Tag: The Imaginaries

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 17)

We have officially moved to North Carolina and the renovations have begun on our new home.  We just got our internet installed last Thursday, and I had a job interview as well.  Going through the background check right now, and hope to hear from them soon.  In the meantime, let’s get back to sharing new singles and new music videos with you.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week is a beautiful and harmonious duet featuring our friend Melissa Polinar and the other worldly sound of the one and only India.Arie.  With our country finally coming back alive and a full concert schedule for the summer, let’s celebrate with their joyous tune “We Started a Song.”

Spotify – We Started a Song

Another voice that has led the revolution has returned with a powerful new ballad that is inspiring a whole new generation.  Check out “I Belong,” the latest anthem from MILCK.

I Belong · MILCK (spotify.com)

It’s never a bad time for a new tune from the golden boy Gabe Dixon.  His vocals drip with honey and his mastery of the keys is second to none.  Sit back and enjoy his musical style and “Lay it on Me.”

Lay It on Me · Gabe Dixon (spotify.com)

We are pleased to introduce you to a new voice in indie music who has a song that hits hard, especially in our current situation.  Please check out Kimi Kazee and her introspective “Live With It.”  We want to know what you think.

Live With It · Kimi Kazee (spotify.com)

We close out this week’s new singles with a fresh country voice from someone who just may be the female version of Brad Paisley with her humorous tongue-in-check tune “Normal Girls.”  Give it up for Crystal Leigh.

Spotify – Normal Girls

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Blue Élan Records resident funny lady Scout Durwood is back with another great video.  Laugh along to her antics as she laments “Now That UR Gone.”  Warning – explicit lyrics.

Our second video is from another Blue Élan artist, who also was responsible for getting the label off the ground.  Cindy Alexander‘s latest album While the Angels Sigh has generated one great song after another.  Her latest is “Alizarin Crimson,” and the music visualizer is stellar.  Enjoy another taste of our favorite Pnut.

Next up is one of our favorite British guilty pleasures – Single by Sunday.  In their video for “Hey Boy,” they remind us that age is just a number – just because we grow up doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun.

Video number four is dedicated to the Pride community and comes from one of LA’s most intriguing duos – Lucy & La Mer.  “Ooh La La” – Happy Pride Month.

We close out this week with the latest from the one thing we will miss most about Oklahoma – The Imaginaries.  This husband and wife duo is at the top of their game, and recently collaborated with Cheryl Ladd on a movie.  They close out the week with “Trust Falling With You.”  See you next week.

p.s.  I got the job.

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 12)

Got my Pfizer #2 last Thursday, so I’m only 10 days away from being fully vaccinated.  So glad that I can soon be out mingling again and dispensing hugs to worthy friends and family.  While we all wait for things to return to normal, here are some new singles and music videos to start your week out triumphantly.

NEW SINGLES

First up is an artist we discovered a few years back when she performed at the Zootown Fringe Festival in Missoula, Montana.  Sharon Knight is a true minstrel who combines her witty lyrical content along with ancient Celtic tunes to create a relaxing atmosphere.  Check out her latest, “Fireflies.”

Spotify – Fireflies

Continuing in that Celtic frame of mind with a touch of Americana, here is “Sunken Ships” from UK-based The Jode Gannon Band.  We hear a taste of Mumford and Sons in their sound, and are definitely adding them to our international group of amazing indie artists.

Sunken Ships · The Jode Gannon Band (spotify.com)

We never get enough of the 80s, so we were thrilled to learn about a Swedish artist that goes by the moniker The 80s Kid.  His latest, “Roots,” is a fun  throwback to those days and we are proud to share him with you.

Roots · The 80s Kid (spotify.com)

Our fourth single brings back memories of great country music from the late 90s and early 00s,, and we can’t believe we have never heard these guys before.  We think you’ll love this timely tune from Rene Russell and the Bottom End.  Here’s “Unheard of,” and we think you should pay attention to the words of this tune.

Unheard Of · Rene Russell and The Bottom End (spotify.com)

Our final single this week continues in that country vein with a throwback to the Outlaw Country of artists like Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart.  Welcome to Tucker Wetmore and his debut single, “Kiss my A$$.”

Kiss My A$$ · Tucker Wetmore (spotify.com)

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Last Friday marked the release of their debut self-titled album, but The Imaginaries are far from novices on the music scene.  They have previously released several amazing videos from the album, and their latest is another work of art, filmed entirely in their native state of Oklahoma.  Check out “Blue Sky.”

