Tag: touring

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

Get it or forget it – Jangling Sparrows, Warbly Jets, Elizabeth and the Catapult

It’s been a wild and amazing ride being on tour with Jerad Finck these past three weeks.    We played shows in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paso Robles, San Diego, and tonight is the final show in Missoula, Montana.  We will be booking his spring tour soon, so give us a shout if you want him to visit your area.  In the meantime, welcome back to another edition of Get it or Forget it.  We got more than 50 new requests in the past few weeks, so it’s gonna be a busy run to the end of the year.

Artist Name:  Jangling Sparrows

Album Name:  140 Nickels

Label:  Palace/Flophouse

Genre:  Americana/Roots Rock

Track Listing:  1.  The Party Ain’t Over; 2.  Look Away Twice; 3.  Burnin’ a Hole; 4.  Take Home Your Coat; 5.  Ain’t Waiting for the Paint to Dry; 6.  One Good Piece of Advice; 7.  Great American Limbo; 8.  Cheaper Down the Road; 9.  Eyes of a Stranger; 10.  Catch That Ride; 11.  Pops is Comin’ Up

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  Americana music is one of the fastest growing genres today, and that’s due in no small part to the amazing music being generated by artists like Jangling Sparrows.  Their music is upbeat and fun, with great songwriting and lyrics, and plenty of that good old down home musical sound of guitars, fiddle, steel and soaring vocals that truly capture the Americana sound.  Paul Edelman has outdone himself with his lead vocals, coupled with amazing harmonies.  You can also hear the zydeco influence throughout the album.  We think this is one of the best Americana bands we have heard this year, and would love to see their live performance.  Our favorite tracks include “The Party Ain’t Over,” “Burnin’ a Hole,” “One Good Piece of Advice,” “Great American Limbo,” and “Cheaper Down the Road.”

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  You NEED this one in your musical library, so run out and Get it.  Now.

Artist Name:  Warbly Jets

Album Name:  Warbly Jets

Label:  Rebel Union Recordings

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Alive; 2.  The Lowdown; 3.  RIDE; 4.  Shapeshifter; 5.  Keep Pushin; 6.  Raw Evolution; 7.  Fast Change; 8.  Head Session; 9.  Pt. II; 10.  4th Coming Bomb; 11.  Getting Closer (Than I Ever Have)

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  The Warbly Jets are sure to take the indie rock world by storm with this debut self-titled album, chock full of amazing guitar riffs, great vocals, and well-crafted songs.  From the first notes of “Alive,” it becomes quickly clear that this band has come to rock, and will quickly draw in a myriad of fans of rock and roll.  The awesome tunes continue with “The Lowdown,” and don’t stop until the final note of the album.  This one is a great candidate for the repeat button, as each track builds on the momentum created by the previous track.   It is no wonder why they are getting massive critical acclaim from tastemaker station KCRW in their native Los Angeles, and have already garnered considerable airplay on Sirius XM.

Recommendation:  We strongly recommend you catch Warbly Jets when they go out on tour.  In the meantime, Get this album by any means necessary.

Artist Name:  Elizabeth & the Catapult

Album Name:  Keepsake

Label:  Compass Records

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  We can Pretend; 2.  Underwater; 3.  Something More; 4.  Ambrosia; 5.  Magic Chaser; 6.  Mea Culpa; 7.  Method Acting; 8.  Better Days; 9.  Less Than you Think; 10.  Tread Carefully; 11.  Land of Lost Things.

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  At one time, the “Hotel Cafe” sound filled the indie music charts with names like Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Colbie Caillat, Charlotte Martin and Elizaveta.  We are proud to announce that Elizabeth and the Catapult are rekindling that sound and bringing it back to indie music.  Her vocals are supreme, with catchy hooks and a bright upbeat feel that is missing in much of today’s music.  This is a deeply personal and introspective album, and we are so glad to be able to share in it.  We still can’t get the sound of the first track, “We can Pretend,” out of our head, and we are happy for this earwig.  This is another album destined for the “repeat” button, and we could not be happier.  The band is planning on taking their show on the road to celebrate the album release, and we strongly encourage you to catch their live show.  Our favorite tracks include “We Can Pretend,” “Underwater,” “Ambrosia,” “Magic Chaser,” “Method Acting” and “Better Days,” but in actuality, there isn’t a weak song on the album.

