Winamp news

For millions of people, the name 'Winamp' was synonymous with music a couple of decades ago. This program for Windows was capable of playing our MP3 files like no other, with a simple but very powerful interface and above all, customizable with 'skins' to our liking.
Like so many other programs, Winamp suffered greatly in the migration of users to smartphones; Although there was an official Winamp app for Android, it was not very successful as it was focused on playing music stored locally in the mobile memory, while streaming platforms such as Spotify were triumphing.

Today, not much remains of the original Winamp. Its creators, Nullsoft, were sold to Internet giant AOL and disappeared; and the Winamp brand ended up being sold to the Belgian company Radionomy, which announced ambitious plans to revive it.

Now, those plans have materialized with a new Winamp app, which was first launched for computers but did not take long to reach mobile phones. The Llama Group, the developer created by Radionomy for this project, has announced the limited release of the Winamp app for Android and iOS. At the moment, it is a closed 'beta' to which few users are allowed, but over time it will be opened to more people.

The new Winamp stands out for including music streaming functions, as well as for its new interface, more modern and adapted to current times; However, it is not a simple copy of Spotify, since its creators claim that they have managed to balance the needs of both users and creators. The result is called "Fanzone", a section from which we can follow our favorite artists, with exclusive access to their songs and original content such as publications and a merchandise store. Creators will be able to charge each user $1 each month to access this exclusive area. Therefore, instead of paying a fee that is divided among all the artists on the platform, at Winamp we will pay directly to the artists we like the most.

Winamp will continue to be a local music player, with access to sound files stored in the mobile memory; but with Fanzone, it aims to expand and monetize the service in a different way than the rest. It is clear that the company's plan is to attract users who may recognize the Winamp name to sign up for the Fanzone; although at the moment, the list of artists who have signed up seems somewhat short.

In reality, Winamp already had an app for Android, but the latest version dates back to 2014, after the fall of Nullsoft and the sale of the rights. The APK can still be found on the usual pages, although it is obviously an obsolete app at this point. In that sense, the new Winamp can fill a gap.

The new Winamp app is on Google Play, although we may not be able to install it yet as it is in closed beta.

James Leeds

Following radio plays from renowned German radio station SWR3 as well as across the UK, US and Europe, composer and producer James Leeds returns with a brilliant pop song "Happy Days" featuring vocals from Australian Sora Lion.

"Happy Days" has a positive message and the melody and lyrics easily get stuck in your head. 

https://www.jamesleeds.com/

Susan Aquila

Electric violinist and vocalist, Susan Aquila has made a career of playing sideman to celebrity artists. She played the "Last Play at Shea" with Billy Joel. She has worked with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Steven Tyler, Beyoncé to name a few. Most recently, she played Radio city with Diana Ross.

Miss Aquila has branched out on her own releasing this new Holiday single. This catchy, fun, upbeat, tongue-in-cheek pop rocker might be just what the world needs as an alternative to "Santa Baby" and Mariah Carey.

Most importantly, Miss Aquila is donating her proceeds of the song to children’s charities and foster care. She doesn’t want any child to feel alone at Christmas. Help her make an impact!

http://www.susanaquilamusic.com/

Gene O.

Gene O. is a veteran indie recording artist hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. "You're The One For Me" is a love song of desire and realization that the love they were looking for was right in front of them.

'Gene O. deserves to be mentioned among the top notch Indie musicians emerging from the Bay Area in the last decade...' - Garth Thomas, Hollywood Digest

Gene is a #1 chart-topping artist on ReverbNation and N1M.com, and has had his music synced on TV. His solo work includes the album "Geneology" and singles "Crazy World" and "Cool". He has released a remastered 80's album with his rock band The Make titled "Up Sessions" that was featured in PowerPlay Magazine and played on heavy rotation on Radio Samara Maximum 104.3 during their "Hit Parade of Premieres" show that won them 2nd place.

Geneo.rocks

Russ Lorenson

 

Start with one healthy pour of brand-new holiday tunes, add a jigger of lesser-known gems from the Golden Age of Christmas Music, shake them together with a 16-piece big band, garnish with a candy-cane crooner, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an intoxicating Yuletide cocktail that will get you In the Holiday Spirit!

"In the Holiday Spirit" has been awarded four stars by the editors of Downbeat and was included in the magazine’s prestigious “Best Albums of 2015” list: 'A showman of taste and discretion, Lorenson admires Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin without imitating them or adopting a Rat Pack smugness.'

