Friday, June 23, 2023

Lipstereo



Little Spaceships’ is the second single from Australian indie rockers, LIPSTEREO’s new EP, 'Modern Mythology'. Renowned Australian, Mark Opitz AM (INXS, AC/DC, The Angels), produced this melodic antidote to their garage rock debut, ’Stop.’

‘Little Spaceships’ is uplifting indie rock with guitars, bass and drums channelling The Beatles, Nirvana and The Ramones. Interesting arrangements and studio sounds such as bells and a 1960s electro-mechanical musical instrument, the Mellotron (used in 'Strawberry Fields Forever’ by The Beatles), fuse Opitz's "sophisto-punk" musical vision to the band's post punk revival sound.

This song hints at the future musical direction of LIPSTEREO as it leads the listener into areas of some great song writing. ‘Little Spaceships’ sees the band proudly wearing on their sleeve the influences of their contemporaries and heroes such as Arctic Monkeys, Weezer and The Strokes.

The song is about “friends moving on and feeling left behind" says lead singer/guitarist, Sam Stranges. The song travels through some great pop rock terrain with a vocal treatment akin to Marc Bolan and T-Rex thanks to the skills of producer Mark Opitz and Thirty Mill Studios sound engineer, Colin Wynne. It is truly thrilling to hear this kind of rock ’n’ roll being made today… in Melbourne; a city with a rich musical history that gave us Nick Cave, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Crowded House, The Teskey Brothers and Jet.

The music video was recently filmed during a live sold-out show in Melbourne at The Catfish. The footage shows the band in fine form and as an exciting, bona fide live act. The audience reactions to their mesmerising live performances have been electric. Do not miss...


THE RISE AND RISE OF LIPSTEREO ...

LIPSTEREO’s success can be attributed to its strong two-year creative period where they wrote and demoed some fifty songs in one of the most locked-down cities around the world, Melbourne. Since then, the band has gone from strength to strength with their ground-breaking debut music video for ‘Stop’ being played on national ABC television network in Australia for weeks on end as well as MTV in Canada and the US. In addition to MTV in North America, their second music video, ‘Little Spaceships’ has increased their reach into MTV Latin America, MTV SUR and MTV Mexico. Their total reach through MTV alone being over 150 million homes across North and South America.

Their songs have been serviced to over 14,000 radio stations internationally and have received significant airplay in the US, Canada, The Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Ireland, the UK and their home country of Australia. They even had a slot on AXS TV reaching over 44 million homes in the US. They have had Top 10 commercial radio (Modern Rock Specialty) and Top 20 college radio success in the US and Canada for ‘Modern Mythology’ and are currently mastering in their second studio EP, also produced by Mark Opitz.

LIPSTEREO has gained international attention with their EP, ‘Modern Mythology’ which was named as “Record Of The Week” in Rolling Stone. Their follow up, “Live At Bakehouse” EP was also named “Record Of The Week” in Rolling Stone…AGAIN! 

They have received massive coverage in NME, EarMilk, Classic Rock Magazine, V13 and Atwood Magazine. LIPSTEREO pioneered a new TikTok genre where they do a "Blind Cover," of a trending song without actually listening to it – including ‘Anti-Hero’ by Taylor Swift, ‘Made You Look’ by Meghan Trainor and ‘Life Goes On’ by Oliver Tree. The latter video went viral on TikTok, garnering 5 million views, 800k likes and over 6k comments alone.

Their music videos have also ben added MTVU (covering over 750 college and university campuses across the U.S.), Loop TV, DEC TV, LA-TV, Video Jam, Video Hits and content providers including Promo Only, Clear TV, Gloss Media, Multiplicity and Woven Media. And LIPSTEREO has sold out every single headline performance in their hometown of Melbourne Australia since 2022. 


https://lipstereo.com/


Thursday, June 22, 2023

Heavy on the Heart




"Mr. Know It All", the debut single by heavy on the heart., is a fast and fiery pop punk anthem that has been turning heads since its release on 4/20/2023.

Having been featured in publications like Plastic Magazine, Substream Magazine and countless others with the daily streams and music video views growing daily. heavy on the heart. is an alternative rock band from Long Island, NY with a busy schedule and bright future ahead.

