Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Brian Mitchell

 


Who is Brian Mitchell? Why is he writing and recording new albums of original songs at his age and stranger still, why do people like them?

Answering these questions in no particular order, Brian views age as having zero relevance to anything past physics. If anything, the work he’s doing is simply past due because creativity has been at the core of his personality since he was a child. And that life began as the youngest of 7 kids growing up immersed in the harmonies of Lennon and McCartney, the incredible rhythms and amazing songs that came out of Detroit and Motown Records. In fact all of the music he’s liked from Broadway soundtracks to Brill Building pop, the lyrical craft and vocal harmony arrangements from those eras, all resonate with him. He simply loves music. “It’s the one language every culture, every race and every nation has in common... we all understand it and we all love it.”

Brian’s journey includes ten years as a broadcaster and over the course of that time and the radio stations he worked for, his playlists included hits from five decades covering standards to rock, pop and jazz. At the age of 21 he decided to buy his first guitar, later pursuing college studies in music, learning theory and harmony. Eventually , he added Bass and piano as additional instruments. “Writing songs on piano vs. guitar ... the two are completely different expressively and each brings something unique.”

What you might not know is very likely something you actually do know. His voice. Brian is the voice of national and regional commercials to PBS documentaries and program narrations for networks like Discovery and Science Channel.

But now... There’s Act 3.
In July 2021, “Love & Lies”, Brian’s debut album was released, with a mixture of styles that reflect his broad influences. “I’m only one person. One writer. I don’t have a partner in this to craft some other side to what I’m releasing, so I’m trying to not issue a narrow sort of ‘sound’ per say, I want my albums to be interesting.”

“Love & Lies” features 11 tracks with five of those also released as singles, all available on every major streaming platform both nationally and overseas. A lyric video for his song ‘Love’ has just been released and is streaming to social media. Two new albums are already in pre-production with session dates scheduled throughout the Winter. The musicians include the rhythm section from Genesis’ guitarist Daryl Stuermer’s touring band, and all are among his areas finest.

So why now? Why begin such ambitious projects? “Because I enjoy it. Really, no other reason necessary. I like writing and love recording with these outstanding musicians and my fondest dream for all of it is that just maybe we are asked for live performances at some point. Giving music to people is a gift to us and to them and what could be better than that really?”

 https://brianmitchellofficial.com/

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Armored Dawn

 


Create a concept, find the right partners, work to make it all cohesive and invest in the potential to pursue your goals. From this perspective, Armored Dawn appeared in 2014 and became relevant in the Brazilian metal scene. After all, there were tours and shows alongside great bands such as Saxon, Megadeth, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Europe, Hammerfall, Rhapsody, Fates Warning, Sabaton, Tarja, plus the participation in the Motörboat, the cruise of the legendary Motörhead.

The first two albums Power of Warrior (2016) and Barbarians in Black (2018) were produced by big names like Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Jorn), Bruno Agra (We Are Harlot) and Kato Khandwala (The Pretty Reckless, Papa Roach). The third album, Viking Zombie, was produced, mixed and mastered by Rodrigo Oliveira and Heros Trench, a veteran producer, with more than 200 bands under his belt and a Latin Grammy.

Presenting a sophisticated and versatile metal, the group collects great works in music videos, such as “Sail Away”, which had a huge cinematographic production, as well as “Beware of the Dragon”, shown in all movie theaters in Brazil during the trailers for the film Aquaman, in 2018. In turn, “Ragnarok” and “Animal Uncaged” (recorded at the Rockfest festival, at Allianz Parque, São Paulo, when they played for about 37,000 people) have millions of views on YouTube.

More recently they released the single “Stronger Together”, very well accepted by the public, and prepared the fourth studio album, Brand New Way, recorded at Dharma Studios, mixed by Chris Lord Alge (Muse, Green Day, Nickelback) and mastered by Ted Jensen (Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, Metallica). This album will be released later this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5vJ33wvNfw

Monday, November 14, 2022

Urban Walrus

 


Urban Walrus - probably the most boring band in the world - was formed in January 2021 by Swiss-born multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Fabian Koerber.

Boring, thats because Urban Walrus is a very lazy creature that loves to keep a low profile and hardly ever appears on social media.
Instead, the focus is on writing and recording songs and sharing them with the world.

Honestly, there's not much you need to know about Urban Walrus - the music and lyrics literarily speak for themselves.

Not much to say really…

Wishing you Love, Peace and Chocolate Cake.

Urban Walrus, himself

 https://music.apple.com/ch/album/pie-in-the-sky/1596100625?i=1596100926

Sunday, November 13, 2022

The Western Country Band

 


  „It is an awesome journey through my life with my music, my friends, my kids, my wife...“ (“The Journey” by TWCB)

It all started with a van. No, not a fan. Andy M. Veit didn't have a fan back in those days. Except his mother. - God bless all the cheering mothers out there! - He just had a van. It was old, a little bit rusty and slow.