A big band, a swingin' crooner, and holiday tunes you're not already sick of hearing – what else do you need to get In the Holiday Spirit?

A terrific voice. Charisma to spare. A delightful raconteur. Impeccable musical taste and vocal phrasing. Unassuming nice guy. They all apply to Russ Lorenson, whose burnished tenor has thrilled audiences throughout the US and Europe.

Since his breakout club debut in 2005, Russ Lorenson has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards. As a singer, he is equally at home whether entertaining a concert hall audience or performing in the more intimate cabaret setting. With comparisons to Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, and Chet Baker, Lorenson has a voice one savors and remembers. It’s no wonder he’s called “San Francisco’s Favorite Crooner.”

In recognition of his solid and sophisticated musical vocabulary, Downbeat called him “a showman of taste and discretion.” The Los Angeles Times said that he brings “a supple voice and strong sense of characterization to all his songs.” The San Diego Union-Tribune said that his “relaxed, easy deliveries…seem natural and heartfelt.” The Coronado Journal simply called him “…irresistible…”

https://www.russlorenson.com/

Rare Union

Rare Union is a band born during the pandemic. Their second album "Times They Always Change" is a deeply personal album, featuring a daring mix of percussion-driven Blues and Rock with reveling, soul-baring and heartfelt vocals.

The start of Rare Union began in 2019. It started with LA Smith from New York, percussionist. LA Smith had been wanting to produce a CD, with a lot of percussion. To pass percussion on to kids all over the world. After completing a national tour with The Randy Oxford Band in 2014, LA decided to play at festivals with headliners, and do percussion workshops, passing on 12 sets of bongos at each workshop to low-income kids all over the western hemisphere. At the same time, Martin Cage lead guitarist from Nemesis, was looking to put some of his original compositions into a CD. LA Smith now out of Columbia MO, and Martin Cage out of Salt Lake UT, decided to get together, and see what would happen. They went into El Centro studio in Columbia, Missouri and start recording. They added Jerry Russo, a local rhythm drummer and the three of them put together first six songs. Then the pandemic hit, and it was a challenge to bring any artists in to the studio. The studio added UV lighting, and slowly they started to work on the CD. Martin Cage had played with vocalist, guitar player, Max Soler from FT Myers, in the group Nemesis. 

So, when they called Max he was ready to go. Over the next year and a half, they had several recording sessions. They had Will Reeves on bass and Danny Carrol on drums, both from Columbia, MO. They played together in several groups. Before too long they had 9 more songs. The songs started to get real heart felt lyrics, guitar breaks and solos that bring out the original sound that Rare Union turned out to be. They did not go into the studio trying to produce a particular sound, just wanted to make good music. What happened was chemistry, with five artists, with all different backgrounds, from 5 different states playing together. As the songs Martin had composed evolved and began to take shape, Max would add lyrics, guitar. Both Martin Cage and Max Soler would switch off on lead and rhythm. LA Smith and Danny Carroll would build the structure of the songs and decide how to incorporate the drums and percussion. Will Reeves did the bass lines and engineered the CD. 

They ended up with a new blues rock sound. The addition of Micael Kott on Cello, from Santa Fe NM, was added. His recording was done at Frogville Studios in Santa Fe, NM. Michael Kott plays cello all over the world with Peter Buffet. His cello is on “Won’t Be Lost” and “Brother of Mine”. With the CD getting produced, and final vocals getting finished the band needed a name. That’s where Dawn Smith suggested Rare Union. It described this band, born in a pandemic, from five states, with all new original music. Dawn set up all the production of the CD, web site, Domain, copywrite and trademarks. Naming the CD was easy, Max Soler and Martin Cage had a friend who passed, and he was considered a brother. So, the band named the CD, “Brother of Mine”. Rare union is now setting dates to do three videos and the start of the next CD in March. Wanting to have it out by the middle of October. They have been invited to several festivals, and are lining up festivals around the world to play. Hopping for 2023, but with the pandemic may be 2024.

Rareunionband.com

Jeff Pike

"Sunset On L.A." is the third single released by Jeff Pike, which was composed, produced, arranged and engineered by award-winning songwriter, singer, producer and recording artist Gino Vannelli. His brother, award-winning songwriter, producer and videographer Ross Vannelli produced and directed the official music video.

"Sunset On L.A." is a well-produced mid-tempo, feel-good, adult contemporary pop song and video that could easily cross over to several genres. The lyrics bring up to date the universal age-old lesson of leaving your comfort zone in search of love and dreams to eventually find your way back home again.

http://www.jeffpike.com/