Month: August 2014

FOR TODAY RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR “MOLOTOV”

For Today have released a new music video for the song “Molotov” The video was directed by Justyn Moro and is the third music video from their new studio album Fight The Silence (Out now via Razor & Tie) – iTunes Store and Amazon. The album was produced by Will Putney (Upon A Burning Body,…

ANDREW JUDAH RELEASES VIDEO FOR “BETTER & BETTER”

Andrew Judah’s latest magnum opus, the ominously entitled baroque-infused indie-pop LP Monster is coming out in just a couple weeks on Septmber 30. To date, Andrew’s released two early tracks, “Morning Light” and “I Know You Know” as well as a music video for “I Know You Know” directed by Sam McLoughlin and filmed in…

SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 25, 2014

CHARLI XCX INVITES ROSE MCGOWAN TO “BREAK THE RULES” Coming off an exciting weekend at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, where the 22 year old singer + songwriter performed her smash single, “Boom Clap” during the pre-show and scored five nominations for her two summer hits (including “Fancy” which she co-wrote with Iggy Azalea);…

THE EMPTY HEARTS, THE EMPTY HEARTS

The Empty Hearts are another super group of sorts, where successful members of past bands (The Cars, Blondie, The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings) get together to collaborate. This group is made up of Elliot Easton (Cars) on lead guitar, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Clem Burke (Blondie) on drums, Wally Palmar (Romantics)…

VANDENBERG’S MOONKINGS

This Dutch group is made up of former Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter Adrian Vandenberg, Jan Hoving on vocals, Sem Christoffel on bass, and Mart Nijen Es on drums. Jan has a Robert Plant quality with the range and delivery that fits the songs here. The vocal duties would have also been right in Sammy Hagar’s…

Phillip Brandon, Debut EP

Phillip Brandon’s homespun blend of roots rock, Americana, and Soul is captured in his new EP/album which goes by the same name. With just the right mix of sweetness and grit, the music is packed with the lowdown, roots soul that will make you groove and smile. Straight away I discovered Brandon to have a…

Rick Parma, Piece of Heaven

This CD “Piece of Heaven” by Southern California’s own Rick Parma is probably destined to be remembered as one of the classic good timing Smooth-Jazz CD’s of recent time. I’m an experienced listener of the Jazz standard – and always skeptical as my standards set relatively high. This is not really Jazz mind you but…

The Midnight Slander, Long Way Home

From Cleveland, Ohio comes rockers The Midnight Slander who just released their latest CD entitled “Long Way Home” in 2014 (Spectra Records). TMS are Dave Conner (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Gray (Bass/Piano/Organ), Al Rodriguez (Bass/Drums). Right from the start of Track 1 “Shattered” it might be easy to just categorize these 3 as a straight ahead “dime…

Able Danger, Escape

Dayton, Ohio can claim a new force to hit the music scene and its name is Able Danger. Able Danger is a new progressive rock band that had its first gig back in November of 2013. Less than a year in existence, Able Danger is already makin’ a lot of noise. The group has already…

Darren Lawrence, Need To Change

As the former lead singer for Ruby Tigers who had a decent run followed by some commercial success, Darren Lawrence now steps into the spotlight as a solo artist. Darren’s latest single, “Need To Change”, is off of his debut solo EP titled ‘Enemies & Autumn Leaves’. I don’t know Darren personally, so not sure…

Northern National, Young & In Love

Northern National’s “Young & In Love” defines the phrase “the importance of being earnest”. Such energetic fully felt songs adorn the collection. The songs work together to create a tapestry of sounds. Each one evolves in its own peculiar way. With a full-fledged committed band working together the group manages to show a lot of…

SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 19, 2014

MIDGE URE ON BILLBOARD.COM Grammy and Brit Award winning musician Midge Ure, OBE (Officer of the British Empire – awarded in 2005) will be releasing his first album of original material in over a decade next week, via eOne Music. The album, entitled Fragile is now streaming at Billboard.com. In suport of Fragile, Midge will…

RACHEL LYNN NEW SINGLE “SOMEHOW SOME WAY”

Check out NYC-based pop crooner Rachel Lynn. Lynn just released her new single “Somehow, Some Way”. The track comes off her forthcoming sophomore EP To Street & Transfer, out this November. To Street & Transfer is the follow-up to Lynn’s 2012 debut, self-titled EP, of which Big Takeover raves, “And so, over five songs, we…

RONNY MORRIS NEW VIDEO “I’LL SURVIVE”

