Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Andy Penkow

 


Andy Penkow is an award-winning Singer-Songwriter with a unique sound, chocolate smooth but powerful voice, steeped in honesty.

Andy has had 9 top 20 singles on the "Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay charts".
"Before i Go" was Andy's first #1 single, spending 2 weeks at the top of the charts, which also reached the top 30 on the Music NetWork Chart, 29 on CMT top 50. And got some great air play in the USA.
"1993" Debuting at #2 on Australian Country Radio 5 top 5 Singles on the official country and pop iTunes charts, 3 top 10 Singles on the AMRAP Metro and regional charts. 

Andy has worked with Australian Country Music Royalty co-writing with multiple Golden Guitar winning artists Lyn Bowtell and Allen Caswell. mentoring with Golden Guitar winning duo Carter and Carter.

Andy won Most popular New Male artist at the 2021 In-dependent Country Music Association Awards and was Nominated for Male artist of the year, single of the year, music video of the year.

Chasing the Sun was a top 30 finalist in the 2021 Australian Songwriter Association awards for Country song of the year. Andy was also a finalist for the Peoples Choice awards male artist of the year and most promising new star. Tamworth songwriters association semi-finalist for country song of the year and blues song of the year.

Andy won 3 purple guitar awards, 2021 Encouragement award, 2020 Best EP for (Chasing the Sun,) 2019 Best Whiskey song (Drowning in the Whisky)

Andy was nominated for the 2020 APRA AMCOS TSA-NEW SONGWRITER of the YEAR AWARD.

Andy also won judge's pick at the 2019 Australian busking championships at Gundagai. 

https://www.andypenkow.com/

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Rich Chambers

 


Rich Chambers sits at a musical crossroads of sorts. His music ranges from retro rock to modern rock, to country, to the blues, and many styles in between. With all of these elements at play, many reviewers and music writers have a hard time categorizing or placing him, but he always tells them that he is simply "Rock N' Roll."

That term doesn't get used that much anymore, but Chambers believes that true Rock N' Roll is derived from out of all the elements of the music just listed. Throw in Chambers’ unassuming, likeable, and relatable personality and you have an artist who is also bringing authenticity and sincerity back into pop music alongside some downright infectious Rock N’ Roll melodies and rhythms. With his latest release of the Beatles cover, “I Saw Her Standing There,” Chambers is redefining pop rock for the 2020s. It’s Rock N’ Roll Reimagined!

Following a breakout 2021 in which Rich Chambers released five successful singles, including a film festival award winning video for his single "I’m So Tired", is his first release for 2022: a freshly energetic version of the classic Beatles song "I Saw Her Standing There".

With a rock sound distinctly his own yet remaining respectful of the origins of rock, Chambers is putting both a new and old spin on pop music and reigniting the passions of older rock fans and bringing new ones into the fold. It’s guitar-based, infectious singalongable music. It’s Rock’ n’ Roll re-imagined.

 https://richchambers.com/

Monday, September 12, 2022

Toronto’s Legendary GROSSMAN'S TAVERN Announces The Lineup For Annual Amy Louie / Grossman's Music Scholarship & Fundraising Event

 


Following a two-year hiatus on account of the pandemic, Toronto’s legendary Grossman’s Tavern has announced the lineup for the annual Amy Louie / Grossman's Music Scholarship happening on September 27, 2022 starting at 7:00pm. 

Created in memory of the late Amy Louie — a member of the family that has owned Grossman’s Tavern since 1975 — the ALGMS is an artist development bursary that provides two musicians or bands from the Greater Toronto Area $2,000 and $1,000, respectively, to help with career development. 

ALGMS applications are officially open and can be received until September 16th, 2022 at 11:59pm EST. Successful candidates will be chosen by a panel of judges that include members of the Louie family, music industry professionals, and individuals with long-standing connections to Grossman’s Tavern. 

Previous recipients of the Scholarship include The Big Butter and Egg Men, Mike Nagoda, The Swingin’ Blackjacks, Dan McKinnon, Bad Luck Woman & Her Misfortunes, Chloe Watkinson & Park Eddy, Jerome Godboo, and The Responsables. 

As one of the longest-running live music venues and a stalwart within Toronto’s vibrant and dynamic music scene, Grossman’s has long been considered an incubator for an impressive roster of local artists who got their start inside the Tavern, including the late Jeff Healey, the Downchild Blues Band, Rough Trade, and more. 

http://www.grossmanstavern.com/the-amy-louie-grossmans-music-scholarship-algms-call-for-submissions/

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Scott Van Zen


 

Scott Van Zen is a virtuoso guitar player with amazing skills in the styles of Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Vai, and others. 

