Tag: Straw Family

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 18

My first week back in LA was very busy, with two trips to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, attending and reviewing Nineteen Years Later, helping with another show, and going through the first rehearsal for my Fringe solo show.  Along the way there was a night of Fringe “Office Hours,” a Fringe Town Hall, an unexpected chance to catch a rehearsal, and plenty of great conversations, not to mention a couple of days at the ASCAP EXPO, which included a special songwriters’ round with LeeAnn Womack, Stephen Bishop, Jack Tempchin and Wyclef Jean. 

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week features the powerful and soulful vocals of Elisabeth Beckwitt, and we think this one has a lot of potential.  Check out “Free Fall” – we think you’ll definitely fall for her sound.

Next up is a pair of legends who have joined forces to bring the spirit of rock and roll back to today’s music scene.  Combining Fanny Walked the Earth’s Brie Darling with The Runaways’ Cherie Currie is brilliant and they do justice to this remake of the T. Rex classic, “The Motivator.”  This one will get your week off to a great start.

We follow them up with another Blue Élan Records artist named Car Astor, and what we think is her best song to date.  The song may be called “Hush,” but we won’t keep quiet about how much we love this song.

Let’s switch gears to a more Americana and country sound of Jesse Dayton, another Blue Élan artist.  His latest, “Redneck Friend,” will have you two-stepping around the dance floor in no time flat.  Enjoy the honky-tonking sound.

We close out this week’s singles with the upbeat and empowering “For You” from rising star Katile.  We see a very strong future for this young lady, and can’t wait to see what comes next.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We return to the beautiful country of Denmark to kick off this week’s music videos with the latest from LA Music Critic Award winning band Straw, “Perfectly Fine.”  Sally’s vocals are powerful and strong and the song hits home with its message that you don’t have to be perfect to be happy.  This family just keeps getting better and better.

Speaking of amazing family bands, here is the first original from the PaperDolls, featuring elder sibling Kendra.  It is a powerful song that will give you strength to fight each day.  Thank you Kendra for blessing us with “See What I See.”

Our third video gives us a new look at the whole “loser” mystique.  We bet you’ll never feel the same way about the word after viewing this video. Here’s “Loser” by The Scared Crows.

Video number four is guaranteed to rock your week, as Meisha and the Spanks reveal their inner child for the video of their latest single, “Motorin’.’

We close out this week with a stunning video from Wake up Hate for their song, “Love me Like a Hurricane.”  We think this one will rock you into next week.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 10

Hope you all survived the start of Daylight Savings Time yesterday.  Hopefully today’s great music will give you the jump start you need (that and several cups of coffee).  We’re getting really excited about our return to LA next month, and looking forward to the Hollywood Fringe Festival, our debut solo show, Livin’ the Dream (a journalistic journey), and celebrating women at the third annual LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase.  We hope to connect with all of our LA peeps at at least one of these events.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from one of the scheduled performers at this year’s Showcase, Brigitte Purdy, who took home wins for Best Blues Artist and Best CD (Female).

Our second single comes from the cold vastness of Denmark.  The Straw Family Band have been thrilling us since we introduced them to you back in July 2017.  Their latest, “Perfectly Fine,” is another prime example of why we love them so much.  The tune is melancholy while still upbeat and features stirring vocals that uplift and give the song its intended positive vibe.

Next up is the first single from Americana/Indie Rock duo Anana Kaye.  We love the harmonies and the intriguing vocals, and think this song should do well in both Americana and Indie Rock/College radio circuits.  Check out “Blueberry Fireworks.”

We had intended to feature our next single a few weeks ago, but it got lost in our email.  We are very pleased to present it now, as it is pure classic country that we can’t get enough of.  Check out Marty Brown‘s “Umbrella Lovers” and we think you’ll love it too.

Our final single this week is an amazing work of R&B smoothness, featuring the amazing vocals of Dominique Tey.  Her EP will drop next month, and this tasty appetizer should get you ready for it.  Here’s “Every Part.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We kick off this week’s music videos with this torch song from the amazing Fiona Grey.  We definitely agree with her assessment that we need more “Girls Like Me.”

Our next video comes from Kakkmaddafakka, which we introduced to you in our Ten Great Singles of February.  Here is the video of that same song, and we love it.  Get up and dance your cares away.

Likewise, our third video is the latest from Blue Élan Records artists Red Wanting Blue, featuring the stunning vocals of Liz Brasher.  We introduced this song to you a couple of weeks ago, and we can’t get enough of it.  Check out “I Got a Feeling it Hurts.”

We featured Kat Holland‘s song “The One” in our post-Grammy Monday Mashup, and she has now released a music video for it.  We love the sound of her voice, which is elegant, airy and full of life.  See what we mean.

We close out this week with the heartfelt sound of Cameron Hawthorn, who likes to be “Dancing in the Living Room.”  Sounds like a great idea, don’t you think?

 

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

Get it or forget it – Mapache, Indigenous, Straw Family, The Raven and the Fox, Ovtlier

And we’re back with another edition of Get it or Forget it.  We have five interesting ones for your perusal today.  Here we go!