„I'm on the road, have nowhere to go, no hurry, I take it slow...“ (“I'm On The Road” by TWCB)

Andy took all his money from his bank account to buy a guitar, a little PA and this old van. He quit his studies at university. Andy wanted to be a musician. Surely his parents felt really enthusiastic about this well thought out idea of their youngest son.

“At nights I play my guitar in a bar...” (“Family Man” by TWCB)

The following years were filled with little money but with lots of fun. To make your living as a musician is hard work but filled with passion, friendship to impressive people and sound, sound, sound.

In 2017 Andy M. Veit took the chance to found TWCB with his great guitar playing friend Marco Birkner. The very talented bass player Mike Oberhauser and the fabulous drummer Erny Moucka joined them.

“So many people are there, yes they seem to care! With a big wide grin I start to sing...” (“A Good Night's Song” by TWCB)

The first concert was arranged quickly. The band worked hard and had a lot of fun to create their own sound. But the joy in the matter was even greater: The first concert already packed! Incredible.

“Successful on my way, no time for a stay. Too far and further on, too fast on and on...” (“Home” by TWCB)

And how did it continue? Logically with the second concert. And?
The hall was full again. Madness. More and more guests came to the following concerts. The setlist was constantly expanded. Guest musicians invited. Fireworks of fun shared with the audience.

Own songs have been written. The first album "The Journey" was recorded in 2018. The single „Christmas In The Country“ was released in 2019 and in 2020 Corona couldn't stop them. „Little Love Song“ was produced. In 2021 it was released worldwide and reached a great amount of airplay (nearly) all over the world!

And now?
“It's Time To Smile” by TWCB ;-)

  https://www.thewesterncountryband.com/

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Stephen Wines

 


Small town musician and songwriter Stephen Wines is quickly making a big impact on the local and national music scene. The release of his first studio single “Country Girl” was an instant success among critics from all backgrounds! You can find Stephen touring all over the continental USA including Alaska and into Canada! 

 https://www.facebook.com/stephen.wines/

 https://www.instagram.com/stephenwinesmusic/

Friday, November 11, 2022

Stacie Collins

 'Darlin' Why?' is the first single off the long awaited DAMN GIRL! album from Nashville roots rocker Stacie Collins.
 
Sporting a slam-bang rock ‘n’ roll band and a hard-core honky- tonk wail, Stacie Collins pushes the boundaries of rock, blues and country. A singer-songwriter and a bad-ass harmonica player in the style of Chicago Blues greats Little Walter and James Cotton, Collins has garnered a reputation for her high energy shows, diverse songwriting and unlike most chick-singers, they are not all about love and heartbreak.
 
Based in Nashville, TN, Stacie is a road warrior having performed countless shows in the USA and Europe over the past few years and has even spawned a Japanese “Stacie Collins” tribute band. In addition to touring, Collins, along with her writing partner, husband, band mate Al Collins (Jason & The Scorchers) have written, recorded and released five records on her own label.
 
 https://staciecollins.com/

Thursday, November 10, 2022

The Livesays

  


The Livesays are an accomplished five-piece Heartland/Americana band fronted by the band’s namesake critically acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay, who spent 12 years performing, recording and touring with E-Streeter Clarence Clemons' band "Temple of Soul." During his 12-year tenure with the beloved “Big Man,” Billy recorded and released "Live in Asbury Park" Volumes I & II at The Stone Pony, the second album which features Bruce Springsteen. Billy has shared the stage with so many industry giants, his resume reads like a "Who's Who of Rock n' Roll Hall of Famers."

Drummer Steve Rheingold, was formerly the beat keeper with the legendary Wayne Cochran.

The Livesays' lineup is rounded out with Jorge Laplume on bass, Victor "Cuqui" Berrios on Hammond B-3 organ, and Tim Murphy on piano, all of whom have impressive resumes of their own. Cuqui, who grew up in New York City, offers a touch of the Big Apple to the band with his Hammond B3 and impassioned vocals. Tim brings his ear for harmony and his unique Elton John style piano. Jorge hails from Havana, Cuba; with his Latin roots coupled with a steady diet of the rock groups The Who and Free, he delivers a bass sound that is both funky and thunderous.

The combination of these five seasoned pros, with their versatile backgrounds, incomparable harmonies, energy level, and undeniable chemistry, create real magic on stage together and put on one heck of a dynamic live performance.

The Livesays have created five full length albums that are both memorable and moving with stories ranging from adolescence to adulthood, from battling addiction to conquering depression, from finding love to losing love ... with lyrics that will surely touch your heart and quench your soul. 

 https://www.thelivesaysmusic.com/