"Mr. Know It All" is a song that will be stuck in your head for days to come and you will find yourself randomly humming or singing its infectious melodies.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Kenneth Cole



Kenneth Cole is a country artist, singer - songwriter, who has worked with some of Nashville's finest. He has recorded 3 albums and appeared at the Nashville Palace in Nashville, TN., as well as at the TSAI awards show and several TV shows. He has been nominated for various awards by the Tennessee Songwriters Association International and Millennium Music. All of his radio releases have gone high on the Cash Box, Cross Country, and Power Source Music Nashville charts.

https://kennethcolemusic.net/


Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Bruce Coughland


Bruce Coughlan is a career performer. A songwriter, recording artist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, compere, and storyteller par excellence with nearly five decades of experience.

 
Bruce’s songs are a reflection of the many roads he’s travelled over the decades since he first slung a guitar over his shoulder to tackle life a balladeer.
Bruce Coughlan has written hundreds of songs and performed at thousands of venues, ranging from coffee houses and folk clubs to a Canada Day performance on Parliament Hill!

Since recording his first LP in 1984, He’s recorded 14 albums of original and adapted traditional music across a broad range of the Roots Music genre. His songs have been recorded in turn by some of the most legendary names in Acoustic Music. Bruce might be best recognised for his historically based ballads, written on Pacific Canadian themes. In 2015 his group Tiller’s Folly released Stirring Up Ghosts, a CD collection of 24 historically based songs.

Bruce has been welcomed internationally as a touring artist. His eclectic mix of original Roots-based songs are honest, timeless & authentic. His storytelling is intriguing, matched by his expressive voice and masterful guitar work.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Eddie Mole




Eddie is a highly regarded musician, writer and performer based in the Southwest, who merges his folk, rock and blues roots, with the sounds of the diverse Bristol music scene. His songs are direct, distinctive, and span several genres. They have been labelled as “Alt, Noir Rock”, with shades of Nick Cave, Lou Reed and Bowie. Eddie regularly works with band members Pete Brownbridge (double bass/bass) and Adrian Tucker (Drums/percussion) and other friends. The band have a strong chemistry, which can be heard in their Gonna Run, Sleep & How Dark singles and How Dark EP. Recent releases include, The Bear Pit, the tongue in cheek Flowers and thought provoking Dead Bird. Eddie also provides “driving” bass lines for Adam and the Hellcats and is a founder member of the Southwest prog rockers, The Angry Badgers.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Charles Unger


Charles Unger is a musical institution in the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s known for his exuberant style and talent and his entertaining stage show.


Charles plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, and now, alto clarinet, and is deeply influenced by the seminal works of artists such as Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. He has drawn on a lifetime of experience playing with top-level musicians the world over. Charles brings an undeniable sense of joy to his performances, with a smile that welcomes everyone to the party.

hiTrecords is proud to introduce Charles Unger’s latest record “Summer Rhumba", a song he wrote while contemplating the loveliness of summer. The lively Latinesque groove, combined with the resonant qualities of his newly-acquired alto clarinet meld to create the perfect accompaniment to the most beautiful time of year.

Hitrecords.co

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Kickstand Jenny


After more than three years of hard work and determination, Kickstand Jenny is excited to share with you: "Between the Lies" .


This new full length album from Kickstand Jenny features ten new tracks, with amazing vocals from former L.A. Guns vocalist Scott Foster Harris, killer hits, licks and riffs from guitarist Preston Morelock, bassist Chris McComas and drummer A.J. Sipos. Also featuring tracks with vocalist Mark Slaughter (Slaughter), drummer Jim Riley (Rascal Flatts) and others. Produced by legendary producer / songwriter Chas Sandford, the album is full of instant classics and rocking good tunes. A concept album that takes you on a musical journey and tells a story from beginning to end.

Kickstandjenny.com

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Pete Anderson



LISTEN TO PETE ANDERSON ON THE RADIO! LISTEN ON THIS BLOG ON THE RIGHT COLUMN.

Pete Anderson is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning producer and groundbreaking guitarist, who melds blues and country to forge a style all his own.

