Get ready for the unexpected with this self titled debut by Julian & The Upside Sound, a self described “true fusion of Celtic ethereal sensibility with a bluegrassy folk drive.” The unconventional yet joyful sound is thanks largely to the chemistry of the lifelong friends that make up the group. “Water” is a fast paced…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Kris N, The Thankful Parade
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Indie pop group Kris N is making waves again with their latest effort “The Thankful Parade” and as the title suggests, it’s a celebration of life with a dreamy pop flair. “First and 10” begins with an 80’s new wave flair, straight out of a John Hughes prom scene. “Carillon Belles” carries the balladry along…
Andy Ferrell, I Was Born
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Americana singer/songwriter Andy Ferrell is an emerging artist from North Carolina. His debut “I Was Born” is a culmination of traditional roots, country and folk and owes a debt to Andy’s idol and musical mentor Doc Watson. The e.p. kicks things off with “On The Road” which is a tale of his travels overseas to…
Supa, Back 2 Basics
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The Supa is in the building and he is not leaving until he fixes the rap game! Supa is a dedicated rapper who is on a mission and won’t quit until the job is done. Supa is going ‘Back 2 Basics’ on the all new Mixtape featuring beats from Sadik. Originally from…
Margot MacDonald, Canvas
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Margot MacDonald’s latest release, Canvas is literally a piece of art. This is her fourth full length CD and the talent shines even brighter than the one before. When you think she has topped herself she comes back with yet another group of songs that leave you astounded. She uses her signature looping to produce…
Echo Arcadia, Beauty in the Average Life (CD)
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Let’s be honest for just a second shall we. I get a lot of albums sent my way for review and I mean a lot. Most of them don’t do anything for me. They don’t always get happily placed in the CD player, but the ones that do usually get a three song stay of…
Marc Maynon, Download Jesus
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Fans of classic and Adult rock might want to take note of this little gem by songwriter Marc Maynon titled “Download Jesus”. As the first track “Man of Many Faces” implies, there are many different influences and sounds permeating this release. The opening track has a breezy 70’s rock sound and a warm analogue tone…
Decoded, Topanga
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While it is true many feel the music industry is in disarray it’s always a breath of fresh air to hear a new band or artist that’s not afraid to take chances with their musical expression. With 4 piece band from Los Angeles — Decoded and their latest 5 song musical offering entitled “Topanga” it’s…
MATT SCHOFIELD, FAR AS I CAN SEE
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The English blues guitarist/songwriter has gained popularity as an artist throughout the world, and with his fifth studio release keeps the trend going. As most of the legendary English guitarists grew up on the blues, you don’t run across many newer younger entries into the blues category. Matt has his own version of…
Richie Aldente, Disco Baby
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Disco Baby is the followup release from disco pranksters Richie Aldente. Their debut “For The Ladies” established the group as one to watch, and Disco Baby firmly cements them as one of the most original and fun acts to ever come out of post grunge Seattle. The album kicks off with “Take My Party Serious”,…
Eliza, Anything Can Happen
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Eliza[pronounced Eleeza] is an original artist and composer from Southern California. Her debut release “Anything Can Happen” is coming out early 2014 and shows us that she really knows what’s up. Her dark electropop sound is a perfect soundtrack for club life and celebration, fitting in somewhere between Lady Gaga and deadmau5. “Anything Can Happen”…
Archangel, The Elite EP
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Archangel is no higher-ranking angel by any means, but I would honestly say he does rank fairly high in the area of rapping skills & execution. Archangel represents Memphis, Tennessee and he appears to be a man on a mission when it comes to holdin’ down the hip-hop game. Music runs through his…
Jumpship Astronaut, Lights Burn Out
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Jumpship Astronaut is a four-piece (formerly a five-piece) electronic and dance music group that has a few indie pop/rock tendencies. The band seems to be relatively popular within its own community, and performs frequently in its hometown of Oklahoma City and nearby Tulsa. Jumpship Astronaut is Ryan Bryant on lead vocals and guitar, Chris Bourland…
Olivia Frances, Back to Happiness
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Fusing her “addiction to the catchy melodies of pop” with her love for the storytelling aspect of country music, 17-year-old Olivia Frances puts forth her own distinctive blend. Though she likes the work of such hotties as Taylor Swift and the cougar-ish TLC, her most profound musical epiphany occurred when she heard “Shining Star” by…
