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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 5

If you love defense, then yesterday’s Super Bowl was an incredible display of power.  Both offenses sucked, but the Rams especially had a tough time against Patriots’ Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, who will become Miami’s new head coach.  It will be interesting to see what he brings to South Florida.  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, here’s our first Monday Mashup of this short month.  We will have our Ten Great Singles and Ten Amazing Videos articles and another Women in Entertainment profile up later this week before getting back into the Get it or Forget it reviews and New Music Friday.  Let’s enjoy the latest in indie music.

Photo credit: Andie Mills

SHE ROCKS AWARDS GIVEN OUT AT THE NAMM SHOW

For the seventh year in a row, awards were given out to recognize the accomplishments of female members of the music industry at last month’s NAMM Show.  Many of the honorees performed in a concert held at the House of Blues in Anaheim and hosted by the Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN).  In addition, a Hall of Fame award was introduced this year which honored Janis Joplin.   The award was accepted by her sister, Laura Joplin, who gave an impassioned speech.  Afterwards, the other honorees joined together in a medley of Joplin’s hits, including “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” and “Raise Your Hand.”  Those performing included Orianthi, Vanessa Amorosi, Judith Hill, Emily Armstrong, Sarah Command, Mindi Abair and Rock Sugah.

The full list of ladies honored in 2019 included Terri Nunn, lead singer of the iconic electro-pop band, BERLIN; Macy Gray, GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and actress;
Lisa Loeb, Platinum-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning singer songwriter, touring artist and author; Nita Strauss, acclaimed solo artist and guitarist for Alice Cooper; Erika Ender, award-winning and chart topping composer, singer, co-writer of the hit “Despacito;”  Dana DuFine, VP Global Content and development AEG Facilities
Dale Krevens, vice president of Tech 21; Lynette Sage, art director of Reverb; Samantha Pink, director of business operations at JAM industries USA; Terri Winston, executive director, Women’s Audio Mission; Janet Bill Rich, Manage This Media and Bonnie Gallanter, co-producer of the She Rocks Awards and owner of Muse Artist Management.  Lyndsey Parker and Christine Devine hosted the event.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this month comes from Los Angeles electro-pop artist Zhao.  We really dig this vibe and think this one will get your week off to a great start.  Check out “Feeling Today.”

Next up is an indie rock trio who we introduced to you back in December in our Ten Great Singles article.  Valentin Marx bring us “Last Time,” and we hope it’s not the last time we hear this amazing group.  If you are in LA, check them out at the Hotel Cafe on February 15.

Our third single gives us the rocking blues guitar and vocals of J.D. Simo, and we can’t think of a better way to keep this party going.  Check out his latest single, “You Need Love,” from his forthcoming album scheduled to drop next month.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1yRq8FxAEpL4BWtRPBiJ9g

The incredibly sweet vocals of The Desert make our next single easier to swallow.  It may be called “Bitterness,” but there is nothing foul tasting in this amazing song from one of the UK’s best indie bands who we introduced to you last October in our Ten Great Singles article.

https://soundcloud.com/funnel-music/the-desert-bitterness-1/s-747iC

Last but definitely not least this week is the latest single from Fred Hostetler, the guitarist for the incredible blues band Blue by Nature.  Here is his new solo single, “I’m a New Man,” which takes his music to an entirely different level.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video this month comes from Brisbane-based artist Mallrat.  We love the cinematography and the vibe of this awesome pop song, “Nobody’s Home.”

Our next video is an interesting one from former opera singer turned pop powerhouse Emin Eminzada.  Here is his single “Treasure Me,” which should get you ready for Valentine’s Day.

Your eyes and ears are in for a treat with the new music video from amazing soprano singer Amy Owens.  This one checks all the boxes – great song, incredible artist and amazing dancing.  Enjoy “Discreet.”

Video number four combines great blues and pop with an Americana vibe from Foxfeather.  We are in love with this song, and can’t wait to hear what comes next.  Please enjoy “Come and Get Me.”  We accept the invitation.

Our final video this week is from Maya Lavelle and uses the story of Don Quixote to visualize her amazing song, “House on a Rocky Road.”  This is one of the best indie videos we have ever seen, and think you will likewise agree.  Enjoy this one and we’ll see you next week.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Ten Great Singles Women in Entertainment

Ten great singles released in December 2018

Happy New Year – hope that 2019 is truly the year that indie music gets the respect it deserves.  We received more than 150 singles in December, and could only share 25 of them in our Monday Mashup series, so we’re sorry if yours was not selected.  However, here are ten more that we felt deserved attention.

Our first single comes from Brooklyn indie rockers Valentin Marx.  We love the retro sound and think it is the perfect song to kick off this month’s edition of Ten Great Singles.  Check out “Made Up” and let us know what you think.

Next up is the latest from Los Angeles duo YVR.  They have an interesting sound, part R&B, part pop, but totally cool.  Check out “Messy.”

For our third single, we travel to the UK for the latest from reggae/ska band Bare Jams.  This one has the horns and rhythms that make reggae so sweet and is called “Fish Bowl.”  We dig it.

Next up is some alternative rock from Richmond, Virginia band Illiterate Light.  They think “Nuthin’s Fair” and we say, “You just figured that out?”

https://soundcloud.com/illiteratelight/nuthins-fair

At the midway point, here’s some smooth R&B from Conrad the Third.  He gives us a wonderful reminder about moving on entitled “Don’t.”

We start off our second five with an incredible young lady from Mongolia named Nominjin.   We think that the R&B/soul/pop sound of this future superstar will get you up and dancing with “Kiss me at Midnight.”

Next up is some dream pop from British actress and artist Gillian Hills.  Check out her spooky track, “NeferTiti.”

Single number eight is another R&B/soul tune, this time from Afro-Swedish artist Felish.  She talks about “Lost Momentum,” so don’t let that happen to you.  Just get up and dance!

We follow her up with this amazing single from Australian Nat Smithson & Nights on Mayfair.  We love their amazing chemistry on “What Life Wants for Me.”

Our final single is “Beatrice” from folk singer Kentrails.  We think it is the perfect way to start out the new year.  Enjoy the indie artist of your choice.