Our next video is based on the premise of what if that voice in your head was an actual person.  We love the creativeness of Michael Shynes‘ new video for “Still Take You.”  Check it out and listen carefully to the words.

Our third video is from an artist that is no stranger to this Blog, and the hits just keep coming.  We love this lady and this song in particular, as it brings back the gritty sass of some of her earlier work.  Check out Cindy Alexander‘s latest video for “Room at the Bottom.”

Our fourth video comes from a German band we introduced to you earlier this year.  The Flavians are back with an interesting visual concept that we love for their song “Blinded by the Scenery.”  This one is worthy  of repeated viewings.

We close out this week with this stunning video from Anna of the North, who we haven’t heard from since 2019.  We are overjoyed to have her back in our blog, and we think this song deserves some serious attention.  Check out “Here’s to Another.”

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Live Concerts Reviews

The Imaginaries slay with their streaming CD release concert

Oklahoma-based power couple Shane Henry and Maggie McClure aka The Imaginaries kicked off the release of their long-awaited debut album with a live streaming acoustic performance sponsored by American Songwriter Magazine.  The concert included the back stories for each song on the album, and lasted for more than 90 minutes, all of it pure joy.

One of my favorite moments was when McClure and Henry were explaining their individual career progression and McClure noted that she had begun with performances at Borders Books and Music.  You see, I was the booker for those stores back in the late 90’s/early 00’s, and it finally answered the question of where I had first heard her music.

Since the concert was essentially a listening party for their CD, we are including our Get it or Forget it review format.

Artist Name:   The Imaginaries

Album Name:  The Imaginaries

Label:   Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Folk

Track Listing:   1.  Revival; 2.  Walking on a Wire; 3.  Thinking ‘Bout You 4.  Trust Falling With You; 5.  There Will Come a Day 6.  Geronimo 7.  One Life; 8.  Enough of You; 9.  Blue Sky; 10.  You Remind Me

Publicist:   37 Media (Julie Lichtenstein)

Review:   The CD kicks off with two of their strongest songs, and never stops delivering powerful messages with memorable musical accompaniment.  In addition to their incredible creativeness in writing these masterpieces, The Imaginaries are also adept at conceptualizing the visualization of those songs, as evidenced by the numerous film festival nominations and wins that their videos have garnered.  We will be featuring their latest video for “Blue Sky” in our Monday Mashup column next week.

The album is produced by the duo and was recorded in the same studio in Muscle Shoals where the pair began their musical journey.  The album features bassist David Hood (Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon), Little Richard guitarist Kelvin Holly (Jason Isbell, Gregg Allman, Neil Young), bassist Shonna Tucker (John Paul White, The Secret Sisters), and keyboardist NC Thurman (Hank Williams Jr, Gregg Allman, Little Richard), drummer Rob Humphreys (Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz), keyboardists Chad Copelin (Sufjan Stevens, Christina Perri, Ben Rector) and Dan Walker (Heart).

Recommendation:   Drop whatever you’re doing today and get this album.  It will be the crowning jewel in your musical collection.

Thank you to The Imaginaries for an amazing showcase of your talent.  It was so refreshing to hear a band that sounds as good acoustically as they do when they have their entire band playing live.  They are further proof that indie music is the best music.  Can’t wait to see them live in person in the not too distant future.

 

 

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Best of 2020 indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Best Music Videos of 2020

We’re back with our list of the best music videos as featured in our Monday Mashup column.  Like our list of best singles, we are listing them in the order they were featured in our blog.

Volume 1 – The Spider Accomplice, “Enough”

Volume 2 –  Sonja Midtune, “Lonely Bones”

Volume 3 –  Ace of Wands, “Feminine Values”

Volume 4 –  Deleo, “Unfair”

Volume 5 – Casey Ahern, “Sunday Driver”

Volume 6 – Alyssa Jacey, “Why I Left”

Volume 7 – Nicole Boggs and the Reel, “Money”

Volume 8 –  Chelsea Williams, “Wasted”

Volume 9 – The Spider Accomplice, “Crawl”

Volume 10 –  Sean Ardoin, “Came Thru Pullin”

Volume 11 – Ben Fuller, “Find my Faith”

Volume 12 – Dauzat St. Marie, “Common Ground’

 