He has done it again, the award winning pop artist, Ronny Morris, has released his latest video, “I’ll Survive”. “I’ll Survive” is the third single to be released from Morris’s upcoming album, Sweet Silence. Morris’s music has been featured in award-winning films and major American TV shows such as One Tree Hill, Brothers Sisters and…

ALEX PRESTON NEW SINGLE “GRAVITY”

Australian label boss and Electro House Maestro Alex Preston has teamed up with fellow Aussie Zannon on their minimalist, Electro House banger ‘Gravity’, out now on Preston Recordings! Producer, DJ and Label Boss, Alex Preston is the man behind the growing house music juggernaut that is Preston Recordings. With support from the likes of Paul…

VERONICA BALLESTRINI LIKES “COOKIES & CREAM” WHISKEY

In conjunction with the release of her current single, “Cookies and Cream,” country recording artist Veronica Ballestrini has been named brand ambassador for Davy Crockett’s Cookies & Cream Whiskey. Based in Gatlinburg, Tenn., the distillery chose to partner with her as she continues her travels across the country visiting radio in support of her single.…

TYGA “ERRYDAY” OFF ‘THE GOLD ALBUM: 18TH DYNASTY’

Here is a brand new exclusive World Premiere from Tyga called “Erryday” and the song is infectiously catchy. His highly anticipated new album, THE GOLD ALBUM: 18TH DYNASTY, drops on November 18th. Give this record a download right now. Tyga has been one of the most consistent artists musically always delivering hit after hit. DOWNLOAD…

TOP MOVIES THAT CAN INSPIRE AND INFLUENCE ENGAGEMENT RING CHOICES

Movies can be an excellent way to escape the everyday stressful life that you lead and immerse yourself in the lives of fictional characters spinning magic on the screen. Whether you are a Hollywood movie lover or swear by the vibrant and colourful Bollywood movie community, you will always find yourself laughing, smiling, raging and…

Ian & The Dream, California Cauliflower

Ian & The Dream’s “California Cauliflower” sounds like summertime. Remarkably sunny the songs are full of optimism. The poppy nature of the songs is undeniable as they are full of wonderful hooks. Lyrically the songs have plenty of hope in them as they sync up perfect with lush instrumentation. With a true sense of playfulness…

INTERNATIONAL ACTS WIN BIG IN THE 13TH INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS FAN VOTE

San Antonio’s Own Laura Marie Joins Al Farabi, Born Of Osiris, Hitarda, Melissa Ferrick, Pierre Bensusan, Sarkodie, Volodja Balzalorsky and Willie Nile Among The IMA Vox Pop Winners! The Independent Music Awards (The IMAs) today announced the results of The IMA 13 Vox Pop poll, the fan-determined component of the prestigious international program for independent…

Kristopher James, Movement 1

Kristopher James conjures up wintery landscapes for “Movement 1”. There is warmth within these tracks of a house waiting to let someone in from the cold. His voice confirms this as the rest of the world appears to be kept at bay with a few basic instruments intended to bring great comfort. Outside of the…

STRONG BOND DRIVES THIS HARD ROCKING BAND

It has been a while since we have seen bands mesh the way that Long Island rockers Black Dawn has. The “family like” connection the band has created is a testament to their eighteen year commitment. Since 1996 they have jammed in the studio and played to numbers of fans. The group was the “brainchild”…

SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 18, 2014

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA DEBUTS THEIR ROCK OPERA Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will wrap up 2014 by performing their rock opera The Christmas Attic live for the first time in arenas across the nation on their Winter Tour 2014, beginning on November 13th. While 1998’s The Christmas Attic features one of the band’s most popular songs “Christmas Canon,”…

TANGINA STONE IN NYC + “COPS”

Beautiful, emerging, singer-songwriter Tangina Stone has been chosen to perform for the grand reopening of AVEDA’s newly redesigned Columbus Circle location (10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10019) this Saturday, August 23. Tangina will perform music from her forthcoming debut, “The Fall,” scheduled for release in September. Equally talented as a vocalist and…

MIDNIGHT CINEMA VIDEO “EDGE OF THE EARTH”

Midnight Cinema is proud to announce the upcoming release of their debut album, LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE on August 26, 2014. The album is being heralded by a brand new video for their song, “Edge of the Earth,” which makes its debut today, August 15, 2014. “We wrote, recorded, and produced every note on the…

JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEY POST “BETAMAX”

Celebrating two decades of defying genres and creating ceaselessly groundbreaking music, Tulsa-based Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is set to release Worker, their 26th album, on October 14 via Royal Potato Family. The 11-track effort marks the first studio recording from the current trio line-up featuring Brian Haas (keyboards, Moog bass), Chris Combs (guitar, lap steel),…