Guitarist Scott Van Zen has released his debut solo EP "Trouble" on Love Conquered Records. Co-produced by Scott, John Hopen and Grammy winner Khaliq (Khaliq-O-Vision) Glover, he has co-written for rock legends Kiss; won a Dove Award with Ken Tamplin; toured with top artists, and had over 1,000 songs placed in films, TV, and commercials (everything from The Green Hornet and Cars movies to McDonald’s ads).

Scott is Influenced by six-string greats like Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, and Johnny Winter – but also appeals to fans of Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, etc.

"Trouble" is a raucous virtuoso romp to survive through life’s dark desires and dilemmas. Songs like "Devil on Both Shoulders" and "Born in Darkness" tell gritty stories fueled by Van Zen’s fast and furious fingers.

Scott has also been a first-call session player and sideman for decades plus a world-class songwriter.

https://www.scottvanzenguitarschool.com/

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Brettina

 


 

Bahamanian singer-songwriter Brettina has released her first single worldwide, a version of her track ‘Simple Pleasures’ with UK Jazz and Funk legend Incognito.

Brettina's worldwide debut single is already gaining great appreciation and it went straight into Jazz FM playlist in the UK.

A fan of Incognito for many years, Brettina was delighted to work with their leader Bluey who brings his trademark production to the track, using the whole band to create a classic horn-driven sound. 

 

"When I was a student at the University of Washington in Seattle I discovered Incognito and their album ‘Vibes, Tribes and Scribes’ and it blew me away. To think further down the line I’d be working with them on one of my songs, and fusing my experience with these icons of UK Jazz right now is incredible." Says Brettina on having Bluey and Incognito produce the track.

This release also contains two remixes, one by upcoming Brighton based electronic jazz act Yakul, and long-term Incognito collaborator Ski Oakenfull who's delivered a soulful house dub version of the song.

The remixes of the luscious single show her versatility as an artist, and one who is soon to be in demand across the broad spectrum that is the current UK Jazz scene.

Born in the Bahamas, Brettina’s musicality was in some senses laid out for her – her mother introduced her to singing, and her uncle was in the hugely successful Bahamian group ‘ T-Connection’, who had hits on the Billboard Top 100 chart in the US in the 70s.

 

Brettina herself now resides between the US and the Bahamas, originally in Seattle and now in LA where she’s making waves on the current LA Jazz scene.

 

 https://www.facebook.com/BrettinaFanPage

 https://www.instagram.com/bahabrettina/

 https://twitter.com/bahabrettina

Friday, September 9, 2022

The Bastardz

 


Their unique jazzy flavored mix of soul, funk and pop characterized by a mix of crispy old school funk guitars, killer tight rhythm section, sharp horn section, jazzy harmonization and, above all, brilliant vocalist Tasha, make them uniquely attractive for Pop podiums as well as Jazz festivals and similar events.
Three times major national music award winners, around a million of YouTube views, dedicated Spotify and other platforms following, 7 albums, dozen singles and videos, collaborations with many great guest vocalists and instrumentalists, including the funk legend "Mr. Defunkt" Joseph Bowie, make The Bastardz stand out in the funky playground, with influences from P funk to Vulfpeck via Miles, and make The Bastardz worth checking out!

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/770717537101980/

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAJbB3rBZIAkOLdXNjrPCA

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Diamonds and Guns

The band Diamonds and Guns performs punk rock / punk'n'roll with straight pipes, cocky attitude, technical drums and with a party feeling.

We've probably thrown in a love of blues in the mix too!

People have said that we are similar to or have the feel of bands such as; Social Distortion, Dropkick Murphy, Turbonegro.

The band name, Diamonds and Guns, is a tribute to America's west coast punk rock, which is the great influence of the band members.


Diamonds and Guns consist of;

Kim Johansson, bass + vocals.

Thomas Norstedt, drums.

Pontus Rask, lead guitar + vocals.

Victor Ekvall, guitar + lead vocals.

 

 https://www.instagram.com/diamondsandguns.official/?fbclid=IwAR3UAS9Ac3CzbX2FBLRQk2jzOwepFuH2eNNeOQZmPrBd0PPzQpRjr5Xy7wI

 https://www.facebook.com/diamondsandgunsband/
 

 https://open.spotify.com/track/1cM2f4hPCi9t28gsbCSWju?si=b8ce1321af304b62&nd=1