Allen D, “In The Still of The Nightâ€
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L.A.-based composer Allen D skillfully employs the software on his laptop to convert conventional romantic ballads to up-tempo electronic dance music. His work strives for a new way to showcase “the musical genius of the great American songwriters.” “Still of The Night” Video Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3qSUpD1Ajo Allen has a four-track EP in the works, and it’s…
Spycker, Voted Away
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Belgium based Spycker (Michiel Omtzigt) just released a new 10 song album entitled “Voted Away.” in 2013. This surging artists based in Amsterdam is slowly becoming a musical force with this his third release to date. In fact yhis marks his third release and following previous releases (Fonderie Olive, 2011) and experimental electronica (Ner Begot…
MAD THE MARTIAN, BLAST OFF
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Can Aliens Save Rock-n-Roll? Meet Mad The Martian whose tagline is “They come from outerspace to save Rock-n-Roll”. While this is all in cheeky good fun, there’s something to be said about this bands’ intentions. Rock has always been about invention and rebellion, and MTM does both in spades. “Blast Off” is their debut and…
Michael Henchman, 40 Miles from Midnight
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(PORTLAND) Michael Henchman performs, writes and records in a unique hybrid style that fuses the rhythms of classic folk, singer/songwriter and vintage pop melodies and a lyrical sense of humor. In his own words Michael says, “I unearthed these stories as songwriters often do, witnessing clues along the byways of our own lives… a woman…
Zora, Metamorphosis
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Welcome Zora with their debut, full-length album titled ‘Metamorphosis’ just released as of Friday the 13th of all days! Whether luck is on their side or not, Zora proves to be insanely original & creative on the new release. The record is described as a: “concept album based on Kafka’s novella; the album…
Bigg Redd, Do You Qualify
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Do You Qualify is the latest album available by Lake Charles, Louisiana based Bigg Redd and his red hot Creole Soul sound. First a bit about Bigg Redd: Josef “Bigg Redd” Arline grew up in Hillister, Texas about 45 minutes North of Beaumont, TX and 45 minutes West of Louisiana. Like many vocalists and performers…
Slowmatch, Illusions EP
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Combining years of musical experience, this world traveler, composer, songwriter, producer known as Slowmatch has been around for many years but was born in Brussels, Belgium. It is inspired by the post punk scene, and what was called the Cold Wave, and bands that broke new ground like Joy Division, Bauhaus, Killing Joke. It also…
FlyByWire, Lost and Found
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Sydney Australia rockers “Fly by Wire” seem to making all the right moves. Working hard, releasing music, hitting the pavement. Make no mistake about it: FlyByWire appear to be surging and becoming a household name down in Australia. For a 4 piece band like FlybyWire it’s not about them as much it’s about launching…
Nkosazana, “Pocketzâ€
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It’s not every day I encounter a lady with a Master’s degree, who can also probably beat my ass. Her name is Nkosazana Uwimana: a rap musician who goes by the stage name Nkosazana. With some 20 years of musical experience, she describes her genre as “new school rap with an old school feel.” A…
Jackie Highway, Solid Sate Sun
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This is Jackie Highway’s (Angie Shyr) latest release entitled ‘Solid State Sun” in 2013. core members include only Shyr. Shyr is a classically trained Pianist and a one man band type of writer, or in this case a one woman band. Solid State Highway is one release that certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is one…
Phil Celia, Circus Town
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Circus Town album for sale by Phil Celia was released Oct 08, 2013 on the CD Baby label. Recorded, Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Perry Celia featuring: Phil Celia – lead vocals. A highly anticipated third release from a singer songwriter originally from the New York area now based in LA. On Circus Town expect…
Third International, IDES
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The politically & socially-conscious unit Third International is back with their first ever live production titled ‘IDES’. Fronted by songsmith Andrew Pearson, the new release features four songs along with an “Intro” (“Criminal Cool”) & outro theme (“Letter to a Muse”). ‘IDES’ was filmed and recorded on March 15th, 2013 at Pearson’s newly…
Rog & Glenn, Martians
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It’s easy to know how to categorize a band like Roger and Glenn. This North Carolina musical two-some consisting of Roger Brandon, Glenn Hubbard who just released their latest release entitled “Martins” 2013. “Martians” is one of the more upbeat, funny, quirky and brightly flavored rock releases I’ve heard this year. It’s not so dark…