Long considered one of the world’s best-of-the-best Tele-twangers, musical pioneer Pete Andersonhas never been satisfied with maintaining the status quo.  The last 10 years has found Anderson focusing on his solo career – perfecting his craft & honing his musical vision.  On “BIRDS ABOVE GUITARLAND” the Detroit native Anderson delivers a set of all-original music — a rich roots music gumbo of blues/funk/swing/country twang with a splash of surf music and a dash of jazz.  And TONE — always tone…”

Pete Anderson is most widely known as the musical partner to Dwight Yoakam, (a little ‘side project’ that wound up helping to change the face of contemporary country music!) whose records he produced/arranged/and played on from 1986-2003 resulting in sales of 25 Million+ recordings.  Anderson is well known as a pioneer in the roots-rock genre and was an early champion of the Americana movement, where he had a hand in introducing the world to artists such as Lucinda Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Michelle Shocked and Rosie Flores. He is also a renowned band-leader who has appeared on “SaturdayNight Live”, “David Letterman” , and “The Tonight Show” (19 times since 1986) and has played over 3,000 live shows in upwards of 15 countries around the world.  While Pete Anderson’s work as a producer/arranger/guitarist has resulted in acclaimed records in the Country, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Red Dirt genres of music, his focus as a solo artist has always been his first musical love – The Blues.

With years of critical and commercial success to his name, Pete Anderson is focusing on his musical roots. In 2006 he was approached by Guitar Center to help judge and organize their “King of the Blues” guitar competition, the largest in history.  Anderson created all of the backing tracks that the contestants used in competition, acted as a judge and bandleader at the finale which featured B.B. King one year and The Black Crowes the next, and a Pete Anderson produced EP was a prize for the winner.

Reverend Guitars now has 4 Pete Anderson signature guitar models. The latest – Reverend Guitars’ PA1-RT – was just introduced at Summer NAMM July 2013 .  Its predecessor, Reverend’s PA-1 first introduced in 2010 – received the “Editor’s Pick” from Guitar Player Magazine as well as rave reviews from all other guitar magazines.  Also available from Reverend are the Pete Anderson Eastsider S and the Eastsider T.

From the blue collar, mixed race neighborhoods of Detroit to Hollywood’s early roots-rock scene and country music stardom to the new digital music industy and beyond, Pete Anderson’s talent and innovative spirit have not only set him apart from the herd, but ensure his continued presence as a bright spot in the future of the American roots music scene.

Pete is also a renowned bandleader who has played over 3,000 live shows in upwards of 15 countries around the world and has appeared on Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, and The Tonight Show (19 times since 1986). Pete has released 5 critically acclaimed solo records on his own label Little Dog Records with another one in the pipeline.

Peteanderson.com

In search of




Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be transported to a whimsical world where imagination reigns supreme! This exciting new single "Alice" from the upcoming debut album "Alice and the Wonderland" will take you on a magical journey with none other than Alice from Wonderland. Get ready to be enchanted by the captivating sounds of Alice's Wonderland!


The love of books and music inspired In Search Of to retell the story of the teen Alice’s adventures inside the Wonderland, in a Power Pop/Rock musical style. The single is a reflection of dreams and insecurities that any kid, teenager and adult can relate to. The catchy chorus and powerful lyrics in this song are the perfect recipe for pure joy to listener of all ages.

Michelle Ray's captivating voice, portraying Alice, is a pillar to this release.
Michelle has over 3.5M streams on Spotify, she was a finalist on NBC's The Voice/Blake Sheldon team and her songs can be heard on national commercials for Maybelline, Bloomingdales, Mastercard, JCPenney, Kimpton Hotels, Barbie Diaries, Nickelodeon, LOL Dolls, among others.
Her voice can also be heard in major feature film / television show placements such as Garry Marshall’s “Mother’s Day”, Amazon Prime’s “The Expanse”, Bravo’s “VanderPump Rules”, Netflix's "Selling Sunset", Lifetime's "Married at First Sight" and more.

https://www.insearchof-music.com/


Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Birds are better




The brainchild of Norwegian singer-songwriter Stian Fjelldal, Birds Are Better brings a unique slant to folk music with a fusion of traditional folk, power-pop, synth-rock and indie-pop.


The Other Side Reviews describes the project as a meeting between Charlie Puth and Mumford and Sons while Of Monsters and Men comes to the minds of Nordic Music Central and Music To Blame.

Fjelldal himself is a huge fan of artists like Fleet Foxes and Loney Dear and you might be able to spot Birds Are Better somewhere in between.

