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

Get it or forget it – Pikes, Whisperado, Matt Pless, Hhoogg, Comfort Club

Happy Tuesday.  We’re back with another edition of Get it or Forget it, and this one is truly unique.  We have a lot of reviews to do to catch up, so let’s get going.

Artist Name:  Pikes

Album NamePterodactyl 1994

Label:  ART:ERY / Shir Records

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Pterodactyl 1994; 2.  Weightless Tears; 3.  Trends; 4.  Pinnacle; 5.  Forgive Myself

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We reviewed their previous EP back in January, and they’ve already got another one out.  We stand by our initial impressions, which have only been strengthened by this new EP, and we firmly believe that we are witnessing the birth of an international star.  Once again he has delivered five sterling songs that are commercially viable, as well as  radio friendly, and we look forward to the opportunity to catch him in concert.  We especially love the jazzy goodness of “Trends” and the majestic grandeur of “Forgive Myself.”

Recommendation:  Time is running out – Get this one now!

Artist NameWhisperado

Album NameBang One Out

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Bear Suit; 2.  Fourth of July; 3.  All the Truth I Need; 4.  Bang One Out

Publicist:  Oren Hope Marketing

Review:  Of all the musical genres we review, Americana and roots/rock are two of our favorites, and Whisperado is a first class addition to that genre.  With their first new music in six years, Whisperado delivers four classic songs that are memorable and point to more great things from this premiere band.  Included with the three original tunes is their own rocking cover of the Dave Alvin tune “Fourth of July.”  Whether original or cover, this band knows how to rock, and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album when it is released later this year.  In the meantime, we’re just gonna put the title track on repeat.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one – hopefully it will tide you over until the full-length album comes out.

Artist Name Matt Pless

Album NameTumbleweed

Label:  Wembleway Music

Genre:  Singer-songwriter/Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Ashtray; 2.  Piggy Bank; 3.  My Crooked Ways; 4.  Mad Child’s Lament; 5.  What You Will; 6.  The Book of You and I; 7.  Portland; 8.  Talkin’ Information Blues; 9.  The Crayon Song; 10.  White Picket Fences; 11.  My Idea of Heaven; 12.  In the Past Tense

Publicist:  TAG Publicity

Review:  Originally released acoustically in 2013, Matt Pless has returned and improved on the sheer simplicity of Tumbleweed and made it even better, keeping it fresh for today’s political climate.  Mixing the best of Bob Dylan, The Violent Femmes and Flogging Molly,  Pless finds a way to use these diverse styles to create protest music that the listener will not soon forget, especially the lead track, “Ashtray.”  He is truly the voice of this generation.

Recommendation:  Give this one a listen – we’re sure something will strike a chord with you.

Artist NameHhoogg

Album NameEarthling, Go Home!

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Improvisational Psychedelic Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Ccossmmooss; 2.  Rustic Alien Living; 3.  Journey to the Dying Place; 4.  Star Wizard, Headless and Awake; 5.  Eaten on the Frontier; 6.  Recalled to the Pyramids; 7.  Infinitely Gone

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  If you love to listen to great rock guitars, complete with a healthy backbeat and blistering guitars, then Hhoogg has the perfect album for you.  Billing themselves as a psychedelic rock band from outer space, they provide a sound that is truly out of this world.  This songs will satiate your desire for great music, and are the perfect companion to everyday chores.  Sit back or just keep moving to these impressive sounds.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth getting.  We love their sound.

Artist NameComfort Club

Album Name Lone Cactus Motel

Label:  Comfort Club Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Better Than Me; 2.  Kindness; 3.  Not in Love; 4.  Rearview Mirror

Publicist:  Self-promoted

ReviewColin Tracey aka Comfort Club has a strong presence on the guitar, providing radio friendly vocals that squarely put him in an Indie Rock style.  We love the slight funkiness in his guitar and the pop feel of his lyrics that make us believe that he could have a successful radio career.  His riffs are amazing, and lift the songs to a new level, especially on “Better Than Me.”  His rock borders on roots on “Kindness,” and we think he has the chops to give that genre a run for its money.

Recommendation:  Give him a listen.

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2019: vol. 2 (updated)

That was an exciting weekend of football, and the top four teams all made it through without an upset.  We are comfortable with either Kansas City, Los Angeles or New Orleans in the Superbowl, as long as New England stays home.  Who do you want to see in the Superbowl?

THE NAMM SHOW COMES TO ANAHEIM

The annual winter NAMM show will return to Southern California next week, January 24-27.  This is the big trade show for musicians and others involved in the music business.  Many local indie musicians will be performing on one of the main stages, in individual vendor booths or at the evening concerts at the Hilton, Marriott and Sheraton Hotels.  Music begins on Wednesday evening and runs through the late Sunday afternoon.  Among the artists scheduled to perform in the evening concerts are several we have featured here, including Gigi Rich, Satellite Citi, Static and Surrender, Warren Sellers, Love and a .38, Chi McLean, and three offerings of the Tim Moyer Songwriters Round, each with different songwriters.  Wish we could be there.  You can find the performance schedules by clicking here.

ALICE WALLACE CD RELEASE SHOW

Alice Wallace will be celebrating the upcoming release of her new CD Into the Blue on January 18 with a CD Release Show at the No Name Bar (432 N. Fairfax Avenue) in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 17 at 9 p.m.  The concert is FREE.  Find out more about Ms. Wallace in her Women in Entertainment interview to be published later today.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from The Spider Accomplice, winners of multiple LA Music Critic Awards.  It is a cover of the 30 Seconds to Mars hit “Hurricane,” and has already been added to the A Star is Born Soundtrack (Target Deluxe) playlist on Spotify.  We think this one is another winner for the Arachnids.

Next is an artist we met at last year’s LA Music Critic Award Winners Showcase.  She goes by the name of BINX and her music is pure dance magic.  Check out her latest single, “Space DJ.”

Our third single comes from UK artist Charlie Hole, who we introduced back in October in our Ten Great Singles monthly list.  We love his voice and the easy jazzy-pop feel of his single “Ordinary Man.”  We think you will too.

Single number four comes from the Arizona-based band Chateau Chateau, and is a rocking tune called “Evidence.”  We think the title is perfect, because the song proves that this band has arrived.

Our final single for this week comes from Blue Élan Records artist The Vegabonds, whose new album will be released and reviewed on Friday.  Check out the sweet southern rock sounds of “Best I Can.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Up first this week is a lyric video from Whisperado for their song “Bang One Out.”  it has some serious political images, but a great beat supports the tune, and makes us want to hear more from them.  Let us know what you think.

Our next video was shot in barren Siberia and features the rap rhymes of Alex Dutty for his song “Imagine.”  Please note this one is explicit.

Video number three is a new wave synth song from The New Division entitled “Jealous.”  We introduced them to you last March in our Ten Great Singles column, and think they have a great future.  We also think it’s a great way to start the week.

Our next video is taken from the Sound Gallery Sessions.  Episode 5 features an amazing instrumental tune from Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something for their song “Cherry Dream.”  Sit back and enjoy this one.

We close out the week with “Los Angeles,” a stunning video with the smooth sound of Luke Sital-Singh.  He recently left the UK for the golden shores of California, and all we can say is “Welcome home.”  Grab your coffee and enjoy this one, which should ease your transition to a new week.