Recommendation:  Don’t delay – Get this one TODAY!

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Artists Worth Checking Out LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 39

And we’re on tour.  Spent the night with our client Jerad Finck in his amazing hilltop home overlooking Spokane.  His first show is tonight at Darrell’s Tavern in the Shoreline area of Seattle.  He is sharing the stage with another LA Music Critic Award winner, Polly O’Keary & the Rhythm Method.  This is gonna be fun.  As such, we will be posting sporadically here for the next two weeks.  We will be posting a daily tour blog on Finck’s Facebook page every day, including our thoughts about the entire tour process.  In the meantime, here’s our Monday Mashup to get  your new week off to a great musical start.

LIZ KENNEDY DROPS NEW RELEASE

Liz Kennedy released her latest album, Hike Up Your Socks,  featuring legendary bluesman Taj Mahal on harmonica on “Love Gave Me Away” as well as vocals and banjo on “Everyone Knows How It Goes” on September 15.  Watch for our review soon.

NEW MUSIC

Our first new single this week comes from Matt Zambon.  Check out “Blue & Yellow” and let us know what you think.

Just had to share this amazing electronic pop single from the band Elektrisk Gønner for their single “Money.”  Love the beat and especially the soaring vocals.  Let us know what you think.

Our last new single comes from Sara Diamond.  She has a voice like Beyonce’ and great songwriting to boot.  Check out “Stay a Little.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video today is from John Hickman, who has released a fun animated video for his song “Cascade.”  This should get your new week off to a fun start.

Next up is a new video from Lexie Rose, who we featured back in July.  We think  you’ll love her video for “Wrong,” which we feel is just right.

Last but not least this week is some old fashioned bluegrass, courtesy of Bernie Faulkner with his rousing song, “Potbelly Stove.  This one sure brings back memories of my childhood.  We think you’ll like it too.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Sonia Rao reaches out to her fans with her latest effort

“I wanted the world to know my song, and now I sing for you.”  So begins the chorus of “I Wanted the World,” the opening track for Sonia Rao’s latest release, Meet Them at the Door.  This CD was created out of the generosity of her fans through Rao’s recent Indigogo offering, and Rao is quick to give them all the credit for her successful campaign.

Rao wrote all the songs on her latest CD, her first full length effort since 2011, and the personal attention shows in every note.  Produced, engineered and mixed by Alex Wong, the album is also skillfully mastered by Brian Malouf.   Wong also plays keys on the disc, as well as drums, percussion, programming, synth harmonium, guitar and bass, while Melodie Nicole adds her expressive cello to the mix.

Although Rao used Eleanore Denig for the violin parts on the record, she performs them herself in her live shows, as well as playing keys.  Rao has been on tour for the past two months, opening with a sold out show at Rockwell Music Hall in her native New York, and has only a couple of shows left in Irving, Texas on October 20 and Dallas Texas on October 22, before her TedX performance in Los Angeles on December 2.

Her vocals soar, and her lyrics are truly heartfelt.  Rao never forgets why she is doing what she’s doing – as reflected in that opening number, and in the fifth track, “Minneapolis.”

Every song is powerful, and the entire album is a thank you card that Rao has crafted for her fans.  Her appreciation for the people that love her music and have supported her is evident in every note of the album, resulting in a masterpiece of love that flows from one song to the next.   It is impossible to listen to her and not be enveloped in this love, creating a sense of thankfulness and hope that Rao passes on to the listener.

She closes Meet Them at the Door with the promise that “it gets better if you’ll just stick around.”   After listening to this amazing album, we believe that is just what her fans will do.

This album is one of the best of 2016, and truly belongs in the music library of everyone who loves good music.  It is a testament to the power of music to convey emotional support, and is worthy of your attention.  Rao loves and respects her fans, and it shows throughout the album.  On behalf of her fans, Indie Voice wants to take this opportunity to thank Rao for her beautiful gift.

