Tag: Suzanne Santo

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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.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews Women in Entertainment

Suzanne Santo at the Top Hat – live performance review

Last night we attended the solo show for Suzanne Santo of honeyhoney, who performed to a packed house at the Top Hat Lounge in Missoula, Montana.  Mapache opened the night for her.  They are a duo of acoustic musicians on guitar and dobro who possess some of the best harmonies we have ever heard.  They just released their debut album in October, and we will be reviewing it next week.  These guys were so good that Santo brought them up during her set to do a trio with them that was breathtaking as they did a cover of “Helplessly Hoping” by Crosby, Stills & Nash.  We highly recommend you check them out.

Santo took the stage about 10:35 p.m., along with Blaine on rhythm guitar and foot bass and Paul on drums.  Santo used three different guitars and her fiddle during her nearly 90 min set, which included a two-song encore.

Santo previously released her debut solo album Ruby Red back in August, and we reviewed it here on our blog on August 23.  She released a music video for the lead single, “Ghost in my Bed,” which garnered a nomination for the LA Music Critic Awards for Best Video Official (Female), while Santo was nominated for Best Roots/Americana Artist (Female).

Santo and her band played nearly all of the songs on her album, as well as an amazing cover of Johnny Cash’s “Give my Love to Rose,” and a medley of honeyhoney songs, including “I Don’t Want to Fight,” “All on You,” and “Burned me Out,” which she performed solo.

She apologized for her late start, and explained that they had played the Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Thursday night and had a hard commute over, arriving after their scheduled sound check.

Among the highlights were performances of “Ghost in my Bed” (featuring some outstanding fiddle), “Blood on Your Knees,” “Bullets,” and “Yours or Mine.”  Blaine was also amazing on guitar and playing bass with his footboard.

Santo talked about her performances last year with honeyhoney, including stops at the Top Hat Lounge and a performance at the Bob Marshall Festival in Seeley Lake.  In fact, there was a large group from Seeley Lake at the show that had gotten hooked on her sound when she performed there.

Santo also informed the crowd that Ben Jaffe, her partner in honeyhoney, would be releasing his solo project soon, and encouraged everyone to check it out.

It was an amazing evening of music.  We strongly encourage you to check out both Santo and Mapache the next time they stop in Missoula.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 32

Welcome to another week of indie music.  As we mentioned on Saturday, we attended the River City Roots Festival in Missoula.  Saturday’s line-up was impressive, and featured the guilty pleasure of The Whizpops, followed by the soulful roots of songwriter Malcolm Holcombe, the impressive showmanship of The Ghost of Paul Revere, the roots rock tunes of The Band of Heathens and the awesomeness of one of blues finest guitarists, Anders Osborne, as headliner.  We also got to see more blues with Mudslide Charley at the Top Hat following the close of the Festival.  Watch for the reviews coming soon.

INDIE MUSIC NEWS

Lots of great music coming down the pike from indie artists, including Jerad Finck, the winner of the 2016 grand prize in the USA Songwriting Competition, who will be heading out for a west coast tour next month.  He is planning to visit Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Montana before closing out the tour in his native Spokane.  Watch his official Facebook page for more tour info.  Other artists touring in those areas include several from the Roots Fest: The Ghost of Paul Revere, The Band of Heathens and Anders Osborne, who will also be playing with Bonnie Raitt.

MUSIC TASTES GOOD TO DONATE ADDITIONAL PROCEEDS TO AMFAM

Earshot Media has announced that 100% of the proceeds from tickets sold on August 31 will be donated the Oxfam America, a charity that seeks to end poverty.  You can purchase your tickets here.

Music Tastes Good passes start at $75 per day, passes for the new “Taste Tent” experience start at $150, and VIP passes start at $225. The event, to be headlined by Ween and Sleater-Kinney, with appearances by RIDE, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinares, ALVVAYS, Bomba Estereo, Los Lobos, of Montreal and many more, is scheduled to take place September 30 and October 1 at Marina Green Park in downtown Long Beach, California.

NEW SINGLES

Some impressive new singles are being released, including these three we want to feature today:

If you like your music rocky, check out the latest single, “Get up and Go” from Love and a .38.  The full song is available on iTunes.  Just click the link to preview and purchase.

Get up and Go

If ballads are more your thing,  you will love the latest single, “Dragonflies,” from Sweden’s Elin K.  She will be performing at the Youbloom Festival in Los Angeles on September 21.

Last but not least, here’s the new single, “Rio,” from surf-punk rockers, Knifey.  It’s got the energy most of us need to kick-start our new week.  We think you’ll love it.

https://soundcloud.com/knifeyband/rio

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We are happy to welcome back Straw to our Monday Mashup with their latest single, “1965.”  This family keeps the blues alive with their impressive sound, well written songs and spectacular videos.  Hurry up and come tour America.

Here’s a very interesting lyric video from Superet for their new single “Who is This Guy.”  We think it’s the perfect song for your Manic Monday.

We have long been fans of the Americana duo honeyhoney.  Recently, Suzanne Santo released her first solo album and single, which we reviewed last week.  We think you will also love the music video for “Ghost in my Bed.”