Volume 13 –  Scout Durwood, “Sad Ukelele”

Volume 14 –  The Imaginaries, “Walking on a Wire”

Volume 15 –  Brooke Moriber, “Better Days”

Volume 16 –  Kris Angelis, “Ghost (I’m Alive & Breathing)”

Volume 17 –  Lucy & La Mer, “Better Than I was Before”

Volume 18 – The Imaginaries, “Hometown Christmas”

Volume 19 –  Eric Bellinger, Inigo Pascual, Sam Concepcion, Moophs, Zee Avi and Vince Nantes, “Rise (Together)”

Best of the Rest – Baby Taylah, “Good Enough”

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2020 indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Best singles of 2020

This past year was a tough one for the majority of us.  Thank goodness there was indie music.  Looking back over the 19 Monday Mashup columns we compiled during the year, we have selected the 20 Best Singles.  Here they are in the order we featured them.

Volume 1 – Matt Hansen, “Find Me”

Find Me · Matt Hansen (spotify.com)

Volume 2 – Emmrose, “Take me With You”

Spotify – Take Me with You

Volume 3 – Jackie Castro, “Gravity”

Spotify – Gravity

Volume 4 – Joel Plaskett, “If There’s Another Road”

Spotify – If There’s Another Road

Volume 5 – Single by Sunday, “Debbie”

Spotify – Debbie

Volume 6 – Nia Ekanem, “Shelter”

Spotify – Shelter

Volume 7 – Kyle LaLone, “Not Gonna Drink Over You”

Spotify – Not Gonna Drink Over You

Volume 8 – BINX, “Blazing”

Spotify – Blazing

Volume 9 – The Trusted, “The Innocent”

Spotify – The Innocent

Volume 10 – Katie Knipp, “Chamomile and Cocaine”

Spotify – Chamomile and Cocaine

Volume 11 – Ted Russell Kamp, “Home Sweet Hollywood”

Spotify – Home Sweet Hollywood

Volume 12 – The Imaginaries, “Revival”

Spotify – Revival

Volume 13 – Soul Asylum, “If I Told You”

Spotify – If I Told You (Acoustic)

Volume 14 – Gina Sicilia, “Married Man”

Spotify – Married Man

Volume 15 – Mustangs of the West, “I am the Highway”

Spotify – I Am the Highway

Volume 16 – Goldflēce, “Tie One On”

Spotify – Tie One On

Volume 17 – Brigitte Purdy, “Memphis Hotline”

Spotify – Memphis Hotline

Volume 18 – Cameron DuBois, “Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are”

Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are · Cameron DuBois, Bama Sound (spotify.com)

Volume 19 – Amy Steele, “Our House”

Our House · Amy Steele (spotify.com)

Best of the Rest – Shannon Hurley, “Am I in This Love Alone”

Am I in This Love Alone · Shannon Hurley (spotify.com)

We’ll be back soon with our 20 Best Music Videos.  See you soon.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Live Concerts Reviews

The Imaginaries wow hometown crowd with first full band show of 2020

Last Saturday we had the distinct pleasure of attending our first live music performance of 2020.  We drove out to Chickasha, Oklahoma for the Third Annual Oklahoma Food Truck Championship to support the first full band show of 2020 by the amazing husband and wife Americana band The Imaginaries.  Not only was the music inspirational and incredible, but the food was pretty good too.

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging

The band is composed of Shane Henry on guitar, lead and backing vocals and his lovely wife, Maggie McClure on keyboard, tambourine, lead and backing vocals.  They were joined by Ryan Miller on bass, Jordan Olivet on drums, Jim Robinson on keyboard and Isaac Stalling on guitar.

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging

They kicked off their first set with “Enough of You,” which showed the rocking side of their sound.  Although individually they have released several solo albums, the band’s debut album will not be released until the spring of 2021.  That didn’t stop them from showcasing their talents and giving the enthralled audience a sneak peak of what to expect when that album is dropped.

They are also gathering a huge following with their music videos, directed by Reagan Elkins.  The above video has been accepted by five film festivals, while their latest, “Walking on a Wire,” was featured in our recent Monday Mashup article.