For more information on Rao, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, subscribe to her YouTube channel, listen to and follow her on Spotify, and purchase this masterpiece on iTunes.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Camille Bloom’s newest release exposes her talent

Seattle-based indie artist Camille Bloom is an open book in her latest offering, Pieces of Me, which she released on September 9.  Over the years, Bloom has released five full length albums (including this one) and three EPs, but she has never exposed herself as much as she does on her very personal Pieces of Me.

Armed with this new release, Bloom has hit the road again on a 15 city tour in support of her new material.  Bloom also intends to hit a few more cities afterwards, including our hometown of Missoula, Montana, on her release tour.  Her travels will take her to Utah, Colorado, Arizona and California, with stops at such venues as Avogrado’s Number in Fort Collins, Colorado; Blackboard Café in Prescott Valley, Arizona; Uptown Billards in Flagstaff, Arizona; The Gallery in Phoeniz, Arizona; Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood, California and Lestat’s West Music Venue in San Diego, California.

Music Connection Magazine said it best, “It doesn’t take too long to fall in love with Camille Bloom.  She is funny, down to earth and just an excellent songwriter . . . whether solo or supported.  Bloom’s touring career has a bright future.”

From the gentle soothing sounds of “Lift me Up” to the closing notes of the dance remix of the same song, Pieces of Me provides a close personal look into the genius that is Bloom.  Every song continues that theme, with the title track, “Hit the Road,” and “Turn Back to You” as some of the strongest tunes.  We especially love the sound of Zak Borden’s mandolin in “Turn Back to You,” which adds the perfect supporting touch to underscore the truth of her lyrics.

We strongly recommend this album, which has reset the bar high for other indie artists to attain.  This album is once again definitely in the running as one of the best of 2016.

For more on Bloom, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  If you’re on the west coast, make sure you get to one of her shows – you will definitely not be disappointed in the quality of material Bloom brings to each show.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Megan Burtt brings her Cure for Love to Idaho

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

Megan Burtt and the Cure for Love are an indie pop band out of Denver, Colorado and are currently on tour throughout the northwest.  We caught up with the tour during a stop at the Slate Creek Brewing Company in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

I had the distinct pleasure of writing their artist profile when I was working with AXS.com.  I first met Burtt when I was covering the Durango Songwriters Conference a few years back, and have always enjoyed her music and her philosophy on life.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

It was a perfect night for music.  The stage was set up in the back parking lot, and the venue, famous for its local brews, was packed as the first notes emanated from Burtt’s guitar.  She was joined by her partner-in-crime, Justin Peterson for this intimate performance, and the combination proved to be the perfect remedy for the hot summer night.

The harmonies between Burtt and Peterson are the stuff of legends, as they beautifully blended both their voices and instruments into a love song to the universe.  Their voices are uniquely suited for those harmonies, and their dual guitars created the perfect melody for the songs that Burtt has so lovingly created.

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Even with just the two of them, Burtt and Peterson evoke more emotion and deliver more musical punch than a whole stage full of musicians.  Burtt writes songs that speak of real life, and draw the listeners into the mix with every note and word.  She is living proof of why some of today’s best music is coming from the indie side of the house.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

Burtt turned in two sets before darkness and the venue’s closing bade her goodbye.  She kept the audience, which included her aunt and friends from the local area, in total awe and amazement as they sipped their brews and ciders, and carried on muted conversations.  Burtt’s music was the perfect backdrop to this amazing and relaxing summer night.  She even did a request for me and played the perfectly lovely “Fast as I Go,” which I simply adore, as the final song of her first set.

Photo by Chelle-S Imaging

The tour continues until August 7, with stops at the Mississippi Sound Studios in Portland, Oregon on July 30; at Whirled Pies in Eugene, Oregon on July 31; at the Axe & Fiddle in Cottage Grove, Oregon on August 1; at the world famous Hotel Utah in San Francisco on August 3; the Bay of Pines in Monterey, California on August 4; at Hopmonk in Sebastopol, California on August 5 and Alleged in Ogden, Utah on August 6 before closing out at the Crested Butte Arts Festival in Crested Butte, Colorado on August 7.

For more info on Burtt, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel.

Thanks to Chelle Stipe of Chelle-S Imaging for the photographs.