 

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

Get it or forget it – Blind Lemon Pledge, Lew Jetton and 61 South, Brandon Luedtke, Suzanne Santo

Besides being a music critic, I have been a roadie, merchandiser, manager, publicist and promoter for indie artists.  I’m now adding booker to my resume as I plan a three week tour for a local indie artist.  Booking is hard, and I now have even more respect for indie artists than before.  Can’t wait to announce the tour dates and the artist, so keep it tuned here for more details.  We’ve got some more great artists for you today, including the solo debut of Suzanne Santo (honeyhoney).

Artist Name:  Blind Lemon Pledge and Friends

Album Name:  Backwoods Glance

Label:  Ofeh

Genre:  Country/Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Polly Come Out; 2.  The Hills of West Virginia; 3.  Sisters of the Coal Dust; 4.  Moon Over Memphis; 5.  Lynchburg Town; 6.  Fayetteville; 7.  Silver Wings; 8.  Sweet Celine; 9.  Carolina Kiss; 10.  Sunset; 11.  Ma Belle Cherie; 12.  Give my Poor Heart Ease

Publicist:  Working Brilliantly

Review:  This album is chock full of pre-WWII country and blues.  These timeless songs still ring true today.  The overall acoustic sound and simpleness work perfectly with the material.  Really love the banjo work on “The Hills of West Virginia,” the female lead vocals on “Sisters of the Coal Dust,” and the harmonica on “Lynchburg Town.”  We also love “Moon Over Memphis,” “Silver Wings,” and “Carolina Kiss.”

Recommendation:  If you crave acoustic music that is simple and without enhancements, then this album is a must for your collection.

Artist Name:  Lew Jetton & 61 South

Album Name:  Palestine Blues

Label:  Coffee Street Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Will I go to Hell?  2.  Oh my My; 3.  For the Pain; 4.  Mexico; 5.  Sold us Out; 6.  Drinking Again; 7.  Don’t Need no Devil; 8.  Christ Have Mercy; 9.  Drama; 10.  Bout Time

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  Listening to this album should be mandatory for all blues lovers.  Lew Jetton and his band, 61 South, understand the first rule of the blues – make the listener feel the music, and that’s what you get on Palestine Blues.   From the rocking blues of “Will I go to Hell?” and “Oh my my” to the soulful wailing blues of “For the Pain” and “Drinking Again,” this album has something for every blues lover, or music lover, for that fact.  Check out the political statement of “Sold us Out.”  This is the perfect album for your Friday night party, reflecting every mood imaginable.  Our favorites include “Oh my my”, “For the Pain,” “Mexico,” “Christ Have Mercy,” and “Drama.”

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

Artist Name:  Brandon Luedtke

Album Name:  Morning Light

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Can’t get Away (From the way of the World); 2.  The Cuckoo Bird; 3.  Over the Interstate; 4.  Black Mountain Echoes; 5.  Let it Rise; 6.  One of These Days; 7.  New World; 8.  Stay Gone; 9.  Somethin’ Evil; 10.  By the Light of the Moon; 11.  Feelin’ the Feelin’; 12.  Soon one Morning

Publicist:  Broken Jukebox Media

Review:  Brandon Luedtke is a modern-day mixture of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, and is a folk artist through and through.  The album contains nine original songs as well as interesting and unique covers of two classic songs, “The Cuckoo Bird” and “Soon one Morning.  While his voice would give him problems in pop music, it is perfectly quirky enough for folk and Americana, and is reminiscent of old time country artists like Bob Wills and Ernest Tubb.  Luedtke is a true Texas troubadour, and proudly keeps that tradition alive.  Best cuts include “Can’t get Away,” “Black Mountain Echoes,” “One of These Days,” “Stay Gone,” and “Feelin’ the Feelin’.”

Recommendation:  If classic country and traditional folk music is your thing, then you should add this album to your collection.

Artist Name:  Suzanne Santo

Album Name:  Red Ruby

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Alt-country

Track Listing:  1.  Handshake; 2.  Ghost in my Bed (explicit); 3.  The Wrong Man (explicit); 4.  Best out of Me; 5.  Regrets; 6.  Yours or Mine; 7.  Love Fucked up (explicit); 8. Blood on Your Knees; 9.  Bullets; 10.  Better Than That; 11.  Regrets (acoustic)

Publicist:  Missing Piece Group

Review:  Honeyhoney’s Suzanne Santo has released her debut solo album, and it was everything you would expect from one of Americana/Alt-Country’s premier voices.  Santo pulls no punches with biting and often explicit lyrics, her soaring vocals, and a musical accompaniment that will either have your toes tapping or compel you to the dance floor.  Santo uses soaring fiddle and guitar to follow her words as she sings about heartache and loss.  This is how a modern woman grieves, because, as Miranda Lambert says, “This ain’t my mama’s broken heart.”  There is not a weak song on the entire album, and the majority of them are ripe for radio and/or placement in television and film.  This is especially true of “Ghost in my Bed” and “Regrets,” both upbeat songs with a heavy message of loss.

Recommendation:  This is one of the best albums we have reviewed in 2017, and it has the goods to become an instant classic.  We strongly urge you to Get it before it’s gone.