The project was launched this fall and “Marigold” is his second single. More singles will come before the debut album release in 2023.

https://www.facebook.com/stianfjelldal

Monday, June 5, 2023

Anthony Krizan




The former Spin Doctors guitarist and songwriter of some of Lenny Kravitz hits, releases this melancholic ballad.


Anthony is based in New Jersey and also runs his recording studio. Recently he wrote three songs for legendary lead singer of the group Bad English, John Waite (EP Anytime).

Anthonykrizan.com

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Rockin' like Thunder


Discovered by Hadley Murrell of HDM Records while he was in Zamboanga City (Philippines) for a birthday party. They were playing in a funky little club that seated about 20 people, but their talent overtook the room. Hadley decided to sign them and immediately started to prepare songs for them to record.


Hadley brought his production team to Zamboanga City, consisting of Hadley himself, Dwight J. Emile and Tomy Ge, and produced the songs in the Wild Grass Studios, a modern studio in Manila. The engineer is Nikki Cunanan, one of the top engineers. The mixing engineer is the renowned Dennis Sands.

This is the group's first recording, and their songs are currently on Spotify, Amazon Prime, iTunes and Apple Music, as well as iPluggers, and soon to be featured on YouTube. This is Rock, Filipino style.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JYlJz2ldxnU&feature=share9

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Sudden Lights


Sudden Lights represented Latvia in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.


"Backwards in Time" is the latest single that was released beginning of May. The single continues Sudden Lights' sound search, combining a modern indie style with elements and references of various other musical styles like pop and rock. The lyrics include the incomprehensible nostalgic feeling that takes over as a happy moment draws to a close. The song is about a longing that never ends. One happy highlight of your life comes, passes and you already look forward to the next one.

The Latvian version of this song was included on the album "Miljards vasaru".

Friday, June 2, 2023

Muddy Waters


 

In 1943 a man arrived in Chicago with little money in his pocket, unaware that he would change the course of the blues forever. His only conviction was to achieve fame through what he loved the most: music.

At 27, Muddy Waters had already been playing blues at country parties, as well as on the streets of Clarksdale, Mississippi, for nearly thirteen years. Those who listened to him in his musical beginnings, some testimonies assure it, never imagined that in the future those chords would move the entire world.

His name was McKinley Morganfield. He was born on April 4, 1915 in Rolling Forks, a small city in the state of Mississippi. After his mother passed away, his father left him in the care of his grandmother, with whom he lived his entire childhood. He owes her nickname to her, since he loved to play and get dirty in the mud, and her grandmother once decided to scold him by calling him: "muddy waters", which in Spanish means: 'muddy water'.

"At a very young age he dropped out of school and began working on the Clarksdale cotton plantations, very close to where he lived."

 He learned to play the harmonica at the age of nine, soon after he was instructed on the guitar with the help of his neighbor -Eddie "Son" House-, and it did not take long for him to exploit his talent showing it to his companions in the plantations, to receive his recognition and boost his career from there.
Muddy Waters' Band

The fame he gained in Mississippi unfortunately didn't reach Chicago, so when he decided to move there, Muddy had to work in a paper mill and play at small workers' parties; which helped him because that way he was able to buy his first electric guitar.

After auditioning for Chess Records, he finally got the chance to go into a studio. In 1948 he recorded "I Can't Be Satisfied" and "Feel Like Going Home". The album sold out within hours, and his career as a blues musician took off.

By 1951, Muddy Waters formed a band with Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Fred Below on drums, Willie Dixon on bass, Little Walter on harmonica, and Otis Spann on piano. Throughout the rest of the 1940s, the band recorded blues classics such as "Long Distance Call", "I'm Your Hootchie Cootchie Man", "Rollin' Stone", "Got My Mojo Working", "Mannish Boy », among others.

"Ten years after arriving in the city, Muddy Waters became 'the king of Chicago.' The Best of Muddy Waters, a collection that made him known throughout the world.

Two concerts meant the next step in the career of Muddy Waters. The first was in England, when the band rocked audiences with their energetic, city music. The second was at the Newport Folk Festival, in Rhode Island, USA, the day Muddy Waters proved to be the doyen of electric blues.

