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

Get it or forget it – Formosa, Andrew W.K., Reichelt, This Way North, WhoMadeWho

Happy hump day!  Yesterday was a wild ride, but at least we had some great new music to check out.  Today we’re back with five more artists for you.  Let’s get started.

Artist NameFormosa

Album Name:  Sorry for Being Sexy

Label:  Sweepland Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Bad Boys; 2.  Mañana; 3.  Sorry for Being Sexy; 4.  Fuck up Your Liver; 5.  Sugar Daddy; 6.  Love on the Highway; 7.  Proud to be Loud; 8.  Pull Away; 9.  Johnny the Beaver; 10.  Never Stop Rock-n-Roll

Publicist:  Sweepland Records

Review:  These German lads have a good rocking sound, reminiscent of many of our 80’s hair bands.  The songs are heavy on guitar with a driving drum beat, and soaring vocals about various topics, usually associated with being bad.  They could definitely teach a thing or two to some of our American rock bands who seem to have forgotten their roots.  Their music is on par with that of such groups as Poison, Quiet Riot, Guns n’ Roses and others of that time period.  Best songs include “Bad Boys”, the title track, “Fuck up Your Liver,” “Sugar Daddy” (a beautiful ballad), “Love on the Highway,” “Proud to be Loud,” “Pull Away,” and “Johnny the Beaver.”

Recommendation:  If  you are a hot-blooded rocker, then definitely check this one out.  We recommend it.

Artist NameAndrew W.K.

Album NameYou’re Not Alone

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Arena Rock

Track Listing:  1.  The Power of Partying; 2.  Music is Worth Living For; 3.  Ever Again; 4.  I Don’t Know Anything; 5.  The Feeling of Being Alone; 6.  Party Mindset; 7.  The Party Never Dies; 8.  Give up on You; 9.  Keep on Going; 10.  In Your Darkest Moments; 11.  The Devil’s on Your Side; 12.  Break the Curse; 13.  Total Freedom; 14.  Beyond Oblivion; 15.  Confusion and Clarity; 16.  You’re not Alone

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Andrew W.K. has the kind of sound that fills a stadium.  His rock is more modern but includes the prog rock influence of such bands as Kansas and Rush, with the central theme of partying.  The music is as grandiose as the cover, and we believe it does not disappoint.  There are also some 80’s new wave influences, especially on “Ever Again,” but the overall sound is power rock.    This album is jam packed with songs that belong on the radio, and that are memorable enough to be heard over and over again, such as “Music is Worth Living For,” “Ever Again,” “Party Mindset,” “Keep on Going,” “The Devil’s on your Side,””Total Freedom,” and “You’re not Alone.”  “Break the Curse” is a full-blown prog rock song.  In addition, there are three spoken word pieces:  “The Feeling of Being Alone,” “In Your Darkest Moments,” and “Confusion and Clarity,”

Recommendation:  We highly recommend you give this one a try.  It has something for just about everyone.

Artist NameReichelt

Album NameSeduced by the Light Side

Label:  A & R Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Seduced by the Light Side; 2.  Same as Me; 3.  Don’t Need it Here; 4.  You at Last; 5.  This Fire; 6.  The Place Where we Sing; 7.  Solid Gold; 8.  You are a Song; 9.  Spire; 10.  Heavy Hearts Live in Hell; 11.  Don’t Know

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  Reichelt is an Australian multi-instrumentalist who we featured last month, and are very happy to be able to review his entire album.  His Indie Rock sound incorporates several other genres, including reggae, rockabilly and electronic.  His songs are well written and musically arranged, and his voice is silky smooth and uplifting, regardless of the lyrical subject matter.  This is an artist we would love to hear more of on American radio, as well as see him perform live.  We simply love the title track, “Same as Me,””Don’t Need it Here,” “This Fire,” “Solid Gold,” and “Heavy Hearts Live in Hell.”

Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name This Way North

Album NameVol. 2

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Nothing to Say; 2.  Head Above Water; 3.  Make it Work; 4.  Pressure; 5.  Fading Out; 6.  Put Your Mind at Ease

Publicist:  Penney and Logan

Review:  These Australian ladies offer up power pop with driving drums and heavenly harmonies that are begging for airplay on American radio.  This is a band that NEEDS to come to America, because unlike the first track, we believe that have a lot to say.  We love every song on this EP, which leaves us wanting so much more.  This one should be played in an endless loop on repeat.  It will definitely lift your spirits, get your toes a tapping and provide audio relief to your aching eardrums.

