Tag: Short Shadows

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

Get it or forget it – Short Shadows, Zephyranthes, Signals, Assassins, Susan Santos

We’re glad you all seemed to enjoy our Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos lists we published yesterday.  Thanks for your visits to our blog and keep sharing.  We’re back today with another round of Get it or Forget it reviews, and hope you enjoy these diverse artists.

Artist Name:  Short Shadows

Album Name:  War Anecdotes from the Northern Suburbs

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  City Loop; 2.  Nothing Good Comes out of Preston; 3.  A Thornbury Story; 4.  That’s no Moon; 5.  Pentridge Blvd; 6.  Jackknife Casino; 7.  Autumn Haze; 8.  It’s Raining in the City; 9.  The Battle for Northcote; 10.  Don’t Stay Away too Long; 11.  Customer Service; 12.  Heartbreak Hockey Jerseys; 13.  Southside Girl; 14.  Sometime I Forget; 15.  The Novelty Wears Off

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  We introduced you to the incredible sound of Aussie Short Shadows when we featured his song “Nothing Good Comes out of Preston.”  The full album, which was recently released, continues the greatness of that song, adding more treasure to the trove, revealing this easily relatable artist is an excellent vocalist and songwriter.  Honestly, you can listen from start to finish and not get bored.  The stories keep you interested, and the horns truly raise the songs to a new level.  Please come and tour the U.S.

Recommendation:  Go Get this one!

Artist Name:  Zephyranthes

Album Name:  iii

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Psychedelic/Progressive Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Foam Sacrament; 2.  Fortune Teller; 3.  Alone in Stead; 4.  Telecommoner; 5.  Atomic en Masse

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This truly unique band comes out of Raleigh, NC, and uses the sounds of psychedelica and progressive rock to create its own brand of music that is totally different from its peers.  There are moments of greatness in their songs, but they do not have the continuity and impact of other indie rock bands.  While we cannot give them an unsensored thumbs up, we do think they are worthy of checking out and keeping track of.  They just might surprise us.

Recommendation:  Potential but not there yet.

Artist Name:  Signals

Album Name:  Signals

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  In the Middle of the Night; 2.  Move It; 3.  Take Care; 4.  Say You’ll be with me Tonight

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Signals could easily become a guilty pleasure.  Their music is fun and retro and full of blistering synth pop vibes, great vocals and a beat that compels you to dance.  The first single, “In the Middle of the Night,” deserves more radio airplay, and “Move It,” “Take Care” and “Say You’ll be with me Tonight” are equally enjoyable and worthy of industry attention.  This is a band on the cusp of greatness and we would love to see them go mainstream.  You can’t go wrong with this tasty appetizer.  We can hardly wait for a full-length to arrive.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Assassins

Album Name:  Confidence

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Time Away; 2.  Shout About It; 3.  Over my Head; 4.  Heartbeat

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:   Assassins was previously active from 1981-89 in the Melbourne pub scene before going dark.  The members hooked up again in 2015 and released their debut album in 2017.  They are back with their sophomore album, and the title tells it all.  This band oozes confidence, both in their incredible musicianship and their fresh take on the punk vibe.  These songs will hit home with their listeners as the band continues to find its way in the indie music scene.  We think they have the potential to make it, and look forward to hearing what comes next.

Recommendation:  Go get this one, especially if you love great rock.

Artist Name:  Susan Santos

Album Name:  No U Turn

Label:  TWH

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Blind Woman; 2.  Slow Down; 3.  Fool Me; 4.  Shakin’ all Over; 5.  Freedom; 6.  Heaven or Hell; 7.  Dry River; 8.  Feeling Good; 9.  Green; 10.  In Trouble

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review: Susan Santos (not to be confused with Suzanne Santos of HoneyHoney) is an electrifying blues guitarist with an incredible and crystal clear voice that brings new life to blues rock.  Her music will thrill you like no other, and we can only imagine how magnificent she must be in concert – good enough that it earned her a European Blues Award for Best Musical Performance in 2018.  Every element of her sound is at the top of the food chain, and she deserves serious industry attention.  Her songs are perfect for multiple genres of radio airplay, and would make great placements in television and film.  Santos has a voice you won’t soon forget, and we bet you will be putting this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  Drop what you’re doing, run out to your favorite record store, and Get this one Today!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 6

OMG – that was the best Grammys Show we have ever witnessed.  Everything that was lacking in last week’s Super Bowl was present – superstar performances, inspiring speeches and incredible music throughout.  Alicia Keys was the perfect host and her “Songs I Wish I’d Written” segment brought us to tears.  It was also about time that the talents of Women in Entertainment were clearly on display, showing the world what we already know.  We’ve got some news for you today that is the perfect segue to that, as well as five new singles and music videos for your consideration.  Here we go!