Artist Name:  Mapache

Album Name:  Mapache

Label:  Spiritual Pajamas Records

Genre:  West Coast Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Mountain Song; 2.  Like a Stone; 3.  Aquelios Ojos Verdes; 4.  In the Morning Light; 5.  Broken Down Cadillac; 6.  Chico River; 7.  Follow you Down; 8.  Saltillo; 9.  Blue Marble; 10.  Songs to a Seagull; 11.  Nellie

Publicist:  Self-promoted/Bandcamp

Review:  In this world of processed music, it is so refreshing to listen to a band that remains acoustic and organic.  We first heard Mapache when they were touring with Suzanne Santo, and fell in love with their simple, fresh sound.  They have been compared to the Everly Brothers, and the comparison is obvious.  What’s most amazing is that this band comes from Los Angeles, but has remained true and pure in their musical innocence.  There isn’t a weak song on this amazing album, which was recorded at the legendary Valentine Recording Studios.  We expect great things from this band.  Favorite tracks include “Mountain Song,” “Broken Down Cadillac,” “Follow you Down,” “Saltillo,” “Blue Marble,” and “Songs to a Seagull.”

Recommendation:  One of early favorites for best album of 2018.  You simply MUST Get it.

Artist Name:  Indigenous

Album Name:  Gray Skies

Label:  Blues Bureau International

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Stay Behind; 2.  I’m Missing You; 3.  Lonely Days; 4.  Healers; 5.  On my Way; 6.  Hear my Voice; 7.  Let it Shine; 8.  Don’t Know Where to Go; 9.  Let’s Carry On; 10.  Both to Blame; 11.  You Broke it you Bought It; 12.  What you Runnin’ From

Publicist:  Guitars Forever Marketing & Promotions

Review:  Featuring the amazing guitar work of Mato Nanji, Indigenous is a Native American blues band that has just released its 11th album, under the amazing production of Mike Varney.  These songs feature the amazing fretwork of Nanji, with strong lyrical content and vocals that will knock your socks off.  This is BB King-style blues, rich with layers and rocking the sound of the blues and good ole rock-n-roll.  Nanji has been compared to Jimi Hendrix, and the comparison is well deserved.  Our favorite tracks include “Stay Behind,” “I’m Missing You,” “Lonely Days,” “On my Way,” “Let it Shine,” “Don’t Know Where to Go,” and “What you Runnin’ From.”

Recommendation:  If you like blues and/or rock, then this is a necessity for your collection.  Get. It. Now.

Artist Name:  Straw Family

Album Name:  Family Matters

Label:  Roar Music Aps

Genre:  Country Pop

Track Listing:  1.  1965; 2.  Alive; 3.  Bang Bang; 4.  Dreaming; 5.  Family and Friends; 6.  Hot Sunny Day; 7.  I Hope; 8.  It’s Cold Outside; 9.  Spider Making new Web; 10.  To a Higher Place

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  We have previously featured a pair of their music videos, which also garnered them a pair of nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards.  So glad we are finally able to review their album.  Although this band is from Denmark, they are ready to tackle the American music market, and we think they have a great chance of breaking in.  Composed of Mom, Dad and two of their daughters, Straw Family is an amazing group that blends pop, country, blues, and more into their own unique sound.  Our favorite cuts are “Alive,” “Bang Bang,” “Family and Friends,” “Hot Sunny Day,” “It’s Cold Outside” (not the traditional Christmas song),  and “To a Higher Place.”

Recommendation:  This band deserves a place in your favorites collection.  We highly recommend you Get it today.

Artist Name:  The Raven & the Fox

Album Name:  The Raven & the Fox

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Folk/Singer-Songwriter

Track Listing: 1,  Fly  Away; 2.  Follow Me; 3.  When Stars Align; 4.  Sweet Dreams; 5.  Mountain Moments; 6.  Where Mountains Meet the Sea; 7.  Everything; 8.  Wash Over Me; 9.  Desert Alchemy; 10.  See you in my Dreams

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We discovered this band earlier this week when we featured their latest music video for “Follow Me” in our Monday Mashup column.  They are a duo from Alberta, Canada, and have not yet released their album in the US, although it was released in Canada last June.  We think they are more than ready to cross the border and show America how it’s done.  The vocals of Julie Chang are remarkable, and the chemistry between her and her partner, Sean Isaac is palpable and vibrant.  There isn’t a weak track on this album, but we really love “Follow Me,” “Where Mountains Meet the Sea,” “Wash Over Me,” “Desert Alchemy,” and “See you in my Dreams.”

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk to your closest retailer and Get this one now!

Artist Name:  Ovtlier

Album Name:  What Doesn’t Kill You

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Metal

Track Listing:  1,  Your Disease; 2.  Broken Bones; 3.  Set the World in Flames; 4.  Vice; 5.  Buried me Alive; 6.  Voices in the Dark; 7.  Break

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Ovtlier is fronted by Joey Arena, formerly a member of Young Bloods.  It has everything metal maniacs will love – screaming guitar, screaming, intense lyrical content and a killer band.  It also has some incredible keys on “Broken Bones.”  It is amazing that the band has attained this mastery on their debut EP, but Ovtlier is the real deal, and should be headlining shows in no time at all.   Every song rocks, and I’m not that fond of metal.  We definitely think this band has a solid future.

Recommendation:  This one will appeal to all rock lovers, whether you like metal or not.  We highly recommend you go Get it.