Recommendation:  Don’t hesitate – Get this one now!

Artist NameWhoMadeWho

Album NameThrough the Walls

Label:  Embassy of Music

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Neighborhood; 2.  Crystal; 3.  Dynasty; 4.  I Don’t Know; 5.  Putpie; 6.  Goodbye to all I Know; 7.  Through the Walls; 8.  Belong; 9.  Funeral show; 10.  If This is Your Love; 11.  Surfing on a Stone; 12.  Keep on

Publicist:  Guerilla Music Promotion

Review:  From the first notes, you just know this is going to be epic, and WhoMadeWho lives up to the expectation, with interesting electronic sounds, amazing harmonies, and the feeling that they are singing directly to you.  The beat is funky and uplifting, and the songs easily become earwigs, living on in your mind ever after the song is over.  They have an 80’s feel that definitely draws the listener into the music.  You don’t want these songs to end, so don’t forget to put them on repeat.  You’ll be on your feet dancing before you know it, because there isn’t a weak song on the entire album.  American Radio Stations – this one belongs on your playlist immediately!

Recommendation:  You don’t want to be caught without this one.  We highly recommend you Get it Today!

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 8

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival has come to a close, and it was a very successful run.  So many of the movies sold out, including a few that we had the pleasure of viewing, such as Dark Money, Fail State and the Greg Barker film The Final Year.  We’ll have more on the winners at the Festival later this week.  For now, here’s the latest news on the indie arts front.

AMERICANAFEST IS ACCEPTING SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS

Showcase submissions for AMERICANAFEST® 2018 are now open and will be accepted through Monday, March 26, 2018. There are two ways to submit:
  • Submissions are open to anyone via our digital platform for a small fee of $25.  Digitally submit here.
  • Become an artist member of the Americana Music Association® today and take advantage of free submissions, access to our expansive artist and industry global community, discounted conference registration rates and more!  To join, click here.  Once you join, you will find a free submission form link in your welcome letter.
Selected artists will showcase Tuesday, September 11 through Sunday, September 16 at many premiere venues throughout Nashville, Tennessee.  For more information, go to our website.
MONTANA REP ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

Montana Repertory Theatre, the professional theatre-in-residence at the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance, has selected Michael Legg to become its next artistic director.

Legg is currently the director of the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky.  He will start his new role at the University of Montana on July 1.

Montana Rep celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.  Greg Johnson, whose tenure with Montana Rep began in 1990, is delighted with the choice.

“Mr. Legg brings youth, vision and vitality at a time when the Rep is poised not only to continue its tradition of touring nationally, but also to be a strong artistic presence in Missoula and the region, as the University of Montana begins its renaissance under our new president.”

BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS ARTIST KEITH HARKIN TO PLAY SPECIAL PRE-ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION AT LA’S HOTEL CAFE

Irish singer/songwriter Keith Harkin (of Celtic Thunder fame) is currently on a Stateside tour in support of his new live solo release, In The Round, his fourth album on Blue Élan Records.

He will perform at Los Angeles’ famed indie listening room The Hotel Cafe (1623 Cahuenga Boulevard, Hollywood) on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.  Tickets are available here for $35 in advance.  We strongly encourage you to attend this show.

NEW SINGLES

 Our first single today comes from Ruby Friedman and Two Beards.  It is an amazing Americana song called “Un4gvn.”  We truly dig it and hope you will too.

We just discovered an amazing British country pop band called Delaware.  They have a new single called “Fire,” and we think it is really hot.  Please let us know what you think.

Our final new single today is a rocking number from Australian artist Reichelt.  Here is “Seduced by the Light Side.”  Let it get your new week off to a great start.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up today is the title track for the forthcoming EP from Keaton Simons, one of Los Angeles’ elite indie artists.  His new EP will be released on March 9 and is being produced by Nashville legendary producer Marshall Altman.  It will have more of an Americana feel than his previous material.  Let us know what you think.

Last week we reviewed the new EP from Marieme, and were truly impressed with her voice and her message.  Here’s the music video for her most personal and powerful song, “Leave.”  This one will move you.

Our final video today comes from another Blue Élan artist, Cindy Alexander.  She has released a lyric video for her song “Passenger,” from her latest album, Nowhere to Hide.  Have a wonderful week.