Sunday, December 10, 2023

Buzz Kiefer




In the tradition of “Santa Clause Wants Some Lovin’” and “Santa Baby”, “I Wanna Be the Christmas tree” is dripping with inuendo and double entendre.

Chicago style horns and doo-wop BGVs make this entry into the Christmas repertoire, an extravaganza. There’s ear-candy here to satisfy the sweetest of sweet-tooths, tastfully undercut by the eye-popping irreverence of its lyrics.

Sleigh bells (drummer, James Rogan) and horse whinnies (Jimmy Bowland on saxophone) take the listener on a sleigh ride, but the riding whip, implies something more naughty.

'I wrote these lyrics at a Christmas Party,' says singer/songwriter, Buzz Kiefer, 'I asked everyone there to say something sexy about Christmas. Then I wrote the music like it was for a strip tease.'

Holiday traditions like figgy pudding and tree-top angels become metaphors for that strip tease.

Complete with angel-choir modulation in the final chorus, this slippery 6/8 groove proves: Christmas is for lovers.

www.buzzkiefer.com

Friday, December 8, 2023

Adry



Adry is an accomplished producer, musician and singer-songwriter renowned for his unique blend of rock, pop, indie and alternative music. His previous works have received recognition on prestigious platforms like BBC SOUNDS, MTV, and VH1.


Adry's latest single "Well (Unplugged)" continues to showcase his musical prowess and storytelling abilities.

https://music.adry.co.uk/link/1n4oku

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Bryan Dallas




Bryan Dallas is more than a musician; he's a living testament to a life well-lived and a versatile artist. 

Born in San Francisco, CA, he grew up in the heart of the Bay Area's rock 'n' roll scene, setting the stage for his musical journey. But Bryan's story is anything but ordinary. His life is a patchwork of unique encounters and experiences: 

* At 18, Bryan danced backstage with Drew Barrymore and Karen O at The Beastie Boys concert. 
* He had an impromptu show with ZZ Top at age 23. 
* In pro per won against city police for a traffic ticket that turned into wrongful arrest. 
* Was in a hardcore band when EMO was a trend. 
* Became the first (and possibly only) crew member to check Chrissie Hynde’s microphone at The Fillmore SF.
 * Got kicked out of a church Choir for wearing blue suede shoes. 

Beyond music, Bryan is a master mechanic, college radio programmer, and holds a Degree in day trading. He's an Anecdotalist, Epicure and has even left his mark on BURRN! Magazine, Japan. Bryan's journey isn't just a musical one; it's a celebration of life's diverse experiences.

He's an artist who defies conventions, always ready to follow his own unique path.

https://www.bryandallas.com/

Saturday, December 2, 2023

UFA

 


"In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" the 1969 USA and UK #1 hit single by the American pop-rock duo of Zager and Evans, featuring Jake Lee Rau on lead vocals, has already caused a stir, not because it is innovative or original, but because it is -- in the middle of pop music's current creative void -- so immediate and imperative. It’s also built around the pillars of David Bowie’s China Girl and Afrika Bambaataa’s Planet Rock… but with more guitars.

https://www.poesieplastique.com/

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Jeff Hartman



A prolific singer-songwriter and lifelong lover of music, Jeff Hartman has been writing and performing uniquely memorable music for over thirty years. He’s developed a soothing, guitar-driven melodic style that blends elements of smooth jazz and soulful, adult contemporary pop, earning him comparisons to artists like Brian Adams, James Taylor, and Richard Marx. What sets Hartman’s music apart is its tender, authentic vocal style, enhanced by his detailed narrative lyrics approach to songwriting. He incorporates Spanish into 3 of his latest releases, shifting the text to embrace both languages and appeal to an even broader range of listeners. His lyrics tend to focus on inspirational yet relatable themes: life’s blessings, the challenges of growing up, and the peaks and valleys of romantic relationships. “I write a lot about love, because love is so important! A number of my songs are written to and for my grandchildren and for their generation— instructional songs about the importance of apologizing when you’re wrong, how to forgive others, lullabies for the young ones, that kind of thing. I want to infuse my songs with love and the lessons I’ve learned in life.”


One of eight children, Hartman grew up in Moorestown, New Jersey, surrounded by music. His father was a jazz trumpet and clarinet player, and his grandmother was a child violin prodigy. Hartman was first drawn to the guitar at age ten, after witnessing a young church member and guitar virtuoso perform rock-ballad praise songs at a contemporary mass service. His father bought him his first guitar, and Hartman taught himself to play and sing along. He learned to play the trumpet and string bass in school bands, and later taught himself to play a little keyboard to support his songwriting. His strongest musical influences came in the form of classic 1970s and 1980s solo artists like Don McLean, Dan Fogelberg, and Carol King— artists whose music told rich, emotional stories that evoked a strong response in any listener.


After college, Hartman began a 30-year career teaching high school English and Spanish in Maryland, then to New Jersey, winning a number of awards for his unique, unorthodox teaching methods and dedication to his students’ development. As a tennis coach, he trained and developed hundreds of tennis players, many of whom earned NCAA Division 1 scholarships. He eventually built a successful business training junior athletes for the state, and international levels throughout southern New Jersey. “Tennis was my second passion and a good part of the reason my musical career took a turn in a new direction.” As various career opportunities arose, Hartman continued to play and write music on his own, and with which led to a serendipitous run-in with Philadelphia rhythm and blues legend Joe Jefferson. When Hartman was just 21, a chance encounter with the artist on a tennis court led to a lifelong friendship and decades-long musical collaboration. Jefferson became an important mentor and music industry guide for Hartman: “He taught me the ins and outs of the business”. “Most importantly, he taught me how to write great songs, and that it takes time, effort and selective use of words with power and punch. He was a model for excellence in songwriting. That’s why he wrote so many hits!” The two men met frequently to discuss music and write songs together, collaborating on the track "Young Love" (co-written with Randy Cantor) which charted on Billboard's "Hot Black" charts for five weeks, and the track “Guilty” performed by Starleana for Virgin Records.