Tony Banxx
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Storm Lake, Iowa may not sound like a rap epicenter, but there actually is a potent and growing hip hop scene. A rising figure in this scene is Chicago native Antonio Maurice Banks a.k.a. “Tony Banxx.” Mr. Banxx recently stepped up his internet presence, and he currently offers several fresh tracks for your listening enjoyment……
XO, Lover’s Blood
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Diversity really does come in all shapes and sizes. Think about the bewilderment and repulse amongst pop-country fans when Garth Brooks undertook the Chris Gaines project… or when Beck stepped away from the frantic musings of Odelay and penned the sweet and melancholy Sea Change. So too is the story of electronica maiden, XO. Once…
Future Us, We Are Future Us
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If one were to gaze into Future Us’ crystal ball, one would see we are headed toward “Organic Electronic Sex-Pop” and this turns out to be a pretty apt descriptor. Combining the edgy vocals of Megan Heavlin Ochoa and the organic and electronic instrumentation wizardry of Daniel Durrett, Future Us is electronica-dominated dance tracks with…
Tuval Cain, “Forging the Futureâ€
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This latest release by Israeli based project Tuval Cain is one artists that cannot and should not be underscored of conveniently pigeonholed. Tuval Cain, led by musical mastermind (David Lawrence Kuhn) All music, lyrics, and keyboards invites the listener to sift through a multitude of progressive rock sounds, all of which congeal in a tangible…
Luna Achiary, More Human Than God
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Intro: Luna Achiary is a Singer/Songwriter who hails from the Los Angeles area. She’s been making quite a name for herself regionally and nationally. She’s received critical acclaim for her amazing songwriting and impressive talent from many prominent music critics thus far in her musical career. As a versatile musician, she has experience and deep…
Light Drive, “So Beyondâ€
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Light Drive is a collaboration between Dennis LaFollette a.k.a. “Phoenix” and Swedish-born singer-songwriter Linda Kristina. Having years ago ventured from Scandinavia to Hollywood, Ms. Kristina worked alongside Michael Jackson’s musical director. This is the sort of gig that puts you in contact with a glamorous crew. Pretty soon, Kristina “got to work directly” with the…
The Black Moods, The Black Moods
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Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop, and even hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs…
Valentina Keys, “Believeâ€
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Fresh off her debut album “Love Is,” Valentina Keys — the current London songwriter who began singing at age six and views music as mankind’s ultimate mode of expression — now releases her new single “Believe.” The intro is heavily tweaked out and grabs the listener with its sheer distortion. Some thirty seconds in, the…
Lynne Taylor Donovan, Dear Santa
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Just in time for Christmas, Lynne Taylor Donovan delivers to us “Dear Santa”. The song is definitely festive in nature however this track is not your conventional Christmas tune. Reason being is because Lynne uses Jolly St. Nick as background in order to get a crucial message across. That important memo is…
Make Rocket Go, Self Titled
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While it is true many feel the music industry is in disarray it’s always a breath of fresh air to hear a new band or artist that’s not afraid to take chances with their musical expression. With 4 piece band from Springfield. MO. Make Rocket Go’s latest self titled musical offering Circus, it’s clear to…
Margo Rey, This Holiday Night (2013)
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Los Angeles Singer/Songwriter Margo Rey just released her latest Christmas EP entitled “This Holiday Night” (2013). This Holiday Night” was co-written by Margo Rey and Barrett Yeretsian (co-writer and producer of Christina Perri’s Jar of Hearts) and is an original composition with the feel of a traditional holiday classic. The other two songs on the…
The Bright Forever, Star of Wonder
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Megan Hook of Te Bright Forever just released her latest collection of Christmas Songs called “Star of Wonder” Hook is no new comer to the Music Business. She is clearly a seasoned vocal performer and is classical trained vocalist in her own right enticing fans with appealing material, impeccable vocals and elaborate imagery. With a…
Valentina Keys, Love Is…
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Hailing from an unspecified “great city on the sea,” current Londoner Valentina Keys launched her musical quest at the wee age of 6. Through her early and extensive exposure to piano and singing, she came to regard music as its own language — and not just any old language, but “the greatest language ever given…