INDIE ARTISTS SHINE AT 61ST GRAMMY AWARDS SHOW

Congratulations to indie band Opium Moon on their Grammy win last night for Best New Age Album.  Huge props to amazing violinist Lili Haydn and her equally amazing band for this honor.

Congratulations also to two artists we had the privilege of reviewing here on our blog.  Composer and music educator John Daversa took home three Grammys for his amazing jazz album American Dreamers that featured DACA kids and spotlighted their cause.  Blues legend Buddy Guy won for Best Traditional Blues Album for The Blues is Alive and Well.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS SHOWCASE TO HONOR WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT

The Third Annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase is set for Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at The Mint LA.  This year’s Showcase will honor the role of Women in Entertainment, and will feature a stellar line-up that includes Fanny Walked the Earth (the first all-girl group to release an album on a major label); multiple-award winning rock band The Spider Accomplice, led by VK Lynne; Rebelle Road artist The HawtThorns, led by label co-founder KP Hawthorn (former member of award-winning group CALICO the Band); blues phenom Brigitte Rios Purdy; Americana sweetheart Amilia K. Spicer; and two of our International winners, blues band Reloaded Norway and Latin singer Constanza Herrero.  We expect to announce a couple more artists in the coming weeks.  Tickets are now on sale for just $10 in advance or $13 day of show, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.  We hope to see you there.

BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL SET FOR FEBRUARY 15-24, WITH OPENING NIGHT FILM AT THE WILMA

This year the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival will celebrate its 16th opening night on Saturday, February 16 with a free screening of a film that celebrates winter culture and the pioneer who helped bring it to the big screen.

Directed by Patrick Creadon, SKI BUM: THE WARREN MILLER STORY chronicles the life and times of the legendary filmmaker who, through his annual ski films and national tours which began in the early 1950’s, was a driving force in the development and promotion of the ski industry in America and throughout the world.

The screening will begin at 6:00 p.m. at The Wilma (131 S. Higgins) with a Q&A with filmmakers and cast following the screening.  We advise you to show up early to make sure you get a seat.  This year’s free opening night is made possible by Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from Australian folk singer Short Shadows.  We love his vibe and the sentiments contained in “Nothing Good Comes from Preston.”  Check out those horns.

Our second single is a sweet pop song from David Alexander called “Falling.”  We love the strings and the heavenly vocals and think you’ll want to hear more from this young man.

https://soundcloud.com/david-alexander-300103527/falling/s-CJZ6d

Next up is the rocking sound of Signs & Symbols, who share their latest single “Coffee for Friends.”  This one will get your week off to a rocking start.

Our fourth single is from pop artist Kat Holland.  We really think she’s “The One,” and think you will want to add this artist to your favorites.

Our final single this week comes from UK band Woman’s Hour and is very powerful both sonically and lyrically.  Check out “Luke.”  We think you’ll be searching for more of their material.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is from Los Angeles street performer Katie Ferrera.  It is a powerful and beautifully shot video that shows what it’s like to busk, as well as the raw talent of this amazing artist.  Here’s “Weightless.”

Next up is “People Get Ready,” the gritty tune from another UK artist, Emma Bosworth.  The song talks about mental health issues and presents them in terms we can all understand.  Please give this artist your attention.

Our third video is a blues smoker from The Spear Shakers, who we introduced to you last month in our Ten Amazing Videos from December article.  Here is their latest, “I Went Down Easy.”

Next up is an amazing live performance of the power ballad “There has to be More” from Eliza Spear.  The song talks about transitioning to Los Angeles from North Carolina, and offers hope that there is more than just what you can see.  We think you should take her advice to heart.

Our final video this week will definitely give you something to think about, as it is all about global warming and resultant changes.  Check out this powerful and thought-provoking video from KLOGR for their song “Somethings in the Air.”