Happy Thursday – hope your week has been going well as we close in on another weekend. Here are five more artists to check out while you wait.
Artist Name: Soviet Shiksa
Album Name: Songs About Sex, Death and God: Pt II
Label: Self-released
Genre: Gothic Americana
Track Listing: 1. Goodnight; 2. Venge; 3. Dolores; 4. Island; 5. Rise; 6. Zeal
Publicist: Neoteric Nashville
Review: Soviet Shiksa has a completely different sound that incorporates heavy guitar and a gothic feel with an Americana vibe, resulting in high energy music that is also reminiscent of post-punk. This is the second part of their three-part EP series on Songs About Sex, Death and God. According to their website, their sound is inspired by late night horror films, and we can definitely tell that from the lyrical content and the overall vibe. Our favorite track is “Zeal,” with an amazing trumpet on top of spectacular guitar and a bluesy feel. Regardless, it is a most worthy effort, and we look forward to part 3.
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a spin.
Artist Name: Strunz & Farah
Album Name: Tales of Two Guitars
Label: Selva
Genre: Instrumental World Music
Track Listing: 1. Butterfly’s Wing; 2. Bolero #3; 3. El Regalito; 4. Peaks of Alborz; 5. Vision Vine; 6. Aire Carineño; 7. Cirrus; 8. Firoozeh; 9. Two Moods; 10. En los Montes; 11. Clavo y Canela; 12. Vals Tico; 13. Carara
Publicist: Guitarz Forever
Review: If you love the sound of the Gipsy Kings, then you will simply love Strunz & Farah. They are two virtuoso guitar players and the variety of styles will truly amaze you. Their music is heavily influenced by Latin and Middle Eastern cultures and has a strong jazz feel. From the frantic strumming on “Butterfly’s Wings,” the album just takes off, and is one of the best albums we have heard this year.
Recommendation: Don’t think twice – Get this one today!
Artist Name: Kate Reid
Album Name: The Heart Already Knows
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Something to Live For (ft Paul Meyers); 2. Confessin’ (ft Larry Koonse); 3. No More (ft Fred Hersch); 4. Two Grey Rooms (ft Larry Koonse); 5. Endless Stars (ft Romero Lubambo); 6. Busy Being Blue (ft Taylor Eigsti); 7. I’m Just a Lucky So and So (ft Paul Meyers); 8. Secret o’ Life (ft Taylor Eigsti); 9. If I Should Love You (ft Fred Hersch); 10. Minds of Their Own (ft Romero Lubambo); 11. Lazin’ Around (ft Fred Hersch)
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: The Heart Already Knows is a collection of duets with some of the finest guitarists and pianists in the world. Kate Reid is an accomplished pianist in her own right, and her smoky, sexy voice is the perfect vehicle to convey this amazing group of jazz standards, original compositions and pop tunes. Her scatting seems so natural, and she brings life to these songs with just her vocal abilities. It doesn’t hurt that her accompanists are some of the best in the business, resulting in a jazz masterpiece.
Recommendation: Definitely get this one if you love jazz.
Artist Name: Yamaneko
Album Name: Afterglow
Label: Local Action Records
Genre: Electronic Ambient
Track Listing: 1. Afterglow; 2. Second Encounter; 3. Oslo House Sunrise 4K; 4. Unreachable Feeling; 5. Hydrokinesis
Publicist: Worldwide Friendly Society
Review: Yamaneko is a London-based producer who mixes electronic and ambient sound into a truly original musical form. The music is so soothing that you will want to put it on whenever you need to relax or meditate. Every song will soon become a favorite, and would also provide a perfect soundtrack in combination with your photos. Give this one a listen, it is definitely worth it.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one!
Artist Name: Katmaz
Album Name: Tremolo Love
Label: Nordic Records//PaintedBlack
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. One More; 2. Tremolo Love; 3. Don’t Change; 4. Hello; 5. Each Other
Publicist: Nordic Records
Review: If you are a fan of the TV show Empire, you know that after his near-death experience, Lucius Lyon (played by Terrence Howard) could “see” music instead of just hearing it. That is the experience the listener receives from this new EP by Katmaz, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who brings his songs to life in such a cinematic and dramatic way that you can visually “see” the music. Music Supervisors need to take immediate notice of this amazing artist, whose songs would be perfect for placement in television, film and commercials. These songs also have potential for radio airplay.
Recommendation: Get up and Get this one NOW!