imaging
Kendra & LaRae blend their instruments and voices.

To find out more about RHE, check out their website and Facebook pages, follow them on Twitter, subscribe to their YouTube channel and support them on Patreon.