His fame was never satisfied because along with Johnny Winter, Muddy Waters won the Grammy Award for the album Hard Again in 1977. In the middle of the decade he played for President Jimmy Carter, in 1980 he entered the Hall of Fame and seven years later the Hall of Fame. Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame, recognition that he could not see in life because on April 30, 1983 he died in the state of Illinois.

The great influence that Muddy Waters had on music was soon reflected in bands like The Rolling Stones —whose name was inspired by two of their songs "Mannish Boy" and "Rollin' Stone"— or The Animals, and musicians like Eric Clapton , Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many more.

In addition to influencing music, an American magazine also bears the name of one of his songs, and Martin Scorsese dedicated a chapter to it in his 2003 television series The Blues, in which he recounts the history of this musical genre.

Muddy Waters' legacy in music is undeniable. It was the most important bridge between the native Mississippi country blues and the sophisticated urban sound of the city of Chicago. His dream came true, he managed to bring his music to the whole world, without thinking that it would change him completely.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Apache Rose



Apache Rose is back with a banging soft/loud track "Cabin Fever". The track starts out with a chill vibe but then goes full throttle with pummeling drums and haunting vocals


The lyrics draw from lockdown and personal situations you get stuck in.

Apache Rose is a rock band from Moscow, Russia. They have released several singles and a debut album (“Attention!”) in 2021. The band is centered around vocalist and songwriter Ilya Novokhatskiy with prominent Russian rock musicians lending their skills in the studio. All songs are in English with inspiration drawn from mostly American classic rock and alternative scenes.

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/apache-rose/1481624048

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

DownTown Mystic



"Live" is the 3rd single to be released off the new DownTown Mystic "AmeriKarma" album. "Live" features Steve Holley (Paul McCartney, Elton John) on drums and harmony vocals while Paul Page (Ian Hunter, Dion) steps out front on bass. Harmonica wiz Jerry Fierro adds some funky flavor to the track, which was mastered by the legend, Leon Zervos at Studios 301 in Australia.


DownTown Mystic writer/producer Robert Allen comments, 'Most of the songs on "AmeriKarma" are a product of the Covid pandemic. I think people had a chance to really take stock of their lives and "Live" is a song about getting a second chance to do something'.

Monday, May 29, 2023

A Black Rainbow

 


A Black Rainbow is the music project and brainchild of Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht.

A Black Rainbow stands for the outsider who doesn't fit into the picture at first glance, but is nevertheless a soulful, profound, multi-layered person. A rainbow whose colours have yet to be fathomed. Dark basses meet harmonious melodies, underpinned by strict beats and arrangements rich in contrast, plus an incomparable visual style. A mixture of rock'n'roll, wave, electro and techno. As multi-layered as a rainbow, yet unadjusted and rebellious. Like the black sheep of the family.

After his first acting successes, it was clear to Wilson that he would be more than "just" a child star. At 16, he moved to Los Angeles, where he studied film and art at the Idyllwild Arts Academy. But acting was never Wilson's only passion. At the same time, he was always making records. His greatest strength: a diverse musical taste that blurs genre boundaries and with which he intuitively reacts to the moods of the respective audience. Wilson regularly demonstrates this musical empathy and spontaneity on the dance floors of the republic.

Alongside his fascination for the music of other artists is his passion for self-made music. His own songs allow him to show the world facets of himself that would otherwise remain hidden in acting.

Over the years, Wilson has been on stage again and again as a musician. In 2010, together with friends, he finally founded A Black Rainbow - the music project of which the 31-year-old is still the singer and songwriter today and with which he now unfolds a new side of himself. Mysterious, dark and androgynous ... and yet always accompanied by a spark of hope.

After many ideas, experiments and countless hours in the rehearsal room, A Black Rainbow were now back in the studio to record their first EP. And in May the time had come. The debut single "The Inbetween" was released. Followed by two more tracks and a few Open Air Shows he finished recording the Debut EP “Face” that was released in spring 2023.

Fitting for spring now follows the new single with the video to “Don’t touch my heart”.

