Tag: The Dreggs

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Theatre Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018 – vol. 20

Welcome back to another week at Indie Voice Blog.  We hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready for another edition of Monday Mashup.  Here’s the latest indie news.

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL NEWS

Festival organizers announced a slate of community events will take place during the 9th Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival (June 7– 24; previews May 31–June 5).

This year’s event features approximately 380 shows and more than 2,000 performances.  We will be seeing around 50 of those shows, and will be providing daily updates and reviews.  In addition, we will be giving our 2nd annual Larry Cornwall Award for Musical Excellence at the Awards on June 24.

In addition, the Festival has joined with TodayTix for a special deal on tickets which includes admission to the special VIP reception preceding a full night of celebration at the Opening Night Party. For $15, VIPs can fully take advantage of all the excitement that Opening Night has to offer with special perks including:

  • Entry into the VIP Party at 5PM (general admission opens at 6:30)
  • “Fast-pass” style entry (no waiting in line)
  • A drink ticket good for any drink at the bar
  • Special photo op at the HFF Step & Repeat with the HFF staff photographer at the VIP reception
  • An official HFF button that can be used for discounts festival long
  • Exclusive access to the VIP reception including special guest speakers, live performances and more!

Go here for TodayTix Opening Night VIP Party Passes, which are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.  All proceeds go directly back to the Hollywood Fringe Festival community.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from UK trio I See Rivers.  It is a harmonious explosion of incredibleness, and we think you will really love “Give Up.”

Our next single comes from Australian duo The Dreggs, whose album we recently reviewed.  Here’s their first single, “Feel Alive.”

Next up is a trio of sisters named Von Grey, with the sweet tender ballad, “Plans.”  What do you think of those luscious harmonies?

Our fourth single today comes from another talented alternative folk trio, Wildeor.  Here is the haunting song, “The Devil Makes Three.”

Our final single, “Jonah’s Whale,” comes from the amazing voice of Jon Allen, whose album we reviewed last week.  Enjoy this upbeat and funky tune, and let us know what you think about it.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

First up is an amazing acoustic artist named Em Joy.  Here is “The Feast,” and it’s a visual treat as well.

Our next video is much more rocking, and comes from Animal Confession.  We reviewed their latest album in the same review we covered The Dreggs.  Check out “Ritual,” and have a rocking week.

Our third video is compliments of Shiragirl, who will be our very special guest at the LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase on June 19 at The Mint.  Check out their latest, “Get em Hot,” and don’t miss their upcoming live performances, both at our Showcase and on the Vans Warped Tour.

Our fourth video today is from The Holy Knives, with their classic rock tune “Do You Ever Run?” from their debut album.  We expect to share many more from this amazing group.

Last but not least this week is the upbeat spitting from riVerse for their tune, “Giant.”  This one will get you dancing and give  you something to think about.

 

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Animal Confession, Kristina Koller, David Hopkins, John Flanagan Trio, The Dreggs

We made it to hump day again.  To reward you we have five more reviews to check out.  Let’s get started.

Artist Name:  Animal Confession

Album Name:  Age of Today

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Hard Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Everyone is Watching; 2.  Ritual; 3.  Hole in the Sky; 4.  Guillotine; 5.  Red Eye; 6.  All we Have is Now; 7.  Panic Attack; 8.  Age of Today; 9.  Memories; 10.  The World you Know; 11.  Waiting for Yesterday

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Animal Confession kicks off their sophomore effort with a more upbeat and radio-friendly vibe while keeping their overall hard rock sound.  This should make them more attractive to a larger indie rock audience, while maintaining the energy that made them so successful in their native Ottawa.  They definitely have the chops to compete on the American rock scene.  Smart music supervisors will check out their catalog and find songs that would make great placements, like their current single “Ritual.” “Hole in the Sky,”  “All we Have is Now,” and the title track, among others.

Recommendation:  If you love powerful, upbeat, high energy rock, then this is the band for you.  Get this one.