Since that time, Hartman has become an internationally recognized songwriter and acclaimed recording artist with many well-loved releases under his belt, from the 2012 narrative pop-rock EP Curtain Call and the more acoustic-leaning 2017 EP Mansfield to his 2017 original full-length album Legacy. He was an active voting member of the Recording Academy for 15 years as well as a current voting member of the Society of Composers and Lyricists. As the owner of Screaming Wife Productions, LLC, he’s written over 50 original songs and released 7 albums to date, working with a range of Grammy-nominated writers and artists. In recent years, Hartman has been writing and recording with Kit Worton at Right Touch Studios in Northfield, NJ and Bob Fowler at SSR Recording in Smithville, honing his craft and fine-tuning his lyrical dexterity through co-writing a variety of music genres with talented local artists and producers.


Hartman’s skill and dedication to his craft have led to a steadily growing fan base and continuing recognition of his work as an artist. 2019 saw the release of the EP Average Joe, In 2020, Hartman released two new albums, 7 and Under Cover, as well as ten singles including both covers and new originals. His single “Cielito Lindo,” a Spanish-language track featuring acoustic guitar and vocals, just hit number one on Spotify’s Release Radar, as did his recent single “Sweet Johnny.” His music currently garners well over 30,000 Spotify streams as of this date and has amassed 500,000 spins on Jango Radio to date, as stream counts continue to grow daily. In 2021, Spotify’s “Release Radar” awarded Jeff 24, #1’s to date. With no plans to slow down, Hartman is poised to release “Jeff Hartman Acoustic Favorites,” a compilation of 27 of his most popular and current original songs. His music, including both originals and covers, can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and most major streaming platforms.


Jeff resides in Margate, NJ with his wife Paula owner of the Hartman Home Team, an award winning, nationally ranked real estate team.


https://www.jeffhartmanmusic.com/



Monday, November 27, 2023

Marciaxilla




Marciaxilla developed her interest in music at an early age when she received classical piano training at the age of three. Under the influence of her parents, she was introduced to a range of musical styles. This helped foster a lifelong appreciation of music through exploring different genres over the years. As a self-taught songwriter and artist, Marciaxilla writes, records, arranges and produces her own music. 

Her music spans a wide range of styles as she sets no limits to her artistic creativity through experimenting and trying new things in music creation. Her debut single “Wine of Love” is an intriguing piece of music which captures the graceful essence of what it feels like to be in love. Another upbeat tune called “Breakthrough” presents a blend of dynamic drum beats, elegant strings, captivating synths and effects. 

Other releases include the powerful, uplifting and inspirational tune called “The Lighthouse” and “Beauties of Life”, a piece of relaxing and tuneful music which recalls a search for a blissful and fulfilling life. Her latest single is a lively and cheerful tune called “Love Carousel”. The music set an upbeat mood with a bouncy tune making people reminisce about the happy times that they have spent with their loved ones. 

Marciaxilla puts her heart into her music with dedication and passion. Creating music is a rewarding experience which gives her enjoyment and fulfilment. She hopes to bring joy to her audience through her music.

https://twitter.com/marciaxilla

Mark Easton

 


Mark Easton tackles all instruments and lead vocals by himself, with an emphasis on a guitar sound. The only assistance being from two occasional background vocalists. There is really nothing here approaching blues-rock, things are more in a rock vein. He blends electric and acoustic guitars to great effect. The drumming is pretty rudimentary but is just right for the music.

Indian tom-toms lead into what else but “Indian Summer”. An infectious beat is laid down by acoustic guitar. He contributes some nicely wailing harmonica. Loud guitar rock powers the self explanatory “Your Driving’s Driving Me Crazy”. He describes the foibles of bad drivers in a hoarse vocal delivery. “Rumour Has It” gets its’ kick off by driving drums. More intense harmonica over acoustic slide guitar.

“It’s Never Going To Be The Same” goes back and forth from slow acoustic guitar to heavy electric guitar. It’s a bit of a heavy metal ballad. The narrator tells of his dream of a H-bomb dropping and he’s the only man left among “13 Women”. He runs down a litany of bad manors on “I Don’t Hate You, I Just Hate Everything You Do” to the accompaniment of Led Zeppelin style ringing acoustic guitar.

“Highland Fling” contains a tricky electric guitar figure. The world situation is bandied about on the title track “Free Yourself”. More of the same is the subject of “Digging Your Own Grave”. The Foghat treatment with traded off guitar lines is given to “I Just Want To Make Love To You”. Mark rocks out in grand style with the backing vocalists along for the guitar ride.

Mark has managed quite effectively to become his own rock band. He has the ensemble sound down to a tee complete with a driving beat. This CD is a virtual Garden Of Eden for lovers of the classic rockers of the seventies. Mark makes it all sound so seamless. Rock on!

Markeaston.net