Monthly Archives: February 2016

“Emily” by Nick Urb
22
Feb

Singer-songwriter, Nick Urb, released Until the End of Days via Independent Ear Records on February 26, 2016. For this batch of songs, Urb tinkered with odd tuning while exploring both the happiness and hardships of his young adult life. He recorded Until the End of Days in Hamilton, Ontario at Catherine North Studios.

Urb was born and raised just outside Detroit in Clawson, Michigan. He occupied his time playing in bands around Michigan for over 8 years, finally going solo and finding his way up the East Coast and as far South as Austin, Texas. He played churches, house shows and small theaters throughout his early twenties, an experience he refers to as “reflective and therapeutic.”

Released in 2012, his first album, We Are Able, received over 7 Million streams on Spotify and earned him a session on Daytrotter. It was a watershed moment for the songwriter and fit well with the timely emergence of mellow folk pop troubadours’ such as City and Colour, Noah Gundersen and Ed Sheeren.

“Emily” by Nick Urb

Nick Urb

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer Thorington & Samuel Markus of Working Brilliantly

“Bring Me Down Dixie” by Kate Brown
22
Feb

Whether the audience is rapt and attentive or well oiled and rowdy, singer-songwriter Kate Brown charms them with self-deprecating monologues, sheer intensity and her audacious authenticity.

A small town girl from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, she grew up with supportive parents that she characterizes as “Old hippies in an upstanding Midwest Catholic way — really accepting and free.” Her mother played in a folk duo. Brown discovered her calling after she uncovered her mother’s dusty 12-string guitar and a six-string that belonged to her great-grandmother. Eventually dropping out of college, she performed in coffeehouses, peddled homemade CD’s and slept in truck stops as she traversed the country.

It was at a 10-week intensive course at The School at Steppenwolf in Chicago that she met fellow actor and drummer Tony Sancho, the musical partner who forms a fundamental bond in her endeavors. Their onstage connection is intuitive, Brown observes.

“Bring Me Down Dixie” by Kate Brown

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Image and mp3 courtesy of Amanda Blide of LaFamos Marketing & Publicity Department

“Sweet Melody” by Alicia Rae
21
Feb

Hailing from Washington DC, Alicia Rae quickly found her knack for songwriting the moment she picked up her first guitar. Then came the crisp vocals and catchy, relatable lyrics. The singer-songwriter’s music consists of captivating pop songs with playful melodies and honest lyrics.

Rae worked with Chris Rafetto on her 2015 EP Sweet Melody. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences in love and heartbreak, Rae conveys heartfelt emotion through musical storytelling in each of her songs. She has played at festivals across the mid-Atlantic region and performed at famed Washington, DC music venues like Jammin’ Java and U Street Music Hall. She has shared the stage with award winning artists such as Mikaela Davis, Lewis Watson, Kawehi and Steve Moakler.

“Sweet Melody” by Alicia Rae

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Image and mp3 courtesy of Dana Pieper of LaFamos Marketing & Publicity Department