Their second song, “Gone,” was a rockabilly masterpiece, which was followed by the country pop sound of “Things are Gonna be Alright,” which should be the theme song for 2020.  They followed those up with “Thinking About You” and “You Remind Me,” the latter showcasing McClure’s vocal style, which is a combination of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging

“Blue Sky” was a treasure of vocal harmonies, which was followed by the aforementioned “Walking on a Wire,” which is even better live than in the video.  McClure then performed one of her solo songs, “Coming Home,” before performing “There Will Come a Day.”  They wrapped up the set with a brilliant interpretation of the classic Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty duet, “Stop Dragging my Heart Around.”

photo courtesy of Chelle S Imaging
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indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 14)

Welcome back for another edition of Monday Mashup.  It’s been a busy week and we are super excited to share these new singles and music videos with you, so let’s get started.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the latest original song from Blue Élan Records artist Car Astor.  This one is a beautiful acoustic song called “Buzzing Bees.”  Check it out.

We move from the subtle sweetness of the previous single to a more “adult” song with the release of the latest from the incredible Gina Sicilia.  Check out the groove of the bluesy “Married Man.”

Our third single is a solid gold country tune from Anna Krantz, and we simply love it.  This one definitely belongs on the radio.  Check out “We Could be High.”

Keeping in the country vein we present the latest from the other famous “Carey,” Eileen, who reminds us to “Keep Your Love to Yourself” when it comes to trusting your heart.  Listen to these profound words and enjoy her melodic voice.

Our final single this week is pure pop brilliance by the future superstar duo of KTJ & Carly.  Check out “Enable Me.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is from the Oklahoma power duo of Shane Henry and his wife Maggie McClure aka The Imaginaries.  This one is beautifully shot and is an instant classic.  Check out “Walking on a Wire.”

Next up is a video that we somehow missed.  It features the amazing voice of Rachel Lorin with her smoking hot song, “Kerosene.”  This one belongs on the radio and should receive placement offers from television and radio.

Our third video is a beautiful skating video featuring the amazing Chelsee Foster, and features her own song “Break the Wheel” from her band CH3LS (featuring OneFifteen).  This one is a definite keeper.

Our next video features an 80’s vibe with LA’s RnB artist Raven Artson.  Check out “Won’t Forget Just.”

Our final video this week features the jazzy blues sound of Johnny & the Mongrels, former Colorado residents who relocated to New Orleans.  We love their sound and especially love their latest, “Creole Skies.”  Enjoy this one until we meet again.

 

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indie music Monday Mashup Singles and Videos

Monday mashup 2020 (vol 12)

Welcome to another week.  Had a medical procedure this morning, but ready to share these great new singles and music videos with you.  Hope you enjoy them.  Please let us know.

NEW SINGLES

First up this week is the modern rock sound of Janelle Baretto and her band ROCKET.  This one is a timely song about the present situation and is damn good.  Listen to the lyrics and rock on to “Losing Breath.”

We move from rock to country for our second single, which is being released to radio shortly.  We fell in love with Casey Ahern the first time we saw her perform at The Mint, and she’s only gotten better.  Check out “Didn’t Even get a Goodbye.”  We think this one should launch her into the stratosphere.

Moving on to Americana, we present Oklahoma duo The Imaginaries.  They have some great stuff coming on Friday, but in the meantime, here’s their latest single, “Revival.”

Our fourth single has a distinctive 80s vibe to this brilliant offering from London’s Sleepwoka.  Check out the Depeche Mode dream quality of “How I was Wrong.”

Our final single this week is reminiscent of Meghan Trainor and introduces us to the amazing sound of Aubrey Toone.  Where has this lady been hiding?  We simply love her and can’t believe she’s been around LA and we never heard her before.  Enjoy her latest single, “Outrun.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this week is the welcome return of Dauzat St. Marie with an amazing song that has been picked up for the 75th edition of NOW That’s Music.  We think you will love their interpretation of their new single, “Common Ground.”  We definitely do!

Last week we shared the new single from Cara Frew, “Waiting for Love.”  This week we get to share the music video, which is super hot.  Enjoy this South African princess and don’t make her wait any longer.

Our friends Single by Sunday are back with another amazing tune that deserves serious airplay.  Check out the video for “Secret.”

We have always loved the music of Paul Edelman and Jangling Sparrows, and their latest, “Joshua Chamberlain,” is no different.  This one will rock your Americana, and we couldn’t be more proud of it.  We think you’ll love it too.

We close out this week’s music videos with an artist that brings back the joy and danceability of disco with her latest song “Beat of Life.”  We can’t believe we missed this artist before, but really love her sound.  Check out Aline Mayne.