Mission Control: A Black Rainbow has landed!

https://hoernsenmusic.com/artist/a-black-rainbow/

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Markus Schukowski



"What It Feels Like" is a real genre bender, combining powerful rock music with electronic sounds from the drum and bass genre. It is highly energetic and fast!

https://www.markusschukowski.de/

Saturday, May 27, 2023

The Verve Jazz Ensemble

 


It takes a bold, knowledgeable, and inventive group to call itself The Verve Jazz Ensemble. The moniker Verve conjures the legendary jazz label Verve Records: once home to the greatest pioneering names in the artform – from Duke Ellington, Stan Getz and Ella Fitzgerald to Bill Evans, Count Basie, and Buddy Rich. It is in the spirit of the Verve label’s 1950s - ‘60s hard bop heyday that The Verve Jazz Ensemble composes, arranges, and performs jazz of a timeless quality. Across eight albums and counting – the latest entitled All In – the “VJE” has been satisfying the cravings of critics and audiences alike, consistently placing near or at the very top of the JazzWeek radio chart for the past decade. No less than Ellis Marsalis, the late, revered patriarch of the highly distinguished Marsalis Family that gave us Wynton, Branford, Jason and Delfeayo Marsalis, observed, “The VJE is the new MJQ,” referring to the fabled Modern Jazz Quartet.

Drummer Josh Feldstein founded The Verve Jazz Ensemble in 2006 as a band that paid homage to the past while vehemently establishing newer, younger audiences for the now vintage sound. “Part of the band’s mission,” said Feldstein, “is to expand the audience of classic instrumental jazz, to identify melodies that pop audiences can easily relate and groove to – but not need a degree in music to dig.”

The Verve Jazz Ensemble is a band that “chooses to move in a musical direction that’s appealing to radio as well as our broad base of US and international listeners,” Josh added. “Our mission is to bring forward the acoustic jazz artform in a way that both veteran listeners and newcomers to Jazz easily appreciate.”

Feldstein’s passion for acoustic jazz stems back to when he was 11 years old and living with his family in Queens, New York. He was taking drum lessons at the time from a teacher who turned him onto the volcanic Gene Krupa.   “One day my teacher told me I sounded like Krupa,” Josh recalled. “Well, I don’t think that was remotely true, but I dug Gene’s drumming intensely and couldn’t stop listening.” The LP he pointed Josh to was Verve’s Choice: The Best of Gene Krupa.” Josh was hooked.  


"I spent the next 10 years grabbing up all of the jazz albums recorded for Verve Records that I could,” he states. “I hung out listening to Papa Jo Jones and the Countsmen at the West End Café on Broadway and 113th street in Manhattan.  I’d catch the incredible Buddy Rich and his big band, and legends like Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Count Basie.  Any given month would bring into town the best of the best like (saxophonist) Stan Getz, (pianist) Monty Alexander, and on and on. 

 

“I put music on the backburner once I entered college, however, because I didn’t think I could make money as a jazz musician,” Josh said. “While I kept practicing and did play from time to time – I even toured for a while with a big band in the mid-Atlantic area – it was part-time stuff by and large. 

 

“Some years later, when I was living in Connecticut, I came across the playing of a young saxophonist / keyboardist named Jon Blanck. He really impressed me as a young cat who could really play in the authentic hardbop idiom, which is my foundation. I approached him to play locally – just for fun. We ended up booking restaurants and country clubs and becoming close friends.  The band developed a strong reputation and a faithful following. Once the VJE started playing clubs throughout Connecticut and eventually in New York proper, things started happening.”

 

The VJE was a quintet when it first ventured into the studio to record its debut album, It’s About Time (2012), followed by East End Sojourn (2014) which featured guest Peter Bernstein on guitar. Both charted Top 10 on the JazzWeek radio charts. Those albums were followed by top 25 Perimeter (2016) and yet another top 10 album, Swing-A-Nova (2017), recorded by the rhythm section as a trio album.  For 2018, Feldstein expanded the tenor sax, trumpet, piano, bass and drums quintet into a septet with alto / flute and trombone for the VJE’s fifth albumConnect The Dots, a change that shot the band to the #1 position atop the JazzWeek chart for two weeks. Next came Night Mode (2019) – another top 10-charter – followed during the Covid lockdown by The VJE: Very Live! (2021) - recorded at a pre-pandemic benefit concert in Hadley, MA - which kept the VJE brand alive and well. 