Artist Name:  Kristina Koller

Album Name:  Perception

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Jazz/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  You go to my Head; 2.  Simplicity; 3.  I’ll Remember April; 4.  You’re Here Now; 5.  Skinny Love; 6.  Nice Work if you can get It; 7.  Blame it on my Youth; 8.  Utopia; 9.  I’ll Know; 10.  Devil may Care; 11.  I Miss You; 12.  Our Lives

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  It may be cliche’ but Kristina Koller is an old soul in a young body.  She has a firm grasp on making jazz music that is comparable with some of the greats like Diana Krall, Etta James, Billie Holiday and Norah Jones, albeit in a more progressive and contemporary fashion.  From the first notes of “You go to my Head,” it becomes quickly evident that this lady can SING, and that we would buy her singing the phone book if she released it.  “Simplicity” has that great traditional jazz standard sound, including some amazing stand-up bass and keys.  All in all, this is one of those albums you put on and listen to from start to finish because there are no weak tracks.

Recommendation:  If you are a jazz lover, then you NEED this one in your collection.  Get it today!

Artist Name:  David Hopkins

Album Name:  Overlook

Label:  St. August Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  A Small German; 2.  C’est La; 3.  When I do it With You; 4.  The Spirit Song; 5.  Who am I What are We; 6.  Irresponsible; 7.  Disappointed; 8.  Let Somebody Inside; 9.  God & Gabriel; 10.  A Smaller German

Publicist:  Vision Music Promotion

Review:  “A Small German” is an instrumental gem filled with horns that serves as an intro to the awesomeness that is “C’est La,” the first single released from David Hopkins’ latest project, Overlook.  The album is currently available digitally, but the label plans to release a vinyl version next week.  The video for the first single, as well as the entire album, was produced by Mark Stoermer, who has made a name for himself working with The Killers, and that experience makes Hopkins sound like a million bucks.  There are no weak songs on the album, but we really love “C’est La,” “When I do it With You,” the heavy Beatles influence on “Who am I What are We” and “Disappointed,”  the Latin vibe of “Irresponsible,” the retro sound of “Let Somebody Inside,” and “God & Gabriel.”

Recommendation:  This one is a must-have for all rock aficionados.  Definitely Get it.

Artist Name:  John Flanagan Trio

Album Name:  Honest Man

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Bluegrass/Americana

Track Listing:    1.  Beauty on the Bottom; 2.  Nomad; 3.  Something to Complain About; 4.  Free John Zarb; 5.  The Last of the Cassette Men; 6.  Honey I’d buy you a Home; 7.  A Place Untouched by Man; 8.  Ripples; 9.  You can Love Yourself; 10.  Honest Man; 11.  Young Minds; 12.  Leave me to my Blues

Publicist:  Penney and Logan

Review:  With harmonies as pure as a mountain stream, and musical prowess that equals or exceeds that of Nickel Creek and the Punch Brothers, Australia’s own John Flanagan Trio deliver perfection with the release of Honest Man.  The trio features John Flanagan on lead vocals, guitar and banjo, Daniel Watkins on mandolin, guitar and backing vocals, and Liz Frencham on double bass and backing vocals.  The awesomeness starts from the first note of “Beauty on the Bottom,” and continues throughout the album.  The Trio were joined in the studio by guest musicians Justin Olsson on drums, Pete Fidler on dobro and lap steel and Kat Mear on fiddle, and their contributions are clearly evident.  This band could easily sweep the Americana Music Association awards, and are ready to take on the North American continent.  There isn’t a weak song on the entire album.  We strongly advise station managers in the Americana market to consider this band for heavy rotation.

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice.  Run out and Get this one today!

Artist Name:  The Dreggs

Album Name:  Seas Embrace

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Blue; 2.  Feel Alive; 3.  Give Myself to You; 4.  Ocean and Earth; 5.  Simple Question; 6.  Thinkin Bout Tomorrow

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  The incredible guitar picking hits you first, followed by that smoothly amazing voice and harmonies, and you know that you have found your place of relaxation.  “Blue” is the perfect introduction to the duo of Paddy Macrae on lead vocals and percussion and Zane Harris on guitar and providing those perfect backing vocals.  The Australian indie scene continues to impress us with some of the most dynamic musicians in the world.  The Dreggs are pumped and primed to tackle the American radio market, and would surely be successful if they did.  We strongly encourage indie radio stations and smart music supervisors to check them out, especially “Blue,” “Ocean and Earth,” and “Simple Question.”

Recommendation:  This may be one of the best duos we have reviewed this year.  Don’t wait for another minute – Get this one now and be the envy of all your friends.