JIMMY RAE ALL SMILES WITH CARTHY

Three brothers from Houston are living the dream of writing and recording music together. They say everything is BIGGER in Texas and so Chase, Drew & Seth certainly hope to make a HUGE impact on the music scene. The name of their band is Carthy and their sound is very fresh & lively with Indie…

WHY BLOGGERS NEED SECURE SITES

If you run a blog, safety might not be your most immediate concern. After all, you’re not a serious business or an online shop, so why would the need for security apply to you? Security is, however, something your readers and fans appreciate and expect. If you want them to visit your blog and interact…

Perfect Mark, Flesh & Voice

Perfect Mark’s blend of pop rock balances smooth vocals with a good helping of grit. Listen: http://perfectmark.bandcamp.com ‘Footprints’ kicks things off sounding like classic R.E.M. with its jangling guitars and thundering bass, it’s a confident opener and a strong piece of rock that sets out Perfect Mark’s stall in a way that shows what to…

STEVE RYAN “LIFE DESTINY” BOOK RELEASE & MORE

This has been a super busy year for Steve Ryan. He just released another book called “Life Destiny.” Grab your copy on Amazon today. The Audio Book for Life Destiny is also currently in production. And there’s more news. Steve Ryan’s book, “Love Poems: Are You The One?” is still on the Kindle Best Seller…

SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 15, 2014

GAVIN DEGRAW TO RELEASE ‘FINEST HOUR: THE BEST OF GAVIN DEGRAW’ + “FIRE” Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum selling RCA recording artist Gavin DeGraw is set to release “Finest Hour: The Best of Gavin DeGraw” on October 21st via RCA Records. The album will be comprised of DeGraw’s most renowned and notable hits to date, including “Not…

NEW SINGLE BY MAHONEY HARRIS

Auckland folk/pop songwriter Mahoney Harris is delighted to announce the release of her new single ‘We Didn’t Feel Alone’, out today. ‘We Didn’t Feel Alone’ is a hypnotic eastern influenced track depicting the afterglow of a music performance. Sparse electric guitars envelop a mystical drumbeat while Harris’s ethereal harmonies hover above. The single was recorded…

SUGARBAD SINGLE “JUST CAN’T STOP”

Anchored by the sound of funk and soul masters including James Brown, Otis Redding, and Prince, SugarBad creates an uplifting sound spearheaded by thevelveteen voice of Lisa Ramey. Unlike most typical funk-soul acts, SugarBad has all the intensity of a rock band, featuring anthemic vocals and horns, a powerful rhythm section, and funky guitar and…

MYSTERY TWINS NEW VIDEO “GHOST”

Check out Mystery Twins new video “Ghost”, which uses long-exposure photography to a hauntingly eerie effect. Directed by singer / guitarist Doug Lehmann himself, and featuring clothing designed by Ola Mai, the dark, black & white video serves to compliment the track with it’s basic yet frenetic textures. The image of a young ghostly woman…

Dalal, Suddenly

Dalal’s “Suddenly” starts off in full force. The sound is lush, lean and pristine. Every aspect of it is pure perfection from the beat to the hypnotic repetition that reveals greater nuance with more listens. Her voice is the beating heart of the piece. For all the production (which is incredibly enjoyable) it is her…

Creation Mind, The Crimson Sun

Creation Mind’s “The Crimson Sun” is a fine homage to classic rock. With such big dreams Creation Mind covers all with its ceaseless sunlight. The music covers all classic rock variations: from the brilliantly brash album opener and title track “The Crimson Sun” to the quiet “My Lover and My Dream”. Even the track titles…

SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 14, 2014

DEAR CRIMINALS “PETITE MORT” PREMIERES Montreal’s Dear Criminals is Charles Lavoie, Vincent Legault and Frannie Holder’s side project. Having expressed their will to play together for years, they finally decided to unite efforts in this project where Charles’ intense and strong vocals and Frannie’s vulnerable and fragile voice complement each other in a very unique…

THE RABID WHOLE POST “DON’T STOP NOW”

Toronto based Alternative Rock band The Rabid Whole are currently streaming their new single ‘Don’t Stop Now’ on YouTube. The single, originally premiering with Bloody Disgusting, is the first release from the band’s upcoming EP “Problems” (Out September 23rd). The dates of The Rabid Whole’s North American tour with Cyanotic, “The Teminatour,” will be announced…