 

For VJE’s eighth and latest album, All In, the septet joyfully explores the theme of “Mid-20th century Americana” via two original compositions and eight arrangements of some classic and other little-heard material. The band consists of Tatum Greenblatt on trumpet, Willie Applewhite on trombone, Alexa Tarantino on alto sax / flute, Jon Blanck on tenor sax, Matt Oestreicher on piano and guitar, Elias Bailey on bass, and VJE leader Josh Feldstein on drums.


Highlights of the album include the Tatum Greenblatt original title track, “All In;” an Afro Cuban approach to Neal Hefti’s beloved “The Odd Couple Theme;” another Greenblatt original entitled “What I Meant to Say Was,” set up as a musical conversation between trumpet and alto sax; and a piano trio whirl through Jean “Toots” Thielemans “Bluesette.” 

 

All this music, along with the rest of “All In,” is in passionate keeping of The Verve Jazz Ensemble’s sworn mission to expand the audience of instrumental jazz in the United States and worldwide. “This is very important to all of us,” Feldstein shares. “My daughter is in high school, and she and her friends like our music. There are listeners everywhere of all ages who don’t know any jazz history.  But when they hear our approach to jazz, they soak it in.  Identifying and performing jazz melodies that pop audiences can relate to – catchy yet legitimate music, with a pulse – that’s our target.”


https://www.verve-jazz.com/

Friday, May 26, 2023

Jon Mullane




Jon Mullane always intended on writing a new summer song for the modern era, especially after several years living in Los Angeles. “The Sun in the Summertime” is the result, an infectious, upbeat, feel good summer anthem with nods to the 60s (Beach Boys, Four Seasons), 70’s ( Raspberries), 80’s (Eric Carmen), 90s (Four Non Blondes), 00s (Smashmouth), and more. Add in a slick production with fresh harmonies by producer Creighton Doane, and everything is so fine, fine, fine.

From his new EP "California'" set for release on June 9, 2023.

Jon Mullane is an award winning, Billboard charting singer, songwriter and performer originally hailing from Halifax, NS Canada. He has gained International acclaim and attention through his music, as his songs have been heard on commercial and satellite radio stations, featured in numerous television shows, films and commercials and played at International sporting events.

Jonmullane.com

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Stevie Williams



Stevie: “I was born in Salford UK and raised on dreams and fresh air!"


It all started when I was 5yrs old and I borrowed a bag of vinyl records. An old collection of mixed up 78s 33s and 45rpm which was fun changing the speeds! I was six years old when I started teaching myself to sing and play. Piano first then guitar and bass guitar and I was eight years old when I wrote my first song.


At about the same time I formed a duo with a school friend and we performed our first gig on my front door step! Shortly after I started experimenting with recording and tape looping, layering vocal harmonies and generally exploring the multi-track recording process. A big decision was to trade my bike for an electric guitar and an old record player which I used as a guitar amp until I blew all the electricity in the house!


From there my musical interest spiralled beautiful out of control and I discovered many other artists and styles in Pop, Rock & Roll, Jazz, Folk, Americana, Soul, Gospel, Country and more!


I’ve played bass for and recorded and toured with a large number of artist. Here are a few highlights:

Jim Mullen - John Cooper Clarke - Tanita Tikaram - Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) - Christy Moore - Ralph McTell - Hot House Flowers.


Support tours with: Frankie Beverly and Maze, Freddie Jackson, Joe Cocker, Sheryl Crow, Alexander O’Neal and more!


“My motivation? … good songwriting and the way music connects with people.”


Steviewilliams.co.uk

Monday, May 22, 2023

The Static dive

 



The Static Dive follows a string of underground hits like "High & Dry" and "Only a Snowfall" with a guitar-fueled cover of John Lennon's anti-war anthem "Give Peace a Chance".


Of the release, Bob Smith (The Static Dive) says, 'Each year I drop a single on my birthday (April 15). Considering the disturbing state of the world, I thought this was the perfect gift for me and a my fellow pacifist Lennon fans.'

"Give Peace a Chance" by The Static Dive pairs modern psychedelic rock vibes with the sing-along spirit of the original; to bring John Lennon's simple and beautiful proposition to a new light.

https://staticdive.com/category/my-music/

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Steve Major



"Torn" has two versions: one in full English, and the other will have English and Ukrainian lyrics.

Steve's new track aims to bring continued awareness to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. A music video (to be released by the end of the month), which was created with scenes from the war, will be edited and directed by Ukrainian film maker Anton Popov.